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The Lodge at Summer Lake was built in the late 1940s, by
Frank and Ruth Graves, who decided to open a predecessor
of the modern day Bed and Breakfast in hopes of
attracting the increasing number of waterfowl and
big-game hunters who were discovering the area.
The Graves' purchased 2 former barracks from Camp
Abbott, now Sunriver, and moved the buildings in 8-foot
sections to the location where the Lodge now stands,
across Hwy 31 from the headquarters of the Summer Lake
Wildlife Refuge. The barracks were renovated over the
next year into a dining room that seated 12, a kitchen,
10 guestrooms, and a gas station. The lodge officially
opened for the October 1947 hunting season. From
September - January, over 2000 hunters were served good
meals and hospitality. As the lodge gained popularity,
birdwatchers, hikers, and tourists began visiting
regularly. The dining facilities became a favorite with
local families.
Although electricity now lights the lodge instead of
kerosene and gas lamps, and 100-pound blocks of ice no
longer chill the icebox, during the cool months visitors
still warm their hands and spirits beside the wood
burning stove in the rear of the restaurant. A
western-style facade was added to the Lodge after the
Graves' sold the property in about 1960. The dining room
was enlarged and a 7 unit motel was added out back. The
pumps are gone and further renovations are in progress.
Still, the Summer Lake Lodge remains a popular spot for
nature lovers. Hunters, biologists, and bird-watchers
migrate in and out of Summer Lake with the water fowl
and animals. Visitors continue to enjoy the refreshing
friendly spirit of the past in rural Oregon.
The staff members at The Lodge find the dining
experience to be one of their greatest rewards. Located
in a remote part of Oregon, the restaurant is an
important social center for many of the area's residents
as well as a wonderful stop for visitors.
The Lodge offers a complete and varied breakfast menu,
lunch service, and a very excellent Dinner Menu which
features old favorites as well as fine dining meals
designed to satisfy even the most picky palette!
The Lodge presently has a three acre bass pond, 7 motel
units, 3 Lakeside Cabins, parking for self-contained
RVs, tent sites, and showers available. The local area
features horseback riding, bird watching, mountain
biking, hiking, hunting, and fishing.
Many geological wonders and ancient petroglyphs can be
found nearby. The staff at the Lodge can provide you
with information and touring ideas to visit caves or hot
springs, Hole-in-the-Ground, Fossil Lake,
Crack-in-the-Ground, and Fort Rock. They can give
directions to their favorite hiking trails in the Winter
Ridge area of Fremont National Forest or tell you about
the best fishing lakes in the area. Rock hounds will
enjoy the fields of petrified wood and thunder eggs. The
possibilities are vast and the staff will gladly provide
you with lunches or guide you on day long excursions!
SouthernOregon.com does not specify lake or resort
fees/dates/hours on our website, see below
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