NW Kids: Top 3 Resorts Ripe for a Fall Getaway
Black Butte Ranch, Sandpoint and Wyoming Dude Ranch have it all
By Amy Whitley
Photo at right: Courtesy of Black Butte Ranch
If summer in the Northwest is a headlong plunge into activity, fun and recreation, autumn is its tantalizing last dip, teasing the senses with stirring breezes, the scent of wood smoke and the familiar (if long-absent) feel of wool sweaters.
Hikes feel more indulgent, evening light more precious and mornings (much) cooler. School has begun, and with it, intensified schedules, which makes me long to hang onto carefree days with a fall getaway with my kids. Here’s where we like to head in autumn.
Black Butte Ranch, Ore.:
We fell in love with the relaxed yet active vibe at Black Butte Ranch the minute we arrived for a last-minute getaway. Closer to the town of Sisters than its neighbor, equally beloved House on Metolius, Black Butte is still away from it all—but somehow at the center of things at the same time.
Onsite bike rentals, swimming pools and golf links keep everyone happy, making this location perfect for a multigenerational family affair. We spent one day hiking, and the next leisurely laying about on the back porch of our vacation rental home tucked into the evergreens.
What’s nearby: Excellent hiking can be found from the lodge property, or at nearby Black Butte.
The Lodge at Sandpoint, Idaho:
Whether your family loves to fish, canoe, kayak, hike or simply be, The Lodge at Sandpoint is the place to do it. In winter, Sandpoint—named one of OutdoorsNW’s favorite weekend getaways—is a bustling ski town, and in summer, it’s crowded with waterski boats.
In fall, we like to think of it as just right. The lodge is located at the far tip of Lake Pend Oreille, away from the hum of lingering motorboats.
What’s nearby: Head to the town of Sandpoint to browse art galleries and grab a meal, or go mountain biking as a family at nearby Schweitzer Mountain.
Triangle X Ranch, Wyo.:
Autumn is a great time of year to visit a dude ranch: rates are lowered, service and adventure is more personalized, and the weather still holds in Grand Teton National Park.
Consider a week or weekend visit to Triangle X to be a last hurrah of the season (shorter stays are only offered in the spring or fall). This all-inclusive resort is more than a lodge; it’s an experience.
Wranglers offer personalized adventure (and horses for the family), and daily rides are complemented by delicious home-cooked food and fun evening entertainment.
What’s nearby: The only resort operating inside Grand Teton National Park, families have the entire park at their fingertips. Raft or hike, or stop into the town of Jackson for a night on the town.
Wherever you head this fall, leave room in the itinerary for board games by the fire, family meals and lazy recreation. Consider this time one last, slow exhale before gearing up for the busy holiday season.
Amy Whitley of Medford, Ore., writes about her family adventures in NW Kids every edition in OutdoorsNW. Miss a column? Log onto www.OutdoorsNW.com and search NW Kids. You can follow more of Amy’s adventures at www.PitStopsforKids.com
Editor’s Note: Read Amy’s weekender story about the House on Metolius at: www.OutdoorsNW.com/2012/Weekender-House-on-Metolius
Resources
Black Butte Ranch: www.blackbutteranch.com
House on Metolius: www.metolius.com
The Lodge at Sandpoint: www.lodgeatsandpoint.com
Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce: www.sandpointchamber.org
Triangle X Ranch: www.trianglex.com
Grand Teton National Park: www.nps.gov/grte
