Will Taylor Sheridan Keep His $600 Million ‘Yellowstone’ Empire When Show Ends? Inside TV Mogul’s Incredible Ranches Featured in the Show

“Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan is going out with a bang as far as his wildly popular series is concerned—even roping in supermodel Bella Hadid for a cameo as his on-screen girlfriend in one of the final episodes of the Kevin Costner-led hit.

But while Sheridan, 54, is bidding farewell to “Yellowstone,” his love of the rancher lifestyle might not be as easy to shake, particularly given that his passion for all things cowboy has turned into a property empire worth more than $600 million.

The showrunner owns not one, but two Texas ranches, and though they are located many miles away from Montana, where “Yellowstone” is set, he managed to get them some screen time in the series, which is due to end on Dec. 15.

Much of the filming for the series—which focuses on the powerful Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton (Costner)—took place on the Chief Joseph Ranch, a real-life working cattle ranch in Darby, MT. The ranch can be rented out for a taste of the “Yellowstone” lifestyle.

However, Sheridan is said to have made a killing charging Paramount to use his ranches for filming and as a “cowboy camp” to train the show’s actors.

Per the Wall Street Journal, he charged the network $50,000 a week to use his properties as a set for the show, while the training camp reportedly cost Paramount an additional $214,979.

Sheridan has stakes in two ranches in the Texas area, one of which, the iconic Four Sixes Ranch, he bought as part of an investment group for an eye-watering $320 million in 2022. Back in 2013, he purchased Bosque Ranch for $264 million as a base for his family when they relocated to Texas from Los Angeles.

He also has a role in the show itself, starring as horse trainer Travis Wheatle, the new on-screen love interest of Hadid’s character.

The social media star’s turn on the show seems to be a consequence of her reported real-life romance with cowboy Adan Banuelos, who also appears on the series. Hadid is no stranger to ranch life thanks to her mom, Yolanda Hadid, who recently showed off her own Texas horse ranch in a video for Architectural Digest.

It remains to be seen whether Sheridan will part ways with any of his ranch properties in the wake of “Yellowstone” ending. However, his connection to that way of life will take a while to stamp out.

Real-life cowboy

Sheridan, along with ruling an entire cowboy universe of shows, has an off-screen life as a cowboy, having grown up on a ranch in Cranfills Gap, TX. The formative experience has helped to shape his vision for the show, he said.

Previously, Sheridan had been an actor on shows such as “Veronica Mars” and “Sons of Anarchy,” during which time he and his family were based in Los Angeles. However, in a 2020 interview with Cowboys and Indians magazine, he admitted that he couldn’t wait to leave L.A.

He relocated “the second I could get out,” he said. He and his wife decided to move to the Lone Star State in 2020, after having spent some time in her native Wyoming.

“My wife’s from up in Wyoming and my mother lives up there, so we moved there for a number of years, until I finally convinced her to come try my home state. And I moved her to Texas on Aug. 1, because I figured I might as well just pull the Band-Aid off quick,” he recalled.

“She didn’t understand the heat for a bit, but then she figured it out, and now she’s a Texan.”

Ranch-o-rama

Together with his wife, actress-model Nicole Muirbrook, and their son, he splits his time between two Texas ranches. The 600-acre Bosque Ranch, located in Weatherford, is his home base and where he’s mainly headquartered, he’s said. Eagle-eyed fans will also notice scenes of the show shot on this property.

“The main headquarters where we live is more of a horse ranch, because I’m pretty deep into the horse deal. And then the ranch out by Jacksboro is more where we run the cattle,” he told Cowboys and Indians.

However, the $264 million property is far from the most lavish ranch in his portfolio.

Along with a group of investors, he owns the 266,000-acre Four Sixes ranch, a cattle property. According to multiple reports, the group splashed out $320 million for the enterprise in 2022.

The storied ranch was found by Capt. Samuel “Burk” Burnett in 1870, according to its website.

In the interview, he noted that he provides the horses that are showcased on the Western drama, but he declined to state the number of cattle.

“I’m very fortunate in that I have some very nice Angus cattle. As far as my horses go, I supply most of the horses to ‘Yellowstone,’ my TV show,” he explained. “And then I have horses that I show and breed. Right now, I’ve got probably as many horses as I have cattle. And I have too many horses.”

Bosque Ranch

The scenic surroundings of Bosque Ranch have stood in for scenes in “Yellowstone.”

According to the website, the property is “nestled among quiet roads and the rolling hills above the Brazos River.” The working ranch offers a range of activities, from horse competitions to TV shoots.

“Sheridan plans to elevate operations by hosting reining and cow horse reining events, film and TV shoots, concerts, music festivals, charity events and an on-going unique dining experience,” the website states.

In addition, there’s a watering hole for humans. Nic’s Bar, which is named after his wife, is where “premiere members” can head for drinks and more.

“Nic’s Bar, a beautiful space overlooking the arena offers its premiere members and patrons a local spot for drinks, food and dancing, while also offering a private event space to host cast and crew parties, special events and more,” the website adds.

Real-life Dutton Ranch

In addition to the Texas locales, “Yellowstone” also shoots at a picturesque Montana ranch that’s a working cattle property, which stands in for the Dutton family home.

Chief Joseph Ranch sits in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley and offers several cabins available to rent.

Shane and Abigail Libel, who own and run the ranch, rent out the land and its cabins for production during the filming of the show. When filming wraps, it turns back into a working cattle ranch where the main lodge serves as the Libels’ family home.

The ranch, a five-hour drive from Yellowstone National Park, also has two cabins that can sleep up to eight people—priced at $1,400 to $1,700 a night.

Expanding his empire?

According to a report from TMZ, Sheridan might have increased his property portfolio with the addition of a $4.95 million ranch in Wyoming’s Star Valley, which the outlet claims he purchased in September.

The 179-acre ranch, which is known as Papa’s Creek Ranch, boasts two trout streams, making it the ideal location for any eager fisherman.

“It is worth stating that both Papa’s Creek and the Salt River are protected by Wyoming Stream access laws with no public access easements that often encumber other Salt River properties,” the listing stated. “This unique scenario allows the landowner full control to enjoy and invest with the utmost confidence in these dynamic resources.”

Described as being a “rare opportunity for those seeking private fishing and waterfowl hunting,” the property is located 65 miles from Jackson Hole.