Tag Archives: eastern oregon

Oregon Birding

It’s that Time of Year again:  Time to follow the Spring Bird Migration

With the Spring Bird Migration about to begin it’s time to book your room, pack your binoculars and set out on your bird watching adventure to 7 superb Oregon Birding locations.  The state’s diverse and spectacular landscape provide varied habitats ranging from sandy beaches to verdant forests, from desert playas to alpine meadows. More than 500 species of birds call Oregon home year round or migrate through, sometimes stopping to nest.

The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild has over 40 quality assured inns scattered throughout the state, each near a unique birding opportunity.  Our innkeepers know the most favorable viewing areas and after providing a comfy bed, hearty breakfast and useful information, will send you off on an extraordinary birding adventure.  The Guild recognizes this popular activity and has dedicated a page to Birdwatching that includes inns where innkeepers can share the best observation sites and what you might expect to see.

1. Watch surfbirds and black oystercatchers scramble over rocky headlands along the Oregon Coast.

2. Explore the alpine meadows, picturesque lakes, mountain streams, and dense conifer forests of the Cascades in search of Lewis’s woodpecker and Clark’s nutcracker.  Listen to the song of hermit warblers among majestic pines framing the snowy volcanic peaks. Mt. Jefferson, Oregon’s second highest peak.

3/4. The murmur of thousands of snow geese will mesmerize as they settle to rest in the tule marshes of the Klamath Basin and Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

5. Salem, is a leader in urban forestry, with tree-lined streets and 40 city parks and is located in the heart of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River so no wonder there are many birding sites in its backyard.

6. Supporting one of the highest concentrations of breeding hawks and eagles in North America, the Zumwalt Prairie in Eastern Oregon, is also home to falcons making this a haven for birds of prey and 17 species of grassland songbirds. The nearby Wallowa Lake has a wide variation in habitat and terrain drawing a large number of species.

7. The Mt. Hood Loop of the OCBT rises from the Columbia River to Mt. Hood and combines some of the best of the region’s birding with legendary Oregon scenery.  This loop traverses the Columbia River National Scenic Area and the Mt. Hood National Forest and visits 19 birding sites.

When your journey ends, your bags are unpacked, and you’re scrolling through your vacation photos you will reminisce on memories of great accommodations, food, conversation and of course birding in Oregon.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Zumwalt Prairie

Head into the North Eastern corner of Oregon and the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve.  The Prairie is situated in the Wallowa River Valley northeast of Enterprise and Joseph with an Oregon Bed and Breakfast inn nearby.  At 33,000 acres, the Zumwalt Prairie is North America’s largest remaining grassland of its type and you are welcome to enjoy the beautiful views of the prairie and canyons.  Visit in the spring for an explosion of wildflowers.

Zumwalt PrairieSupporting one of the highest concentrations of breeding hawks and eagles in North America, the Zumwalt Prairie is also home to falcons making this a haven for birds of prey and 17 species of grassland songbirds.  Many large mammals in the Prairie include elk, mule deer, big horn sheep and bobcats.

Make your reservation today at an Oregon Bed and Breakfast in Joseph, Oregon.  Then spend a day, or two, hiking the Zumwalt Prairie in search of the rare Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, once wiped out from the prairies of Oregon.  While in the area you’ll want to also visit the Wallowa Lake region where a wide variation in habitat and terrain draw a large number of species.   You best book a few extra night to see it all!

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

McKenzie River Koosah Falls

Expedia released, in November, its 2020 Trends in Travel report, an analysis of U.S. traveler data in 2019 that highlighted the rise of natural wonders and college towns as tourism destinations and top-selling experiences and attractions for the year ahead.

2020 Travel Trends waiting for you

Travelers were chasing waterfalls in 2019: According to Wiki are at least 238 accessible waterfalls in Oregon. A search for Oregon waterfalls on Northwest Waterfall survey resulted in 1591! Wouldn’t it be grand to witness the beauty of every one of them?

Silver Falls State Park is the largest state park in Oregon and only 20 miles southeast of Salem, our state capital with 9,000+ acres that includes more than 24 miles of walking trails, 14 miles of horse trails, and a 4-mile bike path. And 18 waterfalls! The 8.7-mile Trail of Ten Falls runs along the banks of Silver Creek and has 4 walk behind falls.

Hidden beaches up and down the Oregon Coast: Make your visit to the Oregon coast memorable and special with a stay in one of our member bed and breakfasts along “The Peoples Coast, one of 7 Wonders of Oregon

Natural wonders? Yep, we have quite a few. We invite you to not just see Oregon’s 7 Wonders, but experience them. And there are so many more than just Seven. They aren’t just for taking pictures. You really need to get out of the car, hike down from the scenic vista and feel them beneath your feet.

Small college towns near outdoor attractions like hiking and biking trails grew in popularity in 2019. The type of places where there’s energy and stimulation, great restaurants, where you can walk around at night and where there are tons of outdoor recreation options. Here are the best college towns in Oregon for 2019 highlighting those that have member inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild:

Activities and attractions are often the top considerations when travelers are choosing where to go and where to stay. Oregon is a beautiful state with stunning natural and architectural wonders. If you are planning a trip anywhere this year, take a few minutes to consider these places to visit in Oregon.

National Plan for Vacation Day

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National Plan for Vacation Day is today, January 28, 2020 and the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild would love to assist you in your 2020 travel plans.

And today is the last day to book your stay at the following inns to take advantage of this great offer. You could travel two/three weeks in Oregon and hit all of them! Just saying! 

These inns have joined the Plan for Vacation Day party: Oregon Bed and Breakfasts participating in National Plan for Vacation Day by offering a 20% discount to anyone who books their vacation on Jan. 28-31 for a future stay. Together, we hope to inspire you to Explore Oregon.

Prospect Historic Hotel and Dinner House: Stay at the closest historic hotel bed and breakfast inn, dinner house and motel to Crater Lake National Park. Prospect Historic Hotel is only 1/4 mile from the Rogue River and three waterfalls. Step back in time and enjoy the elegance and charm of the romantic 1880s hotel and dinner house. (use promo code VacaDay20 when booking through their online booking platform)

Le Puy is an 8-room, 4-season, destination inn for the Yamhill Wine Valley (use promo code NPV2020 when booking through their online booking platform)

MaMere’s Guest House, located in the heart of wine county, a the perfect place to call home while you explore the surrounding wineries or visit Western Oregon University (WOU) (use promo code PlanYourVacation2020 when booking through their online booking platform)

A’Tuscan Estate offers beautiful accommodations and wonderful cuisine in the heart of Oregon’s Wine Country (use promo code VACATION2020 when booking through their online booking platform)

Chehalem Ridge Bed and Breakfast sits atop Chehalem mountain and offers a peaceful retreat from adventure in the Willamette Valley below (use promo code PlanAhead2020 when booking through their online booking platform)

Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast is a delightful, award-winning Bed and Breakfast in Joseph, the premiere art colony town of Eastern Oregon (use promo code VacaDay when booking through their online booking platform)

Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast is located in the Upper Hood River Valley on the north slope of Oregon’s tallest peak, Mt. Hood, in the quaint town of Parkdale (use promo code VACAStartsHere when booking through their online booking platform)

Yamhill Vineyards Bed & Breakfast is a little known gem located in the heart of the Willamette Valley wine country (use promo code TOV2020 when booking through their online booking platform)

La Bastide Bed and Breakfast in the Dundee Hills, just 28 miles southwest of Portland, home to the state’s first pinot noir growers. La Bastide is within 2 miles of 30+ wineries and tasting rooms. The inn offers seven charming guestrooms, all with private bathrooms and many with a fireplace. (use promo code PLAN2020 when booking through their online booking platform)

On our website we’ve developed six different ways to find an Oregon Bed and Breakfast. Experience something new. Take in unforgettable sites by searching favorite interest such as birdwatching or visiting historic sites. Find all Oregon has to offer: high desert country in the east, balmy coasts to the west, and mountains, rivers and forests in between.

Last year more than 768 million vacation days went unused. Research shows that individuals who plan are more likely to use all of their time off, take more vacation days at once and report greater levels of happiness at work and at home

You’ve got a lot of ground to cover, and we are here to help you figure out how to get around. Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn. The innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild want to enhance your Oregon visit by providing information, resources and trip planning ideas that inspire travel and consistently convey the exceptional quality of Oregon.

 

Wilson Ranches

Where to Pop the Question in Oregon

Here at the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild, we surveyed our innkeepers for their favorite location to “pop the question” in Oregon. Here’s our 4th installment in time for Valentine’s Day. What could be better than bringing your newly betrothed home to a cozy bed and breakfast after a romantic proposal?

Now doesn’t this sound romantic and amazing? A High Desert Engagement. Make a lasting commitment to your special someone from one of many majestic views on Wilson Ranches Retreat. Few locations are more breathtaking than the country overlooking the Butte Creek Valley and the Cascade Mountain Range at sunset.

Your Proposal Package includes includes a 3-hour trail ride provided by an experienced guide, homemade pie (apple, cherry, or berry) or cake (white, chocolate, or carrot), a fresh flower arrangement and a personalized card

Don’t forget that us innkeepers at the bed & breakfasts can be very sneaky and can help you design that perfect proposal.  Call on us anytime!

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Belle Peppers

Belle Pepper’s Bed and Breakfast

Belle Pepper’s Bed and Breakfast, in the historic McCully Mansion, is surrounded by an acre of lawns and gardens and bordered by the Wallowa River, making the setting is as lovely as the home. The B&B is just one block from Joseph’s charming main street, placing you within easy walking distance of galleries, restaurants, and other local businesses.  Explore the year-round splendor of the trails and breathtaking Eagle Cap Wilderness, either on your own or with the expert care and leadership of our local wilderness guides.  Hiking, backpacking, winter sports, hunting and fishing, all are available in the area.

Four well appointed rooms await you at Belle Pepper’s B&B as well as a hearty breakfast using only the freshest ingredients.  Walk the grounds and visit the chickens that supply the eggs!

Belle Pepper’s Bed and Breakfast became the first bed and breakfast in Oregon to be recognized, in 2007, as a green lodging by Co-op America, which has since become Green America.  The innkeeper, Pepper, also helped to pioneer the green lodging program for the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild, where we were among the first crop of green bed and breakfasts throughout Oregon.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

If you enjoy snowy landscapes, great exercise, wood stoves and cozy bed and breakfasts then you’re sure to like snowshoeing in Oregon’s Winter Wonderlands.

Oregon offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor winter recreation and the snow is piling up across the state.  Whether you are a skier, snowboarder, or looking for back-country trails for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, Oregon has it all. And after your day’s adventure, get pampered at a member inn of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.

Central and Eastern Oregon Bed and Breakfasts: Anthony Lakes is home to nearly 20 miles of groomed and track-set trails ideal for Nordic skiers of nearly any ability.  The Wallowa Mountains are known in the backcountry skiing community as one of the more underutilized ski areas.

Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfasts: The Willamette Pass Ski Area is located 66 miles from Eugene, Oregon and offers a wide variety of activities including snowshoe, cross-country ski, and snowmobile from several sno-park locations in this winter recreation area.

Mt Hood Bed and Breakfasts: The Mt Hood National Forest is minutes from the Oregon Bed and Breakfasts in the Mt Hood Region.  Plenty of snow parks, trails, and our favorite, forest roads to explore.

In Crater Lake National Park cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular. There are nine different skiing trails available, ranging in difficulty.

These are but a few of your Oregon winter sport options.  Many inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are within minutes of world class outdoor adventures.  Begin planning your Winter Ski Trip today with bed and breakfast accommodations at an Oregon Bed and Breakfast.

Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Races in Oregon

Eagle Cap Extreme the infectious enthusiasm and energy of sled dogs will be seen and heard by young and old spectators alike which starts January 22nd, 12pm (noon) at the Ferguson Ridge Ski Area, outside of Joseph Oregon.  The every popular veterinary checks for sled dogs takes place Wednesday, January 22nd, 9am on Main Street in Joseph and 1pm Main Street Enterprise. Meet the mushers and their faithful teams.

Sled Dog Races are a great opportunity for everyone to experience the excitement of competitive sled dog racing.  Mushers come from as far away as Arizona, Michigan and British Columbia to compete.

In Joseph Oregon there are opportunities for the public to spend time with the mushers of the Eagle Cap Extreme:

  • Wednesday, Jan 2nd, 6:30 pm, Joseph Community Center.  Mushers Potluck (you can bring something or pick up some food at the local Mt. Joseph Family Foods grocery).
  • All legs and races start at Ferguson Ridge Ski Area.  Race starts. Colorful excitement of flags, winter gear, and dogs ready to pull sleds.  There will be shuttle buses available leaving from Joseph at 9:45 am.
  • Salt Creek Summit Snow Park: See the racers up close on the trail. Snow shoers and cross country skiers may want to use this as their starting point.  Hike or ski 1/4 mile to see mushers on the loop.
  • Finish at Ferguson Ridge: Watch the teams arrive.  Thursday the 23rd through Saturday the 25th
  • Saturday, Jan 25th, 5:30 pm, Cloverleaf Hall in Enterprise.  “Tales from the Trails” dinner (tickets $20).  Enjoy dinner, see award presentations and hear the tales from the trails.

You can find out more about this annual Joseph Oregon event at the Eagle Cap Extreme website.  And for comfortable lodging while taking in the winter activities consider these two Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member inns:

Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast is delightful, award-winning B&B located in Joseph.  Walking distance to local art galleries, restaurants and unique shops.  Nearby are Wallowa Lake, Hells Canyon Scenic Byway and the Eagle Cap Wilderness.  Snowshoeing, backcountry skiing and snowmobiling are popular winter activities.

Belle Pepper’s Bed and Breakfast is just one block from Joseph’s charming main street, placing you within easy walking distance of galleries, restaurants, and other local businesses.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

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Ski Oregon and Stay at an Oregon Bed and Breakfast.

Ski Oregon, as it offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor winter recreation and the snow is piling up across the state.  Whether you are a skier, snowboarder, or looking for back-country trails for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, Oregon has it all. And after your day’s adventure, get pampered at a member inn of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.

Central and Eastern Oregon Bed and Breakfasts

Mt. Bachelor, one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest ski areas. Only 20 minutes from Bend, Mt. Bachelor offers world class skiing and snowboarding from November through May.

Ferguson Ridge is a community owned ski area located just 9 miles outside Joseph, Oregon.  Operated by the Eagle Cap Ski Club, Ferguson Ridge Ski Patrol, and the Enterprise-Joseph Lions Club, it’s completely run on heart-volunteers who want a community place to gather and play

Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfasts

From the Willamette Valley, the Willamette Pass Resort on Highway 58 offers big mountain skiing to a variety of skill levels. Seven lifts including the state’s only high-speed six passenger lift will take you to 360 degrees of alpine adventure.

Mt Hood Bed and Breakfasts 

Mt. Hood’s ski resorts provide downhill skiing and snowboarding, hiking, and cross country skiing.  Mt Hood Meadows is the largest ski resort on Mt. Hood! Enjoy 2150 acres of terrain with high speed express service with 5 high speed quads. Twelve chairlifts total and Snowcat access the greatest variety of terrain in the state of Oregon. Experts will revel in back-country skiing at Heather Canyon.

Timberline Ski Resort is the only ski area in North America that’s open 12 months of the year with up to 3,590 vertical feet.

Southern Oregon Bed and Breakfasts

From Mt. Ashland’s 7,533-foot summit, skiers and snowboarders ride a drop of 1,150 vertical feet. There is a remarkable terrain park, and the four chairlifts provide access to 23 trails as well as to open bowl skiing.

In Crater Lake National Park cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular. There are nine different skiing trails available, ranging in difficulty.

These are but a few of your Oregon winter sport options.  Many inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are within minutes of world class outdoor adventures.  Begin planning your Winter Ski Trip today with bed and breakfast accommodations at an Oregon Bed and Breakfast.

Thanks to Travel Oregon, who launched the Only Slightly Exaggerated campaign and showed the world that Oregon is unlike any other place in the spring and summer, but our state’s magic extends into the fall and winter, too.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn

Elkhorn Scenic Byway

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Elkhorn Scenic Byway

The Elkhorn Scenic Byway ‘packs plenty of sights into a 106-mile/171-kilometer loop through the mountains west of Baker City, long the lucrative hunting grounds of the Plateau Indian tribes and, later, where miners came to seek their fortunes. The true treasures are the Elkhorn Mountains and Baker Valley themselves, rich in beauty and history.’ Travel Oregon

The byway passes through farmlands along the Powder River before climbing up into a beautiful area of mountain lakes and outdoor adventure.  The fall foliage starting here around October is absolutely gorgeous.

Around 1900, thousands of miners chiseled and dredged millions in gold from the Elkhorn Mountains and Powder River to Sumpter. The massive Sumpter Valley Dredge still floats here, and has been recently restored.  The town of Granite was also big during the gold-rush, and many buildings here, now abandoned, remind us of a once flourishing place in Oregon.  John Cabell operated the La Bellevue Mine in Cabell City.  All that remains of the settlement is the cemetery, which houses the graves of Fred and Johanna Cabell and their 8-year-old daughter, as well as a few abandoned buildings and mining equipment.

There is plenty to do on this road trip: hiking, biking, picnicking and photo opps.  Start and end your journey at the Baker City Blue Door Inn.  The inn has four comfortable guests room, two with private baths, and all are comfortably air-conditioned and include robes, luggage racks, fresh filtered water and chocolates upon arrival.  Guests sit down to a hearty buffet breakfast in the formal dining room after a freshly brewed cup of coffee and a morning treat.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.