TripAdvisor Traveler Rating based on
123 reviews
Pioneer hospitality and an Oregon Horse Ranch vacation near John Day Oregon await you at this Fossil, Oregon Bed & Breakfast. Immerse yourself in a peaceful ranch environment rich in history and love on a 9,000 acre working cattle and hay ranch in the beautiful Butte Creek Valley, three miles West of Fossil, Oregon.
Room: Pioneer Room A two night stay near the end of the week to visit the John Day Fossil Beds. The ranch is a short drive from Fossil. The road is uneven and becomes a gravel road shortly before you arrive at the house. The pioneer room is upstairs above the main entrance and facing the gravel road. The room is very basic with no dresser or closet to hang your clothes. Horseshoes on a peg board by the door are used to hang your clothes. Two lamps by the Queen sized bed are the only light source in the room. A free standing air conditioning unit is connected to the wall and keeps the room cool, but is very loud. The room has a pitched room and you may have to watch your head. Two restrooms are on the ground floor, one with a shower and the other one with a bathtub. You will hear the sounds of the countryside at night with crickets and coyotes that may keep you awake. A family style breakfast is served at 8AM and the hosts join the guests at the table. A living room has a TV, couches, reading material, movies, etc. A fully stocked guest kitchen is outside with a patio which has a table, chairs, and and a BBQ. It is very dark at night and you can see the stars in the sky. A deck in the back of the house has tables and chairs to enjoy the countryside. A really old 1910 Sears, Roebuck house has a basement with room, and racks of cowboys boots and hats to go riding with. A number of short and long horse rides are available if you want to sign up for them. The town of Fossil has a limited number of places to eat dinner in the evening. A nice place to stay if you want to experience the country life and visit the John Day Fossil Beds.
My wife and I stayed here for a night in the Buckaroo Room during a recent road trip through Central and Eastern Oregon. I can sum up the experience in one word: amazing. The location is outstanding- a couple miles off the "main" road through Fossil. Self-check-in was flawless. Our room was comfortable and quiet; sharing a bath was a nonissue. In the morning I went on a walk to further check out the area- quiet except for some moos from some cattle on the hillside! Breakfast was wonderful- family style, with Kara. The food was varied and great- and an added bonus was great conversations with other guests and Kara. After breakfast my wife and I had a chat with Kara and her dad, Phil, learning a lot about their ranch operation and some of their experiences. They- as well as other people who worked there- were very nice, friendly, and informative. We would definitely stay here again. It would be a great base to explore the nearby Painted Hills- to where we went the morning we left, as well as other towns and places in the area.
We spent three nights at the Wilson Ranch Retreat with family from Sweden. Wanting to show them Eastern Oregon we found the ranch on the internet. It surpassed what we expected. It made a perfect place to explore the Painted Hills and the John Day Fossil Beds. The Swedes went horseback riding. We loved getting to know our hosts, Kara and Brian, as well as the other wonderful guests, at breakfast. We plan to return in 2020 with other family. The Wilson Ranch Retreat is absolutely a not miss place.
A quiet place to relax and unwind, Wilson Ranch Retreat will surprise you with lovely views, star-studded skies, friendly conversations and a wonderful breakfast. Brian and Kara were the consummate hosts. A special and unique place!!
My husband and I were blessed to have two weeks in Washington and Oregon. As well as seeing the famous mountains, we spent time at the coast as well as the Columbia Gorge. However, I think the highlight was our two days at Wilson's Ranch. A friend had recently moved from PA where we live to Idaho and she and her daughter met us in Fossil. Our room was large and comfortable. Our horseback riding was just "right" for us - relative beginners. They even supplied boots and cowboy hat! Breakfast was great - both the food and the company. Finding out about their heritage and how the ranch works was interesting too. They also were great travel guides - sharing local attractions and beautiful scenery to see. GO!