For Sale Reduced

Snake River Retreat

$2,300,000 Glenns Ferry, ID 25± Deeded Acres

Sections

Overview

Executive Summary

Developed by an avid waterfowl hunter and outdoorsman, this 25± acre riverfront retreat sits just outside of the historic agricultural community of Glenns Ferry. The property features an impressive 1,700± feet of Snake River frontage with direct access to miles of river for watersports, world-class waterfowl hunting, wildlife viewing, and fishing for bass, trout, and sturgeon. Well-suited as either a seasonal recreational retreat, full-time riverfront estate, or small-scale farming and equestrian operation, the property is highlighted by a complete set of residential and ranch improvements, including two tastefully renovated homes that overlook the river and boast high-quality finishes and top-end appliances. Additional structures include a drive-through boat and RV storage building with double overhead doors, a multi-purpose building, a three-stall barn, and an equipment/hay storage shed. A state-permitted boat launch, complete with a floating dock, provides convenient access to the river for all types of water-related activities. Approximately 20 acres of the property are planted to corn and irrigated by a center pivot and multiple automatic big gun sprinklers. Under the owner’s management, flights of ducks and geese, along with a resident herd of mule deer, are regular visitors to the property’s well-tended fields. The property is conveniently located an hour from Boise and Twin Falls via Interstate 84 and an hour and a half from the all-season resort community of Sun Valley.

Just the Facts

  • 25± deeded acres with 1,700± feet of Snake River frontage
  • Two renovated, fully furnished farmhouses with high-quality finishes and top-end appliances
  • Other buildings include a boat/RV storage building with double overhead doors and drive-through access, a three-stall horse barn, a multi-purpose building, and an equipment/hay shed
  • 20± acres planted to corn and irrigated by a center pivot and Big Gun automatic sprinklers
  • Elevated setting offering views of the river, surrounding farms, and distant foothills
  • Private, permitted boat launch with a floating dock
  • World-class waterfowl hunting with a long season, abundant mallards, and a seven-duck and five-goose daily limit
  • Diverse fishing opportunities for a variety of species, including bass, trout, and sturgeon
  • Proximity to federal land for upland bird and big game hunting
  • An hour from Boise and Twin Falls on I-84 and an hour and a half from Sun Valley
  • Elevation of 2,550 feet with a mild, four-season climate
  • Annual property taxes are approximately $8,280
  • No conservation easement

General Description

Snake River Retreat is a thoughtfully designed and meticulously maintained riverfront homestead highlighted by 1,700± feet of Snake River shoreline. A private, permitted boat launch with an accompanying floating dock offers access to miles of boating, watersports, wildlife viewing, fishing, and world-class waterfowl hunting.  

Enhancing the appeal of Snake River Retreat is a complete set of residential and ranch improvements. These include two tastefully renovated homes that overlook the river, a drive-through boat and RV storage building with double overhead doors, a multi-purpose building, a three-stall barn, and a covered equipment storage shed. 

The property is fronted on its west side by East Cleveland Avenue, a paved, year-round road that provides convenient access to downtown Glenns Ferry as well as to Interstate 84 and US Highway 30. The Snake River serves as the property’s eastern boundary. 

Broker's Comments

Blending comfort, style, and functionality, Snake River Retreat is a wonderful recreational and lifestyle property suitable for year-round living or as a part-time escape from a busier life elsewhere. The property is highlighted by an impressive 1,700± feet of river frontage, providing miles of access up and down the Snake for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and watersports. Convenient access to nearby regional communities, including Boise and Sun Valley, rounds out this exceptional offering.

Locale

Location

Snake River Retreat is located in southern Idaho next to the farming and ranching community of Glenns Ferry and midway between the state capital of Boise and the regional commercial center of Twin Falls. The property is easily accessible via paved roads from both Interstate 84 and US Highway 30. The small city of Mountain Home, the county seat for Elmore County and home to Mountain Home Air Force Base, is twenty minutes to the west. Boise, approximately an hour’s drive northwest of the property, features Idaho’s largest airport with a range of commercial flight options to major cities across the country. Magic Valley Regional Airport outside of Twin Falls offers daily air service to and from Salt Lake City on Delta/SkyWest. The airport also hosts a fixed-base operation equipped to manage private aircraft of any size. The well-known resort community of Ketchum/Sun Valley and its commercial airport and fixed-based operation are located an hour and a half north of the property. Glenns Ferry is home to a 3,056-foot by 60-foot lighted, asphalt runway capable of accommodating larger twin-engine aircraft.  

Locale

Situated on the north bank of the Snake River, Glenns Ferry is a small but vibrant riverfront community with a population of approximately 1,300 residents. The town boasts a rich history that dates to the mid-19th century and a modern economy firmly rooted in agriculture and supported by tourism and local businesses. 

The area was originally inhabited by semi-nomadic Native American tribes, including the Shoshone and Bannock, who moved regularly based on food sources and weather conditions. The Snake was an important destination for tribal groups, who spent winters in the river’s sheltered bottomlands and summers fishing for migrating salmon. European settlers began to arrive in the 1860s following the Oregon Trail. The town of Glenns Ferry was named for a ferry service established by Gustavus Glenn in 1869. The ferry not only reduced the distance to Fort Boise, a key layover and trading post, but it replaced one of the most challenging river crossings along the Oregon Trail, known as Three Island Crossing, located about two miles downstream of modern-day Glenns Ferry. In 1971, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation established Three Island Crossing State Park on the site of the crossing. The park draws numerous visitors throughout the year and features a visitor’s center with interpretive displays, a campground, walking trails, and picnic sites.

Boise, located an hour northwest of Snake River Retreat, is Idaho’s largest city, with a population of around 225,000, and the fourth largest in the Northwest. Boise is a vibrant, fast-growing city recognized for its high-tech industry, abundant parks and trails, excellent hospitals, and Boise State University, among the Intermountain West’s most respected academic institutions. Twin Falls, with a population of approximately 55,000, is an hour’s drive southwest of the property and provides a full suite of commercial and retail services. The famous mountain resort of Ketchum/Sun Valley is an easy 90-minute drive north of the property and offers a host of summer and winter activities, including golf, hiking, cycling, and world-class downhill and Nordic skiing. One also finds numerous gourmet restaurants, art galleries, shopping opportunities, and cultural events to enjoy.

Climate

The elevation of the property is approximately 2,550 feet above sea level. The local climate is best described as semi-arid, with over 200 sunny days a year and total annual precipitation of approximately 10 inches, including average snowfall of five inches. Summers are hot and dry with temperatures reaching into the mid-90s during July and August. Winters are mild with an average daytime high for November through February of 48 degrees. The average low for the same period is 25 degrees. 

Property Details

Acreage (Deeded & Leased)

Snake River Retreat consists of three independent lots of record totaling 25± acres.

Deeded Acres: 25±
Total Leased Acres:
Total Acres: 25±

Improvements

Main Residence

Located in a shaded setting at the south end of the property, the primary residence is an understated yet tastefully renovated single-story farmhouse encompassing approximately 3,500 square feet and originally built in the mid-1960s. The home features large windows that flood the interior with natural light and provide sweeping views of the river and nearby farms, and foothills.

Inside, the residence includes a spacious master bedroom and bathroom with a walk-in closet and two guest rooms that share a well-appointed bathroom. The full-sized, gourmet kitchen is well-suited for entertaining and equipped with custom stainless-steel countertops and high-end appliances, including a Wolf range and Sub-Zero refrigerator. The large living room features a dining area and a wood-burning fireplace, while a separate den/library offers additional space with its own wood-burning fireplace. A laundry room with a half-bathroom adds to the home's functionality.

Thoughtfully designed with custom finishes, cabinetry, and woodwork, including red oak wood floors, the home exudes charm and quality craftsmanship throughout. Outdoor patio space enhances the living experience, and a two-car attached garage is conveniently accessed through the laundry room. Additionally, a detached workshop and all-purpose building sits next to the residence and houses UTVs and the owner’s hunting gear and equipment. 

Guest Residence

This second home, ideally suited for family, guests, or even a property caretaker, is situated near the river at the north end of the property and accessible via a secondary entrance. This fully renovated home offers approximately 1,740 square feet of living space, complemented by an attached garage and a storage room of about 500 square feet.

The main portion of the guest residence features a well-appointed kitchen, a comfortable living room, and three bedrooms that share a bathroom. Accessed from the garage is a separate bedroom suite complete with its own small kitchenette and bathroom, offering additional privacy and living space. A large deck overlooks the Snake, making it the ideal spot to enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the sunrise and scanning for ducks and geese along the river corridor. 

Both residences are serviced by underground utilities, municipal water from the city of Glenns Ferry, in-ground septic systems, high-speed cable internet from Rural Telecom Inc., and cellular phone connections. The property is fenced with attractive steel pipe fencing, and electronic gates are situated at the entrances to both residences.

Other Buildings

Snake River Retreat features several additional structures that support recreational and agricultural uses and contribute to the property’s overall functionality. Located adjacent to the boat launch is a 30± foot by 50± foot boat and RV storage building built in 2020. This heated and insulated building features durable metal construction, a concrete floor, and double overhead doors on both ends that measure 12± feet by 10± feet. Just north of the main residence is a 1,300± square-foot horse and feeder barn currently used for storage and an adjacent 60± foot by 16± foot covered equipment and hay shed. 

Water Resources

Snake River Retreat holds ample shares of irrigation water in the King Hill Irrigation District. The irrigation district delivers pressurized water to the property by buried pipeline at 35 PSI, reducing the need for additional pumping. Annual irrigation district fees are approximately $3,650.

Mineral Rights

All mineral and subsurface rights owned by the seller will transfer to the new owner at closing.

Taxes

Annual Elmore County property taxes are approximately $8,280.

Recreational Amenities

Wildlife Resources

Located in the most prolific portion of the Pacific Flyway, near the duck hunting mecca of Hagerman, Idaho, this section of the Snake River is widely regarded as the pinnacle of waterfowl hunting in the western United States. Beginning in early November, countless numbers of ducks and geese migrate from the north to this relatively obscure part of the country, drawn by the region’s mild climate and year-round open water. Mallards are the predominant duck species here, and hunters enjoy a seven-bird limit and a lengthy four-month season that runs through the end of January. Canada geese are also prolific and have a five-bird daily limit. The current owner is an avid waterfowl hunter and typically hunts the property from either a blind set up on the river or in the corn fields adjacent to the main residence. Additionally, the property provides access to miles of river with any number of excellent hunting spots. 

Along with abundant waterfowl, the area around Snake River Retreat offers excellent upland bird hunting, with robust populations of quail, pheasant, chukar, and gray partridge. In addition, the river’s deep runs, rock ledges, and shallow, sandy flats provide outstanding mixed-bag fishing for trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish, carp, and even sturgeon that can grow to over ten feet in length. The fishing on this section of the Snake is largely overlooked by the public, so anglers tend to enjoy the river in solitude. 

Recreational Considerations

Beyond powerboating, the river can be explored through non-motorized means as well. Launching a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard from the property is a delightful way to spend a summer day, resulting in a peaceful experience on the water. 

General Operations

General Operations

In previous years, the owner has contracted with a local farmer to plant and harvest corn on 20± acres of the property. Approximately 10 acres of cropland are irrigated under a Valley 8000 series center pivot, while the balance is irrigated with automated Big Gun sprinklers that are operated with a state-of-the-art TWIG wireless control system. This setup ensures efficient irrigation for optimal crop growth and yield. of

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Trent Jones
Director, Real Estate Partner
Sun Valley, ID
Client Stories | Rocky Mountains

I have purchased four ranches through Hall and Hall over the past 20 years.

I have purchased four ranches through Hall and Hall over the past 20 years, and there is simply no other team in the world like them. They have navigated complexity, professionally attended to every detail, operated with fairness and integrity, and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to me–...

trent jones headshot
Trent Jones
Director, Real Estate Partner
Sun Valley, ID