A standout feature of this approximately 40-acre property is the impressive 40' x 72' drive-through shop, featuring 14-foot doors on both ends, LED lighting, and a used-oil generator. With ample space for equipment, RVs, trailers, vehicles, storage, or workspace, the shop is large enough to support a home-based business or a variety of commercial-style uses. Additional outbuildings provide even more functional storage and utility.
Located at 415 Cottonwood Creek Road in Plains, this rural Montana property offers usable acreage, open fields, mountain views, privacy, and practical year-round access. Cottonwood Creek Road is located on a school bus route and is plowed during the winter.
The acreage offers both lifestyle and utility. Grass hay production nearly covers the annual property taxes, while a productive garlic garden provides additional value. A grid-tied solar system keeps electric bills near $35 per month, allowing the home to operate close to net zero. The property may also be sold with furnishings.
The home has been thoughtfully remodeled with accessibility in mind, including handicap-accessible bathrooms and a ramped front walkway. The mostly finished basement provides additional usable space and includes a bedroom-style area without proper egress, making it well suited for an office, hobby room, guest area, workout space, or storage.
The surrounding area is known for its natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and abundant wildlife. Elk cross the fields each year, adding to the authentic Montana character of the property. Nearby activities include fishing, hiking, hunting, soaking, and exploring the mountains and valleys of western Montana. Hot springs are located approximately 20 minutes away.
This property is ideal for someone seeking a large, functional shop, privacy, usable land, accessibility-minded improvements, low utility costs, wildlife, self-sufficiency, and the slower pace of country living—all within reach of Plains, MT. Situated on 40 acres in the beautiful Plains, Montana area, this property offers the kind of practical, self-sufficient country lifestyle that is getting harder to find. Located on Cottonwood Creek Road, the property benefits from year-round accessibility, as the road is on a school bus route and is plowed in the winter.
The 40-acre setting provides usable land, privacy, and a strong rural Montana feel. The fields produce grass hay, with annual hay sales nearly covering the property taxes. A garlic garden on the property also provides added income potential and nearly offsets the already-low power bill. With the 5kW grid-tied solar system and utility contract potential up to 10kW, the home operates close to net-zero, keeping electric bills around $35 per month.
The property features a large 40x74 shop with an additional 20x74 covered side area, plus an attached greenhouse/shop space. Exterior improvements include 30-year EDCO steel siding, aluminum fascia and soffit with rain gutters, a 30-year steel roof, 5/8-inch plywood, and extra-heavy trusses in the living area designed to support a future south porch extension.
The home was built and improved with efficiency in mind, including Jeld-Wen windows throughout, energy glass on the south side, R39 insulation in the living room, R49 insulation in the bedroom area, and R18 walls with 3½-inch faced insulation, ½-inch Thermax, plywood, and Tyvek fabric. Heating is provided by a Blaze King Princess wood stove and electric baseboard heat. There is also a Connecticut Electric Emergen Switch generator panel hookup for backup power capability.
Inside, the home includes thoughtful accessibility features such as handicap-accessible bathrooms and a handicap ramp at the front walk. Additional improvements include new garage doors on the house, a cold cellar from the original homestead, and all-new appliances, including a Thor 6-burner stainless oven and ZLINE range hood vented to the exterior.
The surrounding area offers a peaceful Western Montana lifestyle with mountain views, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and nearby small-town conveniences in Plains. Elk cross the fields each year, adding to the natural beauty and Montana character of the property. Hot springs are located within approximately 20 minutes, offering a relaxing nearby destination, along with access to fishing, hiking, hunting, and other year-round recreation.
This is a well-improved 40-acre property designed for efficiency, accessibility, utility, and rural comfort. With hay production, garden income, solar power, wildlife, and extensive infrastructure already in place, 415 Cottonwood Creek Road offers a rare opportunity to own a nearly net-zero Montana property with both lifestyle and practical value.
Active under contract
$750,000
415 Cottonwood Creek Rd, Plains, MT 59859
2beds
1,304sqft
Single Family Residence
Built in 1974
39.81 Acres Lot
$693,100 Zestimate®
$575/sqft
$-- HOA
What's special
Mountain viewsUsable acreageOpen fieldsPractical year-round accessJeld-wen windows throughout
- 57 days
- 136
- 7
Zillow last checked:
Listing updated:
Listed by:
Stefan Lucas 406-249-2307,
Realty Montana
Source: MRMLS,MLS#: 30073941
Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 3
- Full bathrooms: 2
- 3/4 bathrooms: 1
Heating
- Wood Stove
Appliances
- Included: Cooktop, Dryer, Dishwasher, Microwave, Range, Refrigerator, Washer
- Laundry: Washer Hookup
Features
- Main Level Primary, Open Floorplan, Vaulted Ceiling(s)
- Basement: Full,Partially Finished,Walk-Up Access
- Has fireplace: No
Interior area
- Total interior livable area: 1,304 sqft
- Finished area below ground: 880
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 2
- Parking features: Garage
- Garage spaces: 2
Accessibility
- Accessibility features: Accessible Full Bath, Grab Bars, Low Threshold Shower, Accessible Approach with Ramp, Accessible Doors, Accessible Hallway(s)
Features
- Levels: One
- Stories: 1
- Exterior features: Garden
- Fencing: Barbed Wire,Perimeter
Lot
- Size: 39.81 Acres
- Features: Agricultural, Meadow, Pasture, Level
- Topography: Level
Details
- Additional structures: Barn(s), Greenhouse, Shed(s), Workshop
- Parcel number: 35298110201010000
- Special conditions: Standard
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Ranch
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
- Foundation: Poured
- Roof: Metal
Condition
- New construction: No
- Year built: 1974
Utilities & green energy
- Sewer: Private Sewer, Septic Tank
- Water: Well
- Utilities for property: Electricity Connected, Phone Available
Community & HOA
HOA
- Has HOA: No
Location
- Region: Plains
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $575/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $315,748
- Annual tax amount: $2,019
- Date on market: 7/3/2026
- Listing agreement: Exclusive Right To Sell
- Road surface type: Gravel
Estimated market value
$693,100
$658,000 - $728,000
$1,434/mo
Price history
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 7/3/2026 | Listed for sale | $750,000$575/sqft |
Source: | ||
| 6/4/2018 | Sold | -- |
Source: | ||
Public tax history
| Year | Property taxes | Tax assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,839 -5.8% | $315,748 +34.1% |
| 2024 | $1,952 +4.6% | $235,418 |
| 2023 | $1,866 +2% | $235,418 +19.9% |
| 2022 | $1,829 | $196,334 |
| 2021 | $1,829 +4% | $196,334 +2.8% |
| 2020 | $1,758 -1.4% | $190,961 |
| 2019 | $1,782 +8.2% | $190,961 +19.1% |
| 2018 | $1,647 -12.8% | $160,348 |
| 2017 | $1,888 +7.1% | $160,348 +4.5% |
| 2016 | $1,763 +30.8% | $153,442 |
| 2015 | $1,348 +7% | $153,442 +83.6% |
| 2014 | $1,260 +4.7% | $83,559 +1.4% |
| 2013 | $1,203 -0.4% | $82,431 +1.6% |
| 2012 | $1,208 | $81,138 |
| 2011 | -- | -- |
| 2010 | -- | -- |
| 2009 | -- | -- |
Find assessor info on the county website
Monthly payment
Est. payment




