Bedding Down
There are several motels, hotels, lodges and resorts right in town or not far from town. We tried three different locations during our trip to Klamath Falls. First was Lake of the Woods Resort (866-201-4194 or www.lakeofthewoodsresort.com), which is 32 miles northwest of Klamath Falls off Oregon Highway 140. The resort sits among tall pines on the banks of Lake of the Woods and is a mile or so off the main highway. There are several cabins (the oldest cabin dates back to 1922) to choose from but don't expect TVs or phones in the cabins (although there is a phone at the marina). The cabins are all cooking cabins, have been remodeled and sleep anywhere from 2-8 people. The cabins are cozy, clean and warm. Staying at Lake of the Woods is all about quiet and one of its big advantages is that you can ride right from the resort. The Marina Bar & Grill are open weekends and there is a store at the resort. And, more than likely, you won't have too tough of a time convincing resort general manager George Gregory to go out riding with you.
Our next night was spent in town at the Best Western Olympic Inn (800-600-9665 or http://klamathfallshotelmotel.com) in Klamath Falls. The Olympic is very nice, is non smoking and offers all the amenities you'd expect in a modern hotel. Hot soup and freshly baked bread are served every day, as is a hot breakfast. The hotel also has some really cool photographs of Crater Lake. The Olympic is close to several restaurants and offers easy access to the highways that lead to the riding areas.
Then there is the Lonesome Duck Ranch and Resort, owned by Steve and Debbie Hilbert, located on the banks of the Williamson River off Highway 97 in Chiloquin. The name of the resort even has a story. The Hilbert's are big fans of the series Lonesome Dove and both also went to the University of Oregon, where the mascot is the Ducks-hence the name Lonesome Duck. Steve also played football for the Ducks.
The setting is really something else, on the banks of the river with the Chiloquin Ridge looming large to the east. The Lonesome Duck sits on 200 acres and has 2.5 miles of river front and offers lots of quiet in this stunningly scenic setting.
The main house utilizes some lumber from the premises' original barn and there are three homes for rent: Eagles Nest (sleeps 6-8); Rivers Edge (sleeps 6-8); and Arrowhead Cottage (sleeps 1-4), one of the original ranch houses. All three have fully equipped kitchens and are modern in a rustic kind of way. If you want to be pampered, the Lonesome Duck is your place. And the rates are very reasonable (check the website) during the winter.