Welcome to Big Idaho — a legendary estate that redefines luxury log home living. Celebrated not only for its extraordinary scale and craftsmanship, Big Idaho occupies a rare place in American architectural legacy as one of the largest hand-crafted log homes ever built, a testament to family dedication, vision, and enduring admiration. Positioned along the historic Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway (U.S. 95), this remarkable residence lies in the heart of the Gem State while enjoying close proximity to Canada, extending its sense of place and possibility across international borders. Set on 57 private acres, the estate unfolds in a secluded, resort-like environment featuring a private lake and a gently meandering creek. The main residence offers seven bedrooms and seven and one-half bathrooms, complemented by a private caretaker home and a separate shop, ensuring both privacy and functionality. Big Idaho greets guests with a regal porte-cochere and a grand stone entrance. Beyond the custom front door, a breathtaking journey unfoldsbeginning with a dramatic two-story, cathedral-scaled great room with 28-foot ceilings, defined at each end by monumental, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplaces. More than 7,000 square feet of windows frame expansive mountain and lake views, while ten skylights and the open great room design bathe the interior in natural light, creating a seamless connection to the surrounding landscape.
Designed to balance grandeur with comfort, Big Idaho showcases nine massive stone fireplaces, seven of which are constructed of native rock, six chimneys, and seven miles of radiant-heat coils beneath the floors. Exceptional craftsmanship is evident throughout. The gourmet eat-in kitchen incorporates innovative features, including a motorized hideaway appliance cabinet and winter-vented refrigeration. Two mechanical dumbwaiters deliver firewood to the upper level, while a wine cellar, a custom wet bar, a media room, a formal dining room, a study, a den, and a solarium/greenhouse complete the thoughtfully curated interior.
Nearly every room opens onto a private deck overlooking the lake, stream, or surrounding mountains. Upstairs bedrooms feature individual fireplaces and en-suite baths, while a connecting catwalk draws each room back to the heart of the home, offering views into both the great room below and the solarium beyond.
Thoughtful engineering allows the massive logs to naturally expand and contract, with floating windows and doors and adjustable structural columns built directly into the foundation a testament to the home's forward-thinking design.
Outdoor amenities further elevate the estate, including a three-car garage, volleyball and basketball courts, an expansive entertaining deck, and grounds ideal for recreation, gatherings, or quiet retreat.
Nearby, residents and guests enjoy access to downtown Bonners Ferry, the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, and miles of hiking and cycling along the Wild Horse Trail corridor. Backcountry camping and trail access lie close at hand, while direct frontage on the historic Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway immerses the property in both natural beauty and frontier history.
The Wild Horse Trail traces its origins to the 1860s, when Indigenous peoples and gold prospectors traveled this rugged route between Sandpoint and British Columbia during the Wild Horse Creek gold rush. Edwin Bonner's ferry crossing on the Kootenai River gave rise to the town of Bonners Ferry, and today the route forms part of the International Selkirk Loop, renowned for its mountain scenery, cycling routes, and outdoor recreation.
Down the road from Good Grief, Idaho, tour buses once pulled in as visitors mistook this storied property for a resort. With craggy eaves, stout larch logs, a quarter-mile driveway winding around Lake Marie, and a commanding presence overlooking a private lake, it is easy to understand why. Though often photographed and widely admired, this extraordinary log home has always remained a private residence and a truly rare offering.
From its legendary scale and historic recognition to its meticulous construction and exceptional amenities, Big Idaho represents an unmatched opportunity to own a genuinely iconic log estate. This is more than a home; it is a destination, a legacy, and a once-in-a-generation offering set within one of Idaho's most breathtaking and historically rich landscapes.