The Largest Private Ranches in Texas: A Legacy of Land and Tradition
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As we explored in our previous post about the world’s largest ranches, Texas holds some of the most impressive private land holdings in the United States. To truly grasp the scale of these properties, consider this: the King Ranch alone is larger than the combined areas of Singapore (278 sq mi / 720 sq km) and Bahrain (295 sq mi / 764 sq km).
The map below created by Reddit user: Convillious shows Texas’s largest private ranches with a size comparison.
These sprawling properties, some dating back to the 1800s, showcase both Texas’s ranching heritage and its evolution into modern land management. The iconic King Ranch leads the pack at 825,000 acres (3,338 square kilometers). Founded in 1853, it’s not just about size – the ranch pioneered cattle breeding programs and is credited with developing the Santa Gertrudis cattle breed.
Here’s a comprehensive look at Texas’s largest private ranches:
| Ranch Name | Area (acres) | Area (sq km) | Notable Facts |
| King Ranch | 825,000 | 3,338 | Larger than Rhode Island |
| Briscoe Ranch | 640,000 | 2,590 | Size of Mumbai city proper |
| Waggoner Ranch | 535,000 | 2,165 | Twice the size of New York City |
| O’Connor Ranch | 500,000* | 2,023 | Nearly the size of Luxembourg |
| Brewster Ranch | 424,000 | 1,716 | Larger than Greater London’s urban area |
| 6666 Ranch | 275,000 | 1,113 | Equal to Hong Kong Island |
| Longfellow Ranch | 272,000 | 1,100 | Size of Rome city proper |
| O2 Ranch/Lyke Bros | 272,000 | 1,100 | |
| Kenedy Ranch | 235,000 | 951 | |
| Corn Ranch/Jeff Bezos | 185,472 | 750 | Blue Origin’s launch site |
| SRP Ranches LLC | 163,284 | 661 | |
| Duval Ranch | 154,000 | 623 | |
| Matador Ranch | 131,000 | 530 | |
| La Escalera Ranch | 124,000 | 502 | |
| Robert C. Wildlife Fdn | 117,800 | 477 | |
| Y-6 Ranch | 113,650 | 460 | |
| 06 Ranch LTD | 113,535 | 459 | |
| Kokernot 06 | 113,000 | 457 | |
| Brazos Highland LP | 102,200 | 414 | |
| Rimrock & Ritchie | 94,487 | 382 | |
| Callaghan Ranch | 90,107 | 365 | |
| Maverick CTY & Cattle | 86,000 | 348 | |
| Turkey Track Ranch | 80,000 | 324 | |
| Eagle & Carrizo Mtn. Ranch | 77,000 | 312 | |
| Comanche Maverick Ranch | 76,000 | 308 |
The Briscoe Ranch, following closely behind King Ranch with 640,000 acres (2,590 square kilometers) of South Texas terrain, has its own remarkable history. The ranch’s legacy intertwines with Texas politics – former governor Dolph Briscoe Jr. expanded the family’s holdings significantly during his lifetime.
The historic Waggoner Ranch, sold in 2016 for $725 million, covers 535,000 acres (2,165 square kilometers). Its operations extend beyond cattle to include significant oil production, making it a prime example of how Texas ranches have diversified their income streams.
To put these sizes in perspective, the King Ranch’s 825,000 acres (3,338 sq km) could fit all of Singapore, and Bahrain, and still have room for about 200,000 football fields. Even the “smaller” ranches on our list, like the Kenedy Ranch, cover an area larger than five times the size of Paris’s city center.
An interesting modern addition to Texas’s ranching landscape is Jeff Bezos’s Corn Ranch, measuring 185,472 acres (750 square kilometers). While technically a ranch, it’s now better known as the base for Blue Origin’s space operations.
The legendary 6666 Ranch (Four Sixes), at 275,000 acres (1,113 square kilometers), recently gained renewed attention after featuring in the TV series “Yellowstone”. Founded in 1870, it maintains its reputation for superior quarter horse breeding and cattle operations.
These massive ranches play crucial roles in Texas’s economy. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, ranching contributes approximately $12.3 billion annually to Texas’s economy. Many of these properties have diversified beyond traditional cattle operations into oil and gas, wind energy, hunting leases, and tourism.
Modern challenges facing these ranches include water rights management, inheritance taxes, and pressure to subdivide for development. However, many ranch owners participate in conservation easements to preserve these historic properties for future generations.
The legacy of Texas’s largest ranches continues to evolve, balancing tradition with modern innovation. While cattle still graze these vast expanses, today’s ranches are complex operations that reflect changing times while maintaining their historic significance in Texas culture.
The future of these vast Texas ranches lies at the intersection of tradition and innovation. While their sheer size helps protect them from some development pressures, changing climate patterns and economic factors continue to shape their operations. What do you think these ranches will look like in 50 years? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
