South Fork River Retreat

Details & Features

Positioned on the banks of the Upper South Fork River in Swan Valley, Idaho, the South Fork River Retreat is a turn-key river property that is ideal for part-time or year-round living. The main home is less than 100 feet from the river’s edge set amongst mature cottonwood trees and finely manicured lawns and gardens. The views out the great room are framed by the river and then give way to the National Forest lands across the river to the west. Situated on one of the finest lots on the upper river, this 5-acre oasis provides front row seating to some of the finest fly fishing in the Rocky Mountain West. The 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath main home is approximately 3,445 sqft and includes separate guest quarters, plus an attached oversized 2-car garage. An additional 1,500 sqft barn provides storage for boats, vehicles and recreational gear. All structures are of the highest quality and have been meticulously maintained.

Improvements: The main home was custom-built in 2008 to the highest specifications. The residence includes approximately 3,445 sqft of livable space on two levels plus an attached 848 sqft oversized garage. The main level has a fabulous great room and gourmet kitchen with direct access to a covered deck, which overlooks the river. A reclaimed wood ceiling, wood floors and a river rock fireplace accent the great room. The master suite is located on the main level and is generously sized with a large walk-in closet and full master bath including separate shower and soaking tub. The view and sound of the river from the master suite adds to the ambience of this tranquil setting. Upstairs there are two guest suites, which share an oversized bath with custom vanities and walk-in shower.

Accessed via private interior stairway, is a large 2-room guest suite, which is situated over the garage. The guest suite has private living room with kitchenette as well as a private bedroom and bathroom. The guest suite provides an added degree of privacy for guests or could provide lodging as a caretaker’s quarters. A separate heated barn and workshop was built in 1998 and is approximately 1,512 sqft with overhead doors sufficient to handle an RV. The building includes a ¾ bath and is currently suffices as boat and gear storage area with a home exercise studio in the back.

Live Water: The South Fork of the Snake is tailwater fishery that flows out of the Palisades Dam on the border of Wyoming and Idaho. The diversity of hatches, both aquatic and terrestrial, exceeds other rivers of the West, and gives the South Fork the reputation as one of the best dry fly fisheries in the world. The river flows for 66 miles across southeastern Idaho, through high mountain valleys, rugged canyons and broad plains to its confluence with the Henry’s Fork near Menan Buttes, west of Rexburg, Idaho.

The South Fork River Retreat enjoys one of the best riffles on the entire river that is easily accessed from the front yard with several of the river’s best runs just a short boat ride away. Two unique options exist for boat access at the property, which offers a huge advantage over other anglers. The private boat ramp within the community allows a put-in take-out for the owners and provides the flexibility for multiple different float options. Additionally, there is an eddy in the front yard, which provides private jet-boat parking. This enables the owner to walk from the front yard and across the lawn to launch the boat and go upstream or downstream to the best spots, eliminating the need to shuttle vehicles or trailer boats.

The South Fork proudly holds title to the top cutthroat fishery in the West due to continued efforts of the Idaho Fish and Game and local agencies that recognized long ago the importance of maintaining the native cutthroat species. Incentive programs have been established recently to encourage the take of the non-native rainbow trout to help eliminate the cross-hybridization of the two species. These efforts have proved effective in the management of this destination fishery increasing the number of the highly sought-after Yellowstone cutthroat trout.

Summary: The South Fork River Retreat presents a rare opportunity to own a first-class residence on the banks of one of America’s finest rivers. The home is finely built and well suited to the site; hence the ability to come and go between visits with ease. This unique valley in southeast Idaho provides visitors and owners alike with a quiet and understated feeling unlike other high profile resort towns. For those looking for a fine river home with the best fishing and recreation out-the-door, with great access to the Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Teton Valley, Idaho, the South Fork River Retreat should bear serious consideration.

• 4BR/3.5BA Main Home
• Luxury guest suite
• Toy Barn
• Trophy trout fishing on the South Fork