Tag Archives: eastern oregon

Northeastern Oregon is home to one of Travel Oregon’s Seven Wonders of Oregon, the Wallowa Mountains and the Wallowa Lake Tramway. With the opening of the gondola in 1970, Wallowa County added one of its most popular attractions. The 3700′ vertical ascent to the summit of Mt. Howard is a memorable experience. The exciting trip to the top of the mountain allows one to enjoy the 4000′ view as the gondola rises above the blue waters of Wallowa Lake. Once on the top enjoy over 2 miles of trails in the alpine wilderness and spend a day seeing into four states.

Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast and Belle Pepper’s B&B are two Oregon Guild member inns just minutes from the Tram and they hope to see you in Eastern Oregon during the Wallowa Lake Tramway operating season, now through the end of September.

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. Hospitality Update: Oregon is one of the top states where it looks like social distancing is working. Our inns have been proactively doing everything in our power to keep you safe, welcome you back, as travel restrictions are being lifted. Not sure if your favorite inn is open? Give them a call as they just might be. We know that both Bronze Antler and Belle Pepper’s are welcoming guests.

Oregon Trail

The Historic Oregon Trail turns 177 in 2020. Time for you to hit the highway, inspire your own pioneer spirit, stand in the actual wagon ruts pioneers left behind, and visit the numerous interpretive sites, monuments and cultural centers along the way.

The Oregon Trail traversed 2,170 miles of what today is Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon. Travel the Oregon National Historic Trail through Oregon, from Idaho, along the Columbia River and around Mt Hood.

There are several trail sights from the Idaho border to Baker City, the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center offers living history demonstrations, interpretive programs, exhibits, multi-media presentations, special events, and more than four miles of interpretive trails.  From the top of Flagstaff Hill you can still see the trail running out across the plains.

This last week we traveled the Old Emigrant Hill Road, just north of La Grande, caching over 25 hides along the way while visiting some Oregon Trail sites. The cemeteries along the route toward Portland reveal so many Oregon Trail stories: where the emigrants came from, how they lived, and died, as they headed for Oregon and the awaited promises.

The last hurdle for emigrants on the Oregon Trail was the Cascade Range. Early pioneers either had to barge down the treacherous Columbia River, make their home in The Dalles, or travel the Barlow Road through the Cascades along the south side of Mt Hood. Lodging option on Mt Hood: Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast 

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum reveals the cataclysmic floods that helped shape the Columbia River Gorge. Here also you’ll experience interactive exhibits of the Lewis and Clark expedition, The Oregon Trail and 10,000 years of Native American life in the Gorge.  Lodging: Hood River Bed and Breakfasts

At the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and Historic Site in Oregon City, visitors can learn about the journey, discover what it was like to be a pioneer and what life was like for those who reached Oregon Territory.  Lodging options: Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfasts

“On such a journey as this, there is much to interest and amuse one who is fond of picturesque scenery, and of wild life.” – Randolph Marcy, 1859

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. Hospitality Update: Oregon is one of the top states where it looks like social distancing is working. Our inns have been proactively doing everything in our power to keep you safe, welcome you back, as travel restrictions are being lifted. Not sure if your favorite inn is open? Give them a call as they just might be. 

Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site

The Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site

The Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site, pronounced  “ee-weh-TEAM-lye-kin”, is an Oregon State Park adjacent to a Nez Perce National Historical Park, site of Old Chief Joseph Gravesite and Cemetery, all ancestral homes of the Chief Joseph Band of the Nez Perce.

Short trails with spectacular views of the Wallowa Mountains pass Knight’s Pond, a cool summer oasis and a peaceful respite for hikers. Look for spring and summer wildflowers during your walk. You also may catch glimpses of deer, fox, bear and raptors.

For an historic Oregon experience, consider spending a few days in Joseph, Oregon, and visiting the Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site at different times of day.  In the early morning you’ll probably find wildlife there.  During the day, watch the sun cast varying shadows on the Wallowa Mountains.  In the afternoon, visit Wallowa Lake and the Old Chief Joseph Gravesite.  Come back to Iwetemlaykin in the evening as the coolness descends.

Two Oregon bed and breakfasts welcome you to the Wallowa Valley and this Oregon State Treasure, Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site

  • Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast is located nearby in Joseph.  This 1920s period bungalow is restored in the European Arts & Crafts style.  The inn’s library includes many books on local Oregon history to round out your geotourism experience.
  • Belle Pepper’s Bed and Breakfast is one block from Joseph’s main street,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. Hospitality Update: Oregon is one of the top states where it looks like social distancing is working. Our inns have been proactively doing everything in our power to keep you safe, welcome you back, as travel restrictions are being lifted. Not sure if your favorite inn is open? Give them a call as they just might be. We know that both Bronze Antler and Belle Pepper’s are welcoming guests.

Wilson Ranches Retreat

Welcome, Partner, to Wilson Ranches Retreat

At Wilson Ranches Retreat, your hosts are fifth generation Oregonians, whose families homesteaded in Wheeler and Gilliam Counties over 100 years ago. A 9,000 acre working cattle and dude ranch takes you off the beaten track to a rustic hideout, located in the beautiful Butte Creek Valley three miles West of Fossil, Oregon off Highway 19.

Although the ranch has been running for over 100 years the Wilson’s opened the farmhouse to B&B guests 15 years ago. Breakfast with the Wilson’s is about much more than just good food and nourishment, it is truly a unique dining experience. The Wilson Family loves to sit down with the guests and share about ranch life, local history, and the funny and serious sides of rural living. Whatever the topic at the breakfast table, expect the conversation to be intelligent, informed and often humorous. You are likely to have a large helping of fun and laughter with Phil’s stories.

Let your inner Cowboy or Cowgirl out!  Visit Wilson Ranches Retreat for an authentic Ranch experience. Not the riding type? Not a problem. Sit under the cottonwoods, sipping lemonade while the rest of your party is out ‘working’! But you might want to join in. There may be an inner cowhand you’ve never even met!

This incredible, secluded scenic Oregon Lodging Ranch with spectacular sunsets and brilliant star-studded nights will captivate you.  Enjoy horseback riding in a geologically and historically rich area with a magnificent view of the Cascade Mountain Range or a quiet hike to view the wildlife and diverse flora and fauna on Wilson Ranches Dude Ranch. Wheeler County is home of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and has the richest find of prehistoric fossils in the world.

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. Hospitality Update: Oregon is one of the top states where it looks like social distancing is working. Our inns have been proactively doing everything in our power to keep you safe, welcome you back, as travel restrictions are being lifted. Not sure if your favorite inn is open? Give them a call as they just might be. We know Wilson Ranches Retreat is.

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.