Black Bar Lodge
Merlin,
Southern Oregon
PO Box 510
Merlin, Oregon
97532
TripAdvisor
This was a stop on an overnight river adventure. Very cozy with lovely river views. Basic cabin with comfortable beds and hot showers. The orange rolls were delicious with our dinner and they explained that the recipe was handed down for many generations. Great dinner and breakfast with helpful friendly staff. Deer in the yard were not afraid of us at all. Very cool!
My wife and I took the 4 day hike down the Rogue River Trail (through Orange Torpedo hiking trips) and this was the first lodge we stayed at. The hike down the mountain to get to this lodge is hard (very steep). The lodge and grounds are beautiful, lots of deer grazing on the lawn. The dinner and breakfast they prepared was good old fashion comfort food (yum). The cabin we slept in was clean and the bed comfortable. Be prepared for lights out at 10 PM when the generator goes off (I was asleep way before then). All in all a great experience.
After a day on the river is was wonderful to head to shore. The climb up to the drive was challenging but doable. The meadow in front of the lodge was full of deer calmly munching grass and with no fear of people. I enjoy rustic and the limited generator time was not an issue, not was the single light on the bedroom ceiling. What were issues were the sagging full size mattress--no way two people could sleep comfortably and after a day on the river a good night's rest is very important. There was no outdoor seating that was not rotting or moldy so we stood around, sat on steps to the cabin or on a rock. I really think a few outdoor benches or a new picnic table would help and honestly each cabin side should have an outdoor chair--the single indoor folding chair could be added so two could sit on the porch. I was wary of the ample food because two of the creamer cups I opened had totally congealed. The people who ran and worked the lodge were great--hospitable and fun folk, but the lodge really seems on the decline. I was part of a tour so I don't know what the fees were for this stay but I would not go back to Black bar.
Amazing location on the Rogue river. The facility was quite rustic yet extremely comfortable. The food and service was excellent. The use of the Jeep for our gear transport from the river to the lodge was so helpful.
This was a site for sore eyes since we all thought that it would be a little more primitive, but it was great. Even though its not the newest or have the best of everything, it was a place to take a shower and sleep in a bed. The guides cooked us a wonderful dinner while we first enjoyed cocktails and appetizers. Dinner was excellent and back to a bed until lights off @ 10 pm. Thank you for keeping the cabins clean and enough blankets to keep you warm even though they have gas wall heaters. You have to realize you are out in the middle of the woods off the river and so you have to walk up the hill to get to it. Thank you for a great time while we headed down the river to our next destination. Keep up the remodels!