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Riverhouse on the East Fork of the Bitterroot

Riverhouse on the East Fork of the Bitterroot

Photo gallery for Riverhouse on the East Fork of the Bitterroot

The wrap around deck is a Guest favorite.
Living room windows looking upstream
The house is 16 feet from the riverbank. Deck is 18 inches from the riverbank.
Picnic table, BBQ and fire pit.
Living room windows looking downstream.

Overview of Riverhouse on the East Fork of the Bitterroot

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 8186 sq m

Popular amenities

  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • Outdoor spaceOutdoor spaceOutdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Conner, MT
  • Popular LocationDarby Park22 min drive
  • Popular LocationLost Trail Powder Mountain24 min drive
  • Popular LocationRock Creek Trailhead35 min drive
  • AirportSalmon, ID (SMN-Lemhi County)91 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Riverhouse on the East Fork of the Bitterroot

One night free when you book 7 or more nights.

Are you going to finish your coffee on the deck while watching elk graze across the river as the sun peeks over the Sapphire Mountains, or are you going to step off the deck and catch that 18-inch Westslope Cutthroat feeding at your feet? Life is full of tough choices.

The Riverhouse is first and foremost OUR vacation home. That's why you'll find lots of comments like this in our reviews:
"It is obvious the owners CARE GREATLY about their space"
"Every single considerate option was included"
"The house was immaculate"
"The owners go above and beyond in their commitment to their guests"
"They appreciate their guests and care about the quality of their stay"

Whether your day is filled with fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, downhill skiing at Lost Trail Powder Mountain - 16 miles away, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, discovering the 8 different Yellowstone TV show filming locations in the owners Yellowstone Filming Locations Drive Guide (the Train Station location is 1 mile from the property), browsing antique shops, exploring small town Montana, visiting The Big Hole National Battlefield, tracing Lewis & Clark’s steps without leaving the property (what a great history lesson for young and old alike), exploring The Nez Perce Trail (also on the property), horseback riding, enjoying a good book, wonderful drives on the backroads of Montana, or a napping on the deck while listening to the river gurgle at your feet... you’ll love coming home to The Riverhouse and an evening that’s likely to include sites of big horn sheep, deer, elk, bald eagle golden eagle... maybe a bear bedding down for the night in a tree across the river.

Then s’mores at the campfire next to the river and the sight of more stars in one night than you’ve likely seen in a lifetime. Leave your 'Sounds of Nature' white noise maker at home, crack the sliding door, and nod off to the sounds of the river just 33 feet from your King Size 'Select Comfort Sleep Number Bed' in the master bedroom. Or choose the 2nd bedroom upstairs and open the slider and nod off to the sounds of the river.

You might be treated to owls hooting the evening away or Coyotes singing you to sleep from "Coyote Gulch." Yes, that's the name of the ravine across the river.

YELLOWSTONE TELEVISION SERIES:
if you're a Yellowstone fan and love the scenery you'll absolutely love The Riverhouse. The Yellowstone - Dutton Ranch (real name - Chief Joseph Ranch) is 13 miles from The Riverhouse. One location on the owner's Yellowstone Film Locations Drive Guide is a mile north of the house, another is a mile south. One of those is the filming location for the infamous Train Station. You'll want to take a half day to discover the valley using the Yellowstone Film Locations Drive Guide as your guide. You can't miss the Yellowstone, Dutton, Chief Joseph Ranch it's on highway 93, thirteen miles north of The Riverhouse.

CANCELLATIONS:
VRBO's options don't include customizing cancellation policy. Our cancellation policy is not as strict are the option says.

Here’s our Cancellation Policy.
All payments made to reserve The Riverhouse are non-refundable unless we are able to re-rent the time you have reserved. If we are able to re-rent the time you have reserved, we will refund your payments up to the amount of rent we receive in re-renting the house for the time you were reserved.

The Riverhouse is a unique experience, away-from-it-all, yet in the middle of everything the Bitterroot Valley the Bitterroot Mountains and southwest Montana have to offer. So close to all of the activities you want to experience in the Bitterroot Valley and the surrounding area, yet once you enter the grounds, you’re away from it all - ready to enjoy the river, the mountains directly across the river, the wildlife, and the peace and serenity of The Riverhouse.

Whether you're looking for relaxation, wildlife viewing, fishing, or hiking you can do it all and more right here at The Riverhouse and still be only minutes away from everything the Bitterroot Valley, Bitterroot Mountains and Sapphire Mountains have to offer.

If you're the adventurous type, you'll want to wade across the river and hike to the top on Coyote Peak or take your four-wheel vehicle and drive up to the top of Sula Peak to take in the awesome views of the Bitterroot Valley and the surrounding mountains.

You'll love the extra touches that make The Riverhouse your home for a few days, a week, or a month. Touches like:
* The huge deck that starts 18 inches from the riverbank.
* King Size Sleep Comfort Sleep Number bed in the master bedroom. Ever wonder what it was like to sleep in perfect comfort? Find out while you're at the Riverhouse.
* Fitted bottom sheets. Don't you hate it when you stay in a hotel and you're ready to jump into bed and you end up remaking it because the bottom sheet comes untucked?
* Large soft snuggly bath towels.
* Snuggly comforters – Grab a comforter and a deck chair for cozy star gazing.
* Themed decorating that highlights local history and the great outdoors of Montana (The Lewis & Clark trail, Nez Perce Indians, Big Sky country, and of course fly fishing.
* Enjoy the themed bedrooms. The second bedroom with the deck overlooking the river has a cowboy and cowgirl theme. The 3rd bedroom has a Montana wildlife theme.
* Give yourself a history lesson and study the wall maps and artwork that show that Lewis & Clark went through the property and had lunch just up the river from you. The Nez Perce trial runs right through the property.
* Outdoor fire pit
* Comfy deck chairs
* The balcony off the 2nd floor bedroom with its wonderful view of the river and Sapphire Mountains. You'll very likely see deer, elk and big horn sheep from the balcony.

When we started looking for a vacation house as a fly-fishing base in Montana and our Realtor sent us information on The Riverhouse, I literally said, “O-MY-GOD Patty, you have to see this.” It's location, RIGHT ON THE EAST FORK, with its great dry fly fishing... and its close proximity to a half dozen world class rivers and dozens of great creeks blew me away!

Then we found out about Lost Trail Powder Mountain skiing 16 miles away - all of the great wide Montana sized trails (if you're used to skiing the mega resorts with huge crowds you won't believe how much room you have to yourself).

The history... RIGHT HERE! The wildlife, right on the property, in the river, and across the river - and all that the Bitterroot Valley and surrounding mountains have to offer... The minute we drove onto the grounds of The Riverhouse, Patty and I knew this was our second home.

When we bought the Riverhouse I expected to spend a lot of time fishing those other world class rivers and streams close by (see the list below), but after fishing up and down the river right off the deck, I seldom go anywhere else. I’ve fished all of the famous rivers in Montana and scores of creeks, and it doesn’t get any better than up and down the river right here at the Riverhouse.

FISHING - NO HOOT OWL WARM WATER CLOSURES!!!!!
In the 20 years we've owned the Riverhouse the river has never been closed because of warm water. When the water temperature in rivers gets to 73 degrees, The Montana Department of Wildlife closes rivers all day or in the afternoons due to warm water. The fish don't recover well after being caught in warm water. This doesn't happen on the East Fork of the Bitterroot. The elevation at the Riverhouse is 4,000. We're a FREESTONE river. That means there is not a dam above us to warm the water. Even on the hottest summer days the temperature gets into the 40s at night. The water coming to the house comes from even higher and cooler temperatures. The East Fork has not had any "hoot owl" warm water closures in the 20 years that we've owned the house.

NICE COOL NIGHTS FOR SLEEPING ALSO.

Please remember, it is always illegal to keep any cutthroat trout on the East Fork - and to keep this one of the best places to fish in the world, please practice catch and release with all fish.

Remember what Lee Wulff said in 1938, “A good game fish is too valuable to be caught only once. Releasing the fish is your gift to other anglers.”

If you need a fishing guide, just ask us.

NEARBY WORLD-FAMOUS RIVERS AND STREAMS
Like I said above, you'll likely catch more fish around The Riverhouse.
* West Fork of the Bitterroot - 7 miles
* Bitterroot - 7 miles
* Big Hole - 45 minutes
* Grasshopper Creek - 90 minutes
* Rock Creek via Skalkaho Pass - Closed in the winter - 1 hour, 45 minutes
* Beaverhead - 1 hour, 50 minutes
* Ruby - 2 hours, 15 minutes

We're sure you'll love The Riverhouse like we do.
Questions? email or call.
Please call between 9am and 9pm pacific time.

Keith & Patty Lee

P.S. I've started mountain biking since we bought the Riverhouse. My favorite ride is to drive to the Crazy Creek campground, 4 miles away, and then bike up a mile or two and fish. It is beyond awesome.

Property manager

Keith Lee
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space
Barbecue grill
Mountain view

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 23
Check out before 10:30 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
It is on the river.

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Conner

Located in Conner, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Chief Joseph Cross Country Ski Trail and Trapper Creek Trailhead are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Bitterroot Valley and Bitterroot River. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Conner, MT

What's nearby

  • Bitterroot River - 1 min drive
  • Darby Pioneer Memorial Museum - 22 min drive
  • Darby Park - 22 min drive
  • Lost Trail Powder Mountain - 24 min drive
  • Rock Creek Trailhead - 35 min drive

Restaurants

  • Rocky Knob Lodge - 2 min drive
  • Smokin Pup Steakhouse - 7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Riverhouse on the East Fork of the Bitterroot pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Riverhouse on the East Fork of the Bitterroot?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Riverhouse on the East Fork of the Bitterroot?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is Riverhouse on the East Fork of the Bitterroot located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Bitterroot Valley and Bitterroot River. Chief Joseph Cross Country Ski Trail is 10.9 mi (17.6 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 119 out of 123 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 123 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 123 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 123 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 123 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Vicki M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best vacation ever!
So much good to say! The house is immaculate and very well appointed. The fishing was good and fun. The area was absolutely beautiful and the wildlife was a joy to see. I would recommend The Riverhouse very highly. We were sad to have to leave. The owners were so kind and truly wonderful to talk to. A huge thank you to the Lee’s!! Rich and Vicki
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

cindy b., Lakeland

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful & Quiet…Perfect!
The Riverhouse on the Bitterroot was perfect for us! There were six of us, (adults), and we had plenty of room. Very clean! Everything we needed. Peaceful & quiet! Owner was great to deal with!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous House
Everything as described. Just sitting on the deck watching the river flow is extremely relaxing. Even better with a drink in hand. Fishing close to the house. Watching the stars. Very comfortable stay. Very hard to leave. Keith will take care of any questions you might have.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Greg G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spectacular Bitterroot
As expected, this was a top-notch vacation for everyone in the party. The views all around are outstanding, and there is much to do and see in the local area, though it was really hard to leave the back porch for very long. We appreciate the care and comfort of the house, and we hope to visit again.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

steve p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Romantic get away
Such a great place to slow down and unwind, very relaxing with all that you need . Great accommodations and friendly host.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

About the host

Hosted by Keith Lee

Host profile image
The picture here is of Keith and Patty snow shoeing at the Big Hole Battlefield - a forty minute drive from the house. They have snowshoes you can use for free at the Battlefield. Keith and Patty have two kids and two grandkids, who all love the Riverhouse. They love the water and live on a lake near Seattle.

Why they chose this property

When we started looking for a vacation house as a fly fishing base in Montana and the Realtor sent us information about the Riverhouse, I said, “O-MY-GOD Patty, you have to see.”

If you like to wade fish, it simply does not get better than this. Just step off the deck a toss a line.

It's location, on the East Fork of the Bitterroot with its great dry fly fishing... and its close proximity to a half dozen world class rivers and dozens of great creeks blew me away! Then we found out about Lost Trail Powder Mountain skiing 16 miles away - all of the great trails (if you're used to skiing the mega resorts with huge crowds you won't believe how much room you have to yourself). The history, right here on the Lewis and Clark and Nez Perce trial - the wildlife, right on the property, in the river, and across the river - a wonderful 'Real Montana Home Cooking' restaurant only 4 miles away - and all that the Bitterroot Valley and surrounding mountains have to offer... The minute we drove onto the grounds of The Riverhouse, Patty and I knew this was our second home.

When we bought the Riverhouse I expected to spend a lot of time fishing those other world class rivers and streams close by, but after fishing up and down the river right off the deck, I seldom go anywhere else. I’ve fished all of the famous rivers in Montana and scores of creeks, and it doesn’t get any better than up and down the river right here at the Riverhouse.

I was shocked at how good the fishing was and then I realized unless you own property it’s not easy to get on the river around The Riverhouse. Next best know someone who owns property, or rent our house, so it’s likely during your stay you will not see another angler.

What makes this property unique

Most guest tell us that spending time on the deck 18 inches from the riverbank with the Sapphire Mountains in the background is their favorite time at the Riverhouse. Their next favorite - taking in the same views from the second story or the cathedral windows of the house. Others like being just 16 miles from Lost Trail Powder Mountain and coming HOME after a day of skiing. Still others enjoy the dozens of hiking trials within a few minutes drive and then again others are in awe of the wildlife.

Languages:

English

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Premier Host
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