As the sun rises and sets over the rugged peaks of the pristine Eagle Cap Wilderness and the Wallowa Mountains of Eastern Oregon, a sense of untamed beauty and luxurious comfort surround you at Minam River Lodge.
Are you ready to explore off the beaten path? Let us inspire you!
Summer in Eastern Oregon
I visited this oasis in the mountains in mid-summer and was awestruck at the natural beauty that surrounded me. I’ve stayed at almost every type of accommodation and lodging choice that exists as a travel writer. Sometimes a place to stay for the night is a matter of convenience or necessity, but this overnight was part of my travel adventure. I didn’t want to leave the next day.
Visitors to this remote destination find a mix of rugged adventures, epicurean delights, wellness activities and luxurious accommodations with the mountains of Oregon as a backdrop. Only accessible by an 8.5 mile hike, horseback ride or short charter flight, this lodging adventure is truly off-the-grid and surrounded by protected forest land. Enjoy river rafting, fly fishing, yoga, natural hot tubs and the beauty of the natural landscape.
With a mix of cabins and glamping choices, there is something for everyone here to enjoy. As you can imagine, the level of effort to maintain operations to this remote location is massive, but even more impressive is the ranch’s commitment to sustainability, locally sourced ingredients, and quality – plus deep levels of luxury.
Minam River Lodge Highlights:
- Remote Location: Detox from technology and society as you enjoy nature.
- Rooms: Wide variety of rooms, making it suitable for any type of traveler.
- Meals: High quality breakfast, lunch and family-style dinner with an open kitchen
Minam River Lodge is not only a destination; it’s an experience unlike any other. From the moment guests arrive, they are enveloped in a world where luxury seamlessly blends with the rugged beauty of the American West.
Savoring the Flavors
When I arrived via charter flight, we were greeted with a breakfast spread that included delights from their greenhouse. The Lodge serves breakfast, lunch and family-style dinner daily with a contemporary wilderness style, emphasizing the bounty of their own garden and small local ranch partners.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Take time to wander the grounds in between dining and other activities. Dip your toes in the cold water of the nearby Minam River, explore their greenhouse, pet some horses, wander the trails and unwind.
Dinner is a nightly family-style feast, composed of elements from the garden and small local ranches. Occasionally they include wild-foraged sides such as morel or chanterelle mushrooms.
The Lodge offers a full bar featuring wilderness-curated cocktails, local beers on tap and regional and international wines from their eco-wine cellar, which is cooled by osmosis using underground pipes.
Stroll from the Lodge down to the wild and scenic Minam River, which has the rare distinction of being considered nearly pristine. Explore one of the many scenic hiking trails in the area. Glimpse wildlife from bald eagles to Rocky Mountain elk. Or just kick back and enjoy great wilderness cuisine featuring the bounty of their own garden.
Accommodations
The guest cabins here were hand-built using artisan techniques and incorporate logs from the property as well as salvaged logs from the original Minam structures. Each cabin has a private bath with waterfall shower, electricity that will connect to their solar array for modest needs (leave your blow-dryer at home) and a cozy wood stove. Custom-made Minam furniture includes a queen bed with fine linens.
Time seems to stand still at Minam River Lodge, nestled in the remote woods with the scenic river nearby. Amidst over 351,446 secluded acres of untamed Eagle Cap wilderness in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, guests are invited to pause from life’s everyday demands and immerse themselves in a world of unbridled luxury under starlit night skies unspoiled by any lights.
The Minam River Lodge season runs from June to October. Advanced reservations are necessary as lodging is limited and the lodge is very remote. The staff can help arrange your charter flight or horseback ride to arrive and depart.
Oregon’s Northeast corner has many faces. Most think of the extreme landscape—tall mountains, deep canyons, fast rivers and broad, flat valleys. In between, visit mixed forests, lush farmlands and rocky hills covered with sage and bunchgrass. Minam River Lodge exposes guests to all of these terrains. Don’t forget to look up! Away from the city lights, stargazing at night with only the sound of the wind in the trees is a pretty magical experience.
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