Wildlife Expert Jack Hanna Asks $4 Million For His 41-Acre Montana Retreat

aerial view of trees and mountains around jack hanna's bigfork retreat
The 41-acre property takes in views of Flathead Lake in one direction. (© 2021 Trevon Baker / National Parks Realty)

Where does the host of “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild” go to kick back? Into his own private wilderness, of course.

Wildlife expert, retired zookeeper and reality TV personality Jack Hanna and his wife Suzi have put their hideaway in Bigfork, Montana, on the market at US $3.988 million.

Elk Cabin, one of six on the property, features a front porch and a loft bedroom.

Elk Cabin, one of six on the property, features a front porch and a loft bedroom. (© 2021 Trevon Baker / National Parks Realty)

Jack Hanna, known to TV viewers as “Jungle Jack,” envisioned the property as a summertime farm and, since the late 1990s, has had extra cabins built for the use of family members.

A gated drive opens to the 41-acre Elk Glen Retreat, which contains six custom-built guest cabins featuring log construction, stonework and reclaimed wood. Footpaths connect the cabins, which have a total of seven bedrooms and six bathrooms.

Made of local timber, the log cabins and bunkhouses have names such as Bearly Asleep, Eagle’s Nest, Moose Meadows and Elk Cabin.

Wooden walls and ceilings are paired with floors made of reclaimed barn wood.

Wooden walls and ceilings are paired with floors made of reclaimed barn wood. (© 2021 Trevon Baker / National Parks Realty)

A hand-laid stone fireplace with a knobby burled wood mantelpiece, an old-fashioned clawfoot tub and a front sitting porch for passing the time of day are among the details in Elk Cabin. The 700-square-foot house has a main living area, an eat-in kitchen, one bedroom, one bathroom and a loft.

Chinked wood walls, wood floors and vaulted beamed ceilings add a warm, timeless ambiance to the simple, rustic interiors. Reclaimed wood from a barn once owned by famed aviator Charles Lindbergh was used as flooring in the cabins.

Two covered wagons, a tack room, a hay shed, a greenhouse, a chicken coop, an organic garden and a fenced enclosure for equestrian or animal use are among other amenities. There’s garage space for four vehicles.

Two stage coaches, a play area and expanses of lawn sit near the cabins.

Two stage coaches, a play area and expanses of lawn sit near the cabins. (© 2021 Trevon Baker / National Parks Realty)

Mature pines, cherry orchards, expanses of lawn, split-rail fences and wooden bear statues complete the grounds.

The property takes in views of the Swan mountain range’s 8,000- to 9,000-foot-high peaks and the blue waters of Flathead Lake. The local wildlife includes elk, moose, mountain lions and black bears.

Denise Lang of National Parks Realty is the listing agent for 13518 Sylvan Drive, Bigfork, Montana.

The Swan Range looms on the horizon to the east of the property.

The Swan Range looms on the horizon to the east of the property. (© 2021 Trevon Baker / National Parks Realty)

Nearby recreational activities include hiking, biking and fishing on the more than 200-square-mile Flathead Lake. Winter pursuits include cross-country and downhill skiing and snowboarding.

The property is about four miles from downtown Bigfork and a mile from the county seat of Kalispell, considered the gateway to Glacier National Park. Glacier International Airport is about 29 miles away.

The resort-oriented village of Bigfork offers restaurants, art galleries and live theater.

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During four decades of covering luxury and celebrity housing, I’ve looked into people’s homes, lives and property records through many lenses. I was the Los Angeles Times Real Estate section editor for eight years, the Hot Property columnist for six and did stints as a newspaper reporter, copy editor and page designer. My work for The Times Business, Home and Real Estate sections has garnered in-house and national awards for blogging, editing and feature writing.

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