In the backyard
Swan Valley, Idaho
The Snake River,in your backyard.
A private 5-bedroom timber-frame lodge on the South Fork of the Snake River in Swan Valley, Idaho — built from 150-year-old reclaimed timbers, with world-class fly fishing out the back door, an hour from Jackson Hole.
- Bedrooms
- 5
- Beds
- 6
- Baths
- 3.5
- Guests
- 12
A handcrafted timber-frame lodge built for the whole crew
The kitchen and the big table
No two bedrooms alike
Slow evenings, inside and out

Private acreage that ends at the water
A firepit circle on the bank, a hammock in the cottonwoods, decks under string lights — and the South Fork of the Snake rolling past all of it.
Guest reviews
In their own words
01 / 23
More guest reviews
“We loved the cabin feel of this place. The rustic vibes made it feel perfect for the beautiful setting by the river. He had some interesting antique furniture & art but had all the modern amenities needed to make our stay comfy. I loved the deck off the master bedroom & game room which was a beautiful look out over the river. The sitting area by the river is great for relaxing & enjoying the view. The beautiful large windows were perfect for viewing the landscape. It's an open window concept but an AC unit in the master gave good cool down at night & fans in the other bedrooms were good for night time cooldown. August was so very helpful!!! He answered all the questions promptly that I peppered him with. He is very knowledgeable about the area & was willing to share everything he knew. We'd definitely stay here again.”
“We loved staying here and will be back! The house is large and has a beautifully rustic open floor plan that has many side-quest rooms and outdoor spaces! An enormous deck, plus a separate second story balcony. A huge play room with a view and ping pong with a cozy huge couch. And my favorite, the seating area on the riverside has a variety of comfortable seating, we spent hours here. So secluded and beautiful. There was interesting art in every room. My favorite was the historical and antique collections throughout the house, such as old books, historical American flag, traditional Indian bag, traditional and modern paintings. Just so cool. The host was flexible and accommodating, as well very friendly and personable too.”
“Great stay in a beautiful location!”
“Our large group had a great stay — the house was beautiful and the views were even better. August was a great host and was very responsive with any questions we had!”
“Our family of 6 had a great time staying here. Plenty of room for everyone, beautiful scenery, had fun fishing in the river, hot dogs and s'mores by the fire, ping pong table, white water rafting in Alpine, and square ice cream in town (huckleberry was our favorite).”
“I will definitely be returning!”
“This is a beautiful cabin by the river. Our family enjoyed fishing and relaxing on the back deck. August was a wonderful host who always responded and communicated well.”
“The house was perfect for our family getaway! Everyone enjoyed the outdoor space and taking in the Snake River.”
“Our stay was very peaceful with stunning views.”
“What a beautiful place on the river! The cabin was the perfect location for our family gathering. August was responsive and kind.”
“This cabin is amazing! Perfect location settled in the mountain valley with the river! Great communication from the host! Highly recommend! We cannot wait to come back!”
“August was incredible to work with and quick to respond! The place was even better than the pictures! We were able to create memories that will last forever! You would not regret your time there!”
“Great location and a great host.”
“We had such a wonderful, peaceful and private stay. The cabin is absolutely beautiful and really beautifully decorated. The views are stunning and the massive fireplace in the great room was our favorite part of the stay. We can't recommend this place enough if you are looking for a vacation from the city. It has so much charm and endless opportunities outside from hiking to fishing to horseback riding etc. We look forward to returning one day. August was also an amazing host. He was helpful and promptly answered any questions we had.”
“The family and I had a great time here, lots to do and beautiful location!”
“Lovely cabin in a private location. Great communication, and we felt right at home. We enjoyed the river being so close, and great atv trails nearby. Thank you for your kind hospitality!”
“My family and I stayed here for 3 nights. We loved all the decor and the kids especially loved the saddle seats in the kitchen. The beds were comfy. We had a mix of some wind/rain weather so we didn't get to enjoy the deck like we would have liked, but hopefully next time. We will definitely re-book! We loved being right on the river and fly fished every day. Such a beautiful home and property. Would 100% recommend.”
“Welcoming, warming, and worth every penny. Location-Location-Location! We loved everything about August's place. Highly recommended.”
“We absolutely loved the rustic charm of the home in a secluded area next to the Snake River. Would highly recommend!! We were able to visit Jackson Hole, the Tetons, Yellowstone, and explored some of Idaho as well.”
“This was our first visit to this area. We looked for a home big enough for the 6 of us to spread out and be comfortable. We also wanted a home, like this one, that was quiet and off the beaten path, away from the hustle and bustle. This location was perfect, away from town, peaceful, but a short drive to amenities such as the grocery store. Being a family with a medically complex child with special needs, it is incredibly important for us to find a home that can fit our needs and provide all of us respite! This home was just what we needed. We were all able to make ourselves at home and enjoy a week away from the busyness of life.”
“August's home was great. We really enjoyed our quiet time in Swan Valley. The house had plenty of room to relax. Things to note: The river is beautiful, but not swimmable. The nearest store is about 25 minutes. Would definitely recommend for those looking to get off the beaten path.”
“This house is amazing! Would definitely stay here again!”
“My family — a party of 11 — spent 3 nights and 3 days at the cabin. It was wonderful — rustic — interestingly decorated. The beds were comfortable. It was clean and well equipped. The children enjoyed running around the grounds and the game room. A fox stopped by the last day we were there — he was fun to watch. The building itself is impressive — would love to know the history. August was great to work with. We needed a bed for our 16-month-old granddaughter — August was very accommodating. We enjoyed our stay and hope we can rent it again.”
Basecamp for the best of the Mountain West
Photo gallery
Honest notes from the hosts
- The river is beautiful but swift — it's for fishing and views, not swimming.
- The nearest grocery store is about 25 minutes away; stock up on the way in.
- You're genuinely off the beaten path — that's the point.
Your stretch of the Snake River is waiting.
Dates & rates
The lodge books through Airbnb, where every open date and the current rate are live. Questions before you book? Email August at stay@snakeriverretreat.com — typically replies within an hour.
- Sleeps
- Up to 12 guests
- The house
- 5 bedrooms · 6 beds · 3.5 baths
- The setting
- Private riverfront acreage on the South Fork of the Snake River
- Outside
- Riverfront firepit, decks, grill, game room
- Where
- Swan Valley, Idaho
- Range
- ~1 hour to Jackson Hole, day trips to both parks


