The Nez Perce, who lived partly in present-day Oregon, used teepees because they could easily disassemble and move them. The Umatilla, Cayuse and Walla Walla tribes, who reside on Oregon's Umatilla Indian Reservation, learned to make teepees from Plains tribes with whom they traded. Like the Nez Perce, these groups also used teepees as portable housing. They would leave the teepee poles behind when they moved to a new camp so they could have a set of poles at each campsite according to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
The Nez Perce, Cayuse, Walla Walla and Umatilla tribes still use teepees, mostly for special occasions or camping. However, many modern teepees in Oregon stay in one place and provide lodging for campers who want an unusual stay in the great outdoors from late spring to early fall.
The Oregon State Parks system offers teepees at two eastern Oregon parks: Lake Owyhee State Park and Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site. Two Oregon casinos also offer teepees as an overnight lodging option: Kah-nee-ta, on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, and Wildhorse Casino, on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. You can also stay in a teepee at the RimRock Inn, located on the edge of Joseph Canyon in northeastern Oregon.
Teepees in Oregon aren't officially broken down by category, but they tend to offer three different general levels of comfort. These levels could be described as rustic (like at Kah-nee-ta), basic (state parks) or luxury (Rimrock Inn). Rustic teepees usually include only the shelter with perhaps a fire pit or table inside. You will need to bring your own bedding and padding, unless you prefer to sleep on concrete. Basic teepees usually have mattresses, so you only need to bring sheets and blankets (or a sleeping bag) to sleep comfortably. Luxury teepees offer basic teepee amenities in addition to pillows and small furniture, like an end table. These teepees may also be carpeted.
If you want to camp in a teepee for peace and quiet or to "get back to nature," consider your surroundings as well as the contents of the teepee. Some teepee campgrounds include showers, laundry facilities and vending machines, so these may not be your preferred option. Of course, if you plan to use the teepee as a base for hiking or other outdoor activities, having a shower available at the end of a long day may be what you want.
