If you don't want to read the whole review I'll summarize by saying don't book here, it's a rundown property with poor food and no good river access. The bumpy, crumbling, neglected driveway into the property was the first clue. Our cabin was so musty it gave us head aches and runny noses. There was a dehumidifier running (which we emptied three times a day as no one from the property ever came to check on it) and four box fans running when we entered the unit. It had a European style ventless A/C which could not keep up with the heat and left one bedroom unusable at night for sleeping. The furniture looked as if it was from the 60's and the front porch furniture even older. The cabin was sort of clean, the bathroom faucets still had toothpaste spots from previous guests. The porch was just plain dirty with holes in the screens. On a positive note, the beds and linens were more than acceptable and the staff who worked there could not have been nicer. Food is included in your room rent and it was awful. First night dinner..some shredded slaw with a limey dressing of some sort and a plate of oily noodles topped with cube steak cooked with chunks of green peppers and onions..the cook's take on Philly Cheesesteak noodles ??? A small piece of bought carrot cake. No bread, no butter, never a choice, food is served plated. There was a coffee pot in the room which we used the first morning (as well as some complimentary Folgers) only to find not one single mug to drink it. And there were no glasses either which we had not noticed as we had bottled water. We found that when we went to pour some wine! Lunch was a "bag lunch" which would have been fine. In other places we've stayed bag lunch to the river is great, sandwich, chips, piece of fruit and a cookie and that's what we expected. Instead this is what we got, this "sandwich", no mayo, no mustard, and off brand bag of chips, no fruit, no cookie, not even a napkin. The second day was a repeat of the first but this time the sandwich was a blob of cold pulled pork on a bun and the chips, nothing else. It was like the pork you buy at Sam's Club but you would serve it heated! The charge for this wonderful food was $55 per day!! And the beautiful Black River could not be seen from the property. You had to walk down the long hill, cross the two lane gravel road, make your way through the brush to find a treacherous set of steps to reach the river. In short we left early. It is impossible to understand the 5 star reviews unless written by someone with interest in the property, especially the one written by "Sabrina". If you are looking for a place to stay go to the Black River Lodge, the property is cared for, lots of activities, three family style meals a day, and a well maintained set of steps that take you right to the river. Interestingly, these properties are owned by the same people, but Wilderness Lodge has certainly been neglected. read more

Wilderness Lodge Resort - 2nd day lunch, cold pulled pork and a bag of chips. No condiments, napkin, fruit or cookie - Resorts Near Me - Lesterville, Missouri

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Great food and amenities! The black river is crystal clear and always cool and refreshing

We just wrapped our annual (and sometimes bi-annual) visit to Wilderness Lodge. The new stewards of this historic gem are doing a phenomenal job of not only carrying on the quality of your stay with an abundance of amenities but we noticed some new property upgrades and maintenance routines that really round out the wonderful time that can be had out there. We enjoyed the fireplace in our cabin at night, long hikes on the property, the delicious breakfast, lunch and dinners, the put-put course, the rec room activities, the vintage board games in our room, and the abundance of books that can be found in your room, in the reading nook in the lodge or the library. Becky's enthusiasm towards the future of the place is contagious, Dan the bartender is lively and makes a good drink. Charley and the other staff are always wanting to make sure you are having all your needs met. We stayed two days and could not get to all the fun things we wanted to do on the property like the hot tub, shuffleboard and bocce ball to name a few. When thinking about where we'd like to go with our mutual time off this charming and feel good Lodge takes top place. read more

Had a "girls trip" here with my childhood best friend and it was AMAZING! Our cottage was cozy, well maintained, and perfect for the two of us. The staff here is super friendly and accommodating. It is family owned and that is reflected in the service and treatment you get. The food was FANTASTIC! Everything was fresh, homemade, and delicious! They also work with you on any dietary restrictions/needs you may have. My friend has a severe nut allergy and we simply told them we when we booked our reservation and we never had a problem. My friend and I spent 4 days and 3 nights here. We mostly spent our time exploring state parks and historic sites around the area, but it was also nice to just relax at the cabin or down by the river. I would definitely come back again! read more

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My nephew and I had the best time at Wilderness Lodge. The accommodations are excellent. If you love the outdoors, this is the place to stay. The dining experience was first class. Corey, the chef, went above and beyond with the food. So damn good! Charles and Eric were so kind and bent over backwards to make sure we had a great time. We are returning in the fall for a float down the beautiful Black River! Cannot say enough great things about the experience we had at Wilderness Lodge!! read more

Our recent stay was somewhat disappointing, which has nothing to do with the facility or staff, in that both were great. The staff is top notch, their friendly attitude and willingness to help out shows the generosity of rural Mo. Our disappointment comes in the facility being short of staff and the very small serving sizes that were offered. It's not that they don't offer you more if you ask, but several waited over 45 minutes after everyone had finished their meals before the staff asked if we needed anything else, 8 of the 12 left hungry. The delay was at every meal. The breakfast of french toast, sausage and scrambled eggs was alright but the platter of eggs did not feed everyone at the table and they went without eggs for close to 45 min. Again, the staff did the best they could but the wait was with every meal and the food itself was lacking in quantity. Apart from the quantity 12 dollars for breakfast and 25 dollars for dinner was too much for what was served. The food was alright but not worth the money. One morning spoiled creamer wasn't a good impression, another dinner was one chicken leg meal was a first for sure. Ok, maybe for the children, but not for the adults. The Tex Mex mess breakfast on our last meal left the final impression. Good flavors, but lacking. One weak meal experience would be understandable, but not every meal (6 in total). For the money it is greatly lacking and we feel it is not worth the value at $ 110.00 per person. Ok, so $ 110 per person for room and board is not bad, but $ 220 for 2 is, or $330 for 3 per a night is not a good value. The experience fell short from what it was last year. It's unfortunate, but t his will most likely be our last stay. Let me say, in the past service, quality and value were top notch! Not so much this trip. read more

My boyfriend and I spent the weekend at the Wilderness Lodge. This was our first time and we will be going back. Our room was super cute, the resort was quiet and peaceful and the amenities was great. I requested vegetarian meals and they were very accommodating. The best part is they are pet friendly. I loved our dog could join along on our weekend trip. read more

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This place was amazing for the long holiday weekend. I wasn't sure what to expect but was blown away by the food and the amenities (there were even fireworks for the 4th!). You can walk right down to the river and get in to enjoy the clear water & they have chairs & tubes for you to use. There was a nice fire pit with marshmallow roasting sticks, tons of yard games, a fun 18-hole putt-putt course, and a tree house with a zipline plus a pool and hot tub. The log cabin lodge itself was such a cool place to be in with interesting art, a great bar (with good beer and wine options), games, and then the dining areas. The food was homemade and delicious. My group had a few food allergies and the staff did an amazing job to accommodate. I'm already planning my next trip!! read more

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Really don't know how to explain how incredible my stay here was. The air-conditioned log cabin I stayed in had two comfortable beds covered with beautiful quilts. It featured a stone fireplace surrounded by comfortable chairs for reading or talking, and a screened in verandah opening out to a peaceful view of the surrounding forests. The spacious grounds themselves were well-maintained and were nestled with many outdoor games areas (basketball, disk disk golf, mini-golf, etc.), while the nearby river offered the opportunity for a relaxing float in the water with friends. All of this helped the big group of colleagues relax and forget about a world of busy-ness. But the thing that compelled me to write this, though, was the incredible warmth, hospitality and generosity of the family running the Lodge. They ensured this 3-day retreat would be absolutely unforgettable. read more

Wilderness Lodge Resort - View of the cabins at the top of the hill - Resorts Near Me - Lesterville, Missouri

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Came here with friends and the staff and owners treated us like VIP. I've been to resorts but none that has such a hard working group of staff. Food is great! Place is rustic and old traditional. I will visit again. read more

Wilderness Lodge Resort - The main bar/dining hall - Resorts Near Me - Lesterville, Missouri

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Terrific service, very friendly staff with interesting history of the area. We had a delicious fresh meal in the restaurant.

Stayed in jacks cabin I slept with my granddaughter on the screened in porch. It was awesome. I love this place I was sad to leave, we floated the second day there. The river was up a foot because of all the rain. It was a little more difficult to navigate because of all the downed trees. We were all in inner tubes it was a lot of fun. The accommodations were excellent and the staff were eager to help with anything. They even made chicken tenders for dinner for my picky grandson. Can't wait to come back next year. Sandie H read more

What a great place for a weekend getaway. We brought our rambunctious German Shepherd puppy for a well deserved getaway. They were accommodating and treated us like VIPs. We stayed in the riverside suites. It has a large deck and windows that open up to the property. We laid around, went to the river, and swam in their pool. It was a relaxing few days. Taylor (the bartender) was awesome. The entire staff went above and beyond. We sat and chatted with the owner during and after dinner, and you can truly tell how much love and pride they put into making everyone's stays perfect. The reviews on the food are all true. It was gourmet food, and I'm not sure I've ever had a 4 course meal haha. 5 stars all around. read more

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I wish I could give them 100 stars. They were amazing. Genuinely nice and accommodating. Super close to the river! We stayed in one of the river suites and I fully recommend it! Zero bugs! Not even one spider. There were games and books in the suite which was very convenient. read more

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I just spent 3 amazing days at Wilderness with a gang of 50 with whom I have been doing an annual retreat for 10 years. This was our first time here and it is impossible to overstate how complete wonderful a place Wilderness is, and how excellent the folks who run it are. It felt like the absolute perfect balance between being a guest and being a visiting family member. To me, that is the very highest praise I can give to the kind of service that one hopes to encounter in such a place. The grounds are beautiful, the setting in straight out of the best of American pastoral literature. The main building is a perfect combination of "hunting lodge" dining room, and the living room feel of the bar and its nooks is just superb. The rooms in the cabins were spacious and comfortable, not posh, but the kind of homey comfort that feels exactly right in this rural gem of a retreat. If you are thinking of a stay hear, I would without reservation tell you to put it at the top of your list, you simply won't find anything better. Tom and Becky and family have created a place that's in a class by itself. read more

I don't normally write reviews but compelled to write one for Wilderness Lodge Resort because of their unbelievable generosity and care for their guests. I had the pleasure of spending a weekend here with a big group of friends and was delighted by how enthusiastic the staff was about making this a great experience for all of us. They went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable and cared for, and didn't hesitate to go the extra mile to help a few friends accommodate an unexpected change of plans. The resort had a lot of great amenities, lovely cabins...and don't miss your chance to go tubing down the river! Highly recommend :) read more

tubing down the black river, go zip lining, play putt putt, do puzzles, play for hours in the salt water pool, foosball, reading stories of encyclopedia brown every nite, playing pool, They got to feed chickens and baby chicks and had a ball. All the food served is made from scratch and is really delicious. Breakfast is always fabulous with juice fresh fruit cups eggs, bacon, sausage gravy and biscuits, French toast, cereal yum! The braised chicken was fabulous as was the meatloaf, great salads and home made dressings. Staff are warm, friendly and accommodating. Lodge is great. Couldn't want more! We will be back! read more

A great place to stay. Tom and the staff are super friendly. The kitchen team was amazing. Always hospitable and accommodating. Lester was also a great host. Great bartender and amazing story teller. The location is out there. You won't have great reception if any. But you come here to escape and detach and decompress. read more

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We spent a spur of the moment weekend getaway here. It was amazing. the grounds are beautiful and the cabins are rustic, but clean and homey. This is a family run resort and they really make you feel like part of their family. The food is amazing. It is fresh and local. Be prepared to loosen your belt at some point! They have something for all ages and the even a nice bar area to hang out in the evening. They offer some nice services for floating the river, but we just planted ourselves in chairs in the river and enjoyed the water and the scenery. The also have a great rec area with a pool table and karaoke machine as well as other items to keep you amused. If you are looking for that getaway to relax and de-stress - this is your place! read more

I have stayed at this awsone resort several summers on mom son trips with my boys & several of thier friends & mom's. It was always a blast, keeping boys happy from early grade school through highschool, with mini golf, volleyball, hiking, rolling down the big hill & of course a day floating & playing on the black river. Mom's happy with huge delicious breakfast & dinner prepared for us. This summer with boys grown went on just a mom trip and enjoyed the more adult offerings like the bar & happy hour. The staff is warm, helpful & always smiling. A fantastic group of energetic young people work here as well as the welcoming manage my staff. This is a rustic older facility so don't expect the ritz but some thing better, clean, comfy and relaxing. It's like camp as an adult. read more

Complete dumb luck that we stumbled upon this beautiful place! It's rustic but with a touch of eclectic decor that keeps it feeling up to date. Breakfast and lunch is included and delicious. The atmosphere is relaxed and family friendly. It's family-run and everyone chats with each other. They just finished installing a beautiful deck and in-ground pool, the river is just a stone's throw away and they provide canoes and inflatables every day. It's just idyllic and just what we needed. read more

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What a great place for a get away! So good that my friend and I came for dinner twice. Fantastic food made with care. Highlights, deviled eggs, wedge salad (dressing), corn dressing, strawberry sorbet. We had made camping plans but next time we are staying in the cabins, and bring the family. Across the street from the river, put put golf, a pool, fire pit, game room. camping for adults with a bar! Yes! Plus very accommodating with allergies. Can't wait to go back! Thanks y'all. read more

I spent an amazing weekend with a large group here and feel compelled to HIGHLY recommend it. The facilities were great. The land was beautiful. And the people who work/run the place went above and beyond for us in pretty much every way possible. The shower had great water pressure. The cabins had nice lighting and soft sheets. The air conditioners were good (and it was hot and swampy). The river was amazing. If you need to bring a group somewhere pretty and away this is the place. read more

This is my fourth time there and it's been great every time. Food is amazing and the pool, hot tub and dining area/ bar are fantastic. Have stayed in four different cabins and all were comfy and had their own unique feel and charm. There's lot of other stuff to do there like a game room and mini golf and a treehouse thing for kids and playground, but we went there each time for a guys trip and to go floating. Lots of Saturday's, they have entertainment down at the campground and that's a whole other place song with the Lodge part. The staff are friendly and courteous and the service is outstanding. Becky waited on us and booked our trip and took car was of all that. And Janet, the owner and her sons, Dee and Matt, work hard and are always visible running around waiting on people and taking care of things. Becky even drove us up to the float spot in one of our friends' truck and then when we were out of beer, gave one of us a ride to town and Dee also brought us some as well. Can't say enough good things and this will be a yearly trip for us as long as we can Chris Livingston read more

This is a fantastic resort. We stayed for four days over Thanksgiving with family and had the best time. They serve delicious, unpretentious food, keep you snug in a beautiful lodge and cozy cabins, and attend to your every need without being smothering. Even in the cold, we enjoyed fly fishing, board games in the recreation building, shuffleboard, volleyball, and soccer. Everyone from grandparent to teenager left excited for the next visit -- which will be soon! read more

Absolutely wonderful trip! I brought my family for a short stay and I can't say enough about how great the experience was. The accommodations are fantastic! We stayed in the cabins closest to the river- comfortable homey and rustic feel only a minute walk to the bank of the river. The main lodge where breakfast and dinner is held has all the charm one would expect from a mountain lodge and was my favorite spot. The food and service was exceptional and not at all what I was expecting! Both the cooking and the atmosphere were top notch and something I would pay big money for. The only thing better than the cooking was the polite and professional staff that truly made the experience one of a kind. I highly recommend this place to any and everyone! Thanks for the great memories! I'd give this place 6 stars if I could! read more

Absolutely wonderful place to stay. The staff could not of been more nice and helpful. The food was amazing. Will go back whenever I can. Just a great place to spend the holiday weekend.m read more

I was here for a group retreat last weekend and it was phenomenally fun. At one point, I described getting to the zip line via the tree fort above the mini golf course, and we all stopped to appreciate how full of awesome that description was. Tom and Becky were so generous in adjusting on the fly to our whims, including packing 23 of us into vans to go tubing down the river, setting up a massive slip'n'slide, etc. And D was a trooper, staying up very very late with us every night at the bar. Also, the food was excellent! I loved the whole experience of the Wilderness Lodge, and highly recommend it. read more

Had a great week-end here. The room at "the Hilltop" was clean and comfortable. Had a screened-in porch with a view into the treetops. The food is all fresh, and home-made. Rivals anything Rachel Ray or Paula Deen could do. I cut my pork loin steak with a fork You can go down the river in a raft, canoe, or kayak, your choice. Didn't have a chance to try the pool, hot tub, or the putt-putt golf,or hiking trails, ot many of the other activities. Lots of stuff for the kids, and they bring out 'smores fixings at the nightly campfire. read more

It was SO worth the 8 hour drive to Wilderness Lodge from Alabama! We were treated like v.i.p.'s. Our cabin was immaculate and extremely comfortable and spacious. It was so lovely inside that I think I took pictures of every inch of it. Cabins have capacity to hold several beds and daybed set ups. I know at least one is wheelchair accessible. Good water pressure and hot water, and bathrooms look updated and quite nice. Screened porch is heaven to sit and read a book on at the end of the day! This would be a great place for couples to visit, as well as families (LOTS for the kids to do!) and larger family groups. We kayaked on the river and were impressed with the facilities at the riverfront - quite a nice operation there. River water was clear to the bottom, and we enjoyed watching for fish below the water. Small children on shore were having a wonderful time with little nets trying to net tadpoles and minnows. The meals completely spoiled me - it was hard to come home and go back to eating "normal" food. They obviously cook everything from scratch. It was wonderful. Lots to do besides the river activities. At the resort there's a family room with games/puzzles, etc, a library, a rec room with the tv, fun bar area (Lester is fun to talk to!). Outside they have a miniature golf area, volleyball, shuffleboard, playground area for kids with slide, etc. Just a lot to this place, and I can't imagine it not being a great vacation for anyone! read more