About Lochsa Lodge

The indigenous Nez Perce traveled along the Lochsa River to the Montana plains to hunt buffalo, while the Kootenai and Salish (Flatheads) from Montana used the river trail to catch salmon in the Columbia basin rivers and streams.

In June of 1805, it was the wildness of the Lochsa that convinced the westward expedition to employ Nez Perce guides. Wrote William Clark, “If we proceeded and should get bewildered in these mountains, the certainty was that we would lose all our horses and consequently our baggage, instruments, perhaps our papers, and then eventually risk the loss of our discoveries which we had already made, if we should be so fortunate to escape with life… Under these circumstances we decided it madness in this stage of the expedition to proceed without a guide."

On September 14, 1805, the Corps of Discovery camped near the Lochsa River on their way back eastward–today the area adjacent to their historic campsite is home to Lochsa Lodge. Clark described the river as “at this place 80 yards wide, Swift and Stoney.” No doubt following the advice of their Nez Perce guides, the group did not attempt to portage or cross the Lochsa River.

The expedition called the river after the English name of the area Salish tribe, dubbing it the “Flathead River” at times and later “Koos koos ke.” It is likely the Corps never heard the river’s “rough water” moniker that generations of Native Americans had used: the Lochsa.

By the time Andrew Erickson built the original Lochsa Lodge as a hunting retreat, this area was renowned for its untamed wilderness and drew hunters and sportsmen who traveled the trail from Missoula, Montana, or the Lolo Motorway from Kooskia, Idaho. Erickson was a Swedish immigrant to the area, and a well-known fur trapper and hunter, who was described by those who knew him as “an old-time Swede… [a] real fine old fella, hard-nosed, opinionated, but priceless.” Erickson didn’t have much business sense, and lodged hunters for whatever price they offered, but the lodge still gained local landmark status for hospitality out of Erickson’s “big heart.”

The lodge was a local destination for decades, as well as the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station, which was built around the same time and used by the Forest Service as a hub for backcountry operations in the area.

The welcoming atmosphere of the lodge grew when Andrew Erickson married Maude, who brought new life, a jukebox, and dancing to the lodge. A local resident who knew the Ericksons well said Maude Erickson was “a good businesswoman” and a “sweetheart,” who “put the lodge on a sound economic footing.” Families traveled to the lively tavern and restaurant at Lochsa Lodge and the surrounding area for recreation, hiking, and weekend escapes into the wild.

After years of neglect, Lochsa Lodge’s second life as a welcoming stopping point for thousands began in 1984, when local couple Gus and Gerry Denton purchased the lodge and began renovations. The couple had previously owned and operated the Syringa Cafe and Truck Stop, a well-known local spot for a comforting home-cooked meal and homemade huckleberry pie.

The Dentons had opened Syringa Cafe and Truck Stop in 1963 as the then-new U.S. Highway 12 brought a surge of new visitors to the area, and the family saw the need for expanded hospitality for travelers and adventurers. With careful attention to the history of the Lodge, the Dentons enlisted the help of family and friends to bring Lochsa Lodge back to life, and built the existing country store and fuel station as it stands today.

A devastating chimney fire took down the original Lochsa Lodge building in 2001. While the Dentons, lodge employees and guests, and Forest Service personnel fought the fire feverishly, the 70-year-old roof shakes kept reigniting. Guests, friends, and locals–all invested in the lodge’s communal value–removed as many items from the lodge as possible before the structure burned to the ground.

One Forest Service employee who fought the fire said the lodge "was a wonderful, special place, with a lot of history. We would all donate our time to try to save this place.” Fortunately, no other structures were damaged during the fire, and no one was injured.

Even then, there was no question that the lodge would rise again–which it did in May 2002, using the same quality, sturdy craftsmanship that our original guests would have recognized.

In 2021, Matthew Hohenstreet, Ruben Rostro, and Thomas Proud formed a partnership as the new owners of Lochsa Lodge. Inspired by the same awe-inspiring wild beauty of the Lochsa that once captivated Lewis and Clark, Matt, Ruben, and Thomas embraced the opportunity to continue the lodge’s legacy for future generations to enjoy. The Lochsa has long drawn travelers from around the world, and its timeless appeal ensures it will do so for years to come.

With decades of combined experience in hospitality, the trio is proud to uphold the lodge’s tradition of offering good old-fashioned fun. Whether it’s the next generation of lovebirds seeking a romantic getaway, families snowshoeing or hiking to nearby hot springs, or outdoor enthusiasts and sportsmen passing through, the warm spirit and cherished good vibes of Lochsa Lodge remain as vibrant as ever. The mountains are calling, will you answer?