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!

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

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.