Built in 1860 as a bordello and gambling hall for
foothill gold miners, the Forest House has been
restored to its original beauty. We invite you to
join us for your next special event. The Forest
House has
28 rooms, 3 conference rooms, a restaurant and bar,
a reception hall, and a deck with garden
patio; which will accommodate 300 guests.
We also have a private campground for those who
enjoy
camping. For more accomodations information
click here.
During the delirium of the gold rush, the Forest
House Lodge moonlighted as a refuge for weary miners
to unwind after weeks prospecting in the wilderness.
Flash forward 140 years, and the Forest House is
enjoying a rather ironic reversal. Nowadays, it's
weary urbanites who seek refuge at the Lodge, fleeing
the city to unwind in the wilderness. Located in
the Tahoe National Forest, Forest House has become
a popular event venue and home base for folks pursuing
outdoor pleasures. With 27 refurbished rooms (including
two family suites), a restaurant and five banquet
facilities, Forest House can handle events of all
magnitudes—from a weekend getaway for two
to the ebb and flow of a multi-day corporate retreat.
Skiing, horseback riding, and rafting are just a
few of the many activities available to guests.
An extensive renovation, undertaken in 1997, infused
new life into the old lodge. Where once stood a
plantation-style colonial on the verge of collapse—the
architectural equivalent of Blanche Dubois—now
stands a handsome, three-story wood and river-rock
structure, reminiscent of a hunting lodge. Filled
with antiques and mining memorabilia, Forest House
embodies an easygoing elegance. You'll feel equally
at home wearing jeans or dressed to the nines.
Stroll through the lodge's pine-paneled, light-filled
rooms and you'll be captivated by its history and
charm: the library with its original petrified stone
fireplace (look closely and you'll see gold dust
preserved in the rock); the saloon's fabled jackalope
(what you get when you cross a jackrabbit with an
antelope); and the wine cellar, once the subterranean
headquarters for the town's red-light ladies. Now
a luxurious dining area stocked with hundreds of
award-winning vintages, the wine cellar is ideal
for small, private gatherings.
Inevitably, all visitors are drawn to the hotel's
expansive back deck and garden patio, where you
can delight in a savory meal. Dine on the deck at
sunset, and watch the play of light on the mountain
ridge. In the mood for a little romance? Well then,
the flagstone patio, with its candlelit cocktail
tables is the place to be.
Planning a large, outdoor event? For nuptials and
outdoor concerts, reserve the Wedding Site, the
Lodge's most spectacular natural setting. Here,
echoing scenes from "A Midsummer Night's Dream,"
a grove of towering pines surrounds a sweeping carpet
of grass and wildflowers. Ceremonies are usually
performed at the outermost edge of the lawn, the
couple silhouetted against the dizzying backdrop
of Volcano Canyon.
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Site Uses: Ceremonies,
Wedding Receptions, Special Events, Parties, Business
Functions/Meetings, On-Site Accommodations, Rehearsal
Dinners.
Site Type: Historic/Landmark Building, Hotel, Inn/Lodge,
Bed & Breakfast, Conference Center, Retreat,
Banquet/Events
Site Views: Canyon, Creek/River, Forest/Wooded Area,
Hills, Meadow/Fields, Mountains, Panoramic, Garden
Catering Provided • Alcohol Provided •
Music Indoors/Outdoors • Wheelchair Access
Limited
Capacity:
CEREMONY CAPACITY:
The Outdoor Wedding Site holds up to 300 seated
guests. The Lodge accommodates 300 seated guests
or up to 500 with a buyout of the Hotel.
EVENT/RECEPTION & MEETING CAPACITY:
Space Seated/ Standing
Cedar Room 200 - 300
Library 20 - 50
Cabaret Room 40 - 60
Patio/Deck 150 - 200
Downstairs Banquet Rm 200 - 300
Several other outdoor spaces may be available.
