cabin stay - Pitstops for Kids

Experiencing Oregon ranching at Aspen Ridge Resort

Located in south-central Oregon in the heart of ranching country, Aspen Ridge Resort is one of those tucked-away gems begging to be discovered by families. With cabin-style lodging, a relaxed atmosphere, and plenty of low-tech, low-cost activities right at its doorstep, Aspen Ridge is the type of place parents can take their kids for a true getaway that won’t cost a fortune or run you ragged.

Aspen Ridge’s 14,000 acre spread is a working cattle ranch, and guests are invited to feel part of the dude ranch vibe. Families can horseback ride, or explore on their own, utilizing hiking and biking trails right on the property. Note that the resort is not all-inclusive, as many dude ranches are; rather, it’s dining and horseback riding is added a la carte.

Resort lodging:

The resort offers lodge rooms and suites, and individual cabins. We recommend the latter for families, as cabins include full kitchens and sleep six. They have cozy front porches and plenty of room to spread out. Plus, kids can step right off the porch and find themselves in wilderness and pasture.

Tip: the closest grocery stores to the ranch are in Klamath Falls and Lakeview, Oregon, both an hour’s drive away. Plan to pick up groceries for your stay en route!

Activities:

Horseback riding: Most people want to experience horseback riding while at the ranch. Owner Karen Simmons assures me they are accustomed to riders of all experience levels, from the complete novice to those who have horses of their own. Since Aspen Ridge is a working cattle ranch, their livestock are the focus of every ride they take. Guests can join wranglers as they monitor animal health, doctor sick animals, check moms and babies during calving season, sort, gather or simply scatter cattle around the ranch. For young children unable to control an animal, they offer a riding experience in a round corral or horse pasture. Adult horseback rides are $45.00/person/ride (approximately two hours) and child horseback rides are $30.00/hour/horse.

Additional on-site activities: Families can play tennis, hike and ride bikes (trails are on-property). The resort lake has swimming and catch-and-release (it’s stocked). Fishers just need an Oregon fishing license which can be purchased at many retail locations or online through the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Department.

Note: Aspen Ridge is off the grid – internet reception is limited to the main lodge and cell service is non-existent. It’s excellent!

Off-site activities: Guests can discover turn-of-the-century homestead remains, enjoy bird watching and wildflower hunting (both especially plentiful in the spring and early summer), or check out our many lakes and streams within easy driving distance. Outside the ranch the Corral Creek Trailhead to the Gearhart Wilderness is approximately a forty-five minute drive. From there, it’s an easy mile hike to the Palisades, an area with spectacular rock formations and a big view of the valley below.

Dining:

Families will likely cook most meals in their cabins, but won’t want to miss the lodging dining for at least a few meals. The on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers options for the whole family. The dinner menu consists primarily of USDA Choice steaks as well as chicken and children’s portions. Entrees are BBQed over mesquite charcoal on the lodge’s back deck.

The menu is available online here: http://www.aspenrr.com/menu.htm. Reservations are required for dinner, but guests are welcome to walk-in for breakfast and lunch.

If you go: be sure to ask what ranching activities will be happening during your stay. For instance, kids love being at the ranch during calving season, when they can accompany ranch hands to check on newborn calves.

Cost:

Cabins start at $180/night (see this page for full pricing). Be sure to budget extra for horseback riding and a few lodge meals, but otherwise, ranch activities are free.

Directions:

Aspen Ridge Resort is located in Bly, Oregon, about one hour from Klamath Falls. Full directions.

Buffalo Bill Village Resort, Cody Wyoming

For families wanting a slice of Americana, Cody Wyoming is the place. Where to stay to carry out the theme of bygone days and Western charm? The Buffalo Bill Village Resort. Located in the heart of town on Sheridan Avenue, the Buffalo Bill Village is just that: a combination of motel rooms and cabins complete with a restaurant, saloon, and a Western boardwalk housing a friendly gift shop and the historic hotel building which serves as the front desk.

From the Village, families can easily access all of Cody’s downtown area on foot, for fun souvenir shopping, dining, and museum visits. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is just a short mile away, and the Cody Nite Rodeo is less than two.

Families have their choice between Buffalo Bill cabins, or rooms at either the on-site Holiday Inn or Comfort Inn. While the latter two include a continental breakfast, it’s far more fun to stay in a cabin. After all, you’re in pioneer-country, right? Don’t expect a remote location, however: Buffalo Bill Village cabins are located directly behind the Comfort Inn and are spaced closely together. That said, we had quiet evenings and no problems from neighbors. The outside of the cabins sport replica log siding, and the interior is exactly what you’d expect (and hope for!) from a Western town roadside lodging option: whimsical rodeo-patterned bedspreads and curtains, wood paneling, and basic amenities.

Cabins include air conditioning, double beds, TVs, and internet connection (though it was painfully slow during my visit). We had a two-room cabin with one bathroom (shower and tub). Unfortunately, there are no mini-fridges in the rooms. However, guests are invited to a nightly reception in the historic hotel building from 5-8 pm, which includes fresh fruit, soft drinks, and other snacks. Cabin guests also have use of the motel heated outdoor pool.

Dining:

On-site dining includes QT’s Restaurant, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But there are many more options within walking distance. Along Sheridan (Cody’s ‘Main Street’) visitors will find Mexican cantinas, Italian restaurants, and authentic saloons. Cody’s Irma Hotel includes a family-friendly porch menu of sandwiches and burgers (get there before 6 pm to view the nightly free Western shoot-out show in the street). A good breakfast can be found at both Granny’s (across the street from the village) and MoJoe’s (on Sheridan on the west end of town).

Room rates:

Call directly for cabin rates, as many ‘hot deals’ abound in the summer months: 307-587-5544

Directions:

The village is located at 1701 Sheridan. Just follow Hwy 20 into town from Yellowstone National Park to the west.

Disclaimer: We experienced the Buffalo Bill Village Resort as guests of Blair Hotels and Wyoming Office of Tourism, for the purpose of review.