The Minam River Lodge is a hike-in, fly-in Lodge in the middle of Northeast Oregon's Eagle Cap Wilderness. Accessible by 8.5-mile hike or charter flight in a small plane, the Lodge is a triumph of craftsmanship and runs on solar power. Other accommodations include hand-built log cabins, wall tents and teepees. Guests enjoy fine wilderness dining from the Lodge's garden and provisions flown in from small local farms, as well as regional wines and specialty cocktails. The wild and scenic Minam River flows through the property and offers a peaceful place to read, relax or watch nature. Guests also can explore scenic day or overnight hikes from the Lodge, ride horseback or cast a line in the river, which is considered nearly pristine. The Lodge can be reached in a day from Portland, Ore.; Boise; or Walla Walla, Wash. Management arranges charter flights for $125 each way from nearby towns including Enterprise. Hiking or riding horseback from nearby Moss Cove Campground takes about 4 hours.
If you want to get away from it all, this is the place to stay! What a wonderful four nights at Minam. (do yourself a favor and don't stay less than three nights). They are completely adhering to the COVID-19 protocols required by the state, staff in masks, plenty of room for self distancing, (even at dinner), the staff was cleaning all the time. We came out to enjoy the amazing scenery and for the Winemaker Dinner they were having and we were not disappointed. Chef Sean delighted us with amazing food, much of it sourced from their gardens and local purveyors in eastern Oregon. You would be hard pressed to find better food in Portland than what Chef Sean and his team are doing in a remote location with a small kitchen. We ate all three of our daily meals available at the lodge during our stay; pay the very responsible prices and enjoy their delicious food. The staff was so nice and always helpful and cheerful and from every walk of life. (make sure you get Chef Suzanne's daily cookies)! The wall tent accommodations were more than sufficient, and located close enough to the private restroom & shower for the three tent rentals available. (tip: there were mosquitoes, so don't forget bug spray). The wood fired hot tub was always ready and you couldn't beat enjoying the wood fired sauna for awhile and then taking a dip in the cold, pristine Minam river, exhilarating! We chose to hike in and it is a bit challenging, there are some river and stream crossings, but completely doable in four hours, mostly downhill on the way in so its mostly uphill going out of the lodge back to the trailhead. Just don't over pack and weigh down your backpack or you will pay the price with some sore muscles. We cant wait for our return trip back to Minam Lodge!
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Date of stay: June 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This place is a gem. My wife and I stayed for 4 nights in mid-July. We chose to hike in and brought along our dog. The food was absolutely wonderful and the accommodations were terrific. The scenery is stunning. Here are some things to think about before booking.
Part of the reason Minam River Lodge is so special is because it is located within a federally designated wilderness area and therefore no roads access the lodge. All supplies must be packed in by horse or flown in by plane which must require an exceptional amount of vision, ingenuity (and expense) to pull off. A significant amount of the produce is grown on site and the rest of the food is sourced from farmers' markets in nearby towns. Not only only is local sourcing practical but it also fits the general ethos of ensuring top quality. You can tell that the entire dedicated crew that works at Minam cares about the quality of the visitor experience and they are proud to share their little corner of the world with guests. Chef Shawn is a genius. I can't imagine the challenge of producing such delicious meals in these circumstances.
The cabins are beautiful. They are tastefully designed, well constructed and have a kind of classy mountain elegance. There isn't a daily cleaning service, so if this is something you expect then it might be best to pass.
Think hard before you bring your dog. Even if your dog is well behaved in their normal environment they may be pretty excited when surrounded by wilderness. Dogs are not allowed in the main lodge, so unless they can be off leash, amicably hang out with the dogs that live on site, and learn to stay out of the lodge it may be challenging. Our dog bolted for the kitchen every time we unleashed him so he had to be on a leash or in the cabin when we were hanging out or having dinner.
If you visit here you will be living close to the staff, so please be exceptionally kind to them because they are a lovely and extremely hard working group of people. Part of the quiet beauty of MRL is putting down your device and chatting while enjoying the views from the deck and celebrating this unique experience in the presence of others including visitors and guests.
This place is absolutely marvellous and you are in for a treat if you decide to book a stay
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Date of stay: July 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We’d heard rave reviews about the Minam River Lodge from several friends, so we decided to spend two nights there with our family of eight. Three of us flew in, the rest came in on horseback. Everyone in our family loves our time there. First off, the location in the middle of the wilderness is what sets it apart. Incredibly beautiful. The lodge has all the comforts one could ask for . . . incredibly comfortable beds, fireplaces, cozy seating, hot tub, sauna, massage, etc. The staff is fun, attentive, and helpful. The food is amazing. We loved how the main lodge is arranged such that there are two focal points - the awe inspiring view of the meadow, river, and towering ridge, and the open kitchen. You can watch the amazing chefs preparing the most wonderful meals you’ve ever eaten. And the dining area is arranged to provide the opportunity to meet other guests or dine in relative privacy. Very well done.
Our two recent newlywed daughters and their husbands stayed in two adjoining cabins, while my wife and I, along with our sons, stayed in the Eagle Cap room, which I’d highly recommend. The room has a wall of windows with the same view as the dining room below. The bed was in the middle of the room directly facing the windows. There was a copper soaking tub, as well as a beautiful shower.
On top of this, I must add that it rained during most of our stay . . . I can’t wait to return when the weather is sunny and more conducive to exploring the trails.
Thank you Barnes Ellis for your vision and providing this gem for us to enjoy.
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Date of stay: June 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had booked three days at this remote get away months before the pandemic hit. After reviewing the protocols the lodge has in place ( masks inside lodge required, frequent sanitizing, etc) we decided to keep the dates. The hike in was great but a bit more challenging than advertised. 8.5 mikes in and a drop of 2300 ft with a steep drop at the end. All uphill going back but the middle 4 miles are more mellow. Anyhow once you get there you forget the long hike. Great meals , wide open spaces, hot tub, yoga, hikes, massages, and best of all- no Wi-Fi. Do not even ask. The staff is great. The area is amazing. One of the guests saw a bear at the river while we were there! The lodge is perfect for social distancing and most guests were friendly and you an still connect from across the fire pit. We stayed in a lodge room and it was perfect. Sign up now. It was out first trip beyond 25 miles from our home since March 14,2020 and we felt very safe and even forgot about the pandemic. Nature continues.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed 3 nights July 10th through 13th, as this was our first time, we didn't want to cut it too short. We should have definitely planned another night as we were not ready to leave. The staff is amazing, friendly and more like family than staying at a typical resort. We stayed in a Lodge Room and enjoyed the easy up down from the restaurant/patio. Sharing the shower/restroom (separated) was a non-issue. Chef Sean and Suzanne had us looking forward to every meal and it was fantastic! Good selection of wine and custom cocktails, as well. We did take a dip in the wood-fired hot tub and it was great! We did morning yoga, fished the river and hiked to Red's Horse Ranch. If we had more time we would have taken advantage of a massage and a horse back ride.
We did the hike in both directions and it wasn't too bad. The hike out takes some work at the end, but well worth the adventure!
We will definitely be back and are planning on bringing friends to experience this wonderful place!
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Date of stay: July 2020
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Room Tip:If you are going to stay in the Lodge, the Aneroid and Chimney rooms are both slightly larger...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband and I, along with another couple, recently spent three nights at Minam River Lodge. We stayed in the Morel and Chanterelle cabins. The cabins are lovely. So clean and comfortable. No A/C but they stay nice and cool when closed up during the day and the temps dropped at night so sleeping was comfortable. It was nice to know the couple in the cabin attached to ours as you can definitely hear your neighbors and sharing the large porch with people we knew was terrific.
Being unplugged for four days was such a treat! We took advantage of every single amenity, yoga, massage, the hot tub, the sauna, the river, area hiking, board/card games in the lodge, happy hour on the lodge deck and of course, we didn't miss one meal! The food is well worth the hike in/out. Shawn, the chef, is AMAZING. His description of each meal, where the ingredients were sourced and how he prepared each course was met with applause every time. He is skilled!
Margaret and Caroline were amazing. Prior to our arrival I sent so many emails with a ton of questions which they responded to and answered quickly and patiently.
We hiked in and out, however we did arrange to have our backpacks flown out - the hike out is a bit strenuous. Having a bit less of a load was a good choice for our group. That said, I think the hike out is certainly manageable with a backpack.
It is not an inexpensive adventure but it is absolutely worth it.
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Date of stay: July 2022
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I simply cannot say enough about the caliber of place the Minam River Lodge is. The booking, flying, hiking, accommodations, and FOOD were beyond our highest expectations. The staff was incredibly attentive and we felt like royalty. Foodie? This is the place for you. Meals are prepared with the day's garden harvest and thoughtfully presented by the chef with each course. Wine pairings, cocktails, you name it. Fresh baked cookies in the afternoon and a consistent nod to the local source which all ingredients were bought. The facilities keep you comfortable while you truly unplug from the world you left behind. Stay here and you will not be disappointed!
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Date of stay: June 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Minam River Lodge is sooooo fabulous, I want to scream it at the top of my lungs at every corner. :-) This place is low density, digital detox, glamour/lux at its best, and all in the middle of Oregon. You can hike in and out, but we flew from La Grande. Once you get there, there is a ton to do. There are many hikes available, books to read, outdoor yoga daily, an outdoor wood fired hot water tub, and then there is THE FOOD!!! Sean Temple and team whip up amazingly fresh, high quality, and sophisticated food in an open kitchen, the heart of the lodge, with the help of the Beast, a massive bbq. Beef from Snake River Farms, Hutterite Pork (which changed my life, it was so tender), and fresh popcorn and homemade cookies in the early afternoons, all of these yummy things and more. Vegetarians are also in heaven with the amazing produce and care that the team puts in preparing their meals. Of course, the lodge has a great array of Oregon wines. To the team PLEASE KEEP IT UP, this place is truly magical.
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Date of stay: June 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're not cycling in Puglia September, 2020 so let's exploit the best of Oregon. After hearing about the lodge from some friends, I booked a couple of nights at the lodge in a wall tent. I never thought of myself as a "glamping person" but I've never lived during a pandemic either. The 8.5 mile hike is beautiful and much easier than a 12 hour flight and jet flag. The melodies of the lodge are a combination of wind in the trees, bird song, distant sounds of the river, the 7:00 am planes arriving, an occasional barking dog and the dinner bell. The food is fantastico! The staff are all amore. Don't hold back. Go to the Eagle Cap Wilderness to the Minan River Lodge and get drunk on all the beauty. It's calling me back.
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Date of stay: July 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The setting is beautiful, the lodge and cabins are lovely, and the staff is on point. I loved unplugging here. The food was 5 stars, it has been a long time for me since a cheff knocks it out of the park, but he did it every night we stayed.
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Date of stay: August 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Lori,
Most people who are in decent shape make the hike in 3.5-4 hours, and find it to be a moderate and enjoyable half-day hike. We have more details about the hike on the website. I recommend not packing too heavily, wearing good shoes, and printing out the directions and bringing them with you. The trail is pretty well marked, but there is no cell service in the area. We look forward to seeing you at the Lodge!
There are more places to choose from in the Wallowa area.
LOCATION
United StatesOregonWallowa
NUMBER OF ROOMS
15
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