Remote Oregon Lodge, Site Of ’80s Horror Film Reopens After Fire

One of Oregon's most storied lodges has reopened following an attic fire that temporarily closed the property more than five weeks ago. The lodge's exterior was used in one of the most popular horror films of the eighties.

The Timberline Lodge has opened back up after area fire crews prevented an attic blaze from spreading on April 18. I placed a phone call to the reservations line Tuesday and was told the lodge is completely open for business. Horror movie buffs should know the exterior of the lodge very well.

 Nicholson plays a writer in the movie who takes a job as a lodge caretaker for the winter and relocates with his wife and young son.

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The Timberline Lodge is located at an elevation of 6,000 feet on Mount Hood, which is actually a volcano and is approximately 70 miles southeast of Portland. Its exterior was used in the 1980 film The Shining, adapted from a novel written by Steven King. The property was used as the fictional Overlook Hotel in the movie, which starred Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall.

The Shining happens to be in my top five favorite films of all time. I've never had the chance to visit the Timberline Lodge, but hope to someday. Nicholson plays a writer in the movie who takes a job as a lodge caretaker for the winter and relocates with his wife and young son. He then loses his sanity and goes on a rampage before ultimately meeting his demise.