I need your help, TexAgs. I'd like to plan a trip where I can rent a cabin riverside somewhere in the mountains to combine fishing with hiking. Any suggestions on good locations to look?

I'm not finding the thread, but someone recommended this place: https://haydenbackcountry.com/

It looked neat enough that I saved the link.

Check WV and VA state parks, including Doughat and Watoga. I'm sure there are others but those are easy drives for me. Luray VA outside Shenandoah.

Nantahala Gorge, western NC. Or, Hiawassee River in eastern Tennessee.

What time of year? I would assume spring/summer?

I don't think you could go wrong with Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, or NC.

2008and1 said:

---

I need your help, TexAgs. I'd like to plan a trip where I can rent a cabin riverside somewhere in the mountains to combine fishing with hiking. Any suggestions on good locations to look?

---

Your definition of mountains is what is going to drive recommendations and whether you are heading to the Rockies or not. Where are you located? Wanting to drive or fly? What type of fishing / species?

If you're in Texas and want to drive, that pretty much limits you to New Mexico or Colorado if you want mountains. If you are willing to go north / north east, Broken Bow has a good reputation, but my suggestion would be the Ozarks in Arkansa.

New Mexico there is Ruidoso in the south which has great trout lake fishing. And the north has lots of options. Southern Colorado is productive, but you pretty much need a guide. I can't speak to Oklahoma. The Ozarks are an easy drive and lots of good river trout fishing opportunities through affordable VRBOs. Or you can float / camp the Buffalo National River and fish. Ouachita Lake and island hopping to camp by kayak / canoe is another good option.

If you want to really get away, look into Oleo Ranch (https://www.oleoranch.com/). They are located between Lake City and Creede in Colorado just on the east side of Slumgullion Pass. They have a fishable creek running through the property and several stocked ponds as well to fish in. They have 8 cabins of various sizes. There is no power, no wifi, no cell service. The cabins have gas powered lighting, gas oven/stove combo, gas water heater, and a propane powered refridgerator. They are fully setup with beds, furniture, cooking utensils, etc. Just none of the stuff you are trying to leave behind (TV, internet, cell phones, etc.)

The drive to Lake City or Creede is only about 30-40 minutes so they are plenty close by if you need to resupply or just want somebody else to cook for a meal or two. The only potential drawback for some folks is that they are at around 10,500' above sea level. So it may take a day or two to get acclimated to the altitude and you aren't going to want to run anywhere. Otherwise it is a great place to relax, watch nature, do a little fishing and just get away from it all.

Bend, OR.

Metolius And Deschutes rivers in the Cascades.

One idea: https://www.metolius.com/manzanita-cabin

Blue Ridge Mountains in either GA or TN. Toccoa River and Lake Blue Ridge for fishing. Appalachian and McKaye Benton trails for hiking.

Thanks all. I'm in San Antonio. Would be looking to drive but willing to drive almost anywhere. Definition of mountains…I learned a while back that I enjoy the Davis Mountains as much as I enjoy the Rockies. Really looking for something I can get away to right on a river I can fish on.

We did a trip a few years ago to Pegosa Springs and had a cabin on the San Juan River which was really nice. Looking for a similar experience.

2008and1 said:

---

Thanks all. I'm in San Antonio. Would be looking to drive but willing to drive almost anywhere. Definition of mountains…I learned a while back that I enjoy the Davis Mountains as much as I enjoy the Rockies. Really looking for something I can get away to right on a river I can fish on.

We did a trip a few years ago to Pegosa Springs and had a cabin on the San Juan River which was really nice. Looking for a similar experience.

---

Did you look at Oleo Ranch that I posted the link to above? The cabins all sit on the hillside and about halfway across the meadow below them there is a fishing stream (Cebolla Creek). They also have several stocked ponds within an easy walk of any of the cabins. Plenty of other areas around them to go hiking. About a 15 hour drive from San Antonio. Easy to do in one long day with 2 drivers.

My cousins has a place in Pagosa they rent out on airbnb, really nice. They live there full time and have this other house they fixed up to rent out. Id be happy to share it with you if interested, shoot me an email at bgc.tinsley at gmail