🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Oregon’s oldest continuously operating hotel — built in 1883! Jack London stayed here in 1911 and wrote portions of “The Valley of the Moon.” The inn served stagecoach travelers on the Applegate Trail.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Josephine County, Oregon |
| Entry Fee | Free (Oregon Coast) / Day-Use Permit |
About Wolf Creek Inn
Wolf Creek Inn State Heritage Site preserves the oldest continuously operating hotel in the Pacific Northwest — built in 1883 as a stagecoach stop along the Applegate Trail. Jack London stayed here in 1911 while working on his novel The Valley of the Moon, and the room where he wrote is preserved as a museum. The inn still operates as a restaurant and is one of Oregon’s most atmospheric historic buildings.
Wolf Creek Inn State Heritage Site in Josephine County preserves the oldest continuously operating hotel in the Pacific Northwest — built in 1883 as a stagecoach stop on the road between Sacramento and Portland. Jack London stayed here and reportedly wrote part of a novel at the inn. The inn still serves meals and rents rooms — you can sleep in the same building as stagecoach travelers from 1883.
Things to Do
Tour the beautifully restored 1883 inn — the period furnishings and architecture transport visitors to the stagecoach era. The restaurant serves meals in the original dining room. The surrounding old-growth forest is peaceful for walking. The town of Wolf Creek itself is a charming time-capsule community off Interstate 5. London Bar & Grill operates inside the inn.
Staying overnight in the historic inn (Oregon’s oldest hotel), dining in the restaurant, touring the historic building, learning about stagecoach-era travel, and visiting Jack London’s room.
Getting There
Located at 100 Front Street in Wolf Creek, accessible from Interstate 5 exit 76 in Josephine County. Free to visit the grounds; dining available in the restaurant.
Insider Tips
Oldest hotel in Oregon: Wolf Creek Inn (1883) is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Oregon. Pro tip: Jack London stayed here in 1911 and allegedly wrote parts of a novel at the inn. Stage stop: The inn served as a stage stop on the road between Sacramento and Portland — a journey that once took weeks.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round: The inn operates as a hotel and restaurant. Fall: Rogue Valley harvest season. Summer: Comfortable weather for exploring. Spring: Wildflowers in the surrounding hills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stay at Wolf Creek Inn?
Yes. Wolf Creek Inn operates as a state-owned heritage hotel with guest rooms available for overnight stays. The dining room serves meals to guests and the public. Reservations are recommended. The inn is located along Interstate 5 in southern Oregon, making it a unique historic stopover.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Geisel Monument State Heritage Site (a short drive away) and Valley of the Rogue State Park (within about an hour’s drive).
Wildlife & Nature
Wolf Creek Inn SHS — the oldest continuously operating hotel in the Pacific Northwest (1883). Jack London stayed here while writing portions of the novel “The End of the Trail”. Clark Gable and Mary Pickford also visited. The inn’s forest, meadows, and creek support black bears, wild turkeys, and songbirds.
Nearby Attractions
Wolf Creek — adjacent. Grants Pass — 20 miles south — gateway to the Rogue River. Sunny Valley — 5 miles south.
Park Location
Top Tours & Activities Near Ashland
from $50
from $149
from $110