Redfish Lake Lodge

A historic lakeside icon. Robert Limbert's legendary 1929 log lodge and cabins on the shores of Redfish Lake.

Redfish Lake Lodge has anchored the northern shore of its namesake five-mile-long glacial lake since 1929, when Idaho explorer and promoter Robert Limbert first stacked its massive logs. Originally established on 16 acres of U.S. Forest Service permitted land, the resort began humbly with a simple gas station, eight canvas tent cabins, a dining room, and a small dock equipped with just two motorboats. By 1931, Limbert had added three permanent cabins, today known as the Rustic Cabins, which were updated in 2006 but still retain their historic charm. Today, the property is owned by Jerome, Idaho natives Arlen and Derrel Crouch, and is managed by their daughter Audra and son-in-law Jeff Clegg. The centerpiece remains the original two-story log lodge, where the first floor houses the registration desk, a cozy guest lounge, and the main dining room, while the second floor holds eight classic, simple lodge rooms that offer a nostalgic, television-free stay reminiscent of a mid-century mountain retreat.

Beyond the historic main building, the lodge grounds have expanded to include 21 historic and modern cabins, alongside 11 motel and suite-style units scattered among the towering lodgepole pines. These accommodations range from rustic, one-room cabins built in the early 1930s to spacious, multi-bedroom units with full kitchens, though guests should note that cooking is strictly limited to units with indoor kitchen facilities and pets are not permitted on the property. Dining at the resort centers around Limbert’s, the lodge’s signature restaurant, which serves hearty, Northwestern-inspired breakfasts and dinners in a log-walled dining room with views of the water. For more casual fare, the Lakeside Grill operates from mid-June through Labor Day, offering burgers, sandwiches, and outdoor seating right on the sandy beach. Adjacent to the lodge, the General Store provides a convenient spot for guests to stock up on groceries, souvenirs, fishing tackle, and camping supplies, while a public laundromat and coin-operated showers serve both lodge guests and backcountry travelers on the northern edge of the property.

Recreational life at the lodge revolves around the bustling marina and the adjacent Redfish Corrals. The marina serves as the gateway to the water, offering rentals of motorized pontoon boats and speedboats, as well as non-motorized options like kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. A historic boat shuttle service departs regularly from the lodge docks, transporting hikers and backpackers across the lake to remote trailheads that lead deep into the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth Wilderness. For those who prefer land-based adventures, Redfish Corrals offers guided horseback excursions ranging from 1.5-hour trail rides to full-day wilderness treks. As twilight descends, guests gather on the lodge's famous front porch or around designated lakeside fire pits, enjoying a quiet that is rarely interrupted by modern technology. This enduring focus on simple, outdoor-oriented hospitality ensures the lodge remains a faithful steward of Idaho's mountain heritage.

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