The Summer Lake Lodge 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 private lake, 7 motel units, 6
lodge rooms, Bed and Breakfast options, RV and tent spaces, and
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 to take on
day long excursions!
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