Big Sandy Lodge Cabin
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Inside Cabin
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Canoeing near Big Sandy
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DC Bar Guest Ranch Cabin
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DC Bar Guest Ranch Cabins
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Green River Guest Ranch
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Half Moon Lake cabins
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Half Moon Lake Resort Cabin
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Half Moon Lake
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Remote Honeymoon Cabins
Cozy, secluded get-aways
by Dawn Svalberg
3/6/04
Many people dream of getting ten acres in the forest, far from civilization, with a cozy log cabin to spend their summers. Some place nestled in the forest, close to a lake or mountain stream, with deer and other wildlife around, and most of all, far from other people. You can find that here. Well, not to buy, but to rent for a weekend or a month if you want. There are a variety of local guest ranches that have cozy log cabins guests can rent for overnight stays. They also have a variety of activities you can do that suit your needs for exploring: day horseback rides, trout fishing, lazy canoe rides on nearby lakes, photography hikes, wildlife viewing, and most of all: serious relaxing in beautiful scenery.
Each of the places below offers a truly unique get-away experience. Peak season with the best weather is July and August, and advance reservations are strongly recommended for these time periods. Guests can get lower, off-season rates in June, but the weather can be very marginal and there is still impassable snow in the high country. July and August are beautiful, with wildflowers everywhere, but mosquitoes and biting bugs out in force. By late August and September, the bugs are mostly gone making hikes much more pleasant. See the end of this article for hotlinks to web sites for guest ranches described in this article.
Big Sandy Lodge
If you are looking for REMOTE, this is the place. Big Sandy Lodge is a summer-season resort that was established in 1929. Their season is typically June through about mid-October, depending on what the snow does. They are seasonal because they are located at about 9,000 feet elevation adjacent to the wilderness, and their season of operation start date depends on when the snow melts and opens up the access road. Best season with best weather is July through September. No ellectricity or phones here. They have ten wonderful, rustic, one-room log cabins for guests. Each has wood stoves and firewood for heat, with an ample supply of split firewood neatly stacked just outside the door, and oil lamps for light. The main log lodge is located right next to a very scenic lake with many nearby hiking trails. You can walk from your cabin door down to the lake to fish or go for a leisurely canoe ride in the lake. They have great food and offer guided fishing, horseback riding or photography trips. Some people can't handle being in a place that isn't 15 minutes from a K-Mart, where there are no outlets for plugging in the curling iron, and where cell phones won't work. But, frankly, we'd pay EXTRA to stay where we can escape the world for a few days and breath fresh mountain air and see wildlife every day. There are literally hundreds of lakes to explore within a day's hike of the lodge and cabins, and the drive alone just getting up to the lodge is an experience in itself along the climbing, bumpy, winding dirt road. www.big-sandy-lodge.com
DC Bar Guest Ranch
The Historic DC Bar Guest Ranch was homesteaded in the early 1900s in the Upper Green north of Pinedale. The ranch is at 8,200 feet in elevation, set in alpine meadows where the pine and aspen trees. The DC Bar Guest Ranch is remote and secluded, in an area with lots of wildlife. They have several cabins ranging from one room cabins to 3-bedroom cabins with living room, 2 baths and kitchen. Their cabins, many of the originals, are scattered through a natural wooded setting. All cabins have wood burning stoves, propane furnaces, oil or propane lamps, no electricity. The cabins are scattered through the woods, so you will not feel crowded. Guests can soak in the 12'x8' hot tub, enjoy the solitude, and feel as if transported to the past! The ranch and cabins have spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks of the Wind River Mountains and Bridger Wilderness. Guests can arrange for guided horseback riding, hiking, fishing, float trips, and longer backcountry pack trips into the wilderness. The DC Bar is located near the Green River Lakes trailhead with access to the Bridger Wilderness or short trips to Green River Lakes and scenic Square Top mountain. There are hundreds of miles of nearby hiking trails and unbeatable fishing in the nearby Green River. www.bwo.com
Green River Guest Ranch/The Place
The Green River Guest Ranch is located right on the way to Green River Lakes, Square Top Mountain, and a major trailhead into the Bridger-Teton National Forest and Bridger Wilderness. They are 25 miles north of Pinedale and just six miles from the entrance to the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Individual guest cabins are located in the trees next to the main restaurant. The cabins can accommodate from four to six people and make a great basecamp for exploring the surrounding area. Guests can go out hiking or fishing on their own or arrange for guided horseback riding, fishing, hiking and float trips down the Green River. As a part of the Green River Guest Ranch, "The Place" is a long-time favorite gathering place for guests, local area ranchers and residents. They offer a full-service menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a lounge/saloon with a game room with billiards and darts. www.grguestranch.com
Half Moon Lake Resort
Half Moon Lake, and this resort, are located just nine miles from Pinedale in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The lodge is located literally on the edge of scenic Half Moon Lake, and they are the only commercial services in that area. Their cabins have been newly remodeled and are tucked in the pine and aspen trees on the mountain behind the lodge. Cabins have a beautiful view of Half Moon Lake, with an outside deck with chairs for evening relaxing with the best view ever. Cabins can be rented by the night or for longer periods. Guest can arrange for guided horseback riding for 2-hour, 4-hour or all-day rides into the surrounding mountains. Guided fishing trips can also be arranged. Guests can rent canoes, fishing boats or motor boats to go out on the lake. They offer fine dining in their restaurant, and guests can enjoy their meal and a cocktail on the outside deck overlooking the lake. Half Moon Lake Resort is located near the road to a major trailhead into the Bridger Wilderness. There are many nearby trails for hiking and mountain biking of varying degrees of difficulty. You can spend your entire stay right in the area around the lake near the lodge, or explore the rugged terrain in the surrounding area. Half Moon Lake Resort makes a great basecamp for a romantic get-away, while not giving up the comforts of modern civilization (they have electricity and phones.) Open May-October. www.halfmoonlake.com
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