Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort on the Warm Springs Reservation is heading into the 2026 summer season with a significant slate of improvements — new amenities, revived cultural programming, and a fresh look designed to reconnect visitors with the Indigenous heritage of the high desert.
A New Welcome
Visitors arriving at Kah-Nee-Ta this summer will be greeted by a striking new TeePee-themed welcome center, a project supported by Travel Oregon. The design draws directly from the cultural traditions of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs — the Warm Springs, Wasco, and Paiute peoples — whose ancestral homeland surrounds the resort.
Travel Oregon CEO Todd Davidson said the initiative "is vital to celebrating the Indigenous traditions that define the region."
Salmon Bakes and Drumming Return
Perhaps the most anticipated new programming is the revival of the Tribal Salmon Bake and Dance Celebrations. Beginning in June, Kah-Nee-Ta will host traditional drumming performances and serve fire-roasted salmon every Saturday at 3 p.m.
Charles Jackson, a Tribal Elder and board member, said these gatherings serve to reconnect visitors with the "cultural heart" of the land. The events are rooted in the Tribe's deep connection to the salmon runs of the Columbia River system — a relationship central to tribal identity and treaty rights.
What's New This Season
Beyond the cultural programming, the resort is introducing several physical improvements for 2026:
- 30 fully renovated hotel guest rooms with updated furnishings and finishes
- A new adult-exclusive pool with poolside delivery service
- The "Pete Moss" eco-friendly water filtration system, designed for a more natural, chemical-reduced soaking experience in the famous mineral hot springs
- A refreshed river float program with updated gear and equipment
- New daily guided walking tours through the surrounding high desert landscape
A Resort With a Complicated History
Kah-Nee-Ta has long been a symbol of the Tribe's economic ambitions and resilience. The original resort was a pioneering Native-owned hospitality destination, drawing visitors from across Oregon and beyond. It closed in 2018, laying off all employees, in a blow to the Warm Springs economy.
The resort reopened in July 2024 after years of revitalization planning, and the 2026 improvements represent the next chapter in that comeback. With a full summer season ahead, the Tribe is positioning Kah-Nee-Ta as a premier destination in Central Oregon — not just for recreation, but for cultural experience.
Kah-Nee-Ta is located at 6823 Highway 8, Warm Springs. For reservations and more information, visit kahneeta.com or call (541) 553-1112.