Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa — Hotel in Dubois

We just got back from our second visit to Brooks Lake Lodge. Our first visit was 3 years ago, and we loved it so much we decided to come back this year. This summer's visit was particularly good for the soul, since this place is the perfect escape from politics and pandemics. We traveled with our two girls (ages 15 and 16) and another family with a boy and a girl, 16 and 12. For our first night we were the only 2 families at the ranch, and it was so nice to be able to be in a place away from home where we could walk around without fear of catching COVID. The staff there are very attentive but also respectful of allowing your family to have a relaxing vacation. For each full day you are on site you have the option to choose a morning and afternoon activity (fishing, hiking, horseback riding, or archery). At any time during your stay you can also enjoy the spa (including the outdoor hot tub with an amazing view), take a canoe on the lake, or fish in the small pond by the horses. We stayed in a family cabin which has two bedrooms and a loft (5 beds), so with a family of 4 we had plenty of room to spare. But we spent a lot of time down at the main lodge playing foosball, shuffleboard, chess and board games (and the adults enjoyed beers and huckleberry margaritas). What sets Brooks Lake Lodge apart from other lodges, though, is the amazing food. The all-inclusive nature of the place makes the gourmet food even more enjoyable, since you don't have to worry about prices or tipping while you are there. The new manager this summer seems to be bringing some fresh spirit to the place, and the new assistant manager (who was previously the head chef) helps maintain the great traditions with her experience. A quick note about face masks/COVID precautions: the staff was willing to wear masks but we discussed it with them upon arrival and due to the very small number of guests and staff on site with us (and low numbers of infections in the local area) we all opted to not wear masks. There is ample space for everyone to stay at a safe distance in the main lodge...

My girlfriend and I just finished a three-night stay at Brooks Lake Lodge and we are still getting over the beautiful scenery and relaxing atmosphere. This is absolutely one of our favorite vacations to date. ||||Our favorite part was definitely the setting--the views from the lodge are stunning and you feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The activities are great as well, with the horseback riding being a highlight. A big surprise was how good the food was. Despite the secluded and rustic backdrop, the meals and drinks were top notch (get the huckleberry margarita and the elk steak!). An interesting note is how "free range" everything is. The horses are let out at night to roam the Shoshone National Forest and are rounded up each morning by the wranglers. There were also a bunch of dogs walking around who seemed to be living their best life.||||The lodge itself is very cool and is a great place to read, play games, or just hangout between activities. The staff also get a shoutout because they were very welcoming and helpful and we enjoyed our conversations with them. ||||As for accommodations, we stayed in one of the private cabins about 100 feet from the lodge. They were charming, though we hardly spent any time in them and didn't end up using the wood-burning stove. ||||A few tips for travelers who aren't used to the Wyoming climate. The air is thin and DRY, so bring lip balm and sunscreen. The temperature extremes are also pretty drastic--during our stay, it was 30 °F at night and mid seventies during the day, though it felt hotter because the sun was unrelenting. We were a bit underprepared in terms of clothing, since the morning activities started while it was still pretty chilly out. We'd recommend a lot of layers you can peel off if you visit in the warm season.||||Overall, would highly recommend! It's certainly pricey but well worth it. We'd be interested in visiting other times of year as well. The winter seems like an awesome experience, and spring might be nice and lead to more...

We spent a few nights at Brooks Lake Lodge as part of our Wyoming trip (incl. Yellowstone and Grand Teton) with Adventures by Disney. As great as everything on the trip was, it was almost unanimous in our group that Brooks Lake Lodge was the highlight.

Just for starters, the setting is spectacular. It's in Shoshone National Forest, surrounded by mountains and the lake at an elevation I believe around 8,000 feet or so. And when I say "surrounded" by mountains, that is very literal. There are rooms in the main building, as well as individual cabins. Everything is clean and well-maintained, and the staff is always around to offer any friendly assistance needed...as are a number of very friendly and gentle dogs!

Activities are awesome...fly fishing, canoeing, horseback riding, archery and hiking. There are a number of different hiking trails to take, with a range of difficulty and length. When you hike or do horseback, you will have innumerable amazing views...make sure you have your phone and/or camera ready.

They have a full bar and 4:30 tea time every day, with full meals served in a spacious, rustic dining room. Speaking of meals, dinners are utterly amazing! Every night we had three entrees from which to choose...beef, chicken or fish (two of them) and a vegetarian. Food quality is fantastic and the staff is very accommodating.

Oh, and there is also a full-service spa! Massage options abound, and there is a nice outdoor jacuzzi.

And before I forget, on cloudless nights, the sky is an absolute panorama of stars! Beautiful!

We were there during late August, but the Lodge is open and active for the winter, as well. Just check with them to see what you can do.

Everyone at Brooks Lake Lodge is genuinely nice and committed to guests having a great stay. They go out of their way for everyone and seem to love what they do and where they are. A trip to Brooks Lake Lodge will keep you active and busy, while also very relaxed and away from the real world.

Highly, highly...