Guest Reviews
We were in awe of the amenities that have spoiled us for any future camping! I am almost afraid to post this review for fear that their won’t be enough availability when we go back. And we will be driving back as often as we can from Portland 5 hours north. And the owners and camp hosts all went out of their way to keep the spaces clean, fresh and stocked (they took out trash and recyclables 2-3 times we were there in 4 days).
My family are seasoned campers from forests to the sea, so we have the packing and prep down. But I barely needed to do any prep for Willow-Witt! We only needed our tent, sleeping bags, toiletries and food – everything else was provided (including hot showers in or outdoors and a vast and fully-stocked outdoor kitchen). Some of the families in our group, were were first time campers- and what a stellar time they had!
You get the best of both worlds! A gorgeous backdrop of nature to experience: trails that meander through forest, meadow and wetlands and a working dairy and veg/fruit farm where my kids got to pet and bottle feed the baby goats as well as enjoy their mild-mannered dogs, chickens, geese and ducks roaming about.
We shared fabulous meals together and even though there are no fire pits, the wood fire stove offered the same late night draw to pull chairs around and a place for the kids to safely roast marshmallows and make s’mores.
The amenities go in beyond the double kitchen and three farm tables for meals; there are coolers and ice; an on-site farm store with fresh milk, eggs, bacon, bread and essentials; 10 recharged large camp lanterns; spacious his and hers enclosed modern bathrooms each with a shower, two stalls, and large double sink and mirrors and storage for toiletries. They really thought of Everything! My favorite was taking a hot outdoor shower on the other side of camp overlooking the meadow. I felt like I was in a dream (or commercial) with the view and gentle breezes and the white billowing cotton curtains (which offered total privacy).
Our group went to a total of 4 Shakespeare plays in town as well as romped at Emigrant lake (each 20- 25 minutes from Willow-Ranch). At Emigrant lake we swam, rented kayaks and paddle boards and – get this went on water slides (there is a two slide waterpark 300 yards from where we played and paddled in the lake).
Willow-Witt attracts the best patrons (and employees). With great lounging areas (sheltered farm tables, picnic tables and other chairs and tables about; and a kitchen that has everything (they even had gluten-free flour for baking biscuits), everyone staying, acquainted or not, intermingled like one large group sharing highlights of our days and favorite places to travel.
Like I said, we will be back as often as we can. Oh, and did I mention I was greeted by a speckled fawn on a morning walk on one of their trails?
Last tip: print out a copy of their directions from the website – Not all the Map Apps agree on how to get there and you cell reception gets spotty as you rise to 5,000 feet elevation.
Bonus to that elevation: poison oak can’t grow at that elevation and it is perfectly pleasant when Ashland was 95 degrees.