In short… Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch is a historic lodge with unparalleled views of the Sawtooth Mountains that encourages you to kick back and enjoy the American West.
The surroundings… Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch occupies an amazing parcel of land by the Salmon River with the Sawtooth Mountains just beyond. The ranch is about an hour north of the well-known Sun Valley Resort in Ketchum, Idaho, and 15 minutes south of the town of Stanley, which has a few restaurants, bars and stores.
The backstory… The Ranch, originally opened in 1930 as the Idaho Rocky Mountain Club, was built by 60 men as a private hunting club. The 8,000 sq. ft. lodge, modeled after the Old Faithful Lodge at Yellowstone National Park, had electricity long before the rest of the region, thanks to its own hydroelectric plant. Over the years, ownership has changed hands multiple times: from a Frigidaire executive to an Austrian clothing manufacturer to an automobile dealer who gave it its current name and reopened it as a hotel. Today, it is owned by a joint family group that includes a prominent architect, venture capitalists, and an author. The Ranch is steeped in history, which the staff are eager to share. In 1994, the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The vibe… Don’t expect a bellhop, valet, or 24-hour room service—this is a real-life ranch, after all. What you will find, however, is exceptionally friendly service, incredible log cabin architecture, and a stunning view, especially at sunset. The Ranch has access to a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, fishing and natural hot springs. I loved that the lodge is free from cliché kitsch—it’s authentic to its core. The main lodge houses the reception, a service bar, the restaurant, a few guest rooms, and an incredible porch overlooking the Sawtooth Mountains. This porch is the perfect spot for morning coffee by the snapping fireplace, even in the middle of summer. The property is only open June through September, with live music on the porch in the evenings.
The rooms… The Ranch has 14 cabins and 4 rooms located in the main lodge, all decorated to match the log cabin architecture with wool blankets, natural wood furniture, and stone fireplaces in every cabin. We stayed in one of the lodge rooms (room 24) due to a late booking—availability can be limited given the small number of rooms and short season. Our room, located at the end of the hallway in the main lodge, was cozy and had a direct view of the Sawtooth Mountains, a perk that many of the larger cabins do not have. The room had a closet and bathroom with a shower (no bathtub, one of the benefits of the cabins). While the room was comfortable, you’ll likely spend most of your time enjoying other parts of the lodge and property. For a couple, the lodge room is just fine, but for a family, the cabins would be the best bet.
Food and drink… The service bar opens in the afternoon, offering beer and wine (no liquor—bring a flask if you’d like, as we did). Order a bottle of something cold, which they’ll store for you in the vintage refrigerator in the lobby, and enjoy the afternoon on the porch after checking in. We enjoyed the outdoor kitchen’s pizzas, perfect with a drink as an appetizer before an incredible dinner. During this impromptu happy hour, we even made some new friends. If you want to sit outdoors and enjoy the view of the mountains at sunset, be sure to make a reservation. For dinner, we enjoyed orange and tarragon marinated beets, grilled flank steak, smoked ratatouille, and broccoli rabe. In the morning, a self-serve coffee bar with baked goods is available before the full breakfast, which includes all the hearty items you’d expect from a proper Western ranch. For lunch, they’ll make the best gourmet brown bag lunch to take with you on your adventures.
The wellness… A short distance from the main lodge and cabins, in a building set right next to the Salmon River, the ranch offers massages and yoga—a great way to start your day. They also have a naturally heated hot springs pool, with authentic tire inner tubes, which is perfect for a refreshing dip early in the morning or later in the evening when the air is cooler. We particularly enjoyed it after morning yoga.
Be sure to… Take full advantage of the outdoors! While the ranch itself is incredible, you’ll want to spend as much time as possible enjoying the nature that surrounds it. The hotel offers, or can help you arrange, any number of activities. After a day of exploration, don’t miss sunset from the front porch.
Parting words… Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch is the real-deal. It’s impossible not to feel changed somehow after a stay here. The remoteness, the scenery, and activities feel very different than wherever you came from…and in that way, it opens up a different part of you.
Dates of stay… July 2023
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