Minam River Lodge
A bucket-list trip we were able to check-off in the summer of 2024. We had several friends visit over the years and were itching to see if it lived up to their rave reviews. Timing and availability finally aligned and we were all set to explore this one of a kind - experience.
The lodge is located in Northeastern Oregon in the Eagle Cap Wilderness and it is truly one of a kind. It is only accessible by plane, horse, or by foot and your perseverance in getting there is rewarded by a truly unique experience.
While flying on a small place to the lodge is a popular option, we elected for the cheaper and more practical option - to hike in which allowed us to bring Odin along for the adventure. After the 5 hour drive from Portland, we ended up just past Cover, Oregon at the Moss Springs Campground which has an open parking area right next to the trailhead. While the road to the trailhead isn’t too bad compared to some we have adventured down - it is gravel washboard with some decent ruts so we would recommend a car with decent ground clearance. Our Toyota Land Cruiser handled it just fine. At the campground a Northwest Forest Pass is required to park but you can also buy day passes on site if needed. You also need to fill out a Wilderness Visitors Permit (no fee) at the trailhead before setting out. The trail to Minam seemed easy to follow but I downloaded it on All Trails just to be safe and with our packs loaded up we headed out on the 8.5 mile hike to the lodge.
We are experienced hikers so had no issues navigating the trail but will call out that there is a fair amount of elevation loss and varied terrain which is a little more challenging with full packs on so keep that in mind (especially for the way back which is mostly an ascent!) The trail mainly follows the river and varies between shaded forest sections and more exposed stretches. We were fortunate to be hiking on a cool afternoon in early June. There are some great lookouts along the way with views of the beautiful Eagle Cap Wilderness. We were passed by a group on their way out from Minam on horseback which was quite a sight for our dog Odin. The hike took us about 3.5 hours and again the hike-in is mostly downhill with a particularly steep descent just before reaching the lodge.
That last descent brings you into a valley with Minam River winding through it. That is what makes this location so isolated and special. The property is surrounded by soaring hills and cliffs and old growth trees. It’s a little oasis. The main lodge sits on top of a hill perched above a large field/airstrip and garden below. We were welcomed by the host and given cold beverages to enjoy on the deck overlooking the property before being shown to our cabin. There are three types of accommodations available: cabins (connected/individual), wall tents (think glamping tents), and rooms in the main lodge. We opted for the individual cabin.
Our cabin was named Huckleberry and set off to the side of the lodge with a good amount of privacy from the other cabins which all overlooked the beautiful field below. The cabin was rustic with elevated touches. We had a queen sized bed, covered porch, wood fireplace, wardrobe, and a welcome package for Odin which included dog treats, bowls, and a bed. Every morning Odin would sit out on the deck surveying the beautiful property he was sure was his new home.
We got ourselves cleaned up and headed to the lodge for dinner. The food at Minam was a HUGE HIGHLIGHT. The chefs on site did an amazing job preparing unique and delicious dishes - often incorporating products from their onsite garden - and plating them beautifully. Each meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner) has a fixed price that gets added to your overall bill that you will settle at the end of your stay. They were able to make vegetarian substitutes as needed and we both enjoyed spectacular dishes we continue to talk about. As foodies, who have eaten at some really nice restaurants - we were impressed. A special call out for the happy hour hosted every afternoon where they offer fresh cookies, popcorn, and tea to enjoy at the Lodge. The cookies were incredible and changed everyday. I even asked the chef for one of the recipes.
The lodge has a 1 mile trail around the property that serves as a perfect loop for a morning and evening dog walk. It loops past the garden, through the airstrip field, past the sauna and riverbank before looping back up towards the lodge. It was a lovely way to start and end our days and highly recommend sitting out at the swings along the river for some downtime.
During the day we spent time exploring the nearby trails, watching planes come and go from the airstrip, experiencing the sauna / river cold-plunge combo (HIGHLY RECOMMEND), and walking through the garden and learning about the different crops from their gardener. If you are going to have an adventurous day outside and miss lunch - though we don’t recommend missing any meals here - they will pack you a bagged lunch to take with you. Minam is truly set up for a build your own adventure type of experience. We did equal parts hiking - eating - and relaxing which was perfect for us.
This wonderful lodge is tucked into a beautiful valley surrounded by nature and animals. We have such great memories of watching an elk bound across the open field below, a rainbow appear after a short bout of rain during our last dinner, or watching the most spectacular sunsets each night from our cabin porch. Odin’s highlight will absolutely be getting out his zoomies in the open field below or getting scraps of duck meat from the Chef as a little doggy bag from dinner.
Our trip came to an end and we made the 8.5 mile hike back to our car with bagged lunches tucked into our packs for a last little treat from Minam to enjoy when we got back to our car.
Minam River Lodge is a unique and special place that absolutely lived up to the reviews we had heard. If you love nature and the outdoors but also enjoy upscale dining and lodging - this is your place. Put it on your list as somewhere you need to experience at least once. It’s worth it.
Things You Should Know
Reservations:
· The booking calendar opens in Spring for the subsequent year
· Generally open from Jun - Sept (but will vary depending on the weather conditions)
· 3 Night Minimum Stay
Dog Friendly:
· Yes! For a $45 nightly fee in any of the accommodations except the lodge rooms
Links:
· Website