A refined mountain sanctuary on Childs Meadow, offering elegant cottages and an upscale lodge just minutes from Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Highlands Ranch Resort occupies a quiet, 175-acre expanse at the edge of Childs Meadow, a high-mountain valley protected by a Nature Conservancy conservation easement. Completed in 2015 by owner and builder Kevin Wilsey, who spent his childhood exploring the surrounding Lassen National Forest, the resort serves as a refined gateway to the southern wilderness of Lassen Volcanic National Park, located just ten minutes up Highway 36. The property centers around a soaring, 7,500-square-foot main lodge that incorporates Douglas fir, cedar, and yellow pine salvaged from an older 1970s structure built on the site by the Simmons family. This central gathering space features a vaulted ceiling with exposed timber beams, massive picture windows looking out across the meadow, and a monumental stone fireplace that anchors the great room. Warm, natural textures, Native American blankets, and custom ironwork decorate the interior, while a spacious outdoor deck lined with Adirondack chairs invites guests to relax and watch for black-tailed deer grazing in the morning light or stargaze under some of Northern California's darkest night skies.
Accommodations at the resort are divided among seven elegant, vintage-chic guest cottages, each individually styled and situated along the meadow's edge to offer privacy and distinct mountain views. Designed with an eye for both luxury and comfort, each cottage features heated slate bathroom floors, walk-in natural slate showers, and gas-burning fireplaces framed by custom ornamental ironwork. The one-bedroom Meadow’s Edge cottage features a Craftsman-inspired king bed and a private outdoor hot tub for two, perfect for soaking under the stars. Timber Ridge brings the spirit of the surrounding forest indoors with handcrafted log furniture and a natural stone fireplace, while the Maverick cottage strikes a balance between contemporary mountain style and Old West romance with ADA-accessible design. For larger groups, several cottages like Nighthawk and Maverick, or Lavender and Silhouette, can be connected to accommodate up to ten guests. Across the highway, the resort's sister property, the Village at Highlands Ranch, offers an additional 19-room inn, a 24-space RV park, and seven campsites, making the ranch a versatile hub for all types of mountain travelers.
Dining is centered at The Restaurant at Highlands Ranch, an upscale American bistro located inside the main lodge. The culinary team crafts seasonal menus that showcase fresh, locally sourced ingredients, updated American classics, and artisan-style dishes. Guests can dine inside near the warmth of the roaring wood-burning fireplace, pull up a stool at the hand-crafted walnut-top bar for a local draft beer or a glass of wine from the curated cellar, or sit outside on the expansive dining terrace. From the deck, the jagged, snow-dusted silhouette of Brokeoff Mountain, a remnant of the ancient volcano Mount Tehama, dominates the western horizon. Whether returning from a day of hiking the geothermal trails of Bumpass Hell, fly fishing for rainbow trout on nearby Mill Creek, or snowshoeing through winter drifts, the resort provides a deeply restorative setting where the quiet of the high Sierra takes center stage.
Request a table on the lodge deck about an hour before sunset to enjoy a glass of California wine from the walnut-topped bar. As the sun dips behind Brokeoff Mountain, the alpenglow paints the Lassen peaks in deep shades of rose and violet.
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