REVIEW UPDATE:
I feel qualified to update my old 3 star…read morereview from 2017, and change it to a 5 star in 2026.
I have stayed at the hotel and have had friends stay recently (in 2026), after new management took over.
I have dined at the restaurant recently in August 2026.
And today (August 8th 2026) we had the benefit of seeing the kind of people that now own and run the establishment.
First, it is the best place to stay in Lowman. The lodging is clean, nice, and there is fun stuff to do at the lodge, or nearby. Rent side-by-sides, hike, hot springs, ride motorcycles, fish, play games, and more. It is a beautiful place to stay. And it appears they have fixed old problems I experienced when staying there many years ago.
The dining is great. We had an amazing dinner, ate outside, with nice views, and great food. And the staff are ALL friendly. It is a very homey atmosphere.
Last, the character of the people that now own the place and work there was put to the test, and they scored high!
My wife's family now has access to a local cabin, so we did not need to find lodging this summer.
During a day trip, on the way back to Lowman from Idaho City, right as they were coming up on the Southfork Lodge, a friend of ours traveling with my wife became very ill. Our friend vomited, and then passed out. She was breathing, but could not be revived, for easily 45 minutes. It was scary for a while.
Nick (an owner) and Jenn (who I believe is a manager there) from the Southfork Lodge came out to the parking lot to help, and monitor things.
They stayed onsite as the fiasco unfolded. An ambulance came, and a LifeFlight helicopter eventually came! Nick and Jenn came in and out while trying to run their business to check and see if they could help, and to see what the status was.
Our friend ultimately came back around, woke up, and was aware, and decided not to fly to the hospital in Boise. She is doing OK, and has been resting all night.
It is obvious why people try and have tasty food in their restaurant, and offer nice lodgings and fun stuff to do. It is to make money. New ownership seems to pay attention to details way better than old ownership. But you don't get paid to be a decent human being, and to care about others.
Stay here if you want nice lodging, good food, fun stuff to do, and to know that the people that own and run the place care about people. We'll go back next Summer, to eat, hang out, have a drink, refer friends for lodging, and to deal with good people.