Some might think we were insane, but my friend and I took a grand total of seven kids a for a short camping trip; ages 17, three yes three 11 year olds, a 10 year old, a 6 year old and a 4 year old.  We left Portland and drove about 1 ½ hours east on hwy 26 to Kah-nee-tah, Resort and Casino, in Warm Springs, Oregon. The resort is situated on an Indian reservation, nestled in a deep valley.

Kah-nee-tah offers a resort with panoramic views and teepee camping sites. We had chosen this resort specifically for their teepee experience. The teepees have a fire pit right in the center of them, for cooking and heat. It can get down in the 50’s at night, so warmth can be a necessity.  When we arrived at the camp ground, we unpacked the coolers, sleeping bags, pillows and overnight bags for each of us. The resort provided us with a cart to help trek the long distance with our belongings to our designated teepee. It was noon, and the sun was blazing hot. Needless to say, it took more than one trip back and forth to schlep all our goods to the tent. Due to the heat, this was not the time of day to backpack back and forth anywhere.

Image of Kahneetah Teepee at night. Image taken by Roxanne Ducusin. Do not reproduce without express written permission from NewAgeVenus.Com

Besides the teepees, desert heat, casino, horseback riding, kayaking, golf, basketball, volley ball, tennis, movie night, and miniature golf, the main attraction at the resort is the pool at the village. It is more of a complete water park, than a pool. In addition to the main pool, there is a separate shallow pool for toddlers. The main pool is the size of two Olympic pools. It includes two water slides, one 184 foot and a 140 foot water slide, perfect entertainment for our tweens. The shallow area was perfectly sized for our 4 and 6 yr olds, and was complete with its own little slide. The main pool has a middle section where you can use floatation devices, but it is deep enough to swim. The deep end is for competent swimmers only. 

The pool is filled with hot springs mineral water yet it is perfectly temperature controlled; heated in the winter and cooled in the summer. It was refreshing due to the winds that blow thru the valley. If you stay at the resort, your pool pass is free, if not it is $10 for 11 year olds and up, and $6 for 3-10 year olds. You have to pay an additional $4 for each child to go on the 2 big waterslides. Beware: they will not let you go on the slides if your suit has any metal, beads, or anything else that may catch on the side of the slide.  You cannot have food or drinks at the pool, but water is allowed.

The average cost of the teepee is $78 per night, and teepees can sleep up to 10. There is a shower and bathroom close by the camping area. There is no charge to use the restrooms, and they are clean. To stay in the lodge mid-week is around $128 and up. The resort does offer packages that include golf. The village has a community camp fire in the evening, where everyone can gather together to visit, tell stories and roast marshmallows. Some of the time, they have booths where the local folks sell their arts and crafts, the prices are reasonable for one-of-a-kind items.

The resorts village has RV parking available, a community camp fire, a store for anything you may have forgotten and a snack shack, that is a little pricey.  If you are not staying at the resort, parking for the day at the village is $5. All in all, it was fun for all of us. We didn’t break the bank, and had a unique adventure for the kids to talk about all year long.