Trying to find the perfect summer vaction location that will fit everyone's bill. We are looking for a mountain cabin setup that isn't in a heavily populated area. We need fishing, hiking, quiet, nice cabins and lots of spectacular scenery. We are a family of 6 adults, 1 teenager and baby. Would prefer maybe a couple of cabins. Please help me narrow the search. We are coming from Texas and some of the group would drive the whole way and others would want to fly to major city then drive. Colorado, Montana... please help!

Anybody?

Don't know if you are only interested in Colorado & Montana, but if not, you may want to look at websites for West Virgina. (It is a pretty state - altho the mountains are "little" in comparison to the Rockies.) However, you'd find everything you are looking for except the high elevations .. I think WVA's elevations are about half those in CO. Check Carnifax Ferry Cabins(westvirginiacabins.com) & Country Road Cabins (countryroadcabins.com). Have fun wherever you go!

How about someplace in the Northeast like New Hampshire's White Mountains or New York's Adirondacks.

Try the town of Blue Ridge in the North Georgia Mountains. You can fly right into Atlanta and its approx 1 1/2 hrs. north, and its a pretty drive. 2 websites for cabins: www. blackbearcabinrentals.com or www. thelastresort.com

We have stayed at the 320 ranch in Montana. It is right outside of Yellowstone so there is plenty to see and do within a short drive (old faithful etc). It is close to skiing in winter (with snowmobile excursions and sleighrides). And it has horseback riding, hiking and fishing in the summer. Our lodge was wonderful. It was fairly new when we were there a few years ago and was very tidy and cozy. They have large cabins for families. When we were there they had a great restaurant. I don't see any information on it now though on their website so it may not be operating anymore. You can see them at 320ranch.com

Consider staying outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, in Estes Park, Colorado. Spectacular scenary, of course! There are many cabin-type lodgings there, both on the river (can't remember the name) or near it. Hiking, both inside the park and near it, fishing, etc. The area isn't heavily populated, though Estes Park itself is very touristy; many of the cabin lodging places are on the edge of town between Estes Park and the National Park, so they aren't in the middle of civilization. Estes Park is an easy 2-hour (if that long drive from Denver), and of course closer to Texas than Montana.

I'm sure there are other cabin-type places in Colorado (that's where I live), but that's the only ones I recall seeing (I'm quite sure there aren't any in the Breckenridge/Vail areas).

If you want to go further north, I think there are places like what you're looking for in Jackson, WY. A little harder to get to, a longer drive, but also great scenary.

I have enjoyed the MacGregor Mountain Lodge, just beyond Estes Park, and just outside RMNP. It had rustic, comfortable cabins, and places for children to play. Last time I went was 7 years ago, though. Grand Lake, on the west side of RMNP would also be great, but somewhat harder to reach.

Southwestern Colorado might be a nice choice. It's not heavily populated, and has all your requirements. You might want to consider the areas around Vallecito Lake (actually a reservoir), Pagosa Springs, or Wolf Creek. Vallecito is about 40 minutes from Durango, which has lots of tourists in the summer, but also a lot of activities.

Chama, New Mexico has some beautiful mountains, a scenic train ride, and I'm sure, cabins to rent.

My vote would be Lake Tahoe area, although it can be congested. Beautiful scenery and all the activitie you wanted.