Scenic Drives

MANY NATIONS. ONE STATE.

A three-day tour:
Experience the rich, artistic cultures of the original Oregonians at nationally acclaimed tribal museums, lively festivals and authentic pow-wows. You can begin in Ontario at the Four Rivers Cultural Center to learn about the Northern Paiutes' role in this ethnically diverse region. Then travel north to reach Hwy. 82 to Joseph, once the domain of the Nez Perce Indians. Visit Wallowa a little farther up the road and attend the Tamkaliks celebration, a pow-wow organized by the descendents of Chief Joseph. Return to La Grande and on to Pendleton, home of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Here, you'll find the tribally-owned Wildhorse Resort & Casino, offering gaming, golf, lodging and dining, and Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, which explores 10,000 years of tribal and regional history through the eyes of the Umatilla, Cayuse and Walla Walla Indians. The first week-end in July is the Wildhorse pow-wow featuring more than 300 native dancers and over 20 drumming groups.

To extend this tour:
Visit The Museum at Warm Springs in North Central Oregon, just off Hwy 26 and about 1 ½ hours from Portland, to learn about the culture of the Wasco, Paiute and Warm Springs Indians. Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert Resort & Casino with natural hot springs pools, horseback riding, and golf is a short drive into the high desert. Continue south on Hwy 97 and stop at the High Desert Museum outside of Bend to see the exhibit, By Hand Through Memory, which gives a broad history of the Tribes of the Columbia River Plateau and their journey through the ages. From here you have two options. Strike out east of Bend on Hwy 20 for a two-hour drive through the high desert and you’ll find Old Camp Casino and the Burns Paiute Tribe. Old Camp offers slots, bingo, dining, a kids’ arcade, and live entertainment. Or from Bend, travel approximately 60 miles down the road and you’ll come to Kla-Mo-Ya Casino. Owned and operated by the Klamath Tribes, Kla-Mo-Ya is a refreshing, and exciting stop for travelers along this timberland drive. Schedule your drive on the fourth week-end in August and you can enjoy their Annual Restoration Celebration, a pow-wow, arts & crafts fair, and fun run celebrating the end of the Tribes’ long struggle to regain federal recognition.

Why stop now?:
Continue the adventure heading west to the Oregon coast and home to several Oregon Tribes. Visit Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde and about 1 hour from either Portland or Salem. Owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Indians, Spirit Mountain offers world-class entertainment, lodging, and fine dining. Stay on Hwy 18 and within 60 minutes you’ll arrive at Chinook Winds Casino & Golf Resort in Lincoln City owned by the Siletz Tribe. Here you can enjoy ocean views from their hotel in addition to gaming and golf. A breathtaking drive down the coast on Hwy 101 will take you to Florence, homeland of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw and location of the Three Rivers Casino. Another hour down the coastal highway and you’ll find yourself in Coos Bay/North Bend. The Mill Casino and Hotel is uniquely situated in a renovated historic warehouse located on the bay. With fine dining and a luxury hotel with views of the bay, it’s a different and delightful experience of the Oregon coast. Take a beautiful drive inland to Interstate 5 through lush, rolling hills and along swift rivers then down to Canyonville, just a few miles south of Roseburg and you’ll find Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino Resort. Owned by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Seven Feathers is home to a conference center, luxury hotel, fine dining, pools, spas and sauna.

Once you’ve completed your tour of Oregon’s many Native Sovereign Nations, you will have experienced not only nine distinct and independent cultures but you will also have seen all the geographic regions of the state and the many scenic and tourist attractions this state has to offer. We hope you come back soon!