Loving La Grande

Hot Springs, Haunted hallways, and Hamburgers in La Grande, OR

Hot Lake Lodge has quite the history. Like many place in the 19th century, La Grande, OR became a popular destination due to the railroad line. One can still see the tracks while soaking in the newly renovated hot tubs that overlook the Hot Lake that give the Lodge its name.

The imposing brick face of Hot Lake Lodge, from the parking area.

Built in 1864 and originally a luxury resort and sanitorium, Hot Lake Lodge was named Hot Lake Hotel, then Hot Lake Resort and is on the National Register of Historic places. It has since been a retirement home, a training school for nurses, and an asylum. The latter designation has led many to assume the looming building is haunted. When we visited, the U.S. was just beginning to open back up after COVID-19 had shut many hotels and restaurants down, so the large lodge was mostly empty, giving it an even more haunted and Shining-esque quality (long, empty hallways, empty bars with huge mirrors, dining rooms with no diners).

Since the pubs were not open, we drove the 8 miles into La Grande to have burgers and beers at Side A Brewing, an historic firehouse. The grass fed burgers were delicious and the beer was fantastic! Perfect before a soak in the hot tubs back at the lodge.

There’s nothing better to help a good night’s sleep than a long soak in a beautiful hot spring tub.

I have a feeling once it is re-opened with full capacity, including the planned 6 pubs and movie theatre, the haunted quality of Hot Lake Lodge might be diminished and be replaced by a bustling tourist feel, but the third floor ballroom still begs to be explored. Even filled with people, it is a worthy 5 hour excursion from our home near Portland, OR.