Recreational Land with Home for Sale in Bonners Ferry, Idaho

40-acre private wilderness retreat bordered by U.S. Forest Service land on three sides, offering exceptional privacy with the nearest neighbor approximately ½ mile away. The property features abundant water, usable pasture, timbered hillsides, and established infrastructure for homesteading, retreat use, or multi-generational living, including a 1968 main cabin, yurt, multiple outbuildings, and year-round county-maintained access.

Land

40 acres of mostly level, highly usable pastureland with gentle rolling terrain and a timbered hillside, offering sweeping meadow and mountain views in a peaceful, private setting.

The property features a balanced mix of approximately 50% glacial till and 50% sandy loam soils, supporting a variety of agricultural uses. Mature timber stands include Douglas Fir, Larch, Birch, and mixed deciduous species adding both beauty and natural privacy throughout the landscape.

A transferable U.S. Forest Service easement provides ingress/egress access with a nominal annual fee, while Meadow Creek Road is county maintained year-round, including winter plowing for reliable all-season access.

Bordered by U.S. Forest Service land on three sides and a privately held timber tract on the fourth, the property offers exceptional seclusion and direct access to the surrounding natural landscape.

Water features are abundant and include:

Six ponds – both natural & developed, a couple may fluctuate seasonally otherwise year-round water

Seasonal creek running through the property

Original shallow spring-fed well remains viable

New deep well installed in 2014

Improvements

The property is well-equipped for homesteading, livestock, equipment storage, and agricultural use, with a variety of functional improvements already in place. Power and water are in place for the cabin, yurt and shop.

Main Cabin (Approx. 952 Sq. Ft.)

Originally built in 1968 and thoughtfully remodeled while preserving its rustic, intentional cabin character.

2 bedrooms (one upstairs, one downstairs)

Enclosed upstairs den/flex room located across from a bedroom

1 full bathroom, updated in recent years

Full-size kitchen with new cabinetry, and a pantry

Large Kitchen Queen 480 wood cookstove serving as the primary heat & cooking source

Wood butcher block countertop

Wood plank engineered flooring

Pier-and-post foundation with footings

Root cellar beneath the cabin with freezer and built-in shelving for storage

24×32 detached garage with dirt floor, overhead storage and drive through sliding barn door

Recent Improvements on Main Cabin

New 26-gauge metal roof

New siding, interior paint, insulation and subfloor

Additional piers and support posts added

Extensive remodeling and system upgrades throughout

Yurt / ADU (Approx. 1,200 Sq. Ft.)

Built in 2016 and fully insulated (inside & underneath) for year-round living, with permanent cement pier-and-post foundation

Timber-framed loft providing additional living or sleeping space

Unfinished mudroom entry for added functionality

Kitchen sink, wood cookstove, small refrigerator (propane or electric)

Half bathroom with toilet, plumbed to a dedicated septic system

Elmira FireView wood stove as the primary heat source

Propane gas heater for supplemental heating

Detached shed

Ideal as a guest residence, caretaker’s quarters, rental opportunity, or flexible multi-generational living space.

Outbuildings & Agricultural Infrastructure

Insulated Shop (Approx. 50′ x 30′)

Fully insulated shop with (2) attached 12′ lean-tos

(2) drive through doors, concrete insulated floor

220-volt power

100-amp subpanel

Wood stove heat

Plumbed for utility use to laundry area

Additional Structures

Original 24′ x 36′ barn/garage

Hay barn

Connex storage container

Agricultural Features

Fenced pastures and paddocks

Over 2-acre fully fenced garden area with 8-foot fencing

Four 16′ x 8′ hoop houses

Developing orchard with multiple fruit trees

A versatile infrastructure package offering excellent support for farming, gardening, livestock, equipment storage, and self-sufficient country living.

Northern Lights, Inc. is the rural electric power co-op

Starlink High Speed Internet is available

Two septic systems on the property (main cabin septic plus separate 1000-gallon septic and drainfield for the yurt, installed in 2019)

Propane is plumbed to the main cabin but is not currently in use

Recreation

This property offers exceptional privacy in a true North Idaho wilderness setting, surrounded by abundant wildlife and bordered by large tracts of public land with limited access. Elk, deer, moose, black bear, cougar, bobcat, lynx, wolf, coyote, turkey, pheasant, and grouse are frequently seen throughout the area. The property also has a private shooting range on-site.

Located in a proven hunting region, the property provides immediate access to nearby hunting grounds and outstanding year-round recreation including hiking, trail riding, mountain biking, ATV/UTV riding, cross-country skiing, fishing, and access to nearby lakes and rivers.

Region & Climate

Nestled in the scenic Kootenai River Valley of North Idaho, Bonners Ferry is surrounded by the rugged Selkirk, Purcell, and Cabinet Mountain ranges, offering a striking blend of forests, rivers, wetlands, and agricultural lands. The area is known for its abundant wildlife, outdoor recreation opportunities, and small-town rural character, while remaining within reach of larger regional centers in Idaho, Montana, Washington, and British Columbia.

Bonners Ferry enjoys a true four-season climate. Summers are typically warm and pleasant with low humidity, making the area ideal for outdoor activities, gardening, and farming. Spring and fall bring vibrant seasonal colors and moderate temperatures, while winters feature regular snowfall that transforms the region into a picturesque mountain landscape. The area’s ample precipitation supports healthy forests, productive pastures, and abundant natural water resources, contributing to the lush beauty for which North Idaho is known.

History

Bonners Ferry is one of the oldest settled communities in Idaho and serves as the county seat of Boundary County.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Bonners Ferry developed as a regional center for logging, agriculture, rail transportation, and commerce. The arrival of the railroad helped connect the area to larger markets, supporting the growth of timber production and farming throughout the Kootenai Valley.

Today, Bonners Ferry retains much of its historic small-town character while serving as a gateway to the forests, mountains, rivers, and outdoor recreation opportunities that define North Idaho. Its rich heritage, natural beauty, and strong connection to the land continue to make the area a desirable destination for those seeking a rural mountain lifestyle.

Location

The property’s location provides convenient access to the amenities of Bonners Ferry while placing you in the heart of North Idaho’s renowned forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, and year-round outdoor recreation opportunities. Surrounded by vast public lands and abundant wildlife habitat, the area is highly regarded for hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and backcountry exploration.

The property offers remote backroad access into both Montana and Canada, with convenient access via Highway 2 and Highway 95, providing flexible routes for travel, recreation, and cross-border access.

Approximate Distances to nearby areas:

Bonners Ferry, Idaho (shopping, dining, medical services, schools) – approximately 20 minutes

Canadian Border (Eastport/Kingsgate Crossing) – approximately 35 minutes

Sandpoint, Idaho – approximately 1 hour

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – approximately 2 hours

Spokane, Washington – approximately 2.5 hours

Whitefish, Montana – approximately 2.5 hours

Glacier National Park – approximately 3 hours

Spokane International Airport is approximately 2.5 hours away and the region’s primary commercial airport.