Balch Hotel - Lewis and Clark Trail Experience

Information

Open year-round, 7 days a week. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

541.467.2277

We source from local farmers and feature organic products whenever possible. We recycle and compost as much waste as we can.

lat: 45.450444 long: -121.131327

Elegance and simplicity await you at the Historic Balch Hotel. Enjoy our vintage 1907 boutique hotel with on-site spa services, sunny patio, and beautiful garden grounds with majestic mountain views, sure to inspire rejuvenation and re-connection. The elegance of this historic inn, surrounded by the golden expanse of meadows and big sky produces clarity of mind that settles the soul. Rooms are cozy with charming antiques and comfy beds.

The 18-room Hotel offers a truly unique experience, for weddings, retreats, reunions, meetings, touring, or a romantic getaway for two. Centrally located in the Columbia River Gorge, south of The Dalles–just 1 hour 40 minutes east of Portland, 3 hours from Seattle or Salem. After a short drive, you’ll feel like you’re a world away.

Our beautiful grounds

Our beautiful grounds

The front of the hotel showing the Edwardian architecture

The front of the hotel showing the Edwardian architecture

The lobby is a nice spot to relax

The lobby is a nice spot to relax

Mt. Hood and the town of Dufur

Mt. Hood and the town of Dufur

One of our rooms

One of our rooms

Detail of one of our beds

Detail of one of our beds

Mt Hood

Nearby Attractions

Dufur Living History Museum

Dufur Living History Museum

40 Main St, Dufur, OR 97021, USA
Distance: 0.08 mi (straight line)

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Museums and Interpretive Centers

Sandoz Farm

Sandoz Farm

Sandoz Farm, Mill Creek Road, The Dalles, OR, USA
Distance: 10.19 mi (straight line)

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Food and Drinks

Columbia River Salmon Sales: The Dalles, Oregon

Columbia River Salmon Sales: The Dalles, Oregon

The Dalles, Oregon, USA
Distance: 10.22 mi (straight line)

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Galleries and Venues Food and Drinks

Sunshine Mill Winery

Sunshine Mill Winery

Sunshine Mill, East 2nd Street, The Dalles, OR, USA
Distance: 10.32 mi (straight line)

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Food and Drinks Wineries

The Riv

The Riv

The Riv dalles
Distance: 10.38 mi (straight line)

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Food and Drinks

Pulpit Rock

Pulpit Rock

Pulpit Rock, Court Street, The Dalles, OR, USA
Distance: 10.41 mi (straight line)

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General History

Fort Dalles Museum and the Anderson Homestead

Fort Dalles Museum and the Anderson Homestead

Anderson Homestead, West 16th Street, The Dalles, OR, USA
Distance: 10.54 mi (straight line)

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Museums and Interpretive Centers Forts

Dalles Riverfront Trail

Dalles Riverfront Trail

Riverfront Trail, The Dalles, OR 97058, USA
Distance: 10.54 mi (straight line)

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Walks and Hikes

The Dalles Art Center

The Dalles Art Center

The Dalles Art Center, East 4th Street, The Dalles, OR, USA
Distance: 10.64 mi (straight line)

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Galleries and Venues

Tierra de Lobos Winery

Tierra de Lobos Winery

Tierra De Lobos Winery, Osprey Lane West, The Dalles, OR, USA
Distance: 10.67 mi (straight line)

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Food and Drinks Wineries

Klindt’s Bookstore

Klindt’s Bookstore

KLINDT’S BOOKSTORE
Distance: 10.68 mi (straight line)

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National Neon Sign Museum

National Neon Sign Museum

National Neon Sign Museum, East 3rd Street, The Dalles, OR, USA
Distance: 10.71 mi (straight line)

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Museums and Interpretive Centers

Old Wasco County Courthouse

Old Wasco County Courthouse

Original Courthouse Museum, West 2nd Place, The Dalles, OR, USA
Distance: 10.94 mi (straight line)

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Other Guided Tours

Riverfront Trail at The Dalles

Riverfront Trail at The Dalles

Riverfront Trail, The Dalles, OR, USA
Distance: 11.08 mi (straight line)

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Outdoor Experiences

The Dalles Lock & Dam Visitor Center

The Dalles Lock & Dam Visitor Center

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center, Bret Clodfelter Way, The Dalles, OR, USA
Distance: 11.11 mi (straight line)

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Guided Tours Museums and Interpretive Centers

Rock Fort Campsite

Rock Fort Campsite

Rock Fort, The Dalles, OR, USA
Distance: 11.15 mi (straight line)

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Tribal Salmon – Dallesport, WA

Tribal Salmon – Dallesport, WA

Dallesport, WA, USA
Distance: 11.76 mi (straight line)

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Food and Drinks Tribal Experiences

Cousin’s Country Inn and Restaurant

Cousin’s Country Inn and Restaurant

Cousins' Country Inn, West 6th Street, The Dalles, OR, USA
Distance: 11.81 mi (straight line)

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LCTE Travel Newsletter

Our bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive the Lewis and Clark Travel Experience newsletter provided by the Lewis & Clark Trail Alliance. You can revoke your consent at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

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Discover the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and

Discover the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and Educational Center!

Located in Salmon, Idaho, this center honors Sacajawea, the Lemhi Shoshone woman who played a vital role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It explores her legacy, the expedition’s journey, and the culture of the Agai’dika Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
In 1805, this area featured open meadows, dense forests, and the winding Salmon River—landscapes that remain largely untouched today. Visitors can walk the same terrain Sacajawea once knew.

Fun fact: The center sits on 71 acres with trails, exhibits, and artifacts showcasing indigenous heritage. The park preserves traditional Shoshone beadwork, crafts, and historical insights into the expedition’s impact.

Activities include interactive exhibits, interpretive trails, and cultural demonstrations. Special events and educational programs run throughout the year.
Seasonal Hours: The Interpretive Center is currently closed for the season, but appointments can be made by calling 208-756-1188. The park and trails remain open year-round for visitors.

Whether you're a history enthusiast or a nature lover, the Sacajawea Center offers an unforgettable experience! Have you visited? Share your thoughts below!

Photos courtesy of Cait Clark.

Download and explore our APP! Check it out if you

Download and explore our APP! Check it out if you haven’t yet to bring the adventure and magic of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail on your mobile device. Scan the QR code here or find it on your app store.

Check out our digital Travel Magazines! Today’s

Check out our digital Travel Magazines!

Today’s Feature, The Inaugural Issue: https://publuu.com/flip-book/561309/1367654

In this issue you can find interesting historical anecdotes from the trail, key sites to see while traveling, and business/ park/ state travel information to help you along on your journey!

Click the link above for this issue or see this link for the full catalogue of available magazines: https://lewisandclark.org/travel-magazine/

Site of the Week: Travelers’ Rest Step Into His

Site of the Week: Travelers’ Rest

Step Into History at Travelers’ Rest State Park!

Located in western Montana, Travelers’ Rest State Park is the only confirmed campsite of the Lewis and Clark Expedition with physical evidence. The Corps of Discovery stopped here twice—first in September 1805 before crossing the Bitterroot Mountains and again in June 1806 on their return journey. Archaeologists have uncovered fire pits and traces of mercury from the expedition’s medical supplies, confirming this as a key location on their route.

During Lewis and Clark’s time, the area was an important meeting place for Indigenous tribes, with open meadows, dense forests, and the nearby Lolo Creek providing fresh water and resources. Today, the landscape remains much the same, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.
Fun fact: During the summer of 2002, archaeologists unearthed a trench latrine containing traces of mercury, fire hearths, and remnants of lead used for firearm maintenance and production. This discovery established Travelers’ Rest as the only known campsite along the Lewis and Clark Trail with physical proof of the expedition’s stay.

Visitors can explore a museum, hiking trails, and interpretive programs, where they can learn about the expedition and the Native peoples who shaped this region’s history. If you love history and nature, Travelers’ Rest is a must-visit!
Have you been there? Share your experience below!

All photos courtesy of Cait Clark

Discover History at the Nez Perce National Histori

Discover History at the Nez Perce National Historical Park Visitor Center!

The Nez Perce National Historical Park Visitor Center in Idaho offers a deep look into the history and culture of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) people, who played a crucial role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In 1805, after a grueling journey through the Bitterroot Mountains, the Corps of Discovery arrived in Nez Perce territory, starving and exhausted. The Nez Perce provided food, shelter, and guidance, helping Lewis and Clark continue their journey westward.

Back then, the area was home to vast prairies, towering pine forests, and winding rivers—landscapes that remain largely unchanged today. The visitor center, set against this breathtaking scenery, offers exhibits, artifacts, and stories that highlight the Nez Perce’s enduring legacy.

Fun fact: The Nez Perce not only aided Lewis and Clark but also introduced them to their expertly crafted Appaloosa horses, known for their speed and endurance.
Visitors can explore museum exhibits, watch cultural demonstrations, and walk interpretive trails. Nearby, the Lolo Trail offers a chance to experience part of the same route Lewis and Clark traveled.

For history lovers and outdoor adventurers alike, the Nez Perce National Historical Park is a must-visit!

All photos credited to Cait Clark.