What Our Guests Are Saying

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

“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.

“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.”