Rainbow Lodge for sale again but reopening June 5 for summer

The iconic Rainbow Lodge at Soda Springs is up for sale again but is reopening for the season on June 5, our magazine has learned. The asking price is $1.975 million.

According to the website, the Rainbow is “reopening June 5.”

A sign on the side of the building announces that it is up for sale, we noticed when we went there this week. It also is listed for sale on Chase International’s website.

“Rainbow Tavern & Lodge offers the romantic or entrepreneur a unique opportunity to continue this business or create a new venture or family retreat,” according to a listing.

“Located on Donner Summit, the Lodge has been refreshed with substantial improvements & is fully operational as a Tavern, Restaurant & 33 room Lodge. Fly fish from your private —1/2 mile South Yuba riverfront, hike the backcountry, explore the Sierra with year-round access. Close proximity to Sugar Bowl, Royal Gorge, Truckee, Lake Tahoe.”

As reported in January 2014, the lodge was sold to a couple from Rocklin. The lodge had been closed and up for sale after a proposed 950 home development at the 3,000 acre Royal Gorge property at Donner Summit fell into foreclosure. The land was bought and protected from development under an agreement by The Trust for Public Land, the Truckee Donner Land Trust, and the Northern Sierra Partnership — but the lodge remained up for sale.

We had been to the lodge since it was purchased, and it has been upgraded. We enjoyed dining on the outdoor patio, with an improved menu. The new owners have been good stewards of the iconic lodge. We look forward to visiting again this summer.