This article about hunting lodges is brought to you by Morsel spork, whose spork includes a spatula, a stirring spoon, a fork, a knife, and a tablespoon all in one. It’s the last spork you’ll ever need!
Hunting lodges have experienced a renewal in popularity of late, if not because of the activities offered there, then for the amenities and opportunities for outdoor exploration that continue to improve. Families interested in staying at a hunting lodge can expect horseback rides for the kids, swimming pools, and daily activities to keep the whole family entertained. Adults seeking some time away from the little ones can find at any lodge on this list a variety of ways to escape the day-to-day craziness, whether it be taking a guided fly fishing trip, going bird hunting on some of the best land in the country, or indulging in the high quality cuisine that’s offered across the board. Whether you’re visiting for company, solitude, or to reconnect with your wilder side, hunting lodges are no longer just for hunting, they’re for hiking, fishing, relaxing, and, above all, getting outside.
10 Hunting Lodges For Cabin Camping in the American Backcountry
While there are a few longtime staples on this list of our favorite hunting lodges, many of these American backcountry havens have revamped their offerings, from guided hunting and fishing excursions to ATV adventures to five-star cuisine and spa accommodations. It’s like glamping, only better.
1. Broken Arrow Lodge—Alder, MT
Photo from Broken Arrow Lodge
Located out of Alder, Montana, the Broken Arrow lodge sponsors guided trips for bow hunting, elk hunting, rifle hunting, and mountain lion hunting, all located in the expansive Montana backcountry. Visitors pay for guided trips between 3 – 5 days (4 – 6 nights), and the Broken Arrow Lodge provides luxurious backcountry accommodations, including wall tents, wood stoves, carpeted floors, and full bathroom and shower amenities.
There are few backcountry “camping” experiences that will match the Broken Arrow’s attention to detail and expertise in the field. Trips are available throughout the year, and vary depending on weather conditions and hunting restrictions for the area. For hunters who also wield a fly rod, the Broken Arrow Lodge offers guided fly fishing trips as well.
2. Grey Cliffs Ranch—near Bozeman, MT
Photo from Grey Cliffs Ranch
Another Montana staple, this lodge is located in the cinema-famous Madison River Valley, most commonly known as the setting for the iconic film “A River Runs Through It”. With a variety of offerings, from bird hunting to fly fishing, this hunting lodge is tough to beat, as it combines the luxury of a well-established lodge with the excitement and ruggedness of the Montana wilderness. Located on over 5,200 acres of landscape, the opportunities for guests here abound, and guide-optional hunting means that visitors can take to the fields at their leisure. Not to mention the food!
3. Three Forks Ranch—Wyoming/Colorado Border
Photo from Three Forks Ranch
This Colorado hunting lodge offers over 50,000 acres of private hunting grounds, including large populations of deer, elk, and antelope. During the early fall, populations of elk have been known to grow in this region up to 6,000 head, solidifying its position as one of the premier hunting lodges in the Wyoming / Colorado region. Along with offering prime access to otherwise private land, guests at the Three Forks can enjoy the five-star amenities such as the pool, fine dining, and an array of spa services. Despite its location in the backcountry, this hunting lodge is no stranger to the comforts of luxury.
4. Flying B Ranch—near Kamiah, ID
Slightly more rustic than its luxurious counterparts, Flying B Ranch is tucked away in Lawyer’s Canyon in Northern Idaho, just outside of the little town of Kamiah. Flying B offers world-class hunting trips, including guides and services that have been endorsed by Orvis both as a Wingshooting Lodge of the Year and an official, Orvis-approved Fly-Fishing Lodge. With access to over 700,000 acres of Nez Pearce and Clearwater National Forest land, guests are given the chance to access some of the best backcountry in the world.
5. Harpole’s Heartland Lodge—near Nebo, IL
Photo from Harpole’s Heartland Lodge
Specializing in whitetail deer hunting, upland bird hunting, and waterfowl hunting, Harpole’s Heartland Lodge is a perfect place in the midwest for a hunting excursion or a quick backcountry vacation. Set in the rustic backcountry of Pike County, Illinois, this hunting lodge offers far more than its hunting services, and regularly hosts guests for weddings, group outings, and other large-scale events. Its bed and breakfast-style amenities make staying there a breeze, even if you’re not hunting. With opportunities for horseback riding, ATV-ing, mountain biking, and hiking, this Mississippi River Valley gem is a great option for all types of hunters and outdoors enthusiasts.
6. Brush Creek Ranch & French Creek Sportsman’s Club—near Saratoga, WY
This Western backcountry resort is a trademark hunting lodge situated in the gorgeous Saratoga, Wyoming. At the base of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, Brush Creek offers an array of activities for guests, including the incredible French Creek Sportsmen’s Club. Located on just over 15,000 acres of land, the guided hunting trips out of French Creek include game and bird hunting as well as world-class fly-fishing. Its location grants access to some of the most varied land of any hunting lodge in the country, allowing hunters and eager sportsmen to enjoy the outdoors in innumerable ways.
7. Libby Camps—Millinocket Lake, ME
Photo from Libby Camps
One of the only east coast hunting lodges on our list, Libby Camps is set on the beautiful Millinocket Lake, home to hunters and anglers alike looking for their next big catch. The central lodge at the Libby is primarily suited for fly fishermen, though its hunting amenities are certainly nothing to shake a stick at. The lodge provides access and guided trips to the North Maine Woods, home to over 3.5 million (yes, million) acres of land and one of the largest grouse populations in the entire United States. In addition to that, visitors may also hunt black bears or moose, depending on the year, and Libby is a proud owner of records in both of those species. The amenities at Libby camps are slightly more rustic than the “luxury” backcountry hunting lodges on our list, offering small log cabins with wood-burning stoves, which surround the main lodge complete with its tall stone fireplace and group dining area.
8. Honey Brake—Larto, LA
As hunting lodges go, Honey Brake is world-class. Guests staying at Honey Brake have the opportunity to test their wingshooting skills in one of the largest flyway convergences in the country. Both the Central and Mississippi migratory patterns converge over Honey Brake, making it a wingshooter’s paradise. For those not interested in the birds, the Dewey Wills Wildlife Management Area, located just adjacent to the 20,000 acre hunting area, provide ample opportunities whitetail deer and wild boar hunting as well. Looking for the amenities? The 13,000 square-foot lodge looks over Larto Lake, and offers 5-star meals full of rich, southern seafood delights.
9. Deer Creek Lodge—Sebree, KY
Photo from Deer Creek Lodge
A premier bird-hunting destination, Deer Creek Lodge is a haven for hunters and anglers alike located in Sebree, Kentucky. This southern backcountry lodge offers some of the best bird-hunting in the south, complete with guided trips and one-fee, no limit quail hunts that attract a large number of visitors each season. Other options include turkey hunts, pheasant hunts, and duck hunts. With three different lodges to choose from, the accommodations are perfect for groups of all sizes and preferences, including both the lakeside lodge and the renowned, Orvis-endorsed wingshooting lodge. Planning to leave hunting for the birds? The nearby Deer Creek Lake is a trophy bass fishing paradise, with 10-pounders that’ll regularly crush your topwaters, flies, and subsurface lures.
10. Joshua Creek—near Waring, TX
The 2018 Orvis Endorsed wingshooting lodge of the year, Joshua Creek is tucked away just 45 minutes north of San Antonio. With acres of land winding across the Guadalupe River and Joshua Creek, the hunting grounds here provide excellent access to a variety of terrain. Joshua Creek is unique in that it is one of a handful of hunting lodges to offer European-style pheasant shooting as well as quail, duck, and dove hunting on a seasonal basis. Apart from hunting, Joshua Creek offers several different cabins for larger parties and single guests to stay in, each of which features top-of-the-line amenities and rustic ranch decor.
This article was brought to you by Morsel
Morsel’s spork is the perfect way to fit all of your needs in one convenient tool.
