What Our Guests Are Saying

“Just had the best wilderness get away to Budge's Wilderness Lodge. My first real fly fishing experience and the guides were so kind an gracious with a novice. The cabins were great, and the food was amazing. They make it feel like you have come back to the family homestead. So caring and personal with everything. Can't wait to ride horses, see the wildflowers, soak in the views and catch a lot more fish in the future.”

— Robert D.

“From the drive in, to the meals, to the friendly and inviting staff, this was a true wilderness experience. If you want primp and proper, stay home. If you want to be with people who absolutely love what they do and take time teaching you along the way, then Budge’s is the place to be. Thanks Ryan, Josh, Melody, Morgan, Shannah, Grace, Scott, Bob, Hannah and the rest of the team, we’ll be back!”

— Dominic S.

“Budge's is in a magical sliver of CO's true wilderness. The road to get there is slow and bumpy, but that makes for a great entry into a very special spot. The staff were all kind, energetic, fun to be around (as were the other guests) and very helpful. The fishing was great and the horses were willing. This is a rustic spot so expect that and I encourage you to "unplug." Thanks Budge's, for some great memories!”

— Thad F.

“I chose Budges for my 50th birthday trip with my best friends and the trip exceeded my expectations to say the least. It’s the best three days of fishing I have ever experienced. The guides were first rate. The horseback rides were memorable, and the accommodations and food exceeded my expectations for a true wilderness lodge. To see the looks on my friends faces as we wrapped up each day was as rewarding as the incredible fishing. Can’t wait to come back.”

— Jim O.

“My discovery of Budge’s Lodge was a stroke of luck, thanks to a local fly fishing company's newsletter. The description of the place immediately piqued my interest, promising an adventure that was right up my alley. And indeed, it was! The added bonus of my wife joining in on the fun made the trip even more special. Thanks to the entire Budges staff. We did a drop camp and couldn't be happier. A special thanks to Ryan for helping to set everything up, and Kent, (a great camp cook and all-around guy), my fishing guide (thanks, Mike), the wranglers (Josh, Grace & the rest), and everyone else at Budge’s made this a trip to remember. Budge’s Lodge is in a beautiful, remote location that was an adventure in itself, but the people at Budge’s made it extra special. This trip was everything we'd hoped it would be, and thanks to everyone at Budge’s for ensuring it was!”

— Jeff A.

“Truly, a unique experience. Had a great time riding horseback to go fly fishing on a beautiful scenic Colorado river! Our guide, Eddie, was an excellent flyfishing expert. In addition to that, the entire staff was helpful and friendly, which made for an excellent experience! I’d highly recommend this to anyone looking to get away and spend time in a beautiful wilderness area”

— Chris W.

“The location, staff, and experience were beyond amazing. As a first-time fly-fisherman, the guides got me successfully fishing the first day and by day three, they continued to teach me and now I feel like a true fly fisherman. The food was amazing and the horse handlers could not have been better to work with. Highly recommended.”

— Darryl P.

“Truly a fantastic experience from start to finish. Stunning remote location with great fishing spots. I can't say enough about the entire staff - everyone was so knowledgeable and a pleasure to be around. I would recommend this to anyone, whether they are first time fly fisherman (like me), or experienced anglers (like others in my group). Awesome place.”

— Brian W.

“If there were such a thing as heaven on earth, Budge’s Wilderness Lodge would be it! Truly amazing setting. Fabulous fishing. Superb staff, very welcoming and knowledgeable. Excellent food and accommodations. Our time there could not have been better and every day since leaving I’ve wished I was back!”

— Thomas O.

“Our group of 6 went to Budge's Lodge for a special trip, which was "over the top" in more ways than one. Everything was over the top of -- Mountains, Horses, Rocks, Boulders, Cliffs you name it! What an adventure. First of all the staff at Budge's is A1 and the most friendly gracious people to be with. Being in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the White River National Forest was a life-changing experience. It was like being in paradise. The entire experience from the people, the fishing, the horseback riding, the food, and being in a place not many people get to, was exhilarating. It exceeded our expectations by leaps and bounds. I recommend this trip to anyone seeking a unique experience and an adventure. Oh yes! The fishing was awesome. Every location we went to (by horse) was incredibly pristine, with plenty of opportunity to catch fish.”

— Tom F.

“Budge's Lodge delivered an amazing fishing trip for us. The staff and guides did everything to ensure we had a wonderful experience. It may be challenging to get there, but it’s worth every second of the drive. There’s a reason this place is so special. Thanks to Shannah, Ryan and Ruth for their wisdom of the area and efforts to make our time at Budges exceptional.”

— Kim P.

“Budge's Lodge offers a unique Summertime family, wilderness experience. Everything was as good or better than advertised. The crew goes above and beyond to tailor your wilderness experience specifically to you and your family. Great food, great horses, great people, great accommodations. Beautiful part of the world to visit and get away!”

— Cody M.

“Had a great stay with you at Budge’s lodge. The fishing was crazy good and really enjoyed your lodge…what a place! The meals were perfect and the company wonderful. Huge thank you to Grace, Rikki, Melody, Bradey and Josh! My wife is ready to visit you after I showed her my pictures of the resort and the fish. Thanks again - I had a great stay!”

— Ken B.

“Two of us spent 3 days fishing with Budge's in the Flat Top Wilderness area in CO in Sept 2024. The experience was fantastic, as the people at the lodge, guide (Nora) and wrangler (Grace) were very helpful and just a pleasure to be around. In the three days we caught will over 100 fish - yes, over 100 - that were colorful and very aggresive, especially the Brook Trout. We rode out on horses each morning that provided us time to take in the wonderful landscape. The drive in and out to the lodge is a experience it self, as the last 8 miles takes 1 hour, similar to driving on a dry creek bed. Ryan the owner truly runs a great lodge. Overall I high recommend Budge's .”

— David E.

“Can’t tell you how much fun I had this weekend. The fishing was phenomenal, accommodations were perfect, and Rikki did magic in the kitchen. I really enjoyed everyone there. Nothing better than having an entire river to myself, and then sharing a great meal with good people. It couldn’t have been a better trip. You have a really special place out there. Can’t wait to come back.”

— John E.

“Outstanding lodge in some of the most wild and scenic country of the Colorado Rockies. Follow the dirt road for ~3 hours and you will find the best kind of "middle of nowhere". Excellent hiking trails and solitude await!”

— Eric W.

“My family has been visiting Budges for over 40 years. It has always been a very special valley with outstanding fishing in the summer and elk hunting in the fall. The new ownership and management team are doing a great job of improving the fishing or hunting experience.”

— Greg F.

“Loved it. The fishing was amazing - I had the river to myself. With that said - buyer beware....this is not a "Lodge" in the sense of a high end ski area type lodge. This is a hunting and fishing lodge. Rustic. Simple. Beautiful. Welcoming.”

— Mark G.

“I had the most amazing experience of my life! Especially the trip in and out of the lodge. That road was a trip in itself. I loved it. It challenged me like I haven't been challenged in a long time. And I did by myself! Super excited about that!!! The staff was freaking fantastic! Ruth always had a delicious meal for us, she's a great member of your team! My cabin was neat and clean. That's all I needed and so important to me! Josh and Morgan are top notch people as well. Great quality folks!!! Carson was such a treasure! He's pretty spectacular as well. I wish I could have stayed forever! Thank you so much for allowing me this adventure. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I'll be back!!”

— Lyn H.

“Can’t give Budge’s Wilderness Lodge a high enough rating. The staff makes you feel right at home. Not only is Budge’s known for excellent hunting, the fly fishing is absolutely top notch. The sheer number of healthy trout in the river that runs in front of the lodge is astonishing. My group only spent three days there but we will remember our first trip to Budge’s forever. Thanks again to everyone at Budge’s Wilderness Lodge, your hospitality is unmatched.”

— Jeff P.

“The 3-hour, 26-mile off road trip to the lodge was well worth it. The rustic accommodations were excellent. If you love catching lots of rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout this is the place for you. Horseback riding to areas too far to reach on foot was an absolute hoot. I highly recommend Budge's. Can't wait to do it again.”

— Steve S.

“Found out about Budges Lodge simply doing a search for horseback riding and fly fishing. I chose wisely! It was one of the greatest experiences of fishing I’ve had in many, many years. The crew at Budge’s was amazing and accommodating. My guide Eddie was awesome and he didn’t rest till I got my slam! I’m definitely going back.”

— Craig K.

“I hosted a trip through the fly shop up to Budge’s Wilderness Lodge. The gentlemen who accompanied me loved the lodge, the staff and the services they provided! The fishing was top notch as well as the food!

Can't wait to go back! ”

— Ben B.

“What a wonderful wilderness flyfishing experience! Budge’s has a fantastic location with the rustic lodge and cabin setup that is perfect for those looking to get away and relax. Melody prepared wonderful home cooked meals for breakfast and dinner so you can start and end your day on the right note. The flyfishing was great! We had trips with Grace, Brady and Joe and they made sure we made it to the right spots to fish! We caught tons of Brooke trout and the elusive cutthroats - pretty much had success in each section of the river we fished. Rikki made sure all accommodations during our visit were top notch. I will definitely be coming back!”

— Ken B.

“I feel extremely fortunate to have experienced a wilderness adventure at Budge’s Wilderness Lodge. The information on their website and the lodge staff were extremely helpful in making sure we were well prepared in advance. When we arrived, the scenery was breathtaking. The lodge and cabins were well kept and comfortable. We were warmly welcomed with a delicious dinner prepared by Rikki. She went above and beyond to make sure our dietary needs were met. Morgan and crew were wonderful. They packed our horses and guided us to and from the wilderness camp without a hitch. They made our long ride easy and enjoyable. You can’t say enough about our Orvis guide Bob T. He’s a top notch guy and an expert guide/fly fisherman. He taught my son how to fly fish with patience and professionalism. We caught an endless amount of native brook and cutthroat trout. He also made sure that we were safe and comfortable while out in the wilderness. Budge’s is staffed with people that truly love what they do. It is a gem hidden in the most beautiful and remote part of the Flat Tops Wilderness Area in Colorado. My son and I are looking forward to doing this trip again because it was the best fishing experience of our lives.”

— Darren S.

“Wow! Great experience in beautiful country. We went to celebrate our anniversary and were delighted by the pristine wilderness experience plus the warmth and care from the staff. Excellent hiking, horseback riding and fly fishing. Our fishing guide Shannah was great - instructive, fun and attentive. The food was home style and very good. Evening conversations around the fire pit with new friends added to the experience. The fishing is fun as the brookies and cutthroat don't get a lot of pressure here make for 30+ fish days. Budge's maybe isn't for the spa crowd but definitely worth the effort to get here. We'll come back for sure.”

— Tom W.

“I am going back multiple times. This place is one of the most beautiful spots in the Rockies. Getting there is tough, but the solitude , wildlife and beauty make it well worthwhile. Fish are not large, but are plentiful and are native fish.

The lodge and cabins are quaint and rustic. New beds were very comfortable. The staff and guides did an excellent job taking care of guests and fishermen. Food at the lodge was basic, but very good.”

— Bob N.

“Budge’s lodge offered me the greatest fishing experience of my life. My father and I spent 5 days out in the wilderness with our guide, Bob. It was an honor and joy to learn the ins and outs of camping and fly fishing by someone so experienced and skilled. By the time our excursion came to a close, I couldn’t decide if my favorite activity was the fly fishing (caught well over 130 fish), the camping, or discovering my new hobby of horseback riding. The lodge staff were extremely hospitable and warm. They create an atmosphere similar to that of a tight knit family. I can only hope that one day I’ll be able to go back up to Budge’s and see the crew, but even more so, those unforgettable sights in the mountains.”