Travel to Visit Warm Springs, Oregon
The Confederate Tribes of Warm Springs, the Paiute, Wasco, and Warm Springs people share their history and culture with visitors through restaurants, museums, and other attractions. Local restaurants, for instance, whip up traditional fry bread and center dishes around huckleberries (foraged from forests on nearby Mount Hood)—while the Museum at Warm Springs showcases thousands of years of history and tradition through artifacts, photographs, and interpretive displays. Here’s how to make the most of your next visit to Warm Springs.
Take a Virtual TourThings To Do In Warm Springs
Best Time to Visit Warm Springs, Oregon
The community of Warm Springs sits along the Deschutes River—surrounded on either side by rocky outcrops and khaki-colored crags. Its location at the base of a rugged river canyon leads to a milder climate in winter and warmer summers—with plenty of excellent weather for enjoying your trip all year long. Here’s a guide to the seasons of Warm Springs.
Spring
Springtime is downright pleasant around Warm Springs—with high temperatures typically between 60º and 75º. Take advantage of the early-season sun by fly fishing along the Lower Deschutes River, which runs through the heart of Warm Springs.
Summer
Summertime highs typically range from 80º to 95º around Warm Springs, so try your luck at the air-conditioned Indian Head Casino, which hosts blackjack, slots, and plenty of other popular games (along with monthly events such as themed parties and tournaments).
Fall
It's hard not to love fall around Warm Springs, where sunny skies are common and daytime highs hover between 55º and 75º. Savor the crisp autumn weather and try some of the community's cuisines—including classic breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes at the Eagle Crossing Restaurant and comfort food (and fry bread) at the Twisted Teepee food truck.
Winter
Warm Springs boasts mild winters, with comfortable high temperatures around 50º. It's a great time to learn about tribal history at The Museum at Warm Springs and the Warm Springs Market (which has a small, on-site museum with artifacts, crafts, and more).
About Warm Springs
Since time immemorial, numerous Native American tribes have hunted, fished, and traveled across Central Oregon. Today, one of the most visible connections to that rich history can be found in the community of Warm Springs, which sits in the heart of the Warm Springs Reservation near the northern edge of Central Oregon.
The reservation was formally established following the Treaty of 1855. Roughly 80 years later, in 1937, the Paiute, Wasco, and Warm Springs tribes living on the reservation organized as the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Today, the tribes share their rich culture with the wider world through museums, creative cuisines, and more.
Stay Near Warm Springs
Just a few miles from Warm Springs, Lake Simtustus Resort rents out well-appointed tiny homes and fully equipped RVs—along with RV sites that feature full hookups if you're bringing your own rig—on the shores of its namesake lake. Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort is another option in the heart of Warm Springs having just re-opened in summer of 2024 – it’s many activities and amenities make it a perfect retreat to soak up the sun and enjoy the surrounding reservation.
You'll also find hotels and motels in Madras, just a 20-minute drive away. And if you're up for a day trip to the heart of the region, Bend is just one hour, 15 minutes away.
Dine in Warm Springs
Warm Springs isn't home to any big-name chain restaurants—paving the way for a variety of local dining options around town. The Twisted Teepee food truck, for instance, is known for its warm fry bread (served with your choice of several toppings—including a sweet huckleberry butter), as well as a selection of burgers and sandwiches.
At the Indian Head Casino, meanwhile, diners can enjoy locally inspired casual cuisine at the Cottonwood Restaurant or sample snacks, burgers, and sandwiches at the Tule Grill. And the family-owned Eagle Crossing Restaurant serves a variety of classic breakfast dishes, along with lunch and dinner—not to mention a few tribal specialties, including fry bread and several items made with huckleberries (including pancakes, pie, and milkshakes).
Sip Near Warm Springs
Whatever your style, you'll find plenty to sip around Warm Springs. At the Indian Head Casino, you'll find beer, wine, and cocktails at a trio of restaurants and lounges. And at Eagle Creek Restaurant, the huckleberry milkshake (featuring fresh, locally picked berries) is a beloved delicacy. For more sip stops, make the 20-minute drive to Madras—home to coffee shops, a craft brewery, and a bustling distillery.
Things to Do in Warm Springs
Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort
After a busy day at The Museum at Warm Springs and the Indian Head Casino, relax and recharge with a stay at the recently reopened Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort. Owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the resort is best known for its mineral-rich, geothermal waters. Soak it all up in private pools, small-group cabanas, a larger pool, and a lazy river.
A variety of family activities round out the experience—including horseback rides, sport courts, and more. Stay the night in a renovated lodge room outfitted with modern amenities, camping-style teepees, or well-appointed RV sites.
Tribal History
There may be no finer introduction to the past and present of the Warm Springs, Wasco, and Northern Paiute people than by visiting The Museum at Warm Springs. The venerated museum showcases artwork, crafts, exhibits on tribal history and culture, an outdoor interpretive trail, and more; it also boasts a curatorial department that’s home to one of the largest and most complete artifact collections of any Native American museum. Elsewhere in town, the Warm Springs Market—in addition to selling grocery items and deli fare—hosts a small, on-site museum with tribal artifacts, photographs, and crafts.
The Indian Head Casino
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation hosts the Indian Head Casino, which offers a variety of your favorite games—including blackjack and slots—in a fun, relaxing environment. Regular tournaments, events, and promotions mean there’s always something new and exciting happening. Learn about the other casinos within the region.
Go Fishing
The Lower Deschutes River runs through Warm Springs and offers excellent angling opportunities. To get started, stop by Deschutes River Fly Shop, less than 10 minutes east of Warm Springs, for all the gear you need to get on the water—along with licenses, tribal permits, shuttle services, and recommendations for where the fish are biting that day. And if you're curious about where to head next—and when the region’s trout, salmon, and sturgeon are at their peak—we've put together guides to the rivers in Central Oregon and fishing in Central Oregon.
