Wilderness Lodge Resort

I recently enjoyed an unforgettable weekend at the Idyllic Wilderness Lodge Resort, nestled amidst the serene beauty of the pellucid Black River. This retreat provided the ideal setting for a "Big Chill" weekend with my lifelong friends, and it surpassed all our expectations.

The lodge's rustic charm and seamless integration into the breathtaking natural surroundings immediately captivated us. The idyllic setting, featuring lush forests and the crystal-clear waters of the Black River, transported us to a world of tranquility and serenity.

One of the evenings, we gathered around a perfectly positioned fire pit, and it felt as if the stars above had conspired to create the most magical ambiance. The crackling of the fire, the warm glow, and the camaraderie of friends made it an unforgettable night.

The lodge itself was a masterpiece of design, seamlessly blending rustic elegance with modern comforts. Our rooms were both cozy and spacious, impeccably clean, and equipped with every amenity we could desire.

What truly set this experience apart was the exceptional service. The staff went above and beyond to make us feel like cherished guests, extending a genuine warmth and hospitality that made us feel like we were among friends.

In summary, the Idyllic Wilderness Lodge Resort is a hidden gem that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking a tranquil retreat in nature's embrace. Our rejuvenating and gratitude-filled departure only left us eagerly looking forward to our next visit to this special place.

Our Wilderness Weekend couldn’t have gone better! Perfect weather, beautiful scenery, fun outdoor activity, fire pit time, and best friends in the world. There was a big open space where people could set up their own activities or throw ball or frisbee, within sight of the main building or fire pit if parents want to watch kids. The meal times were very comfortably managed and the food was delicious, with the bar/lounge to gather afterwards, warmed by fireplace and friends.

Really enjoyed the river, kayaking was my choice but others chose canoes and inner tubes were available for anyone looking to let the river do all the work. The staff was very friendly and responsive to requests. The whole experience was secluded enough to help us unplug from our individual worlds, but comfortable and welcoming enough that we weren’t really “roughing it.”

Wilderness Lodge is a special place nestled in the Ozark wilderness with cozy accommodations and wonderful staff. The kitchen crew provided delicious and filling meals that gave us plenty of energy for the activities of the day. The river was refreshing and is some of the most beautiful water you will find. Thanks Wilderness Lodge owners and staff for a fantastic experience. The picture below was taken a few miles away but gives you a sense of the clarity of the water. It's truly amazing.

Wilderness Lodge: A Rustic Gem in the Ozarks

Wilderness Lodge in Lesterville, Missouri is a hidden gem in the heart of the Ozarks. This rustic resort offers a unique and unforgettable experience for guests of all ages.

From the moment you arrive, you will be greeted by the friendly and welcoming staff. They are always happy to go the extra mile to make sure you have a memorable stay.

The cabins at Wilderness Lodge are cozy and comfortable, with all the amenities you need for a relaxing vacation. Each cabin has its own unique character, and some even have screened-in porches. The food at Wilderness Lodge is simply outstanding. The chef prepares delicious meals using fresh, local ingredients. Breakfast and dinner are included in the price of your stay, and you can choose from a variety of options.

One of the things that makes Wilderness Lodge so special is the quirky Mark Twain impersonator. He is often seen wandering around the resort, entertaining guests with his stories and jokes, and he makes the best damn martini this side of Dodge City.

In addition to the cabins, Wilderness Lodge also offers a variety of other amenities, including a swimming pool, mini-golf course, and game room. There are also several hiking trails located nearby, so guests can enjoy the natural beauty of the Ozarks.

Overall, Wilderness Lodge is an exceptional resort that offers something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a relaxing getaway or an adventurous vacation, Wilderness Lodge is the perfect place to stay.

Great fall weekend at the Wilderness Lodge. Enjoyed the river activities (kayaking & swimming), and the outdoor gathering spots were awesome. Everyone who served us meals & drinks was super welcoming. Look forward to coming back again.

The Wilderness Lodge is a throw-back to what I enjoyed as a child. Just had an unforgettable high school reunion at the Lodge for three nights. Beautiful nature abounds—great gathering spaces inside and out—kind, attentive staff—and great food made for a wonderful stay! We would definitely recommend.

We stayed at Wilderness Lodge to celebrate my wife's 40th birthday. This place is like something out of a movie. It feels like being at summer camp but way nicer. The room was beautiful, the property was picturesque, and the food was pretty great. I asked the staff to put some candles on my wife's desert (I didn't want to ask for anything special because they were very busy) and they brought all of the kitchen staff out to sing for her. The vibe at this place is super laid back but hospitable. You aren't going to be pampered but you will be treated as a welcomed guest on this beautiful property. It's the perfect place to stay if you want to explore beautiful southeast MO in rustic comfort.

I have fallen in love with this woodsy oasis! Our trip was a high school friends trip and it could not have been more perfect. From the float trip to the bonfire, it was a fantastic weekend. The food and hospitality is also A+!

Wilderness Lodge is the perfect place for all ages with 2 and 4 legs! Our family loved our visit! Great place to relax, phones only work in the dining lodge so you are actually talking to each other! Clean, comfortable, AC works, food is good! The grounds are well mowed and trimmed! Close to RiversEdge so you can float. Glamping at its best!

Review: Wilderness Lodge
My spouse and I had a great, first visit to Wilderness Lodge in late Sept., 2022, and definitely plan to return in the future.

The meals were well-prepared and nutritious. There seemed to be a Mediterranean flare that occasionally appeared in the main entree, salad, or appetizer. The dinners were heavy on vegetables and very light on starches. The servers were very friendly and efficient.
We stayed at one of the Riverside Suites. A warning: “riverside” does not equate to “river view.” Our cabin was in a beautiful location, surrounded by foliage, but there was no view whatsoever of the river nearby. The cabin was beautifully decorated, with pleasant artwork and furniture that was a little old but well-maintained and functional. The suite was very spacious and in great, rustic condition. We appreciated the good water pressure, great shower, and even the wall heater in the bathroom, as well as the mostly LED lighting.

The staff were very friendly and helpful. We found that our cabin had no heat, and after a cold night, the problem was fixed almost immediately the next morning. The trouble was that staff were hard to find, except at meal times. I’m sure this is because it was very late in the tourist season and there were very few guests. Over out three-day stay, we probably went to the office about six times (check-in and -out, seeking basic info, etc.) and never once found anyone. There was also absolutely no written material about nearby sites, directions, how to access the excursions on the river, closest urgent care facility, etc. (Just use the internet, I suppose. Luckily, for us, there were good cellular connections.) There was no information in our cabin either, not even an emergency number. (What to do if there is a power outage or plumbing leak?) Any questions of ours had to wait until meal time, when we got tips from servers, or in one case, from a clerk at the local Dollar General. I offer all of this in hopes that the Lodge will produce a very simple, one- or two-page information sheet.

I can’t say in words how much we enjoyed our stay. The cabins are beautiful, clean and comfy. The screened porches are heaven. The food is so amazing. The staff make you feel welcome, and are so accommodating. The river space is beautiful and a bonus and a an awesome salt water pool. Can’t wait to return.

Have stayed here 3 times! We love this place! There is a Pool and a hot tub. The resturant is so wonderful! No need to leave because everything is right here! You have canoing and kayaking swimming, there is Put put golf. The play ground is a hit with the kids! Plus you have the building with the pool table and ping pong etc! Oh yeah... then there is the fire pit that you can make smores! We had so much fun!

I visited The Wilderness Lodge in Lesterville, MO with my extended family. We had a total of 60 people in our reservation and family members from age 1-92! Becky and her staff were more than accommodating from the time I booked our cabins to check out!

Accommodations- cabins were spacious and quaint. They are situated around the main area and further up the hills. The screened in porches were a crowd favorite. They were decorated nicely, were supper cool (AC wise), and were clean. I’d make sure to bring utensils and cups and paper towels for the room, though.

Food- I’d give it 10 stars ⭐. We had 60 ppl and multiple duet restrictions including a few vegans. We are LOVED the food. Biscuits and gravy was the winner amongst many of us. The portion sizes were right on and if we wanted more we got it! They thought about the kids dinners as well. The wait staff was so kind and never appeared frustrated or bothered by our group even though I’m sure we were needy most evenings.

Staff- can’t say enough about the staff! They all were available for whatever we needed and went out if their way to help us. They made sure we were happy and were so helpful with the 23 kids we had. Crafts near the dinning area and cereal and fruit in the morning. They handled special kid requests without any complaints.

Amenities- so much to do!!! My 8, 6, and 4 year old were safe hanging out in the rec room, main, lodge, or playground with out me always being right there with them. The kids wandered around and there was enough meeting places that our large crowd didn’t feel cramped but we could all be together in the dining room and rec room. The pool is smaller but with the multi layered deck there was plenty of room. Part of our group floated one day and the other went to Elephant Rock State Park.

We all left so happy to have had our reunion together at The Wildness Lodge! It’s truly a hidden gem.

Second visit and had a wonderful time! Food was great and plentiful, rooms clean. The coffee makers are very outdated and leak, but they do have self service in the lodge also. Can’t wait to return!

When I tell you I just spent the most amazing 4 days at the best vacation/retreat spot near by I've ever been to I'm am for REAL. The Wilderness Lodge is only 2 hours from St.
Louis on The Black River.

The entire place is small enough to easily walk around yet you have so many things to do. Mini golf, zip lines, pool, hot tub, play ground, rec room, bar, library, and a ton of stuff we didn't even get to. Laying on the hill at night and looking up at the stars was so so cool.

All of our meals were provided. Everything was homemade and DELICIOUS. We brought our own snacks, beer, and soda for during the day and after dinner. We also had light appetizers like crackers and cheese or hummus and pita before dinner every night which was lovely. Sack lunches were an additional fee but well worth it. And they packed gourmet sandwiches and snacks each day. Better than I would have done for sure.

The waitstaff was incredible. Accommodated every single dietary need and had meals prepared as needed for those specifics. I have been on a couple cruises and have stayed in some nice resorts and I would choose the food we had at this lodge over any of those other places. Without a doubt.

They set us up for our float trip with the near by float company. You have free access to a beautiful swimming area on the Black River at the campground 30 seconds away. Our cabin was cleaner and cuter than any hotel. Our wrap around screened in porch even had adorable day beds and David slept out there a couple nights and loved it. I enjoyed the AC in our cabin and there was a fireplace that would have been so cozy in the winter.

We spent most of our time in and around the main lodge area. They have a cash bar. The pool and deck area were perfect for a bunch of kids to play while the parents hang out. The center of the resort has the pool, lodge, mini golf, volleyball, fire pit, play ground, hot tub, rec room etc. We felt totally fine letting our 8yr old and up age kids roam around without supervision.

The only wifi was in the lodge area and it wasn't great but after the first 24 hours I didn't really miss it.

They housed 60 people, each in their own family cabin, and we didn't feel at all crowded.

You MUST go check this place out. We are already planning a trip back for another float trip.

What an experience! I loved every second and I can't wait to go back. I look forward to making this a yearly get away. The black river was absolutely gorgeous - pristine and clear. At the lodge the staff was extremely friendly and courteous. I loved that there weren't TV's in the room, so I got to spend extra quality time with the one I love with little to no distractions. Had a great time playing ping pong and foosball in the game room. It was awesome to sit around the fire pit or in the hot tub at night and star gaze - so many more stars visible away from city lights. The screened in porches in the cabins were great to sit out in any time of day - we turned off the air conditioner and opened the doors/windows at night and was surrounded by the sounds of nature....soo relaxing and peaceful.

This is a hidden gem! If you are looking for a peaceful getaway where hospitality and friendliness feels like a step back in time.
This resort has a day's gone by feel where you can unplug and rewind.
I should say that I'm here post busy season. In the summer it is full of families.
They have mini golf, basketball, the river, great pull and you are close to 2 state parks.
One side note.
Wifi and TV are in the Main cabin where breakfast and dinner are served.

What a wonderful wilderness escape! My friends and I came out for a much needed get away and basically had the best weekend ever at this safe, secluded and beautiful retreat resort. The cabins were all very clean, spacious, and had everything we needed. The staff was exceptionally kind and professional. The lodge serves as the center of the property and is a wonderful place to come together, eat, drink, and be merry. There are so many fun activities available for all ages. I cannot wait to go back. The Wilderness Lodge Resort is a perfect place to bring family and friends together and enjoy the natural beauty of Missouri!

Wow. So impressive. A lodge established at the turn of the century but so well kept up. They work very hard to keep it clean and kept up well . They strive to have the food as natural and fresh as possible. They employ locally to help give back and strengthen the community.
Homemade food for breakfast and dinner included with your stay that is amazing. The grounds are beautiful with ample space and much to do. They had a band there a couple nights during our stay which was very entertaining .The staff there is amazing. They notice when you're not there for dinner and are genuinely concerned that you're having a good time! You're not just another guest you're treated as family even by some of the regulars who come that time of year! We felt so special and taking care of every step of the way and had a great time.

So awesome. Went canoeing and kayaking. Hiking close by and even got a fall swim in. Food was great, the "chill" areas were great, etc. Wished we could have stayed longer. Thanks everyone!