Wilson Ranches Retreat

10/10

Exceptional

04 May 2026

Justin

This place is amazing. They treat you like family from the moment you arrive. Truly, a special place to stay.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Nov 2025

Daphne

This was such a unique place to stay. The staff were friendly and the rooms were comfortable.

8/10

Excellent

01 Jun 2025

Sally

Beautiful setting, welcoming staff, great breakfast, and all amenities thoughtfully supplied. The only thing that was not perfect for our party of three seniors and a son was that the private bathroom for our upper floor suite was on the lower floor and was accessed by passing through one of the upstairs bedrooms, and down a flight of stairs and the downstairs common room. However, the description did note bedrooms upstairs and bathroom upstairs, so it was my fault in not noticing this before I made the reservation. Everything else was perfect.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Sep 2024

Ali

Tranquility and friendlyness:)

10/10

Exceptional

09 Aug 2024

Troy

What a great place- so quiet. The owner took time to chat with me for 15 minutes when I checked in. I slept great and really enjoyed drinking coffee on the deck in the morning with the picturesque backdrop. Thanks, I'll be coming back.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

09 Aug 2024

Monika

It was a lovely, relaxing stay. The breakfast was delicious and the host was very friendly. We enjoyed a lot everything.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Aug 2024

Kevin

Perfect!
We loved absolutely everything about the Wilson Ranches Retreat. Very comfortable stay, an amazing, delicious breakfast, and what a location - talk about getting away from it all:)

Best of all…the people. Kara and Chantelle made us feel like family.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 Sep 2023

Kelly

It was beautiful area and very quiet. The cattle yearlings were fun to watch. It is a bed and. Breakfast as in you have a room and shared spaces. You have to walk through these shared spaces to go to your assigned bathrooms. our room had 2 beds and 2 hard back solid yucky chairs to watch tv. Did not like the shared space thing

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

02 Aug 2023

Susan

Kara and Brian made us feel like family. They are sweet and accommodating. The Homestead room was roomy, beds were comfortable. Trail ride was so much fun. Loved every moment spent there and can’t wait to go back

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jul 2023

Kim

Beautiful landscape and wonderful hosts!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 May 2022

Yuan

Such a wonderful place and nice people. The delicious breakfast delivered to your door. It’s a convenient location to 3 units of John Day Fossil Beds NM.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2021

Valerie

Fun and fossils.

We had a delightful time staying at the ranch and exploring the National Monument area nearby. Our interactions with the hosts were invaluable, it’s not every day you get to learn from local experts. A unique and fun time 🙂

Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 Jun 2021

Verified traveler

The hosts were friendly and accommodating. They made us feel very welcome!

Business_and_leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 May 2021

Valentina

Great ranch stay

We had an awesome stay at the ranch. They are located a little away from Fossil on farmland. This is family owned and well cared for ranch in a gorgeous canyon. Very quiet - no human noise, just birds and cows, horses are really quiet. Breakfast was good, you can ask to have it earlier and packed to go. Great place to explore all John Fossil and painted rocks locations.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 May 2021

Verified traveler

I love fhe location. Its in tge middle of nowhere and you titally enjoy loneliness and quietness all by myself. Plusm we Love the freshly homemade breakfast the next morning.
One of the mattress should be replaced by now.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

05 Jul 2019

Tim

Cozy ranch in beautiful valley. Horses, coyotes at night yopping.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jun 2019

Annette

Remote, beautiful & relaxing low-key ranch

Really cool place with great hospitality!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

Awesome hospitality. Felt at home............................

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

14 Aug 2018

Verified traveler

Pleasant stay!

We had a great time at the ranch. The hosts were so friendly and varing, the B&B is great, and the landscaps is breathtaking! Would stay there again!

8/10

Excellent

28 Jul 2018

Gordon

Enjoyed our overnight stay. An interesting place with a great staff.
The morning group breakfast was great. Enjoyed the discussion about farming with the family.

8/10

Excellent

23 Jul 2018

David

Unique get-away to another time/place.

1910 Sears \"kit\" house converted to several nicely appointed bedrooms with shared baths downstairs.
Fantastic cowboy breakfast (cooked by a true cowboy) family style as we shared stories around a huge common table. Very close to historic town of Fossil with rolling hills as a backdrop to a true working ranch.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jun 2018

Erin

Great and unexpected experience!

We were just looking for a place to stay when we came across Wilson Ranches Resort. It is off the beaten path so you get to enjoy the quiet country sights and sounds. The rooms were clean, the breakfast delicious and animal (deer, elk, chukars, quail, bunnies and lots of other birds) sightings plentiful! Everybody we met was friendly and Kara was particularly knowledgeable and funny!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jun 2018

Verified traveler

Great stay.
Clean facillity and a staff/owner pleasant and available.
And oh! what country surrounding the retreat.

10/10

Exceptional

21 May 2018

Steve

Fantastic family trip to get away from it all!

Kara and Brian did an amazing job to make the ranch stay perfect! Brian had a great personality and was not shy to tell us all about the how’s and why’s of a working ranch. They are both well informed on what it takes to put good wholesome food on the shelves of the super markets in the city. As for our atay the room and bathroom was very clean and welcoming. The breakfast in the morning was great and we had a great time meeting others from around the area and Germany! Brian took us and our 8 yr old daughter on a horse ride and it went very well!
Thank you and we will be back in September!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Sep 2017

John

Wilson Ranch

Brian and Kara are fantastic hosts and really roll out the red carpet of hospitality to their guests

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 May 2016

Verified traveler

TCCSRPA

we are group of 15 stay there for 3 nights, visiting John Day Parks, this Retreat are the best location to visit all 3 units of John Day; Nancy & Kara Wilson came every morning cooked us fresh delicious breakfast chat & lots of laugh, lots of good stories,...yes,yes,yes, we strongly recommended to everyone if you plan to visit John Day or the surrounding area, you'll love Wilson Ranches Retreat, I promised. :)

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2014

Verified traveler

Friendly Ranch Family!

What a great stay! We booked a single night a few weeks ago (April 2014) for my lady's birthday. I booked a 2-3 hour horse ride (horse ride prices are very fair!) and Nancy was kind enough to invite us to help with the rounding of cattle for branding of the calves! What an adventure! My lady is an experienced rider but wrangling cattle was an experience she always wanted to try and finally got for her birthday!



The family was extraordinarily kind and let us hang out the whole day in the sunshine and ask questions about the ranch, ranch life, and the branding of the calves. They are a very pleasant family, they even invited us to have lunch with them but unfortunately we had to hit the road.



The ranch itself is on a beautiful slice of land in north eastern Oregon. Lot's of wildlife and very quiet/calming/serine. The horses where very hearty, responsive, and seemed very well taken care of :)



Breakfast was great and more than we could eat. Served at a family table with the other guests, family style, so it was fun to hear peoples stories and get tips on what to do in the area.



We will DEFINITELY return to the ranch next time we want to go for a nice ride and do a little country living.



-Patrick and Sarah

8/10

Excellent

01 Oct 2012

Verified traveler

Extremely Hospitable Hosts!

Phil and Nancy are the best BnB hosts we've experienced to date. I got several maps of the area prior to arriving and Nancy gave me a map that was much better than the ones I had collected. All I can say about the break, besides Delicious, it was incredible! We'll be back!!!

10/10

Exceptional

05 Sep 2012

Verified traveler

A LOVELY ADVENTURE!

Nancy & Mitch

Portland, Oregon

8/10

Excellent

01 Mar 2012

Verified traveler

Local Treasure

We are local folks living in the same county in which the Wilson Ranches Retreat is located. My husband I had an opportunity to stay at the retreat recently and found the retreat to be a treat. The other guests were pleasant and interesting to visit. The home cooked breakfast was tasty and memorable. We plan on stay there again. I would highly recommend you visit, and stay 2 nights. :)

8/10

Excellent

16 Jan 2012

Verified traveler

Great Ranch Experience!

We came here on our honeymoon. It was our first stop and it was awesome to relax and kick off a great trip. Since then we've been back with our daughter who is in LOVE with the horses. It's a great place to enjoy no matter what your family status. Phil and Nancy are fabulous hosts that make you immediately feel like part of the ranch. We will definitely be back!

8/10

Excellent

04 Jan 2012

Verified traveler

Brodehl's stay at Wilson ranch

We found theWilson Ranch Bed and Breakfast by accident the first time. We just saw their sign on the road and decided to take a chance and stay there. We were pleasantly surprised at what we found. The rooms were clean and tastefully furnished. The breakfast was wonderful. It was more than enough.

It was like a 5 star breakfast... It was a quiet and relaxing place to stay. Deer wondered around in the yard at night and we saw herds of elk as well. We were impressed.by the helpful owner/hosts Phil andNancy. The next ime we stayed at their ranch was on purpose.. Because the following day was Thanksgiving they made arrangements for us to have a big Thanksgiving dinner in Fossil. We would certainly recommend anyone to visit their Bed and Breakfast. We will certainly return in the future.



Roy & Rosalee Brodehl.

8/10

Excellent

31 Dec 2011

Verified traveler

The joy of surprise in the Oregon outback

My wife and I were drawn from our urban Washington home to the eastern sage, pine side of Oregon, by the world famous John Day fossil beds. We had planned a leisurely drive and visit through the area as part of a longer trip southward on the east side of the Cascades and Sierras. Our first stop was in the aptly named town of Fossil to find accomodations. After checking out the few motels available plus a faded glory bed and breakfast in town, we were somewhat discouraged. But someone mentioned a working ranch a mile or so out of town that apparently also had a bed and breakfast. Intrigued we headed out. In was nearing dark as we pulled onto a country road leading to the Wilson Ranch, and full dark as we pulled into the bed and breakfast. As we stepped out of our car, we could hear a large group of bawling cattle off some distance. My wife and I looked at each other thinking the same thing - wow, this is some kind of cool bed and breakfast. Stepping inside we immediately felt a comfortable family ranch ambience, rough-hewn but really pleasant. There was only one other couple there, and we had a long chat with them, learning that the bawling cattle were mothers who had just been separated from their calves as part of the annual weaning. So the ranch was real and real things were happening. I won't go on much further, but suffice to say we had a great stay and just really enjoyed finding such a unique treasure when it was least expected. Mark, Kirkland, Washington

10/10

Exceptional

29 Dec 2011

Verified traveler

We love this place!

We love Wilson Ranch so much we go back each summer. We love how the place makes you forget about the hustle and bustle of everyday life and the hospitality of the owners, Phil and Nancy makes you feel like family. The bed & breakfast is nestled among surrounding mountains which makes for a quiet and relaxing stay. We turn off our cell phones and the only tv we may watch are old western VHS movies that are provided for guests. Home-cooked breakfasts are prepared daily by Phil and Nancy and are always delicious! We book at least one horseback ride each stay. My favorite ride has been the evening ride. The sunset view from atop the mountains is beautiful. Overall, Wilson Ranch has been a wonderful experience each time weve been. We highly recommend it.

8/10

Excellent

28 Dec 2011

Verified traveler

Terrific!

We loved the remote and beautiful setting and the hospitality was outstanding. We want to come again to see the stars and the spring wildflowers.

8/10

Excellent

24 Dec 2011

Verified traveler

Happy Trails at Wilson Ranches Retreat

We enjoyed our stay at Wilsons' so much that when our older daughter got married and her French family arrived from Lyon for the wedding we took them to the Wilson Ranch for several days of horseback riding and enjoying life in the Old West. It was one of the best experiences in our lives - and the French family as well! We all agreed that whether coming from Bend or France the experience is wonderfully unique! Ed & Sharon Tillinghast, Bend, OR

10/10

Exceptional

22 Dec 2011

Verified traveler

Does close the gate mean Close the gate!

I love staying at Wilson Ranch. It is so comfy and just down right fun. I have been able to visit three times now and each time I am fortunate to learn about the rancher's life surrounded by the beautiful and tough countryside. Phil and Nancy serve up a wholesome breakfast with a big ol side of storytime and laughter. My favorite part is always the horses...from the time I arrive until time to head home. Being able to join in and be a part of their family for a short while is wonderful and I am so grateful. I have be able to see my first rattle snake and coyote from a top of one of their many wonderful horses. I have viewed Condon over 25 miles away from top of the ridge. Chasing the bull that jump the fence, visiting the cows and chatting with their beautiful calves. Probably the funniest thing that ever happened, yet there are probably many when I ride was on the day of branding...wow, that was an experience of a life time and I am so thankful that the family allowed me to be a part. Even if closing the gate did not mean close the gate to a greenhorn! When I jumped of a perfectly good horse to close the gate I immediately heard Phil at the top of his lungs Georgie Get back on your horse NOW I think there may have even been more words, but I know now to close the gate with my trusty steed....whew! That pen of cows would have paid me no mind to leave that pen...thanks for the memories...Love Wilson Ranch and all will consider their visit most special and I'm thankful for the entire Wilson family.

10/10

Exceptional

19 Dec 2011

Verified traveler

For all the family

I love Wilson Ranches Retreat. As a newer American citizen it opened my eyes up to a western rural experience that is far from wild. Phil and Nancy have a GREAT family and the B & B is super comfortable. I have 3 grown up kids living in England and Australia and I have made sure that they all have experienced the ranch at different times. My kids loved their experiences and will be returning soon. We have also visited with a group of friends and had a great time. We highly recommend the experience for family or groups of friends or even if you want a quiet retreat for yourself!

8/10

Excellent

19 Dec 2011

Verified traveler

Very Nice Experience

We went to WRR with great expectations and were not disappointed. We got a huge room that our whole family could stay in. It was quaint, with a fireplace and lots of space for our kids. The family style breakfast was excellent and the horse ride into the hills the next day was fantastic. They even ordered snow for the ride back to the stable! I would recommend WRR for anyone who wants a real getaway from urban bustle longs for country hospitality and service.

10/10

Exceptional

19 Dec 2011

Verified traveler

Wilson Ranches Retreat is Amazing!

Don't let Wilson Ranches Retreat pass you by! The rooms are very welcoming, the breakfasts are delicious, and Phil and Nancy's company can't be beat. My husband and daughter go on a father/daughter weekend each year. They have so much fun, that my son and I had to come just this once. What an awesome experience!

10/10

Exceptional

18 Dec 2011

Verified traveler

Absolutely Outstanding!

I have been wanted to explore Fossil for many years. I decided on my birthday I was going to Fossil and dig. No one would be joining for the first couple of days. I arrived at Wilson Ranches Retreat. The curtains were open, the cows were mooing. I wasn't in Portland anymore...I wondered if I would feel strange by myself. No way! Phil and Nancy, the hosts were welcoming, the food was great. And it was not fake, this is out west, people are nice, the pace is slow, the fossils are at the school house ready to be found. I love this place and want to come back!



Karen Cooper

8/10

Excellent

18 Dec 2011

Verified traveler

Outstanding Retreat

Some friends and I rent the house every year for an extended weekend. What a joy! We love Phil, Nancy, and their family. Their hospitality is outstanding, their food delicious, and their stories both hilarious and intriguing. It is a working ranch, not a resort. Don't go there expecting a hot tub and chocolates on your pillow. Do go there to relax, join in lively conversation, take a incredible horse-back ride, tour the countryside, and be warmly received by your hosts. It's an experience you won't forget!

6/10

Pleasant

17 Dec 2011

Verified traveler

Come experience country hospitality and leisure...

Wilson Ranches Retreat is a wonderful country getaway where the staff make you feel like family. The rooms are comfortable and quiet. The location makes for easy scouting at the fossil beds or a day trip to the Painted Hills. Come and enjoy an enormous country breakfast, horseback riding and relaxing.

8/10

Excellent

15 Dec 2011

Verified traveler

Great hospitality and understanding, down home people

They had great communication with us for reservations and were very understanding when we needed to cancel for family reasons. Many thanks to them. We look forward to a 2012 stay with them.

8/10

Excellent

15 Dec 2011

Verified traveler

Absolutely great B & B experience

It's a working ranch. It's wonderful. I was on a working trip that took me to Fossil, and although I do live in Oregon, I had not been to the area before. I like B & B's so chose the Wilson Ranch. It was great! Scenery is spectacular. Accommodations very confortable. Phil and Nancy prepared a terrific dinner and the breakfast the next day delicious. Good conversations with the guests and meal time. I recommend the Wilson Ranch to experience the beauty and hospitality of rural Oregon.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2011

Verified traveler

THE BEST AROUND

This is the best B&B I have stayed in also had the best breakfasts ever. I enjoyed the stories shared around the table and the comfortable bed and room. The guest kitchen is better stocked than most hotels with the frig, micro, paper goods and a few condiments and with the general store near (Just great fun to check out) and take out at local eateries and good books it was relaxing. These are the nicest ranch people I have met up with in a long time (don't tell Phil, we want him to stay the way he is) Phil and Nancy really take care of their guests. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING New friend, Judy (I will return!)

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jul 2010

Verified traveler

Living the Dream

The memories will last forever. Thank you to Phil, Nancy, Brian, Chris, Karen, Sally and all the horses. Myself, along with two friends took our daughters to Wilson Ranch Retreat B & B and had an incredible father, daughter experience. The bottom line is simple and as follows. Beautiful scenery, Lots of wildlife, Super comfortable accommodations, Fabulous home cooked breakfast, Superb horses, and maybe best of all, Hospitality for which we will be forever grateful. Barry Hasson, Portland, Oregon

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jul 2010

Verified traveler

June visit

My two children and I stayed at the retreat in June. It was beautiful!!!! I was so impressed with the value of the bed and breakfast. Each day we awoke to stunning scenery, breathtaking views, and pleasant conversation from Phil and Nancy! We went on day trips to the Fossil beds, Painted Hills, and other local spots. My children loved riding horses, looking for fossils, and visiting with the other guests. I can't wait to visit again!!!!! Thanks again for everything!!



Leigh Ann, Andrei, and Sasha Sublette

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jul 2010

Verified traveler

Wonderfull vacation spot!

My family and I had the best vacation ever: horseback riding, fossil hunting, sightseeing to see the painted mountains, and eating fantastic breakfasts with friendly hosts and guests. The weather was wonderful and the scenery from atop the horses or in the car was unbelievable. Janice from Texas

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jun 2010

Verified traveler

Down Home

I don't do B&B's but this is not your cookie cutter place to stay.

Would I stay again? You bet!!

Phil is a comic and BBQ master with Nancy making you feel at home

the experience couldn't have been any better!!



Richard B.

Merlin, OR