CHOKECHERRY RANCH
Saint Charles, Idaho
$5,750,000 1,295± Acres
INTRODUCTION
Located in the heart of the Bear Lake Valley and seated directly above the Bear Lake State Park East Beach, this property offers an exceptional combination of awe-inspiring views and direct access to outdoor recreation. Known as the “Caribbean of the Rockies,” Bear Lake is famous for its striking turquoise waters, making it a premier destination for boating, fishing, and swimming. The surrounding area provides endless opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding through scenic mountain ranges, while routes like Montpelier Canyon Road showcase breathtaking views of the valley.
For winter sports enthusiasts, Bear Lake and the surrounding mountains offer excellent snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The area also hosts local events such as the Bear Lake Monster Winterfest and the annual Raspberry Days Festival, bringing the community to life with seasonal celebrations. The town of Garden City, directly lakeside, offers restaurants, shops, and small-town charm, making it a great place to explore.
What truly sets this property apart is its location. Offering eligibility in the Idaho Fish and Game’s Landowner Appreciation Program in the southern portion of Idaho’s renowned Diamond Creek Zone, it lies within one of the state’s most sought-after areas for trophy elk and mule deer. The deeded land is a winter range for mule deer, making it a prime location for spring shed hunting. Overall, there’s limited ground of this elevation, and proximity to Bear Lake’s east shore becomes available—just one small parcel separates it from the lake itself. Flanked by public land on two sides, the property offers both privacy and direct access to public huntable terrain. Its west-facing slopes capture full afternoon sun, creating a warm environment year-round. This is a truly rare opportunity to own a piece of high-elevation ground with unmatched recreational value and a direct connection to some of Idaho’s most unique views.
1 Chokecherry Ranch | Saint Charles, Idaho
QUICK FACTS
• Approximately 1,295± total acres
• Located in renowned big game Diamond Creek Zone
• Rare private land on the east side of Bear Lake
• Perimeter fenced with internal two-track access roads
• Home to wintering mule deer generating great shed hunting opportunities
• Water rights from Bear River Water District with two stock water tanks onsite
• Diverse terrain of sagebrush, rolling foothills, rocky slopes, and deep draws
• Rustic barn converted into basic living quarters
• Less than 2.5 hours from Salt Lake City International Airport
• Surrounded by scenic vistas and true four-season outdoor recreation opportunities
Chokecherry Ranch | Saint Charles, Idaho
ACREAGE
• 1,295± deeded acres
The property features a diverse landscape primarily composed of native sagebrush, with open and semi-rocky slopes that transition into large rolling foothills and deep draws. Some of these draws contain light brush cover, adding variation to the terrain and providing a natural habitat for wildlife. This rugged yet accessible composition makes the acreage ideal for grazing, recreation, or seclusion.
Chokecherry Ranch | Saint Charles, Idaho
SCENIC VISTAS
With its striking turquoise waters set against the backdrop of rugged mountain ranges and rolling hills, there’s no place like Bear Lake Valley!
Chokecherry Ranch | Saint Charles, Idaho
IMPROVEMENTS
Improvements on the property include a barn that has been converted into basic living quarters, offering a functional space for seasonal stays or staging. The land is fully perimeter-fenced, supporting livestock management. A few strategically placed two-track dirt roads provide easy access throughout the acreage, enhancing usability and future development potential, all behind a locked gate from the main road.
AREA HISTORY
The Bear Lake Valley has a rich history. It was first used by Native American tribes such as the Shoshone, Ute, and Bannock for hunting and camping. Early explorers like Donald McKenzie, Jedediah Smith, and Jim Bridger arrived in the early 1800s, with McKenzie naming Bear Lake after the abundant black bears in the area. The Oregon Trail passed through the valley in the 1840s, bringing settlers, including Mormon pioneers led by Charles C. Rich, who established the community of Paris in 1863. The valley’s history is deeply influenced by its role in the Oregon Trail and the pioneer spirit that shaped the area’s development.
Charles C. Rich
Lewis & Clark Expedition - Credit CM Russell
Chokecherry Ranch | Saint Charles, Idaho
RECREATION
A true outdoor mecca, this property is minutes from boating, swimming, camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The area is perfect for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and world-class backcountry snowmobiling in the winter.
HUNTING | WILDLIFE
Located in Idaho’s renowned Big Game Unit 76, this property offers easy access to prime hunting opportunities for elk, mule deer, moose, and black bear. The region offers a diverse landscape of rolling sagebrush hills, dense aspen and conifer stands, and open meadows. Known for its trophy-class elk and mule deer, the Diamond Creek Zone consistently produces quality game.
www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
Diamond Creek Zone Bull Elk
FISHING
Bear Lake is a top fishing destination known for its Bonneville Cisco, trophy cutthroat trout, lake trout (mackinaw), and whitefish. Ice fishing is especially popular in winter, with Cisco spawning in January. The Bear River offers excellent fly fishing for rainbow, Bear River cutthroat, and brown trout, with deep pools and undercut banks providing prime habitat. Anglers can enjoy both deep-water fishing on the lake and classic river fishing along the Bear River’s remote stretches.
Chokecherry Ranch | Saint Charles, Idaho
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES
Bear Lake, known as the “Caribbean of the Rockies,” invites boating, fishing, and swimming, while Bear Lake State Park offers camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest and Raspberry Days Festival highlight the area’s vibrant community spirit. History enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the Oregon Trail routes and early Mormon settlements. The charming town of Garden City, directly lakeside, offers a mix of restaurants and shops.
CLIMATE
Saint Charles, Idaho, enjoys a dry, sunny climate with warm summer temperatures reaching the mid-90s and mild winters. The area averages 66 inches of snow, 14 inches of rain, and 213 sunny days per year, well above the national average.
Climate charts courtesy of https://www.city-data.com/city/St.-Charles-Idaho.html
Chokecherry Ranch | Saint Charles, Idaho
Saint Charles, Idaho, sits along the scenic northwest shore of Bear Lake, often called the “Caribbean of the Rockies” for its striking turquoise waters. Just a short drive north of Garden City, Utah, and 15 miles south of Montpelier, Idaho, the town is ideally located for both convenience and adventure. The nearby Minnetonka Cave offers guided tours through impressive limestone formations, while the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge draws birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. With easy access to the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and the Oregon Trail Center in Montpelier, the area blends natural beauty with a strong sense of regional history and culture.
AIRPORT SERVICES
The closest airport to Bear Lake is Bear Lake County Airport (1U7) in Paris, Idaho, a general aviation facility suitable for private aircraft. For commercial travel, Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) and Logan-Cache Airport (KLGU) are both within driving distance. Ogden-Hinckley Airport is approximately 2 hours away. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)—the nearest major hub—is roughly 2.5 hours from the Bear Lake Valley, offering convenient access for regional and out-of-state visitors.
GETTING THERE
From I-15 at McCammon, Idaho, merge onto US-30 West. Continue on US-30 for approximately 65 miles. Once you reach the Dingle area, turn onto Dingle Road and follow it south. Continue along Merkley Lake Road and then Eastshore Road. After approximately 19.5 miles, turn left onto Choke Cherry Road to reach your destination.
Chokecherry Ranch | Saint Charles, Idaho
WATER RIGHTS
This property includes valuable water rights from the Bear River Water District, ensuring reliable access to stock water. The rights support two strategically placed stock water tanks on the property, providing a consistent water supply for livestock and enhancing overall land utility for agricultural or grazing operations.
MINERAL RIGHTS
All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the seller will convey to the buyer at closing. Mineral rights are not guaranteed. It is suggested that the buyer conduct a mineral search with a title company.
CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP
Each of us at Fay loves the land and wants to see it remain a productive agricultural ground and a quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting thoughtful land stewardship, Fay has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, our clients’ conservation ethics and land-use practices have significantly enhanced our work landscape.
19 Chokecherry Ranch | Saint Charles, Idaho
This is a rare opportunity to own deeded acreage along the east shore of Bear Lake, where private land is exceptionally limited. The property offers unmatched views of Bear Lake’s vibrant turquoise waters—one of the West’s most unique and visually striking lakes. It is eligible for Idaho Fish and Game’s Landowner Appreciation Program, providing a pathway to coveted landowner hunting tags in a highly regarded big game unit. The land is a critical winter range for mule deer, creating outstanding conditions for wildlife observation and spring shed hunting. With established water rights, perimeter fencing, and room to expand or improve, this property offers both functional utility and incredible recreational potential in a location that rarely sees offerings of this kind.
Chokecherry Ranch | Saint Charles, Idaho
Please contact Curtis Ferney at (208) 705-0001 | cferney@fayranches.com to schedule a showing. This is an exclusive listing. An agent from Fay Ranches, Inc. must be present at all showings, unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties we have listed, please visit our web page at www. fayranches.com.
$5,750,000 Cash
Conventional Financing 1031 Exchange
Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.
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