Imagine owning a piece of land so vast it dwarfs entire states. That's exactly what happened when a mysterious buyer snapped up a Wyoming ranch larger than Rhode Island for a staggering $79.5 million. After months of speculation, the curtain has finally been lifted, revealing Christopher Robinson, a local elected official, as the new owner. But here's where it gets even more intriguing: Robinson, through his family-owned company, The Ensign Group L.C., now controls a staggering 916,000 acres, equivalent to roughly 1% of Wyoming's total land mass. To put that into perspective, this sprawling property, known as Pathfinder Ranches, spans 1,431 square miles—nearly the size of Delaware and significantly larger than New York City's 300 square miles. Even the fictional Dutton Ranch from the hit TV series Yellowstone pales in comparison, with its mere 775,000 to 825,000 acres.
The deal, which closed on January 14, adds to Robinson's already impressive land holdings. As a Summit County Council member, he already oversees approximately one million acres, including the neighboring 86,000-acre Stone Ranch, purchased just four years ago. But this acquisition isn't just about expanding his empire; it's about reunification. Robinson shared with KPCW that the family who sold Stone Ranch once owned the heart of Pathfinder, and this purchase brings it all back together into one massive, self-sustaining landscape.
And this is the part most people miss: Pathfinder Ranches isn't just any piece of land. It's a treasure trove of historical and natural significance. Named after 19th-century explorer John C. Frémont, the property spans four counties and surrounds much of Pathfinder Reservoir. It includes over 20 miles of the Sweetwater River and portions of the Pedro, Ferris, Seminoe, and Green Mountain ranges. One of its most iconic landmarks is Independence Rock, a historic site along the Oregon, Mormon, Pony Express, and California Trails—paths once trodden by early pioneers.
Robinson's vision for the land is both ambitious and controversial. He plans to operate it as a single, self-sustaining livestock range, with Stone Ranch serving as a crucial connector between its eastern and western sections. “We’re not generally landlords,” Robinson told Cowboy State Daily. “We’re operators. Over time, we’ll grow into it, running our own livestock on it.” But here’s where it gets controversial: While Robinson emphasizes long-term conservation goals and stewardship, some might question the environmental impact of such large-scale livestock operations. After all, managing nearly a million acres of land sustainably is no small feat.
Robinson’s purchase also raises questions about the growing trend of private land ownership in the U.S. America’s largest private landowner, Stan Kroenke, controls an estimated 2.7 million acres, while CNN founder Ted Turner owns two million acres across the Southeast, Great Plains, and American West. As these vast properties change hands, what does it mean for public access, conservation, and local communities? Robinson, who has served on the Summit County Council since 2008 and recently announced he won’t seek reelection, insists this is a labor of love. “We love land and water,” he said. “We think it’s a good long-term investment, and we like the opportunities it affords us to be stewards over a piece of God’s creation.”
But what do you think? Is this a commendable effort to preserve and manage land responsibly, or does it raise concerns about the concentration of land ownership in the hands of a few? Let us know in the comments—this is a conversation worth having.
