Minam River Lodge

This place is awsome

Our family of four (boys ages 21 and 19) backpacked the 10 miles into the Minam River Lodge with two other families. The hike makes you work a little bit, but it's rewarding and well worth the effort. Between the pristine Minam River, the huge meadow and the valley walls on both sides, the setting couldn't be much better. The cabins and the small lodge are beautifully hand crafted and very clean and comfortable - much nicer than anything I could imagine for such a small operation in the middle of nowhere. The friendly staff put together by Barnes and Anna had everything working smoothly (including COVID precautions). The food was outstanding! Kudos to Chef Sean and his team for delivering incredible 4-star meals at a wilderness lodge. We loved the extra touch at dinner of Sean coming out and explaining each course. While the focus is on unplugging and relaxing, there is also plenty to do - fly fishing, floating down the river, relaxing in the handcrafted sauna and hot tub, yoga, hiking, horseshoes and horseback riding. A huge thanks to Barnes and his team for an amazing four days. Whether it's for a family vacation, a couples trip, a family reunion or a company retreat....you won't be disappointed. We can't wait to come back.

Our whole experience was wonderful. The staff showed a level of attention to detail rarely seen, the food was as gorgeous as it was delicious, the setting impeccable. For us, the hike in and out made the experience even more enjoyable. We stayed in a wall tent and thought that it perfectly met our needs for quiet, private and yet close enough to not be a burden to walk to the Lodge. By the start of day 2 we were already planning our trip back next year. Thank you so much to the staff - it was a great decision to come and stay with you and we highly recommend your Lodge.

We came in with a group of families…with the adults staying in the cabins at the lodge and kids (high school and college) camping down at Red’s. The hike in is a great workout….best to do some moderate training for it unless you are in good shape and used to carrying a pack. Most issues from backpacks seem to stem from improper fitting. REI is a great place to get help fitting your pack. The hike out was more challenging but a rewarding accomplishment. We recovered at The Cove Drive-in….an iconic burger and shake joint that seemed to be favored by many returning hikers.nnOur cabin at the Minam was immaculate, well-sized and the perfect balance of rustic and luxury. The shower was hot with excellent water pressure, the towels were thick and the bed was very comfortable. Loved the hand-crafted pine soap. The small wood stove was the perfect way to take off the evening chill after a spell on the front porch star gazing. You won’t get views of the Milky Way like this in the city.nnFood at the Minam was nothing short of amazing. Rib Eye, Salmon, Lamb were the main entrees for the nights we were there. Much of the food is grown on sight in the large garden. The salads were spectacular (eatable flowers!). Gazpacho for lunch had the perfect amount of spice and was ideal for a warm day. Each night the chef came out and described the meal to us. He also went around to the tables to see if we had questions on anything….a very personal touch. There was plenty of variety and portion sizes were excellent. No one went hungry (teenage boys!), even after a full day of hiking, swimming, fishing, etc. The wine selection was broad with lots of great local options. My husband enjoyed the Minam’s take on an old fashion…the Old Minam, made with local spirits.nnThe staff was very friendly and attentive, though not overbearing. Each of them had an interesting background story as to how they found the lodge and their knowledge of the area (hiking trails, wildlife, etc.) was very helpful.nnThe river was a perfect place for a cool dip (followed by a few minutes in the wood-fired sauna). My husband said the fishing was OK (easily wadable in many spots) and chalked his limited catches up to his fly selection and skill rather than any other factor.nnIf you’re looking for a great place to unplug, relax, and enjoy some great farm-to-table meals, this is the place. No cell phone, no internet, no video games, no nightly news. Just perfect.

My wife and I just recently visited Minam River Lodge for the first time. I can't say enough about what a wonderful experience we had. With regard to COVID-19, the staff did a great job creating an environment that was safe and comfortable. Seating at meals was adequately spaced and, during the entire stay, it never felt crowded. The dining is incredible! Sean, Suzanne and the rest of the crew in the kitchen prepared amazing meals with produce grown in Emily's garden on the property and food that is locally sourced. The entire staff was gracious, warm and welcoming. Anna and Margaret ensure that the Lodge runs smoothly and were incredibly attentive. The cabin in which we stayed was perfect. It was clean and very comfortable. We loved sitting on the deck of the cabin in the morning with our cup of coffee and enjoyed a fire in the small stove at night. I do recommend making the hike to the property....the scenery is gorgeous and they are ready with a cold beer upon your arrival! Again, thank you to the entire staff....we will be back!