The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Tribal Council unanimously approved a feasibility study this week for a potential new rest area along Highway 26, potentially sited on the Warm Springs Reservation — a move that could reshape the travel corridor between Central Oregon and the Portland metro area while opening economic doors for the tribe.
The Oregon Travel Information Council, which has been collaborating with tribal, state, and federal partners since 2021, is evaluating options to replace the aging rest area near Government Camp. That facility dates to the 1950s and has long been considered inadequate for current traveler demand.
Why the Reservation Site Makes Sense
Tribal Council cited several reasons for unanimous support, including the opportunity to improve highway safety, reduce roadside litter and public sanitation issues that have persisted along the corridor, and lay groundwork for future small business development on tribal land.
Resource specialists are expected to begin field studies along the Highway 26 corridor during the 2027 field season, with findings scheduled to return to Tribal Council in fall 2027 before any final site is selected. No construction timeline has been set.
The study represents an opportunity for the Warm Springs Reservation to play a greater role in the economic and logistical fabric of the Highway 26 corridor — a road that has run through tribal territory for generations.
Youth Canoe Journey Launches from Celilo Village
On a separate cultural front, members of the N'chi Wana Pum Canoe Family are preparing to join this year's Paddle to Nisqually Youth Canoe Journey. The annual event gathers canoe families from across the Pacific Northwest, providing Native youth with immersive opportunities to strengthen cultural traditions, develop leadership skills, and travel ancestral waterways alongside peers from other nations.
The tentative launch is set for July 20 at the Columbia River in Celilo Village, a site of deep historical significance to Warm Springs people. Community members interested in participating or learning more are encouraged to contact canoe family organizers through the Confederated Tribes.
For updates on tribal news and programming, tune to KWSO 91.9 FM or visit kwso.org.