Previously cattle country with over 70 ranches, today’s Madison Valley thrives on recreation, tourism, and construction. With no heavy industry, air and waters are natural and pure; perfect for telecommuters, retirees, and seasonal residents. This is a place where handshakes still have value and the concept of being a good neighbor thrives.
According to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, “Taken as a whole, the entire Madison River watershed is one of the most ecologically intact corners of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Island–like mountain ranges connected by sweeping agricultural lands provide great habitat for a variety of wildlife. The Madison River and its tributaries are famous worldwide for their trout fishing. Abundant wildlife – from large elk herds to solitary grizzly bears – move with the seasons in search of food and shelter, often between public and private land, without recognizable boundaries. Madison Valley, with Ennis at its heart, is a wildlife corridor to wildlands north and west of Yellowstone Park.”