Riverside Meadows Cabins has been under the ownership of Fritz and Paula Allen since they first purchased the acreage in 1996. Since 2012, the couple has operated the property as a cabin rental site, offering three accommodations for visitors to stay in: The Master Cabin, The Guest Cabin, and The Studio Cabin. Queen beds and TVs are supplied in every unit, and a twin inflatable air mattress is available inside the cabins as well. Due to the establishment occupying land along the Rio Grande River, visitors who enjoy outdoor recreation tend to be drawn to the general location to engage in fishing, kayaking, or rafting. On account of this, Fritz and Paula provide kayaks and rafts on-site that their guests can use on the river.
Located in the southern region of Colorado, Riverside Meadows Cabins occupies eight and a half acres of land in the town of South Fork. The property is situated along the Rio Grande River and offers three cabins for visitors to reserve. Two of these accommodations, The Master Cabin and The Guest Cabin, are two-room cabins with a bedroom and a bathroom. In contrast, the other unit—the Studio Cabin—is relatively bigger than the other two cabins, as it is equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, dining room table, washing machine, and dryer. Each cabin is a separate stand-alone structure on the premises, and all three of the units contain a TV with cable, HBO, and DVD/VCR.
The acreage on which Riverside Meadows is situated encompasses a considerably wooded expanse, with nearly 800 feet of riverfront that is accessible to guests. Fritz Allen, one of the owners of the property, says that "the river is good for fishing." Furthermore, Riverside Meadows Cabins offers several common areas for visitors to lounge in at their leisure, namely a barbeque area, fire pit, hot tub, and picnic setups. Wildlife is occasionally seen roaming the grounds; Fritz recalls observing elk, moose, bears, bald eagles, raccoons, coyotes, and mountain lions, among other animals. Views of the mountains can also be seen from the property.
Visitors may take an interest in a number of attractions that can be found outside the boundaries of Riverside Meadows. Fritz suggests his guests go to a nearby championship golf course known as Rio Grande Club. Another site that he recommends is the Wolf Creek Ski Area, located approximately 20 miles away. For those who enjoy outdoor recreational activities, "hundred of acres of federally owned forestland" can be found within the vicinity of Riverside Meadows, as noted by Fritz. Beyond this, numerous lakes and reservoirs are in fairly close proximity to the establishment as well. Fritz mentions that guests are welcome to bring their ATVs and UTVs, as there are "hundreds of miles of trails" that were made for such motorized vehicles. Another attraction is the Creede Repertory Theatre, which is found roughly 30 miles from Riverside Meadows.
The owners of Riverside Meadows Cabins, Fritz and Paula Allen, have the goal of helping their guests feel comfortable and relaxed during their stay. In an attempt to provide this experience, Fritz says they "share a lot of information about the nearby hiking trails and about the local restaurants" that people might enjoy. They also make an effort to be available to answer any questions that guests may have. Most interaction that the owners have with their patrons takes place in the common areas, such as the fire pit or barbeque area. One person who previously visited the property commented on the hospitality provided by Paula and Fritz, saying, "The owners are truly amazing, and Fritz is a great conversationalist."
Visitors staying at Riverside Meadows Cabins are encouraged to act in accordance with a few policies during their stay. One such policy is that smoking is prohibited on the premises. The Studio Cabin is the only accommodation that is pet-friendly, though it should be noted that a $20.00 fee is required per pet that stays in this unit. Currently, a quiet time is not enforced at Riverside Meadows, as the owners observe that most visitors are generally respectful when it comes to keeping noise to a minimum at night. Fritz mentions that they try to be "pretty relaxed and flexible" overall when it comes to the guidelines that guests are expected to abide by.
According to the owners, the most unique aspect of Riverside Meadows Cabins is the fact that they are "the only cabin rental business on the Rio Grande River in [the] county." The location on the Rio Grande River and the "quiet, secluded" environment are things that Fritz has noticed guests tend to enjoy during their stay. He also comments that those who stay at Riverside Meadows are welcome to use the on-site rafts and kayaks that are provided for people who take an interest in undertaking recreational activities on the river.
Riverside Meadows is open year-round for guests to reserve any of the three cabins. Fritz says that the business experiences its busiest season during the summer season, generally from Memorial Day to October. In regard to the typical demographic of those who stay at the establishment, Fritz says, "We get everything here." Riverside Meadows has also accommodated families that rent the entire property in the past.
In 1996, Fritz and Paula Allen first purchased the acreage that Riverside Meadows Cabins presently encompasses. It wasn't until 2001 that the construction of the cabins began, and five years later, the establishment was opened as a bed and breakfast. The business operated as such until 2009, when it closed down and later reopened in 2012 as a cabin rental business. Since then, Riverside Meadows has served as a place of lodging for visitors. Some of the changes that were made since they gained ownership were paving the walkways and driveways and adding hardwood floors to the Studio Cabin. Since acquiring the property, Paula and Fritz have found that their favorite part of the job is "the social side of it, meeting people, hearing their stories, and telling [our] story." In the future, the couple hopes to make more units available for visitors to reserve.
Fritz remarks that he owns two other businesses in addition to managing the property. One of these businesses is a manufacture of LED hula hoops that they "ship all over the world" on-site, according to Fritz. He comments that sometimes those who stay at Riverside Meadows purchase these hula hoops as well. Fritz reports that the hula hoop business started the same month as the Riverside Meadows Cabins did. The other business is called Copper Shower Company, which involves the manufacture of a kit that is made of pure copper that is intended to enhance showers.
2 Dodge City Rd
South Fork, Colorado 81154
United States
Campground
Fritz and Paula Allen
