River Meadow Ranch Testimonials
Chisum
Unforgettable Montana Vacation!
"My family had an unforgettable vacation at the cabin! Being from Ohio, I wanted them to have a real Montana experience, and this was it. The cabin is beautifully restored and comfortable, yet offers that rustic Montana feel, complete with horses and longhorn cattle right outside. The kids loved the animals and visited with them every day. The location is perfect. It is close to both Kalispell and Whitefish for shopping and night life, yet when you return to the cabin you feel like you have a piece of Montana to yourselves under the vastness of the big sky. Martin Creek Road was nice for morning walks. The caretaker was always available and incredibly helpful. We highly recommend staying here!" - Jessica H.
Wonderful Family Friendly Property
"We booked this property at very short notice (2 hours) and Fred was very accommodating. The property was a perfect base for our 8 day Glacier National Park exploration, it was great for our 3 children aged 14, 16 & 19 and our Labrador. We enjoyed the peace and tranquility and the wrap around porch was perfect for early morning coffee and for evening BBQ’s. Close to Whitefish and Kalispell. The property manager Kirk was great too and gave us ideas for what to do. All in all a wonderful experience. We will definitely book again." - Anonymous
Wonderful cabin – perfect place for a family reunion!
“The atmosphere was relaxing, peaceful and very welcoming. Log home was stocked with amenities: books, CDs, DVDs, games for indoor and outdoor fun, maps, tour information, toys for kids and a sweet horse nearby. Facility was clean, well stocked with kitchen utensils and a caretaker nearby when needed. To assist other visitors, bring maps as the GPS doesn’t do well in these mountain regions. We visited Whitefish which is a great place to shop for unique gifts, Kalispell and the Conrad mansion tour and of course the beautiful Glacier National Park. We took the red jammer tour through the park so all (including the driver) could enjoy the majestic views. Favorite memory from our visit to this log cabin was sitting on the deck, enjoying a morning cup of coffee and just listening to mountain silence while smelling clean Montana air. It doesn’t get better! I give this rental a huge 5 stars!!!” - Christy
Montana Heaven
“As a native Montanan now living in Minnesota, I try to go “home” at least once a year. My siblings still live in the valley. Some of my grown children(who live in different parts of the country)joined us for the week. The setting is spectacular. We were able to have large gatherings of relatives for dinners on the deck. The kitchen was the best stocked kitchen of any house we have rented thoughout the country. The location is close to both Kalispell and Whitefish, as well as Glacier and Whitefish mountain. We will return. Fred and the crew were very responsive to our needs. My granddaughter loved the resident horse, Skybuck.” - Bonnie C.
The Right Place for a Montana Dream Vacation
“River Meadow Ranch was a step back in time to the Montana Days you dream about. The Cabin gave all 13 of us the feel of the old with a bit of the modern with lots of space. The valley driving to the cabin was beautiful and peaceful. We enjoyed the Deer, American Eagles, Long Horn Cattle, Sky Buck, the horse on the property and all the Columbian Squirrels. The Cabin was a great base camp for all our adventures to Whitefish, Big Mountain and of course Glacier Park. River Valley Ranch was clean and had everything you may need to have a long Montana Vacation. Kirk the caretaker was there for our every need. I want to thank Fred and Kirk for a wonderful stay and I hope to come back to River Valley Ranch in the future. If you want an old fashion Montana stay this is the place.” - Donna G.
Perfect family vacation home!
“This is a beautiful log home with lots of charm, character and space in a gorgeous Montana landscape. The photos on this site were very accurate but the property is even more beautiful in person. Views out every window and western decor inside this spacious home made this the perfect multi family gathering spot. We had 6 adults and 5 grandchildren, our family reunion was accommodated in style. The owner was attentive to every detail making this home the best vacation spot one can imagine, nothing has been left out of this clean, well maintained, warm family friendly home! This home has the feel of a cozy and inviting family property. Lots to do here, the big yard, with a nearby river and even a gentle horse, is complete with lots of outside games and places to explore. The caretaker and owner were both so nice and went the extra mile to make our family reunion perfect. This was my first experience with a VRBO and I was so impressed! We will be back.” - Jack, Karen and family
Family-Food-Fun
“WOW! Is the only way to describe our week of family-food-fun time at this ranch style home. There were 14 of us ages 3 to 63. The pool table was a great attraction for the 15 and 17 year with their dad. The 3,8,9 year old and granpa had a great time feeding the horse found on the grounds. The kitchen was that of a chefs setting in that there was nothing missing from pots to utensils. Add on the outdoor firepit (the grands roasted marshmallows with the granchildren) , all 14 played horseshoes and the grands couldn’t stop cow gazing (every morning and afternoon). There care taker was great as well in that he supplied information (in addition to all of the brochures/pamphlets set out the travelers) regarding local things to see and do. We were there for a full week and my 9 year old grandaughter cried when it was time to leave. To the owner we say THANK YOU for making our first away from home “Family Get Together” one to remember.” - Paula B. New York
A Little Taste of Montana Heaven
“This lovely log home with its great stone fireplace and beautiful floors is tastefully decorated throughout in Western themes that the five of us, including two grandboys aged 7 and 9, enjoyed greatly. I delighted in the horse themes especially with real horse farms so near us. The site is amazing with green pastures, brilliant yellow fields and deep blue mountains in the distance. Every vista is just great. The location was perfect for exploring Big Mountain, Glacier NP, Whitefish and Big Fork. Fred and Kirk made sure that every question and need was answered. All the neighbors were so welcoming – and we even had our own little horse roundup one morning when four local horses escaped their fences. Every aspect was delightful. We really enjoyed Loula’s in Whitefish for breakfast and lunch. And Big Fork has some great art, including Thorsen’s studio and the Art Museum. We would highly recommend this home and hope to return.” - Margaret H.
Even more beautiful than the pictures!
“This gorgeous property was perfect for our group of six adults and eight children ranging in age from 1 to 14. There was so much to do that we hardly needed to leave the property! From pool, games and movies inside the house, to volleyball or horseshoes in the yard or grilling out on the gigantic deck, this place has so much room to spread out, play and relax! We especially enjoyed sitting around the fire pit one evening listening to the long horn cattle lowing, the elk bugling and the coyotes yipping. When we did venture out, we did the Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier which was 100% worth the 2-mile climb to get there – stunning beauty! We also enjoyed bumming around Bigfork, MT (and not just because we are from Bigfork, MN!) and swimming at Tally Lake campground beach (about 15 miles away). The Shak in Whitefish has the best BBQ we’ve ever eaten! Fred was so helpful in making our stay possible and I also have to say what a wonderfully honest person his housekeeper is. One member of our group lost a diamond stud earring during our stay and the extremely thorough housekeeper found it snagged in one of the rugs and mailed it back to us within the week! Glad to know there are still people of that integrity in the world. Thank you Fred, Jodi and Kirk for a wonderful vacation!” - Angie
River View Lodge
Perfect for a Family Get Together
“We live in Montana, and have never rented a vacation home before. In planning a family wedding in the area with extended family coming in from out of state, we found this property on the internet. When we drove up to the front door and entered this home we knew it was perfect for 9 adults and 2 small children. The house was beautifully decorated, completely furnished, kitchen and large area for our Thanksgiving meal. All of our relatives loved it as much as we did. Because we were in the area for a wedding we did not venture out to the closeby Glacier National Park, or the ski area. We have spent lots of time hiking in Glacier, Rafting the Flathead River and winter skiing and know the area well, this house is in a great location for exploring and very quiet. The owner was very honest in his description of the home, and made sure all of our needs were met, would highly recommend this to families visiting the area, and hope to stay there in the near future. We positively loved it!” - Dea
The Most Magical & White Christmas in Whitefish
"My family, in-laws and I stayed here at River Meadow Ranch (newer house) over Christmas and we couldn’t have enjoyed ourselves more. First of all the house and ranch property are stunning! Everything was just as pictured, but even more gorgeous in person! The views from the wrap around porch are definitely a sight to take in, and the house is beautiful, cozy and the perfect amount of space with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms – we all felt so comfortable and so at home (they even had a Christmas tree set up for the Holidays which I LOVED because it was our first Christmas away from home and I was hoping there would be a tree out!).
Should also mention that the location was perfect. Just a short drive to the Mountain for skiing or into Downtown Whitefish. We would definitely stay here again. My family also loved the place and we can’t wait to come back. Thanks for all of the special memories that were made!" - Amanda
Great, Spacious Home in the Heart of Montana
"Our group of 10 spent the long weekend here. Everyone had really comfortable bedrooms and more than enough space to really feel at home. Fred has the house fully stocked with kitchen gadgets and other items that make it really easy to have a comfortable stay. Really enjoyed this home and would certainly be glad to come back in the future. Thanks for the hospitality Fred." - Darbie O.
Excellent Choice for Multi-generation Family Gathering
"Amazing home for a group that is spacious and well designed. We shared with six adults and seven teens. There is room to gather together and room to go off and do your own thing. The pool table was well used on the very snowy very cold days. Beautiful setting." - Margaret A.
Wildlife Photo Op
"What a great home and in a great location. Fred and Kirk are a pleasure to work with, the house was everything they said . Really enjoyed all the wildlife you could see every day (elk-deer) and great scenery. Would stay here again when in the area." - Tom M.
Great House
"My family celebrated our parents 50th wedding anniversary here and it could not have worked out better. My parents wanted to have all of their children and grandparents under one roof; and we were able to do that here. We traveled to Glacier NP almost every day. The property location was perfect for us, outside of town, and close enough to get supplies as needed. We spent much of our time enjoying an amazing deck and ever-changing vistas. We cooked on the grill many nights. We explored the dairy later in the visit than we should have. Fred and Kirk are pros and a joy to work with. Reserving, payment and check-out were hassle free. We would love to return to this location over and over. We loved that the next guests were using the property to get married." - Michelle E.
Best Week of My Life!
"Montana is a magical place and Fred’s property made it all the more special. I got married on this property and the whole experience was amazing and better than I imagined. My close friends and family rented both properties for an entire week in July. It exceeded my expectations! The kitchen was fully stocked ready for cooking and entertaining right down to a juicer and coffee grinder. The house layout is perfect for a large group and additional guests. We had 11 in each house (he has another house within walking distance) and never felt crowded. We also hosted the rehearsal dinner and the deck accommodated all of us. The pictures do not show how massive the deck is. The deck is amazing, what a wonderful place to relax with amazing views. It was in a great location, only 15 minutes away from Costco and yet we felt a world away from the city. Just walking down the road and around the property was wonderfully peaceful with wildlife. But still so close to Whitefish Lake, Whitefish Mountain, Glacier Park and a hundred other great hiking and outdoor activities. There was a nice fire pit, grass area, BBQ grill and did I mention the great deck… Kirk the property manager was extremely helpful when it came to getting ready for our big day, he treated me like family and not like a “renter”. It was great place to just stay and enjoy. My husband and I are counting the days until we return." - Cathrine A.
Amazing Vacation with Amazing Accommodations.
“Montana was our family choice for vacation in 2015 with Glacier National Park and the surrounding area as our destination. We stumbled on this house rental and it is everything anyone could ask for and more. There were 10 of us in total with bedrooms to accommodate all. The house is amazing – beautiful kitchen with all the supplies you could ask for. The dining room table sat everyone comfortably as we shared many a meal all together. The younger family members stayed downstairs and loved the mini kitchen and pool table. The wrap around deck was great with lots of seating, table, swing, grill and yes a hummingbird feeder which was an added plus as they are one of my favorite birds that we see only occasionally at home. The men fished with much success, some played “Corn Hole”, we walked to the nearby dairy for eggs and milk and mostly just enjoyed the wonderful weather and beautiful sunrises and sunsets overlooking the fields. Glacier National Park was so much fun – loved the Red Bus, hiking, sightseeing, Grizzly Bear sighting and so much more …. the town of Whitefish is just a short drive – good restaurants, shopping and other attractions close by. When the week was complete there was not one person who wanted to return home…..Would love to come back again and would definitely return to this wonderful vacation rental. Thanks so much Fred for being so helpful in making our stay so comfortable….a great family get away.” - Susan T.
Exceeds expectations!
“The pictures do not do this property justice. It is absolutely beautiful inside and out. We have rented several properties through Home Away and have never found the homes to more than meet our expectations until we arrived at this one. If you plan to cook your meals, you will find the kitchen has almost every utensil, pot, pan or dish you might need. The beds are very comfortable and the family areas on the main and lower floors allow separation when you want it. Although it was the end of September, the weather allowed us to really enjoy the deck surrounding the house. We watched the animal life (beaver, deer, turkeys and a red fox) for hours. There were so many activities close by that we quickly ran out of time. The owner and his friend who lives just down the road are very accommodating. You won’t go wrong renting this home.” - A guest from Idaho Falls, ID
Wonderful
“We just got back from a wonderful stay at the house and it could not have been more perfect. We hosted a large BBQ and wedding ceremony the next day for 60 people on the balcony and it was everything we could have hoped for! Fred was gracious, friendly, accommodating and helpful. The house was amazing and had ample room for our guests to enjoy the HUGE, BEAUTIFUL balcony. The men had a great time taking turns fishing in the pond out back and we loved waking up to the sound of birds on the water. All our guests expressed an interest in coming back to Whitefish and renting the house for family vacations in the future. We will definitely be back! It was just perfect for our needs and fully stocked with all the kitchen dishes you could need.” - Julie F.
Fantastique!!
“Wow.. What a spot. We were a fairly large group and this spot more than met all of our expectations. The space itself is simply fantastic. Large and accommodating, yet cozy. Close enough to either Whitefish or Kalispell for convenience, yet remote enough to afford privacy and leisure. Only let down was that we were there is the winter and not in the warmer months to enjoy the incredible wrap around deck and surreal natural setting. A unanimous hit. Thanks Fred” - Peter L.
Perfect setting
“We rented Fred’s place after x-mas 2014 through New Year’s 2015. What a wonderful place! The pictures don’t do this place justice. Every detail is accounted for and no corners were cut during construction. This house and the scenery are beautiful. On top of everything else Fred is great. Fred responded to call/texts within minutes & even took the time to mail me clothing that we forgot after checkout. Our family loved the open lay-out of the home and having the pool-table in the “Man-cave” basement was a bit hit for New Year’s Day football games. Location of the home is great. Very easy drive into Whitefish for ski-town tourists events, good restaurants, and skiing. Also a very easy drive into Kalispell for groceries at Box-stores like Costco etc. If you’re looking for a place in NW Montana my advise to you is stop searching & hit the “book it” button!” - Mark B.
More beautiful than we imagined
“We rented Fred’s home for a girlfriends’ reunion – the 21st annual – and it proved to be just perfect. The scenery, the space, the attention to detail – cozy, comfortable, VERY well-equipped and so impeccably clean. As I mentioned, we’ve been going to different places and renting different homes 21 times now and no kitchen was as stocked as Fred’s – even olive oil which had to be a first! Although there were just 4 of us ladies in this spacious home, it was the perfect space for cooking, dining, and enjoying long chats either inside on the soft leather sofas or outdoors at one of the many outdoor seating areas (heated outdoor patio,as well)! Convenient to both Amtrak and airport. Easy drive to Whitefish, Kalispell and the Kalispell Creamery which was a real treat for fresh milk, eggs, cheese and butter (on the honor system)! Only regret: we could stay only 3 nights. What a great house! And what a gracious, caring host! Thanks, Fred!” - Michele P.
Big Sky, beautiful house & perfect!
“Our travel group of 5 couples (ages 48-54) from Iowa fell in love with this wonderful home. Fred’s home became “home base ” for 5 days/4 nights & it was awesome ! House was larger than the pictures portrayed. Kitchen was very well stocked, plenty of seating for 10 adults….many memorable pics around the huge, beautiful dining table. The large deck was wonderful & more chairs/tables than we could use. We have vacationed with several VRBO properties & this property has been the best stocked/decorated home that we have ever rented. The location was more than perfect. We visited Glacier Park (30 minutes away) Hot Springs (1 1/2 hr south), Big Mountain (15 minutes away) zip lines/chair lifts & white water rafting (30 minutes away) ….2 couples even went north to Canada! (2 1/2 hrs). Every evening it was nice to come back “home” & share with everyone our newest experiences. Montana is unbelievably beautiful and Fred & the staff made our vacation unforgettable & always stayed in communication with us & answered our questions. Thank you! You will not regret booking this property.” - Janet P.
Incredibly well-appointed home with huge gathering spaces
“Our group of seven was suitably impressed with this lovely home. We were spending a long weekend at Glacier and this was the perfect place to return to each night. We commented that the kitchen was equally or better appointed than any of our own! We loved having so many bathrooms which made getting ready for the day really easy. We also enjoyed the large dinner table (it could easily accommodate 10) to relax around and talk about the day’s adventures. The wrap-around deck had wonderful views of the mountains no matter where you chose to sit. About 40 minutes from West Glacier and an hour and 45 minutes from East Glacier. We can’t wait to return!” - Bev M.
Wonderful property – very well appointed
“Fred’s property lived-up to expectations. We had a relatively large family reunion where we needed 5 bedrooms and at least 3 bathrooms. This 5bd/4ba property fit the bill. It is a new property so very nice open-plan gathering areas but plenty of privacy when folks need to retreat for a few hours. We particularly loved the wrap-around deck and spent most evenings there. I had been slightly concerned that it was a few miles outside of Kalispell and Whitefish but it was a non-issue. 15 minutes to downtown Kalispell and less than 10 to Whitefish. I would highly recommend to large group and would stay there again in a heartbeat.” - Fiona L.
Country living close to amenities
“We were 2 families on a skiing/snowboarding holiday from Canada. There were 11 of us — youngest being 17 — and we had room to spare! We loved the spaciousness of the house, the roomy kitchen, the big table we could all sit at, the TV we could record the Olympics on and watch in the evening, the pool table, the mud room we could store all our equipment in and keep out of the way. . . This is an ideal location, easy to find and worth the 25 minute drive to Big Mountain. We will be back! 10/10!!” - Rob and Sharon Ardell
Amazing Place!
“The first thing that came to my mind was “the owner must be a contractor and built this house for his family”. Very cozy and warm. We felt welcome since the moment we opened the door. Lots of details, anything you need is there… pans, hair dryer, board games…. Our party was 3 couples and 7 children and the layout worked just perfect for us. At night the adults spent our time having fun upstairs and kids had their own space downstairs, it was just perfect. Very convenience for a winter/ski gateway. I do recommend this place and Fred the owner is a easy person to deal with, great person!.” - MARIA M.
Great place to spend Christmas
“This was everything that it was described as being….a truly beautiful place to spend the Christmas holidays. A Christmas tree was provided, with some decorations and we added a few of our own. Every bedroom was very roomy and attractively set up, the beds were all great and bedding was very nice. I loved the views in the winter, it would be fun to see what it would be like in the summer! Very easy to get to, even though I am a local with two other visiting families. Not far from either Whitefish or Kalispell and we went both ways often. It was also very clean, with kitchen very well-equipped. More than enough tvs, fun to lay in bed with the grandchildren and relax. I don’t think I’m describing adequately enough at how much we appreciated having a big space to enjoy our family being together. I didn’t personally deal with the people managing/owning the home, but I understand they was also easy to contact and very accommodating. We had some cold weather but the house was consistently was warm in every area, even with the lovely high ceilings. With five active and noisy children, having the downstairs recreation room was a huge plus. Safe and roomy, with the noise level at a minimum.” - Joanne D.