Relax at Gene's Trout Fishing, a 4.6-star riverfront resort hotel in Salesville, AR offering free Wi-Fi, boat rentals, kid-friendly amenities, and easy access to local attractions.
Guests appreciate the welcoming atmosphere, helpful staff, and excellent fishing opportunities at this straightforward resort on the North Fork River. While accommodations are rustic and basic, the natural setting and access to the river are standout features. Some cleanliness concerns were noted, but many find it a great value for a fishing-focused getaway.
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Rooms, shared spaces, dining and exterior — grouped so you can skim quickly.
Set along the banks of the North Fork River in Salesville, Arkansas, Gene's Trout Fishing is a laid-back resort hotel that caters primarily to anglers and nature lovers. The property offers rustic, low-key accommodations with scenic river views and straightforward amenities, including free Wi-Fi and free parking. Guests can also take advantage of onsite boat rentals, supporting easy access to fishing and river activities.
The resort's cabins have received mixed feedback regarding cleanliness and in-room extras, with guests appreciating the comfortable basics and charming riverfront settings, though some note the need for improved housekeeping and small additional touches. The peaceful environment is highlighted by many reviewers as a perfect spot for quiet mornings spent overlooking the water or relaxing with a book.
Location-wise, the resort is convenient for exploring local sights such as the historic Jacob Wolf House, just over four miles away, and can serve as a base for excursions to nearby attractions including Norfork Tailwater and Norfork Dam. Boone County Regional Airport is reachable within just over an hour by car, making the resort reasonably accessible for visitors coming from outside the region.
Gene’s Trout Fishing appeals largely to fishing enthusiasts and families seeking a simple, smoke-free retreat without extensive on-site facilities. While it lacks a pool and fitness center, the property's kid-friendly atmosphere and proximity to natural attractions offer ample opportunities for outdoor enjoyment. Nearby hotels with higher star ratings provide alternative accommodation options within a few miles.
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Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.
Clean Cabins, staff were very nice and helpful. The river view is absolutely breathtaking! I stayed in cabin 1 and have been coming here for years this place is always a nice welcoming place to catch some big fish. I was fortunate enough to catch a 10+ pound brown the 4th night of my stay and was very fortunate to have caught a 10+ pound rainbow trout just off the dock. The big fish are definitely around and I’m looking forward to go again soon!
I have trout fish all over the Midwest, New Mexico, Colorado, Arkansas, Missouri. We’ve stayed in many many cabins had our own fifth wheel, but I’ve never stayed in a place that I actually think and dream about our annual trip every year. The very nicest cabins the most helpful, accommodating owners and staff. The boat rental and boat crew Marina crew are wonderful people. We look forward to going there every November. It couldn’t be any nicer mountain home is a wonderful town and we always go to the whispering Willows restaurant overlooking the lake every year wonderful food.
We’ve been visiting Gene’s off and on for 20* years. The staff has always been friendly and helpful. The rooms are cool. Just don’t expect any extras. But the views make up for that. My wife and I always move the couch from the wall to sitting directly in front of the picture window. This allows the best view of the river and a perfect place to drink coffee in the morning and read in the afternoon.
We absolutely loved the cabin and location of Genes Fishing Resort. The cabin was clean and spacious. Employees were all very friendly. We loved fishing off of the dock anytime we wanted during the day. The whole resort was very clean with excellent grounds upkeep. My only complaint is little things inside of the cabin that I think should be provided. Please put hairdryers in the bathrooms. You dont even have to put one in every bathroom... just 1 will suffice. Please keep some salt, pepper, and seasoning salts in the cabinets. That would be a nice kind gesture for your guests and they would be very appreciative. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and can't wait to come back.
WORTH THE DRIVE FROM MN!! We fished at Gene’s Trout Fishing Resort in Salesville, Arkansas and had the absolute best time. Coming down from the Midwest, we were blown away by how easy the drive was — and totally worth it. The owner is originally from Wisconsin, and you can feel that welcoming, Midwest-style hospitality the moment you arrive. Our guided trout trip was incredible: the guides knew every bend of the North Fork River, supplied all the gear, and even cleaned our catch. We pulled in rainbow trout and had an unforgettable time out on the water. Our Guide, Lee Welch (sp) was so much fun! We laughed, caught fish and had a blast. If you’re from Wisconsin, Minnesota or Iowa and want something different than the usual lake weekend, this is the place to go. A straight shot south into the Ozarks, and you’ll find trout fishing, cozy cabins, mountains, and friendly people who make you feel right at home. We’ll definitely be back!
Cabin was clean and warm since it was February and 8 degrees outside. Bed was comfortable. Price is fair. I will stay again. Cabin #3...Queen bed, loft with single mattress on floor, and a fold out bed. Includes regular coffee pot, toaster, microwave, dishes, pans, fridge and silverware. Beautiful view of the river and nice porch with seating and grill(bring charcoal).
The first time I had been trout fishing but my partner had been before. This was our first experience here however. The service was great. Looking out from our room you could see the water. It was so peaceful on the patio and the early morning fog made the silence of the beginning of the day welcome. We had a wonderful guide and even though it was hot 100+, we were able to snag some pretty trout. The big one was 18” and about 3lbs
The rooms were nice but were not very clean. In one cabin the sheets were dirty. There was blood on the sheets. In our other cabin the carpets were quite dirty. It would be alot better if carpet was gone and guests could just use a broom on the floors. Other than the cleanliness, this was a perfect getaway for our family and friends! The fishing was great and the access to the river was so very convenient!
This simple rustic fishing resort on the banks of the North Fork River is a 4.1 miles from the Jacob Wolf House historic site, and 2 miles from Quarry Marina.
Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Arkansas. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.
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