Big K Guest Ranch & Outfitters — Hotel in Roseburg

All I can say is WOW! I first came to The Big K Guest Ranch in 2001. I was in insurance, Big K was a client and I will never forget my first visit. I was dropping off a policy and frankly just using it as an excuse to get out of the office. Driving in their front gate was like being transported to another time in history.The two mile plus drive down to the lodge and offices is one of the most picturesque drives I have ever made. It ranks right up there with the rocky mountains continental divide and the road to the sun in Glacier National Park. Green lush valleys, lots of wild life and of course the gorgeous Umqua River greet you on every post card worthy turn. I met with Kathy Kestersen/ GM and she couldn't have been nicer. A most gracious welcome with a feeling of a family visit,not a business call. As we were finishing,in walked in a big man with a big black hat. Kathy said I would like you to meet my Dad, Al Kestersen. I don't know which was bigger, his smile or his mountain size hand as we shook. He said "come have a seat"and motioned to some big comfy chairs by the fireplace. Over the better part of an hour Mr. Kestersen, later just Al, told me stories about the ranch and growing up there. Each time he would begin to regale on another look back his eyes would spark. Memories of times gone by,any man would be lucky to own. As a fisherman,I couldn't wait to book a trip. Since then I have had epic smallmouth bass trips with over fifty fish each weighing in excess of four lbs, Epic doesn't cover what guide Todd Harrington has shown us on steelhead. Every trip a lifetime memory with several fish in the fifteen to twenty pound class. Fishing private water on the Umqua River is one for the bucket list.I highly,very highly,recomend the good folks and what they offer at The Big K. I even took the whole family there one year for Thanksgiving dnner....

Big K is a family owned Ranch with a big heart on hospitality. My husband and I booked an all inclusive stay for our 41st Anniversary. This included our cabin, all our meals and guided fishing tour for two days. We stayed I cabin 20 which was very nice and comfortable. The scenery is just gorgeous and plenty of wildlife from bald eagles, ospreys, deer, cows, wild turkeys, etc. The hospitality from everyone was exceptional, starting with Dariyan who helped me book the trip. It was a surprise and I had to do it in a couple of calls because my husband kept walking in. Dariyan gave me her personal cell# to call her back in case she wasn’t in the office and to ask any questions I may have. Allie, was amazing, she offered to go into town and get my husband and I jackets because I was concerned it might be cold in the morning when we did our guided fishing tour. It of course, was not cold at all and we were plenty warm. Larry, who is part of the family and our fishing guide was just phenomenal. He was kind, patient, knew ALL the great fishing spots. We fished 1 full day and a 1/2 day the next. We must have caught and released over “150” fish. It was more fun than I could have imagined! We even got to see an osprey dive into the water for a fish! So cool! Other people that made our stay amazing, Kathy, who is owner, she welcomed us, made our breakfast and packed us sack lunches each day for fishing. Jason, our dinner cook, Olivia, Camille , Brooke & Bailey, Aspen and Denise, our waitresses and Sarah who ended our trip with a smile as we checked out. A memory we shall never forget. Thank you...

Alvin Kesterson was an remarkable man, a visionary, who created the perfect guest ranch experience that will go on hopefully for generations. I recently spent 3 days on this amazing ranch to learn more about Steve Waller and his Pudelpointers. His dogs are impressive and he has been working hard on developing some incredible bloodlines through very selective breeding with proven european stock. Steve is but one of the many assets of this ranch. On my daily walks I would count close to 100 turkeys, 6 or so deer, and countless ducks and geese along the river and that was just in front of the lodge! I can just imagine what I would have seen had I ventured out on the other 90% of the ranch! Combine all that with world class fishing,beautiful cabins,and the best meals that I have encountered, and you get the picture! This place is truly an experience that you don't want to miss. You will feel like family the first time you sit down to Linda's home cooking (best catfish ever! and the secret spuds recipe). I never expected to find all this in one place. Definitely a spot I want to return to, complete with a stick fetching farm dog named Dash that will steal your heart. Bob Comeau, ...