| general | What’s the best way to get there? | - Beware of older GPS programs that may take you out on a real adventure. Look at our website for real and current directions.
Driving: Please visit the Contacts section of our website for detailed driving instructions
Flying: Silvies has partnered with Straightline Private Air to provide flights into our private airstrip. Please visit
the Contacts section of our website for detailed information.
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| general | How do guests get to Silvies? | Most people drive, many fly to Boise, Redmond or Portland and then drive (we can usually arrange a car or limo if desired). And many people fly their own planes or rent charters to the ranch, Burns or John Day and we will pick you up there. Not all that long ago all visitors came by stage or rode their horse – only a few arrive by horse now. |
| general | What are the best airport options? | For commercial flights Boise, ID or Redmond, OR are the best. For charters or your own plane you can land at the ranch (June-October) or in John Day or Burns. We’re happy to pick you up, pick up at the ranch airport is free and there is a charge for other airports. |
| general | How long do you recommend I stay at Silvies? | Because there is so much to see and do, and it takes an effort to get here, we recommend 5-7 days; 3 at absolute minimum. |
| general | Special Needs | We require written notice at the time of reservation for any physical conditions, diet, or treatment requiring special attention. We are very rural and may not be able to meet every need. There is a charge for special preparations. |
| general | Will I park my car next to my room? | No, you will park in an outdoor parking lot by the reception area and then you will walk or take a golf cart wherever you want to go (almost). Most packages include a cart in the summer, in winter we provide transportation in a Polaris Ranger – or a horse drawn sleigh! |
| general | Who owns The Retreat and Silvies Valley Ranch | They are both privately and are family owned and operated businesses (owned by the Campbell and Foster families) that reserve the right to refuse service to anyone or have anyone removed from the ranch at that person’s own expense and risk. We’ve never done it and hope we never have to! |
| general | Your picture please | We really need a current picture for your security card (which we are happy to take when you arrive). It will speed up your check-in if you could send us your photo a few days before arrival – or even now! |
| general | Do I need to bring much cash? | No, Silvies is a cash-less resort. At check-in, you will receive a security card and lanyard with your Photo ID and it will serve as your room key, charge card, and ID anywhere at the resort. You will not need to carry any cash, keys or credit cards! We are also a tip free resort – please do not try to tip, if you want to give a gratuity you may do so at check out. |
| general | Can I tip if I want to? | We ask that you not tip while you are a guest at Silvies – it is uncomfortable for everyone and Team Members will be in big trouble if they take a tip. However, you will have an opportunity to reward a special Team Member, a Team or everyone at check-out if you so desire. |
| general | Will my cell phone work there? | When you connect your cell phone to the Wi-Fi, it will work great in and around the buildings. Good News: No cell phones work on the golf course, fishing, hiking or biking. This is a big added benefit that we don’t even charge for! |
| general | Will I have cell service? | No – and there is no charge for not having it either! Wi-Fi calling is available at or near most ranch buildings. Most up to date cell phones will connect to Wi-Fi for a better call than regular cell service. |
| general | Can I bring my own alcohol? | Liquor purchased elsewhere is discouraged on the premises per our OLCC license and insurance. Wine that you bring for a special occasion is allowed in the dining room and there is a $20 per bottle corkage fee. |
| general | What is your smoking policy? | Smoking and vaping are not allowed, except in designated areas. Silvies is located in a Desert Pine Forest where fire is a really big concern and smoking is prohibited on the entire ranch except in three places that smoking is allowed: the fire ring on the Lodge patio, the fire ring on the Hideout patio during Spring and Fall and the swing porch. Smoking or vaping anything anywhere else or fire of any kind is strictly forbidden. Please observe our smoking policy and smoke only where designated. Pine needles and grass are almost explosive when dry and hot and they are everywhere. |
| general | Is there dust at the ranch? | Silvies is a cattle and goat ranch in the high desert with no paved roads. Though we water the roads on occasion, they can be dusty – but it’s good, clean organic dust! |
| general | When are the best times to visit the ranch? | One is for your wedding or honeymoon. Another, to see all the baby wildlife is May thru June. Another, to golf, ride or play outside is June thru October. June is cool and May have sprinkles, October is beautiful but chilly late in the month. August is hot in the day and cool at night. November is fun for hiking and biking but chilly with occasional snow. December, January and February are the best for snow and winter activities (and we have lots). The holidays are all fun – especially with family (or to get away from them). March is the best month to see baby goats be born. April is best for baby goats and baby cows. May is Spring – It’s spectacular! |
| general | I don’t play golf, should I still visit the ranch? | Absolutely, there is a lot for everyone to do. In fact, half the guests don’t play golf – or – you can learn while you are here! We have fun golf games like Claire's Putting Courses not found at other golf resorts. |
| general | How far in advance should I book my stay? | You can book anytime and if you have an opportunity to come - call or check online. Most people book at least 6 months ahead and a few book over 1 year ahead of time (which is becoming more frequent because we limit occupancy to only 60 guests – except for big groups like weddings and family reunions. |
| general | Once I arrive, how do I get around? | You will probably get an electric powered golf cart which is in alignment with our sustainability ethic. If you don’t want one, it’s easy to walk, we also have bikes and electric scooters, or we are happy to give you a ride! |
| general | Is there anything you recommend seeing outside the ranch? | Yes, lots of things, it really depends on how much time you have, what you are driving and where you are coming from or going to. Please give us that information and we are happy to design a great itinerary for you. |
| general | What do you do in the Winter – is it worth a visit? | It sure is – there is more to do in the Winter than in the Summer like: spa, lap swimming, fishing, sledding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, feeding the cattle from a horse drawn wagon sleigh, seeing the goats, helping with birthing baby goats, playing cool golf, playing pool, shuffleboard or putt-putt golf in the stable, playing board games, putting puzzles together, sitting by the fire, having a meeting, scotch tasting, cooking classes, having a yoga class, shooting pistols, painting bird houses to put up for Spring, having fun with friends; relatives are new friends you meet here! |
| general | Can I have my wedding at Silvies? | Yes you can – and you can bring your friends! Most of the weddings we do are “destination weddings”. We have 46 rooms, horse drawn wagons, beautiful views, lots to do, and an outstanding chef. The Retreat is the ideal location to create wedding memories that will last forever. |
| general | Does the Retreat hold conference? | Yes! We have a conference center (actually 1 nice room with 2 restrooms) for groups of up to 40 used by executive teams, families, and other groups frequently. |
| general | Is there a fitness center so that I can stay in shape? | Yes, as part of the spa there is a fitness room with various machines, a lap pool and a climbing wall. All are available by appointment. |
| food | Food Options | Silvies breakfast and lunch may be ordered a la carte off the Lodge menu (a limited menu is also available in Egan’s Hideout). Dinner is served ranch style all together on 1 big table with a different beef or goat-based protein nightly. A steak burger is also available at the Bar until 8:00pm and can be made “to-go”. On Fridays we usually have a western BBQ buffet for dinner. Our cattle and goats are all vegans and we typically try to serve lots of vegetables with the meat. |
| food | Do you offer vegetarian or vegan options? | Our primary ranch business for over 140 years is raising beef (cattle) and chevon (goats) which means we are really good at beef/goat based meals and have very limited non-meat or gluten free options. We simply cannot prepare strictly "vegan" or "celiac" meals. Butter & fat coats everything at The Lodge (at least microscopically). |
| food | Do you have in-room dining? | We aren’t large enough for a full pledged in-room dining program, however, we have a pretty good in-room honor bar and can certainly package meals that you can take to your room. |
| registration | Check-in/Check-out | Please check-in by 4:00pm unless you have made other arrangements with Guest Services 1-800-SILVIES. Earlier check-in is often available, late check-in after 6:00pm is discouraged and there is a charge after 7:00pm. Check-out is at 10:00am, please call for help with bags. Bags can be stored for you or put in your car if you will be staying for more activities at the Retreat after check-out time. |
| registration | When is Check-out time? | Check-out time is at 10:00am. If you call and ask and the room isn’t expected to be in use later in the day by another party, you may be able to stay longer at no charge. If it is reserved for another guest and you stay without making arrangements, there is a substantial hourly charge if you over-stay. Please call guest services for help with your luggage. |
| registration | Credit card on file | At check-in you must put a credit card on file that will be charged for the balance of your stay and authorized for incidentals. Your card will have a daily amount reserved on it. |
| registration | Do I have to sign a liability release at check-in? | We ask every guest to sign a liability release at check-in to make sure you understand the dangers inherent on the ranch. You don’t have to sign it, you can instead pay a higher rate to cover our increased risk. |
| registration | Can an extra person stay in our room? | Our rooms and rates are designed for two people in a room, more than 2 requires an added charge of $60 per extra person. The added rate for the extra person to participate in different packages or get meals varies. You do not get a discount for 1 person in a room. |
| registration | Cancellation Policy (Group) | Your group understands and acknowledges that when a block of rooms is contracted, they are removed from our inventory and considered “sold,” and the resort makes financial plans based upon revenue it expects to achieve from your full performance of this contract. In most cases when groups do not use their contracted rooms, the resort is unable to resell those room nights, resell the purchased food, or, resell the expected horse trail rides, golf rounds, etc. Your group and the resort agree that the damages the resort would incur if there was any reduction in the contracted rooms used after all permitted reductions (see Attrition Policy) would include revenues derived from guest rooms, daily service charges, group food and beverage consumption, retail operations, experiences, golf recreation and all other operations plus applicable taxes. For these reasons and others, we agree that in the event of cancellation and excess attrition, the following charges, shall be due as liquidated damages.
If written notice of total cancellation or any reduction in total room change, food & beverage, total activities, or total guest nights (including day guests) is received within the time frame listed below, the liquidated damages will be as follows in table:
| If written notice is received in advance: |
Liquidation Damages: |
Stay Value for Liquidated damages amount: |
| Date of Signature to 181 days prior to date of arrival |
25% of Total Estimated Lost Revenue. |
The Total Estimated Lost Revenue, is agreed to be the stay value unless agreed, otherwise this will be which is 2x the deposit plus the full value of any goods or services added by you after the deposit is made. In a cancellation when you have made the minimum deposit, you will owe an additional amount up to 2x the deposit amount. 90 to 0 days prior to arrival date 100% of Total Estimated Lost Revenue |
180 days to 91 days prior to arrival date |
75% of Total Estimated Lost Revenue. |
| 90 to 0 days prior to arrival date |
100% of Total Estimated Lost Revenue. |
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| registration | Cancellation Policy (Individual) | If your reservation was part of a group reservation, this policy doesn’t apply – instead see “Group Cancellation Policy”.
If you cancel more than 30 days before arrival, we will give you the choice of either a 50% refund or put your full deposit on credit for a future stay that must occur during the one year following your cancellation at the then current prices.
If you cancel 30-10 days before arrival, your deposit is forfeit in full but you will receive a credit worth 50% of your forfeited deposit towards any stay deposit that you make within 30 days of your cancellation (you may have to add to your credit for the deposit on the new reservation; new reservation will be at current prices).
If you cancel 10 days or fewer days before arrival and more than 3 days after making the reservation, you deposit is forfeit in full.
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| registration | Trip Cancellation Insurance | We suggest trip cancellation insurance to protect your vacation investment should you need to cancel within our cancellation period. |
| registration | Room Blocks for “Get-to-gathers” | A guest who has fully paid a non-refundable reservation deposit may reserve a block of any number of rooms for up to 10 days by paying a non-refundable deposit of $20 per “blocked” room per blocked night (3 rooms blocked for 2 nights = 6). The blocked 10 days will begin when the non-refundable deposit is made which must be at least 180 days before arrival of the first guest. After 10 days, all unrented rooms in the block will be released for general sale and the block room night deposit less the unrented room nights multiplied by $20 will be applied to the guest’s other purchases. |
| registration | Reservation Deposit Policy (Group) | A deposit of 50% of the stay value is required to confirm your reservation at the time of booking the reservation. 75% (additional 25% of the stay value is required to continue to confirm your reservation 90 days before check-in, and the balance (100%) of your adjusted stay value is due 24 hours before check-in for your event starts. |
| registration | Attrition Policy (Group) | Any group may reduce the number of rooms in their contracted block by up to 10% at or before 181 days prior to the first arrival date. |
| registration | Reservation Deposit Policy (Individual) | A deposit of 50% of the stay value is required to confirm your reservation.” Balance due at check-in. |
| registration | How big a group can you accommodate? | We have 46 rooms, 12 have two king beds and the rest have 1 king bed. Groups of over 45 couple (90 people) do nicely. And we have a 6,000 acre meadow – so if you want to sleep under stars… |
| registration | How do I book a tee-time? | Just call 1-800-SILVIES, talk to a representative in guest services, and we will take care of it for you. We are presently working on an online system as well. |
| registration | Can I bring my furry friend? | Silvies is a working ranch with many big live domestic animals, wildlife and predators. For the safety of your pets, we have a firm no-pets policy and adhere strictly to ADA guidelines regarding service animals. Service dogs "in training" and Emotional Support animals are not exceptions under the ADA Laws and are not considered service animals. Pets are allowed at the RV park. (more under "policy"). |
| registration | Pets allowed? | Sorry, pets are not allowed at the resort for their own safety due to wolves and livestock Guardian Dogs on patrol. Pets are allowed on leash at the coach park and at the Pet owner’s private cabin (not a Retreat owned cabin). |
| registration | Do you cater to children? | Yes, our ranch and activities have all been developed for the enjoyment of children and individuals 14 years of age and older. Individuals younger than 14 cannot be allowed to do many ranch activities because they simply are not safe for them. Prices are generally half price for packages for children under 14 (and free for kids under 3) – we ask that kid’s meals different from the regular ranch style menu be preordered by 2:00pm. |
| registration | What is there to do for my children? | We find that our guests 14 years and older enjoy the same experiences as adults do. Please see the “Things to Do” section of our website for detailed information on the experiences we offer. We have more limited activities for children under 14 and require that they be accompanied by an adult when out and about. |
| registration | What ages of kids are allowed? | All ages of kids are allowed. Most activities on the Retreat are designed for kids 14 and older. Due to dangers inherent on the ranch, you must keep your children under observation at all times - it is your responsibility to keep your children safe. |
| clothing | What should I wear at Silvies? | Good question! You will be in the High Desert so layers are usually good. In the summer, evenings can get down to the low 40’s and then into the 80’s or even 90’s during the day. Days over 100 are rare, and the air is very dry. There is usually a late afternoon breeze. You are at 5,000 feet and the sun is a factor – please bring and use sun screen. There can be a few mosquitos, especially in the evening, so it’s a good idea to bring some insect repellent – especially if you’re tasty!
Golf: It’s a ranch so jeans in good condition are welcome everywhere except the hot tubs, no sleeveless shirts, t-shirts are ok but only if Silvies branded; otherwise collared shirts are preferred, wearing a real cowboy hat for the whole golf round earns you ½ off drinks at the Hideout.
Horse Activities: Slip off boots with heals and long pants are required – you can borrow boots from us.
Shooting, RZR tours, fishing on the creek: Long pants and closed toe shoes.
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| clothing | Dinner/Meals Attire | Shirt, shoes and pants or shorts (no cut offs or sleeveless T-shirts) are appropriate. Boots are fine, but no spurs or chaps indoors. We ask that you remove your hat when seated at a table in the Dining Room. Hats are certainly ok at the Bar, outside, or at Egan’s Hideout – cowboy hats are encouraged! |
| clothing | Helmets are strongly recommended | for every activity including sitting on a bar stool, and as an adult, we expect that you will wear them when you want to or not wear them at your own risk. You can bring your own helmet or ask us for one to borrow and we will get one for you. Do not do anything without a helmet if you want a helmet! |
| clothing | Do I have to wear appropriate swimwear in the spa hot tub, sauna and lap pool? | Yep. |
| golf | Should I bring my clubs? | Yes, our courses are exceptional and you will want your own clubs to have the best experience – however, we have a number of sets of very good clubs that you can rent, even some ancient Hickory Sticks (Please reserve any clubs you may want ahead of time). We also have range finders if you need to borrow one. |
| golf | I’ve heard all the courses in Central Oregon can have rattlesnakes – do you? | No rattlesnake has ever been found in Silvies Valley for over 100 years – though they are certainly around outside the valley and are common at most other Eastern Oregon courses. Ask about the legend of why we don’t have snakes and how Miles McVeigh was involved (who the McVeigh course is named for). |
| golf | Who can drive a golf cart? | Probably anybody, but our insurance company requires that only guests with a state drivers license may drive a cart and they must not drive impaired. |
| golf | General Golfing Notes | You must have a tee time reserved – please familiarize yourself with the local rules before playing. Walking is permitted and encouraged at Silvies Links, pull carts are provided at no charge and golf carts are available. Please be aware: The course is at 5,000 ft. elevation (the highest in Oregon) and it is a long way to the hospital – please don’t overdo it. No carts are permitted on McVeigh’s Gauntlet and Chief Egan Courses; carts available for handicap use on Chief Egan only – Not McVeigh’s Gauntlet – steep hills make it very dangerous for carts. If you want to go on McVeigh’s Gauntlet and ride a golf cart, a few Team Members are certified to take you, for a fee. |
| experiences | Can I sign up for Experiences when I am there? | Yes you can, if there is availability. However, our experiences are frequently fully committed so we recommend that you make reservations in advance so that you are able to participate in the experiences you wish to. Most guests can do 2 experiences per day but it depends on arrival and departure times. |
| experiences | Can I go horseback riding? | Yes! Everybody between 14-75 years old and less than 325# who is reasonably healthy can go horseback riding. Please bring slip-on “cowboy” style boots with a short heal and long pants to wear while riding. You must have normal balance, be strong enough to get on and stay on and be calm enough not to frighten the horse. If you have a disability that may affect your ability to safely ride a horse, you must tell us about it. |
| experiences | Is there a hospital available if I fall off? | Yes, both Burns and John Day have hospitals and ambulances. It takes the ambulance 30-45 minutes to get here and vice versa. Bigger medical centers are about 3 hours away. |
| experiences | Can I shoot my own gun on the ranges at Silvies? | Nope, we have what we think are very good, very safe guns that are inspected daily. Guns can be dangerous and we do our best to remove as much of the unknown as possible to make the experience as safe as we can for shooters and watchers alike. Nothing is 100% safe. |
| experiences | Experience Cancelation Policy (including Spa) | If you are not going to make any scheduled appointment, please let us know as soon as you can. In all likelihood, the Retreat has already booked staff and incurred other expenses to provide your experience. If we have and we can’t rebook it for you, you will be charged the full price; if the experience was part of a package, it is considered “used” and will not be replaced. |
| coach | Is a fire allowed at the Coach Park? | See above, fire is extremely dangerous here and is not allowed anywhere but the fire ring on the patio in the evening. You may use a commercial propane barbeque in excellent working order on the gravel within 6 feet of your RV – please wet down the area first and have a fire extinguisher on hand at all times, never leave the fire alone. Make sure the barbeque is cold to the touch before you leave it alone. If you start a fire, you are responsible for it and for all the damage it causes. |
| coach | Is there Wi-Fi in the Coach Park? | Yes and it’s free, but it is solar powered so there are occasional battery problems. |
| coach | Allowed Coaches | All Coaches and RV’s must be less than 10 years old and all must have solar power generation capabilities, have a back-up generator, and battery sufficient to operate 24 hours per day and at least 1 restroom with toilet, sink and shower facilities. |
| coach | Is there a discount for Good Sam Members? | Yes, 10% off your daily space fee. |
| spa | Will I have access to the Spa while at Silvies? | Probably, most packages include Spa access. If you want a treatment like a facial or massage, etc., etc. you are well advised to make a reservation at least several weeks before your arrival. |
| data | How many acres is Silvies Valley Ranch? | The ranch is about 150,000 acres. This includes all the land owned or leased by the Campbell and Foster families in the Silvies area. Silvies Valley Ranch has grazing allotments in Malheur National Forest and from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) which have been attached to the ranch historically for well over 50 years and these acres are included in total amount as they are for all ranches. |
| data | How many cattle on Silvies Valley Ranch? | Sometimes the ranch sells calves, sometimes yearlings, and sometimes finished cattle and depending on things like the moisture for grass, some years the ranch may sell more cattle than other years. Silvies Valley Ranch will “run” up to 4,500 head of cattle when all classes (ages) of cattle are taken into account. |
| data | How many goats does Silvies Valley Ranch have? | It depends a lot on the market and when the goats are sold just like the cattle. The ranch will run up to 3,000 goats at any one time. |
| data | How much hay does Silvies Valley Ranch produce? | Silvies raises all “wild” mountain meadow hay on the meadows in the Silvies valley. There are about 6,000 acres of meadow in the valley. The meadows grow more hay if there is more water, if warm at the right time – but doesn’t get too dry, and if the meadows are fertilized. When everything happens perfectly, the ranch can grow about 10,000 tons of the best mountain meadow hay around. |
| data | Who are the Silvies Principals? | The Campbell and Foster families who live here on the ranch. |
| ecocabin | Can I design and build my cabin? | Yes, but you will probably want some help – it’s a big job! There are also architectural guidelines that you must follow. |
| ecocabin | Who is the builder of my cabin per the Silvies Construction Agreement? | Silvies Camp Creek Ranch, LLC is the responsible builder. SCCR will hire contractors, subs, and independent contractors to get it done, but will retain the responsibility to the cabin owner for the workmanship. |
| ecocabin | How will I access my cabin in the Winter months when the golf carts are not usable? | We will pick you up and transport you anywhere you need to go. Or, a rig may be made available for you… and there is always the Clydesdales and their sleigh. |
| ecocabin | How many days can I occupy my cabin? | At least 300 days per year but it cannot be you primary residence. |
| ecocabin | How many cabins will there be at build out? | On the Silvies Camp Creek Ranch there will be no more than 200 cabins. On the rest of Silvies Valley Ranch there could be many more – all farther away from the Lodge! |
| ecocabin | Can I rent out my cabin? | Yes, and all the rentals are done through the Retreat so that you don’t have to deal with collecting the money, clean up, or repairs if necessary. |
| ecocabin | What assurance is there that I will always be able to access my cabin? | You have a written, signed, and recorded lease and easement. |
| ecocabin | What provisions are there are alternative utility services? | With a solar cabin and propane generator back up, this kind of sustainable sewer, and a good well, we don’t foresee any need for other utilities. Piped natural gas and electricity via copper wires is not likely ever an option here. |
| ecocabin | Is there a home owners association? | Not per se, but there is a Cabin Owner's Advisory Committee and “The Posse”. See the club rules for a complete description. |
| ecocabin | What are the benefits/amenities of the Rancher’s Club? | There are many, but the biggest are discounted fees for activities and the right to own a cabin at Silvies Camp Creek Ranch, LLC. |
| ecocabin | What is the “off the grid” relative to the cabins? | Each cabin is its own self-sustaining unit that doesn’t need the others or isn’t hooked to them. The only exception is water – each cabin is hooked to a water supply in the form of a well and pipes that are only for those cabins. The cabins are not part of a wired electrical or communications grid or part of an interconnected sewage system. |
| ecocabin | Does Silvies offer cabin financing? | No, we had hoped to at one time but the government’s red tape was simply too much. We do, however, have a great bank partner we could get you with. |
| ecocabin | As a cabin owner, do I have 24 hour access to my cabin? | Of course, but you are required to let the Retreat know, so that security isn’t triggered, and only if you haven’t had the Retreat rent your cabin to another guest. |
| ecocabin | I have my own real estate broker, can he/she represent me and co-op the listing broker? | Yes, with some stipulations. |
| ecocabin | What are the benefits of a land lease verses a subdivided lot? | Leases are usually cheaper than buying and may have some tax advantages. It’s easier to fit cabin sites, roads and utilities together to protect environmental resources of the land without having to worry about different ownership. |
| ecocabin | Concerned with wild fires, what precautions have been taken in the design of the cabins? | We have attempted to make the structure as fire resistant as practical with steep metal rooves, no gutters to catch sparks, cement siding, quality windows with metal around exteriors and hearty glazing, fire resistant decks built clear to the ground so that fire can’t get beneath them, no wood fireplaces or wood fire rings inside or out, superior quality doors, water sources at 4 corners of the structure, no ladder fuels, or exotic burnable plants. |
| golf | How do you know which of the reversible courses is playing today? | - "Hankins" has seven letters, it plays on all odd numbered days of the month (1, 3, 5, 7...)
- "Craddock" has eight letters, it plays on all even numbered days of the month (2, 4, 6, 8...) |
| general | How do you control insects at the Retreat? | We have over 6,000 bird and bat houses - we make more every winter. So, the day shift (birds) and the night shift (bats) do most of the work controlling insects and mosquitos, we also have fish and reptiles in the lakes and streams that keep larva numbers under control. Occasionally we fog in the spring and we use topical bug spray for a couple of weeks if necessary. |
| golf | How many golf courses are there at Silvies Valley Ranch? | There are 6 golf courses at Silvies Valley Ranch, all designed and built by Dan Hixon. The reversible Hankins and Craddock Courses, both 18-hole championship courses, rank in Golfweek's to 50 courses in the US. McVeigh's Gauntlet is a stunning 7-hole challenge course ranked 1st in North America, and Chief Egan is a fun, mountain meadow 9-hole par 3 course. The four courses are built on 600 acres of the high desert ponderosa pine forest and mountain meadows. There are also two 18-hole putting courses around Otter Lake that everybody enjoys. |
| general | Are there really goat caddies at Silvies Valley Ranch? | There sure are! Silvies has the largest herd of organic meat goats in the world and they are not only used to improve sustainability but also help golfers out on the course. The purebred American Range Goats are carefully picked out when they reach the age of two and can caddy for around 6 years, carrying up to six golf clubs, a dozen golf balls and six drink cans, along with a few dozen peanuts for them. |
| general | Does the ranch take up 218 sq mi of land? Is it near the Malheur National Forest? | Yes, 234 sq miles, included leased land. Almost completely surrounded by the Malheur National Forest. |
| general | Did they purchase the land in 2007? | Yes |
| general | Are the Campbells and the Fosters from Eastern Oregon? | Yes |
| general | Did they also found Banfield Pet Hospital | Banfield was started in 1955 by Warren Wegert DVM. The Cambells bought it from Dr. Wegert in 1985 and then expanded it from 1 to 750 locations. |
| general | Does Silvies Valley Ranch have two par 3 courses, Chief Egan and McVeigh? | No, 2) 18-hole championship courses (Hankins & Craddock), 1) 9-hole Par 3 course (Egan), 1) 7-hole challenge course (McVeigh) and 2) 18-hole putting courses (Claire's Black & Orange) |
