The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have a long, storied history in Oregon—one defined by an integral relationship with the land, resilience, and regrowth. It’s a story that’s unfolded over generations, and is one that is still being told along the Deschutes River, in the foothills of Mount Hood, and in the shadow of rimrock canyons today.
Get familiar with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, and start planning a memorable trip, with some helpful background information on the community, its history, and local attractions:
Early History of the Warm Springs Reservation
In one sense, the history of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is pretty recent; in another sense, however, it’s a story that’s been unfolding since time immemorial.
The groups that comprise the Warm Springs tribe today are the Wasco Indians, the Warm Springs Tribe, and the Northern Paiutes—all of whom have lived, hunted, foraged, fished, and traded in Oregon for generations.
Historically, the Wasco bands fished and traded along the Columbia River—largely across the eastern edge of the Columbia River Gorge; the Warm Springs bands generally lived along tributaries of the Columbia River, kept seasonal villages, and routinely traded with the Wascoes; and the Northern Paiutes lived on the plains and high-desert expanse of Southeastern Oregon—rarely coming into contact with the Warm Springs and Wasco groups.
That all changed when the first wave of Oregon Trail emigrants arrived in the mid-1800s; the European-American settlers brought with them disease, a disregard for local customs, and a desire to build homes and establish new communities in the Pacific Northwest. Skirmishes between the Native Americans and European-American settlers weren’t uncommon as the tribes fought to preserve their homeland and way of life. According to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, roughly 12,000 settlers were passing through Wasco and Warm Springs lands annually by 1852.
Formation of the Warm Springs Reservation
Tensions came to a head in 1855, when the Warm Springs and Wasco tribes were forced to surrender much of their traditional homelands after a series of treaty negotiations with Oregon Territory Superintendent Joel Palmer. As part of the Treaty With the Tribes of Middle Oregon, the tribes ceded 10 million acres of their ancestral homeland and were forced onto the Warm Springs Reservation at the northern edge of Central Oregon—far from the plentiful fish runs, fertile farmland, and animals they’d hunted for thousands of years. The first Paiute Tribes, meanwhile, arrived in 1879.
The three tribes formally organized as the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation in 1937, ushering in a new era of tribal self-government. Today, an 11-member Tribal Council—made up of eight elected officials and three lifetime chieftain positions—leads the tribes. For a deeper dive, learn more about Warm Springs Reservation history.
Cultural Heritage and Preservation
Each of the three tribes brought their ways of life to the 644,000-acre Warm Springs Reservation.
The Wasco Tribe once lived along the Columbia River—around the land on which the modern-day city of The Dalles sits—and was the easternmost band of Native Americans who spoke the Chinookan language. That location, just east of the Cascade mountains and along the river, put the Wasco Tribe in the heart of a wide-ranging trade network; they fished for salmon in the Columbia River—and would trade some of their haul to other tribes for roots, beads, horses, and other supplies. The 1855 Treaty With the Tribes of Middle Oregon guaranteed the Wascoes’ rights to fishing as they’d always done, but subsequent construction of dams along the Columbia River in the 1900s decimated salmon runs; nevertheless, the Wasco Tribe continues to fish along the Columbia River today.
The Warm Springs bands, meanwhile, lived along tributaries of the Columbia River—including, most prominently, the Deschutes River. Also known as the Tenino people, the Warm Springs bands maintained separate villages in summer and winter—fishing for salmon along the Columbia, hunting for deer and other wild animals in Tygh Valley, and gathering roots and berries in the forested hillsides around them.
The Northern Paiutes, meanwhile, lived in Southeastern Oregon—far from the high-desert ecosystem of the Warm Springs Reservation today. The Paiutes spoke a different language than the Wasco and Warm Springs groups—and relied less on fishing than hunting wild game to maintain their diets; most bands lived around lakes or wetlands that provided water, food, and hunting opportunities.
Curious to learn more? The Museum At Warm Springs offers a thoughtful overview of each tribe’s history, cultures, and customs through historic photographs, artifacts, exhibits, and more—and is one of the top attractions on the Warm Springs Reservation.
Visiting the Warm Springs Reservation
Today, you’ll find several opportunities for having fun and respectfully engaging with the Warm Springs community when you visit Warm Springs.
The newest attraction is Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort, which reopened in July 2024 after a roughly six-year closure. Overnight guests at the resort, which is run by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, can choose between RV sites, teepees designed for camping, and chic lodge rooms—while all visitors can take advantage of the resort’s mix of public and private mineral hot springs.
Another popular stop is Indian Head Casino, where you can test your luck at a wide range of slot machines and table games. Special events and regular tournaments keep things lively, and a few on-site restaurants dish a mix of appetizing bites. Learn more about casinos in Central Oregon.
If you’re feeling famished, a handful of eateries serve fresh, local fare that reflect the Warm Springs community and culture. For instance, you might find several dishes adorned with huckleberries—a local delicacy—at top restaurants in Warm Springs, Oregon.
Finally, wherever you go on the Warm Springs reservation, you’ll want to keep a few tips in mind. Be respectful of all private property and corresponding closures, consider enlisting an outfitter owned and operated by tribal members (such as Littleleaf Guides if you’re planning to fish the Lower Deschutes River), and do everything you can to support tribal-owned-and-operated attractions—such as those included in this story; doing so supports the goals and passions of local tribal members while keeping your money where it can have a genuine impact—the local community. We’d also suggest visiting The Museum At Warm Springs, where you can learn about the tribe’s cultural heritage and understand its complicated past.
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Top Hidden Restaurants in Warm Springs, Oregon
Sitting at the northern edge of Central Oregon, not far from where the forested slopes of Mount Hood descend into the high desert, the community of Warm Springs is awash in regional wonder. The Museum of Warm Springs tells the story of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, nearby Lake Simtustus Resort offers a relaxing getaway on the shores of its namesake reservoir, and the Lower Deschutes River—which runs through the heart of Warm Springs—is an angler’s paradise.
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The Museum At Warm Springs
The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation - Warm Springs, Wasco and Northern Paiute, created this museum to sustain their cultures and preserve their traditions for their children and visitors. The museum is a vital part of the Warm Springs tribal community. Once you are done indoors you can stroll the 1/4 mile Twanat Interpretive Trail to learn about the plants, animals, fish and geology.
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Casinos in Central Oregon
There’s a certain thrill that comes with getting the exact card you need at the blackjack table—or sitting down to a video poker machine, watching the rows line up just so, and seeing the machine light up in victory. No matter how often it happens at your favorite casino, each win offers an exciting adrenaline rush.
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Warm Springs
The heart and soul of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Warm Springs is the site of Indian Head Casino.