• Tumalo Falls abruptly plummets down entering into a narrow canyon
• There are a few hiking and mountain biking trails
The scenic 97-foot Tumalo Falls plunges over a sheer cliff into a narrow canyon, surrounded by steep ridges. Tumalo Creek, which runs about 20 miles, is a tributary of the Deschutes River and supplies irrigation and municipal water to the Bend area.
Located just 13 miles west of downtown Bend, Tumalo Falls Day Use Area is one of the most popular destinations near the city. On weekends, parking can be difficult due to high visitor numbers.
The waterfall is visible from both the road and the parking area, and a short walk leads to a lower overlook platform offering one of the best views. For a closer look, you can hike a quarter-mile up the North Fork Trail to reach the upper viewpoint and the top of the falls.
🔵 The gate is located on Forest Road 4603, just before the Tumalo Falls Day Use Area. In winter, typically from November through May, this gate is closed to motor vehicles due to snowpack, but the area remains accessible by hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing.
Several hiking and mountain biking trails begin here. The North Fork Trail leads 0.25 miles to the upper viewpoint, and if you continue upstream, you’ll encounter more waterfalls—Double Falls after 0.8 miles and Middle Tumalo Falls just 0.1 mile farther upstream.
Mountain bikes are allowed only uphill on the North Fork Trail. A loop hike is possible and takes you past additional waterfalls, but part of the route проходит through a protected watershed where dogs and bikes are not permitted.
Accomodations near Tumalo Falls
There is no camping near waterfall, but has plenty of places to stay nearby.
Tumalo Falls | Facts
Open: Summer: May-October; Winter: December-February
Managed by: U.S. Forest Service
Amenities: Vault Toilet
Activities: Hiking, biking, picnicking, photography
Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Yes or Recreation Passes
Elevation: 5,000 ft (1,500 m)
Tumalo Falls is located:
- 13 miles west of Bend
- 145 miles east of Salem
- 187 miles southeast of Portland.
Total height: 97 ft (30 m)
Total width: 25 ft (8 m)
Watercourse: Tumalo Creek
Elevation: 5,014 feet (1,528 m)
Number of drops: One
Primary form: Plunge
Seasonality: 12 months
Video
Adventures Nearby
Directions to Tumalo Falls
From the Bend downtown,
- Travel west for about 10 miles on Franklin Avenue, Riverside Boulevard, Galveston Avenue, and Skyliners Road to Tumalo Falls Road
- Bear left and continue for 2.6 miles to the destination.