Rainbow Lodge, 3rd floor suite, near SugarBowl

Experience nostalgic accommodations at the historic Rainbow Lodge! The lodge name comes from past days when visitors caught rainbow trout from the banks of the South Yuba River. The Rainbow Lodge is located in the Sierra Mountains within Tahoe National Forest along Old Lincoln Highway 40. The setting offers pristine mountain views & the entire lodge is full of charm & character while retaining the allure of the past! Guest rooms are unique & common areas are decorated with historical pieces. The space The Third Floor Suite (also known as our "kid's suite") has more of a modern look than the old-style rooms on the on second floor of the lodge. Its perfect for a parent enjoying a weekend getaway with the kids/teens or perfect for four friends who want a space to hang out together yet separate sleeping rooms. Within the space, there are four small bedrooms each with a twin bed and a sink. In the middle of the suite is a "lounge" with a TV and gaming system and a microwave. The bathroom (2 toilets and private shower room) is just outside of the suite (accessed via the the hallway) and has a lock on the door for private access (only third floor suite guests will have a key to this bathroom). The window view from the suite lounge is facing the side of the lodge and offers a beautiful view of the mountain. Plus, each small bedroom has a window as well. Note: There is no elevator in the lodge and renting this space requires walking up two flights of stairs. Guest access Common areas of the lodge are available to all guests and the TVs in the common areas are available on a first come, first serve basis. The common areas offer a variety of historical photos and antiques for guests to visually enjoy. A microwave and drink station (coffee, tea, hot cocoa) is available for guests to use in the common area called the Sierra Room. Other things to note Located on 114 acres along the South Yuba River, the Rainbow Lodge has provided guests traveling in the Sierras with a place to stay for 150 years. Travelers making the journey west to California in the mid-1800s, whether by horse or covered wagon, found shelter and camaraderie at the Rainbow Lodge. The Lodge was built on a popular camping spot where trekkers would water their horses, fish in the mountain stream, and rest up during their arduous journey. The Lodge got its name from the numerous rainbow trout that visitors would catch from the banks of the river and have prepared in the lodge’s kitchen. The Rainbow Lodge was built in 1869 from local granite and the same hand-hewn logs used to build the Trans-Sierra Railroad. The original lodge was a stagecoach stop for those journeying through the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It was located near a well-traveled area of the Emigrant Gap where a number of trails originating in Independence, MO merged. The popularity of the Gold Rush no doubt necessitated the construction of the lodge to provide respite for the adventurers and fortune seekers. Rainbow Lodge has a storied past that you will sense when you enter the elegant and rustic building. Rumors abound that the venue once hosted an illegal speakeasy in its basement. The Lodge was expanded in 1930 and the beams and wood used in construction were taken from the snow sheds that still line the railroad tracks running through the Sierras. Shortly thereafter, the Lodge offered one of the first ski hills in the area. In the late 1930s a J-Bar lift was installed and later a gondola was added. The house behind the lodge was originally the ski lift house. When the ski hill was closed, the lift house was converted into a residence and still stands today. Today, the lodge provides a unique getaway for travelers seeking old-style character and allure of the past.