The colors of the High Desert come to life at Silvies Valley Ranch

Use code “Wild” for 10% off you stay!

Eastern Oregon- a truly wild experience unlike any other. Giant open skies, vast sage brush ranges with elk and antelope, solitude enough to hear your true voice. This part of Oregon has always agreed with me. There is peace worth finding in the quiet of the High Desert.

Touches of class and luxury, ranch style

The Retreat at Silvies Valley Ranch is perhaps my number one stay in all of Oregon. Luxury accommodations on a sustainable working cattle ranch- with a plethora of activities to engage in. A spa, golf (with goat caddies), shooting range, carriage rides, hiking, and XC skiing.

I’ll explain to you our trip from start to finish so that you can know what a weekend getaway at Silvies is like.

The landscape at Silvie’s Valley Ranch are phenomenal

The drive out to the ranch is simply refreshing and beautiful. It is a long drive from most places- past Burns and through a valley of Ponderosa and deciduous trees. The range opens up to a valley of sagebrush. You can see parts of the working ranch on either side- horses, cattle, and goats are plentiful here! We saw a massive herd of elk bedded down next to an old homestead and a tall coyote running through the steppe.

Lakeside Log Cabin accommodations are so gorgeous

We buzzed into the gate and drove up to the gatehouse where we were swiftly greeted with a warm smile and matching blue water bottles (it's so important to stay hydrated out here in the desert). We were assigned two golf carts (my teenager LOVED this) and then we loaded our bags up to drive to our cabin.

Riding around in style in our own golf cart

When I say cabin that is a bit misleading- our accommodations were world class and designed with comfort and luxury in mind. I could live here and be wrapped in bliss. The first thing you notice as you walk in is it feels like a hug, despite the massive size. Large windows look out onto a small lake, cozy features surround you. Antler chandeliers, a warm fireplace, fully stocked mini and wine bar, snacks, and books about Oregon. All laid out, ready for your enjoyment.

Comfortable king bed in each room on the ranch

The bedrooms each have their own bathroom- with rainwater shower heads and tvs in the restrooms! A girl could get used to this sort of life!

Talk about a restorative space- these bathrooms have rain showers and TVs

After settling in we took a walk to the main lodge for a very special wine tasting. It was the first preview of the gorgeous setting where we would meet for our family style meals, included within our stay. There is a bar and big booths, a saloon room with pool and TV’s to watch the game.

Patrick greeted us at the stunning lodge bar

This a relaxing space to shoot pool or watch the game

Our whiskey tasting was a great way to kick off the afternoon and get comfy on property. There was a charcuterie platter and turns out my favorite whiskey is now Weller!

Custom whiskey tasting to start off our stay!

The Rocking Horse Spa is simply stunning

After that it was time to take a tour of Rocking Heart Spa. I did not expect the inside of the spa to be SO expansive and beautiful. This is a place where nature nurtures the soul.

This luxurious escape in the Oregon high desert, featuring a range of personalized treatments like massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures. The spa's Native American-inspired ambiance and use of natural products create a serene atmosphere, enhanced by an indoor waterfall.

There is a large pool and rock climbing wall

Guests can relax in various amenities, including a sun deck, lap pool, Finnish dry sauna, and hot tubs. The fitness center is equipped with state-of-the-art exercise machines, and there's even an indoor rock climbing wall for added fun. The spa emphasizes sustainability, using organic products and focusing on the natural beauty of the area.

I will have to come back and soak my worries away soon….

The lodge dining room where all meals are served at Silvies

Next was our first experience with the family style buffet in the lodge- the night's theme was BBQ! What a spread that was- tacos (and complete taco bar), steak, ribs, loaded baked potatoes, skillet baked bread, pasta salad, green salad, AND potato salad!

The food at Silvies is one of the highlights

Afterwards we had s'mores by the firepit and generous pours of port. To say I was ready to crawl into my King sized bed is an understatement. There are hot tubs at the cabins too…what a blissful retreat.

What a welcome! First evening was impressive.

We all slept great. The night’s here are so quiet (except for the coyotes) and morning came almost too soon. The rainwater shower and in room coffee (with bailey’s if you want) was a great start to what would be a thrilling day of on the ranch experiences.

Breakfast was so good. Chevon sausage Huevos was cowboy fuel!

Breakfast was family style again, this time you could order from a menu with a plethora of goodies. They even have a dessert section with a disclaimer saying it was perfectly ok to have pot de’ creme for breakfast! I had the oatmeal while my husband opted for the Chevon sausage huevos. I have to say- (Chevon) is the goat’s that are grown here and by far one of the best styles of meat I have ever tasted. I was so impressed with the flavor and texture of Chevon, it’s lighter than beef and so tender. I didn’t know until this weekend for delicious this meat can be served.

Every breakfast beverage you could dream up is available. Here is beef gravy and chevon sausage.

After breakfast it was off in a Polaris Ranger through the countryside (and a few puddles) to the three shooting ranges on site. Now, I grew up in a gun family. I am very familiar with safety and respect for guns and I think it is important to be well versed in how to properly recreate these powerful machines.

Dave had a BLAST on the range at Silvies.

The gun range at Silives is outside and there we met Jeff, our skilled 20 year veteran instructor. We were given a safety briefing and introduced to the first range- shotguns. This was the first time my 15 year old has ever shot a gun and I wanted their experience to be safe, easy, and fun. Silvies made it very approachable for our families needs. I was never once worried about safety- Jeff made sure to stay by my 15 year and help out as needed. Truly rockstar service and it is much appreciated (as a sometimes anxious mom!)

My goal was to hit every target on the range. We shot a variety of guns but this was my pick.

We began with lever action rifles and then mastered rifles with scopes (this was my favorite part, my goal was to hit every target on the range, I was the best at hitting a long range bell placed in the trees!). Then we had the chance to shoot some vintage rifles!

I would not quit til I hit ever bullseye. Mission accomplished!

Next up was the Pistolera range where we shot a variety of handguns with an outstanding finish- shooting a 500 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in production. This badboy is for grizzlies or maybe sasquatch. WE took the shell casing home and I turned mine into a piece of jewelry with a crystal inside.

Jewelry made from the casing of bullet I shot from a 500 magnum, the most powerful handgun sold. I filled it with crystals.

We had lots of fun throwing axes and ninja stars and then it was time to shoot a gatling gun. The Gatling gun, invented by Dr. Richard Gatling in the 1860s, is an early machine gun featuring multiple rotating barrels (usually six) that allows for a high rate of fire. It operates via a hand-crank mechanism and was used in the American Civil War and beyond.

In my opinion every club needs a good reuben. Silives passed the test.

Wow!! What a cool start to our day but I assure you the fun was far from over. After about three hours on the range it was time for some grub! Lunch was family style again but super easy to order off the menu. I had the most fantastic reuben and the family had a chicken salad wrap, burger, and tenderloin sandwich. Coleslaw, fries, and salad.

Then it was time for a sunny carriage ride to see the grounds and take a look at the golf courses in all their glory. The coolest part of the ride were the horses- a pair of real Budweiser clydesdales! They were so beautiful and worked together perfectly. We all enjoyed the ride and even saw antelope on the greens.

Retired budsweiser Clydesdales pull the carriage at Silvies

Oh, but then there was more. It was time to pile into the Ranger again and head up to a spot called “The Hideaway” which serves as the pro shop and bar overlooking the 7,000-yard Hankins Course, the challenging Craddock Course, and the more casual Chief Egan and Gilchrist courses, all designed to blend with the rugged terrain.

The Hideaway is the pro shop and golf headquarters for Silvies

Silvies has goat caddies for their courses!

It’s quite the view from here, I could have stayed a while- but it was time to hit a few balls on the range and then ride up to the highest part of the ranch. Now, this may have been my favorite part of the trip- staring out across the expansive landscape, the shadows growing long and the pink sunlight spreading across the horizon.

View from the highest ridge at Silvies Valley Ranch. What a sight!

The Strawberry Mountains in the distance were a treat to see

One last stop before dinner, a 16,000 year old rock shelter that is currently an archaeological site. Silvies Valley Ranch is located in an area traditionally inhabited by Indigenous peoples, primarily the Northern Paiute and Western Shoshone, as well as the Umatilla and Nez Perce tribes. The Northern Paiute and Shoshone, who are closely related, historically lived in the high desert of eastern Oregon, relying on hunting, fishing, and gathering for subsistence, while the Umatilla and Nez Perce had broader territories that extended into the region.

This rock shelter would have been the ultimate home-looking out across the land. There is evidence of many years of warming fires and inhabitation in this cave. I look forward to learning more about what archaeologists can learn from this cave.

16,000 year old rock cave shelter that is currently being studied by OSU, located on Silvies Ranch

Ahh, dinner time again. This time a 5 course Ranch meal.

After our grand day it was time to come together for a five course meal in the lodge, served with staff and guests alike. This was a three hour dinner featuring some of the finest ranch flavors of the West. Again, the highlight for me was the homegrown Chavon next to that was the carrot and ginger soup, which served to warm me up from the cold high desert night.

Ranch supper was a meal I will never forget!

Chevon cotellete- wow! My favorite food from our stay

Organic berry salad topped with a crabapple vinaigrette- from a pioneer crab apple tree on the ranch.

Carrot and ginger soup, so warm and comforting

Warm apricot bread pudding and ice cream to end out the meal

That night I was thoroughly worn out and ready to collapse into our cabin. What an unforgettable day it was.

The lodge is charming and elegant and feels like home after sharing so many meals here

The next day we said goodbye to our new found friends at breakfast and leisurely packed up. We visited the amazing gift shop which is stocked full of locally made silver and turquoise jewelry, Pendleton products, western wear and more.

Pendleton, Tony Lama, Stetson and more at the giftshop!

Breakfast parfait with house made granola and greek yogurt

Saying goodbye to our new friends over breakfast before heading West

I will always cherish the memories made together here as a family at Silvies Ranch. The juxtaposition of peace and adventure, of activities and relaxation, of movement and good food, luxury and down home spirit- was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Pioneer crabapple tree, what is left of several homesteads on the ranch

Thank you Silvies, I hope to back again someday!

Silvie’s Valley Ranch

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