Lawsuit Could Shut Down Blind Frog Ranch — But Season 5 Just Dropped
Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch is back for a fifth season, but it might also be its last—depending on how a growing legal battle plays out in Utah courts.
Duane Ollinger, the star of the show and owner (sort of) of the 160-acre Blind Frog Ranch in eastern Utah, is now facing a lawsuit that could force him to shut down operations entirely. The show follows Duane, his son Chad, and their team as they dig through underground caves on the property in search of buried treasure. But while Discovery Channel cameras are still rolling, a very real legal fight is threatening to bring the whole thing to a halt.
According to Judicial Nexus, the lawsuit was filed by a coalition of environmental groups and local authorities, including the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.
They claim that Duane has been excavating without the proper legal permits, using heavy machinery and even explosives in ways that could damage the environment.
And it doesn't stop there. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is also involved, raising concerns that part of the ranch may actually sit on federal land.
The case centers on ownership: Duane insists he owns the land outright and can do what he wants. But court documents show the official listed owner is "Ollinger Duane ETAL," meaning Duane and unnamed others. That technicality has opened the door for legal challenges to his excavation rights.
In the meantime, a temporary injunction has been issued, stopping further digging while the lawsuit is under review. Some of the case records have been sealed, and access to the property is now restricted. If the court rules against him, Duane could face significant fines or even criminal charges tied to environmental violations or improper land use.
Despite the legal mess, Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch Season 5 premiered on June 18 on the Discovery Channel. According to Warner Bros., the season still features active excavation:
"In the season premiere, Chad dives deep into an underground passage, discovering artifacts and a potential way through to the keyhole chamber. Meanwhile, geologist Eric Drummond returns from Ohio with intel on how to drill around the meteorite on the ranch. But a midnight intruder on the property digs up an even bigger mystery, putting the team on high alert and impeding their efforts."
The official synopsis even seems to nod to the legal situation, teasing that:
"As they inch closer to the treasure, a deadly radioactive discovery, volatile elements, mysterious trespassers, and secret government operations threaten to halt everything."
Environmental activists continue to warn that ongoing digging could pollute water sources and harm local ecosystems. Neighboring landowners have also joined the fight, filing lawsuits of their own that have further complicated the case.
So while Season 5 is airing now, the future of Blind Frog Ranch — and the show built around it — is very much up in the air. The court case is still ongoing.