The biggest ranches in Texas cover more land than some entire states. These massive properties have been shaping Texas culture and economy for over 150 years. Texas has more private land ownership than any other state, with 95% of the land held by individuals and families rather than the government. This creates unique opportunities for large-scale ranching operations that you simply cannot find anywhere else in America.
These ten ranches combine for nearly 4.4 million acres of land. Some focus on traditional cattle operations while others have expanded into oil production, hunting, and conservation. Many of these ranches have stayed in the same families for generations, passing down not just land but ranching knowledge and traditions. Today they attract everyone from billionaire investors to working cowboys, all drawn to the independence and legacy that comes with Texas ranch ownership.
1. King Ranch
| Total Acres | 825,000 |
| Founded | 1853 |
| Species | Santa Gertrudis Cattle, Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds |
| Owned by | King Ranch Heirs / Kleberg Family |
King Ranch covers 825,000 acres in South Texas, making it the largest ranch in the United States. Captain Richard King started this operation in 1853 when he bought land in what people called the Wild Horse Desert. The ranch spans six counties between Corpus Christi and Brownsville and has stayed in operation for over 170 years. What started as a cattle ranch has grown into something much bigger.
The ranch created the Santa Gertrudis breed of cattle and breeds top Quarter Horses. King Ranch runs like a small town with its own schools and houses for workers. The famous Running W brand shows up on everything from cattle to Ford pickup trucks. Today, the ranch makes money from cattle, farming citrus and cotton, oil wells, and hunting trips. The current King Ranch heirs still live on the property and run the business from the main house.
2. Briscoe Ranches
| Total Acres | 640,000 |
| Founded | 1910 |
| Species | Hereford Cattle, Santa Gertrudis Cattle, Angora Goats |
| Owned by | Briscoe Family Heirs |
The Briscoe family owns 640,000 acres spread across ten Texas counties. Former Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe Jr. built up these ranches when oil was found on the family land. The money from oil helped them buy even more ranches from South Texas all the way to West Texas. The main ranch is called Catarina Ranch near the Mexican border.
The Briscoes use helicopters to round up cattle instead of just cowboys on horses. This lets them work huge pastures in just a few hours instead of spending weeks chasing cattle through thick brush. The family runs cattle, pumps oil, and leases land to hunters. Three generations of Briscoes have worked these ranches and they still use the Open Six brand that goes back decades.
3. Waggoner Ranch
| Total Acres | 520,527 |
| Founded | 1852 |
| Species | Cattle, Quarter Horses |
| Owned by | Stan Kroenke |
The Waggoner Ranch covers 520,527 acres in northern Texas near Vernon. This ranch claims to be the largest in Texas under one fence, meaning all the land connects without public roads cutting through it. Daniel Waggoner started the ranch in 1852 with just 230 longhorn cattle. Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke bought the ranch in 2016 for about $720 million.
The ranch has 14,000 cattle, 500 horses, and over 1,000 oil wells. Kroenke has spent millions clearing brush to bring back native grasses and improve the land for wildlife. The ranch is so big it supplies water to the nearby city of Wichita Falls. Different sections of the ranch have their own managers, but they all work together during busy times like branding season.
4. O’Connor Ranches
| Total Acres | 500,000 |
| Founded | 1836 |
| Species | Longhorn Cattle, Brahman Cattle |
| Owned by | O’Connor Family Descendants |
Thomas O’Connor came from Ireland with no money and built one of the biggest ranch empires in Texas. He arrived in 1836 and started making saddles to earn money for land. By the time he died in 1887, O’Connor owned over 500,000 acres and 100,000 cattle. The ranch sits mainly in South Texas near Victoria and covers six counties.
O’Connor was one of the first ranchers to use barbed wire fencing in Texas. He put almost every dollar he made back into buying more land. The ranch has stayed in the O’Connor family for over 150 years. About a dozen family members now own shares of the land. The ranch runs cattle, hosts hunters, and makes money from oil wells that were discovered on the property decades ago.
5. Jones Family Ranch
| Total Acres | 380,000 |
| Founded | 1897 |
| Species | Cattle |
| Owned by | Jones Family |
The Jones family owns 380,000 acres near Corpus Christi that has been in their family since 1897. W.W. Jones started the ranch on land that used to be part of a Spanish land grant from the 1800s. The ranch still has buildings from the Spanish and Mexican periods, making it a piece of living history. Six generations of the Jones family have run this ranch.
The ranch runs cattle and pumps oil from wells on the property. The family also lets guests stay at the main ranch house, turning part of the operation into a hospitality business. The Jones Family Ranch shows how coastal ranching works differently from desert ranching, with different grasses and proximity to shipping ports. The family has managed to keep the ranch profitable by combining traditional cattle work with oil income and tourism.
6. Longfellow Ranch
| Total Acres | 350,000 |
| Founded | 1800s |
| Species | Elk, Mule Deer, Cattle |
| Owned by | Malone Mitchell III |
The Longfellow Ranch sits in the Big Bend area of West Texas on 350,000 acres of desert and mountains. SandRidge Energy founder Malone Mitchell III owns the ranch and has turned it into a top hunting destination. The ranch has cattle but makes most of its money from guided hunts for elk and deer. Hunters come from all over the country to hunt on this remote ranch.
The ranch has a fancy lodge where guests can stay during hunting trips. The land is rough and beautiful, with canyons and mesas reminiscent of old western movies. Besides hunting, the ranch produces natural gas from wells on the property. The combination of cattle, hunting, and energy makes this ranch profitable even in tough years.
7. Four Sixes Ranch (6666)
| Total Acres | 350,000 |
| Founded | 1870 |
| Species | Angus Cattle, Quarter Horses |
| Owned by | Taylor Sheridan Group |
The Four Sixes Ranch covers 350,000 acres in West Texas and was sold for the first time ever in 2021. Yellowstone TV show creator Taylor Sheridan bought the ranch for over $320 million. Samuel Burk Burnett started the ranch in 1870 with 100 cattle that had the 6666 brand. The ranch has been breeding top Quarter Horses for over 150 years, and people call it the place where cowboying was invented.
The ranch runs about 7,000 Angus cattle and some of the best horse breeding programs in America. Sheridan plans to film his new Yellowstone spinoff show at the ranch, which will bring even more attention to authentic ranch life. The Four Sixes offers tours so people can see how a real working ranch operates. The ranch demonstrates how traditional cowboy skills can blend seamlessly with modern ranching techniques.
8. Nunley Brothers Ranch
| Total Acres | 301,500 |
| Founded | 1950s |
| Species | Santa Gertrudis Cattle |
| Owned by | Nunley Brothers |
The Nunley Brothers run 301,500 acres across Texas from South Texas up to the Panhandle near Lubbock. This family has been raising cattle for generations and focuses on breeding top quality cattle. Their ranches are spread out so they can move cattle to different areas depending on weather and grass conditions. The Nunley family is known for their Santa Gertrudis cattle and for raising big deer.
The brothers built their operation by buying ranches in different parts of Texas instead of just one big piece of land. This helps them deal with droughts since different areas get rain at different times. The Nunley Brothers are proud of their cattle genetics and work to produce cattle that can handle Texas heat and tough conditions. Their ranch shows how family operations can expand while still focusing on quality.
9. Kokernot Heirs (06 Ranch)
| Total Acres | 278,000 |
| Founded | 1836 |
| Species | Hereford Cattle |
| Owned by | Kokernot Family |
The Kokernot family has been ranching in Texas since 1836, making them one of the oldest ranching families in the state. Their 06 Ranch covers 278,000 acres in West Texas near Alpine and Fort Davis. The family registered their 06 brand in 1837, and the same family still runs cattle under that brand today. The ranch sits in the desert mountains of the Big Bend region.
The ranch runs cattle and offers hunting and ranch tours to visitors. Movie companies have used the ranch for filming westerns because it still looks like the old frontier. The Kokernot heirs have kept the ranch in the family for almost 200 years by adapting to new ways of making money while keeping their cattle operation going. The ranch combines old ranching traditions with modern tourism.
10. La Escalera
| Total Acres | 260,000 |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Species | Cattle, Mule Deer, Pronghorn |
| Owned by | Lyda Family |
Covering over 260,000 acres, this ranch stretches across four counties (Pecos, Brewster, Archer, and Baylor), showcasing a mix of desert landscapes and grasslands. San Antonio cattle rancher Gerald Lyda acquired the property in 1992, and today, his children manage its day-to-day operations. The ranch stands out for its focus on water conservation, using strategic grazing methods to maintain the land’s health in an area prone to dry conditions. Its sheer size and careful management make it a significant player in Texas’ cattle industry.
Beyond cattle ranching, La Escalera supports diverse wildlife, including mule deer and pronghorn, blending agricultural use with habitat preservation. The Lyda family’s hands-on approach keeps the ranch rooted in tradition while adapting to modern challenges. Over the years, they have balanced economic pressures with sustainable practices, ensuring the land remains productive without sacrificing its natural character.
Want to Be Part of Texas Ranching?
These expansive ranches show what can happen when families stick with ranching for generations and adapt to changes over time. Modern ranching is more than just running cattle. These operations use helicopters for roundups, manage oil wells, host hunters, and run tourism businesses. Each ranch took decades to build and required learning about cattle, land, water, and business.
Getting into ranching takes more than just buying land. You need to understand cattle breeding, grass management, and local markets. Successful ranchers build relationships with neighbors, vets, and cattle buyers. They learn about weather patterns and how to balance making money with taking care of the land. At Hortenstine Ranch Company, we help people find Texas ranches for sale that fit their goals. From family-sized operations to investment properties, we know what makes Texas ranching work and can help you find the right place to start your own ranch.