Idaho Department of Lands auctions a Teton County property for $5 million
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) sold approximately 160 acres of endowment land at public auction in Ada County on May 22, 2026. The land was held in trust for the Charitable Institutions Endowment Beneficiary.
The property, known as the Driggs 160 parcel is located on N 500 West, 3.3 miles north of Tetonia, in Teton County. One bidder participated, and the property was sold for $5 million.
The Idaho Constitution requires a public auction for the sale of state endowment trust lands, and IDL can accept no less than the appraised value of the properties.
Upon transactions closing, funds from land sales are deposited in the “Land Bank” and may be used to purchase new endowment land in Idaho or may go into the Permanent Fund to continue earning returns for the endowment beneficiaries.
As manager of Idaho’s endowment trust lands, IDL is constitutionally obligated to manage these lands in a manner designed to generate long-term financial returns for the trust beneficiaries, including Idaho’s public schools and other endowment institutions.
Since 2015, IDL has added approximately 54,000 acres to the endowment portfolio, and sold about 960 acres, including the sale today.
Individual Lot Information
Links to photos and detailed information about each lot as listed on the Idaho Department of Lands Real Estate Auction website:
https://www.idl.idaho.gov/real-estate/state-land-for-sale/
Background
Under the direction of the Land Board, IDL manages 2.5 million acres of state endowment trust land held in trust for nine beneficiaries. The board is under a constitutional mandate to maximize long-term financial returns for the beneficiaries.
In May 2016, the Land Board approved the Strategic Reinvestment Plan allowing for the consideration of strategic land acquisitions with the proceeds from the sale of endowment lands.
The Land Board is comprised of Idaho’s governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state controller, and superintendent of public instruction.
|