Families and pets find a peaceful getaway at Riverbend Ranch on Smith Lake. Visitors can kayak, paddle-board, or enjoy yard games like cornhole and ladder golf during the day. The property features a playground for children and a firepit where everyone gathers as evening falls.
Reviews
9.69.6 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 12214 sq m
Popular amenities
Spa pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free Wi-Fi
The current price is AU$829
AU$829
includes taxes & fees
20 May - 21 May
Add dates for prices
About this property
Riverbend Ranch*Smith Lake Family Fun!*Dog Yard!
Summary:
Riverbend Ranch: Your Ideal Getaway on Smith Lake
Location: Nestled on Lay Bend, where Crooked Creek meets Lewis-Smith Lake.
Capacity: Accommodates up to 12 guests, perfect for families and pets.
Activities:
Kayak, Canoe, paddleboat, paddle-boarding are available for a small fee. Smores by the fire pit.
Enjoy yard games like cornhole, spikeball, and ladder golf.
Water Access: Year-round access from the swim dock.
Neighborhood boat access, & nearby Triple-Creek Marina available at low water.
The Space:
Location: Riverbend Ranch is situated on Lay Bend, where Crooked Creek empties into Lewis-Smith Lake.
Water access: It has year-round water access from the swim dock, and offers neighborhood boat access. At sometimes of year, when the water level is low, boat access is through Rock-Creek Marina a couple miles down the lake.
Water toys: Water toys, such as two kayaks and two paddle boards, are available upon request. A liability waiver must be signed and a small maintenance fee paid.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome and can be contained in the fenced in yard, and have doggy-door access to the screened in porch. If your dogs are going to be allowed in the house, please keep them off furniture and beds in order to keep the house clean. Kenneling dogs in the house would be greatly appreciated. There is a $25 dog fee that is paid to the cleaners.
Guest Access:
Except for a couple closets and the shed, guests have full access to the house, yard, and dock.
The Neighborhood:
Lay bend is a charming neighborhood surrounded on both sides by Crooked Creek and Smith Lake. It is full of contemporary Lake houses that make for a beautiful neighborhood walk.
Getting Around:
The neighborhood is a great place for walking and enjoying the scenery. It is also a short kayak, paddle board, or boat ride to visit the local marina and restaurant.
Other Things to Note:
*Due to Riverbend Ranch's location on a lake, a mandatory liability waiver must be signed before arrival.
*Guests must be 25 years old to rent "Riverbend Ranch"
*Guest ID may be requested and required to avoid cancellation.
* Smoking is not allowed INSIDE the house. An additional $200 cleaning fee may be assessed to professionally remove the smoke smell.
Interaction with Guests:
Matt is available via ABB chat and texting.
Property amenities
Beach
Beach nearby
Pool/Spa
Hot tub
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available
Onsite parking options include a garage
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
4 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Entertainment
Games
Smart TV
Video games
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Garden
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Work spaces
Office
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming dogs only
3 pets total
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Accessible parking space
No lift
Wheelchair-accessible parking
Wheelchair-accessible van parking
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
On the waterfront
Things to do
Boat
Kayak
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
Liability waiver must be signed and submitted before access will be provided.
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
3 total pets
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
This property accepts cash
Cashless transactions are available
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
About the area
Located in Crane Hill, this holiday home is near a water park and on the waterfront. Crooked Creek Civil War Museum and Cullman County Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Clarkson Covered Bridge and Houston Historic Jail. Travelling with kids? Consider WildWater Cullman and Funzone. Take the opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like hiking/biking trails. Visit our Crane Hill travel guide
Is Riverbend Ranch*Smith Lake Family Fun!*Dog Yard! pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total).
How much does it cost to stay at Riverbend Ranch*Smith Lake Family Fun!*Dog Yard!?
As of 13 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Riverbend Ranch*Smith Lake Family Fun!*Dog Yard! on 20 May 2026 start from AU$829, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
What time is check-in at Riverbend Ranch*Smith Lake Family Fun!*Dog Yard!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Riverbend Ranch*Smith Lake Family Fun!*Dog Yard!?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Riverbend Ranch*Smith Lake Family Fun!*Dog Yard! located?
This family-friendly Crane Hill holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Lewis Smith Lake and Dowling Memorial Park. Bankhead National Forest and Speegle's Marina are also within 12 miles (20 km).
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Riverbend Ranch*Smith Lake Family Fun!*Dog Yard! Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Absolutely perfect stay at Riverbend Ranch! House felt cozy and so comfortable. Matt was an excellent host!! Look forward to returning to RR in the future.
My family really enjoyed our stay! My son was fishing in the high school state championship tournament. The house was very comfortable & had everything we needed! The area was very nice! We will definitely be back! Thank you!!
The house was great for our family. The owner had thought of so many great ideas to make our stay comfortable. Enjoyed our family time on the beautiful, clean lake.
Loved this lake place, very clean and modernly decorated. Plenty of things to do, even during winter- fire pit area was great, swings, walks around the quiet neighborhood with great views of lake. The dog loved the fenced in yard. Would definitely rent again!
We had 5 adults and 2 boys (10&11). The house was the perfect size for all of us and the yard kept the boys entertained when it wasn’t raining. I was very impressed with how clean the house was. We enjoyed our stay.
Our week at Smith Lake was amazing! The house was well stocked, clean and cozy. It was in a quiet and private neighborhood. The view was spectacular. We took our boat and were able to launch crossbody and kept it on the dock. We’re already planning our next trip here!
We enjoyed our stay at the Riverbend Ranch. This property is Top Notch. Very clean and decorated beautifully. Loved the layout of the house with so many different areas to enjoy. Easy to access by road and close to the dollar general if anything was needed. We were able to access the property by boat as the water level was still good. This property will definitely be on my list to rent again!
Our family enjoyed this lake house so much even though it rained on and off most of the time. The paddle boards and kayaks were great and also a paddle boat was available. We were able to make s’mores around the fire pit one night. Perfect setting! Also have a great fenced in area for dogs or small kids. Owner was very accommodating and the house was especially well stocked with basics compared to other Vrbo’s we have rented.. Thank you for an excellent family getaway before school starts back!
Excellent property with lots of ameniaties. Location is quiet and peacful. Home was clean and well kept with plenty of room for 5 adults and one small dog. Communication with the host was quick and easy. Kayaks and paddle boards available on site. We rented a boat from Smith Lake Boating Adventures, and they delivered to and retrieved it from our dock. A great location for a family vacation. We look forward to visiting again!
We had a lovely time and enjoyed our stay very much. Matt was a perfect host and even mailed my daughter's hair dryer that she accidentally left at the house. We liked the house even more than we thought we would. It has neighbors but feels private. It was clean and comfortable. The dog yard is phenomenal! It has a doggy door in to the screened in porch and most evenings we could leave the door into the house open so they can go in and out as they please. The hot tub was new and leaked so we were only able to use it once but it will be really nice for the future. I gave 4 stars b/c we really wanted to use the dock and water but no one warned us the ramp is way too steep in winter pool to climb up once you're down unless you're a super strong climber. We did not get to kayak or any of the things we were looking forward to. With that said, we will definitely stay here when the water level is higher during summer pool.
Matt was such a wonderful host and made check-in so easy!! I loved everything about this beautiful lakehouse and property!! I was especially impressed with the fully equipped kitchen - we had everything we needed! Such a relaxing stay and would love to come back next spring or summer.
Great house with many amenities for children and our grand dogs. We loved the dock with kayak, canoe and paddle boat as well as firepit with lots of comfortable chairs! The screened porch was our favorite gathering spot! Having a nice fenced in yard for dogs was so nice too.
We booked this property for our parents, ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren. This was the perfect little place for all of us. One of the biggest perks is it only had about 20 steps to the lake, which made getting to the lake easy for our parents. We had a great time just hanging out at the house when we weren’t on the lake.
We loved staying here! Matt was so nice and accommodating to us. We actually lost power due to a storm and he showed up and hooked up a generator for us! The dock is kinda small if you have a really big group but they have a fabulous lily pad you can use that we spent the whole weekend using! Great place!!
The house was quiet, comfortable and well stocked. Our kids had a blast swimming off the dock and the boat ramp across the cove was convenient and easy to use.
Everything about accommodations & interaction with host was excellent. Would have given five stars had we been able to easily access the dock to fish & enjoy the water toys avail. The water was so low the ramp to dock was dangerously steep. That’s on us - we should have checked ahead. 2 of our brave young adult were able to climb to the dock to use canoe.That said, the porch, tree swing & fire pit (with complimentary s’more fixings!) and perfect weather made it a snuggly family weekend. We’d love to come back in late spring or summer to get the full lake experience!Thank you Matt for hosting us!
Terri J.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
4/10 Poor
Becky M.
10 July 2025
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy
Not worth the money.
Our stay at Riverbend Ranch Lake House was disappointing. The property had known air conditioning issues that led to multiple interruptions throughout our trip for attempted repairs—disrupting nearly half of our stay. The owner provided a very small partial refund for the two nights without air, but showed little remorse for the inconvenience and disruption we experienced.The listing advertises accommodations for up to 12 guests, but the living room lacked adequate seating, and the dock only had two chairs. There was no dog swim ramp as listed in the description, and several listing photos were misleading or inaccurate. I would not recommend this property. The listing needs to be updated to reflect the reality of what’s being offered. Not worth the money.