• 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 stretches about 20 miles, is a tributary of the Deschutes River. It irrigates farmland and supplies drinking water to the city of Bend.
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. A short walk leads to a lower overlook platform offering the best view of the falls. For a closer look, you can hike a quarter-mile up the North Fork Trail to the upper viewpoint and the top of the falls.
Note: 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 you can still hike, ski, or snowshoe in.
Hiking
Several hiking and mountain biking trails begin in this area. The North Fork Trail leads 0.25 miles to the upper viewpoint, and if you continue upstream, you’ll discover more waterfalls—Double Falls after 0.8 miles and Middle Tumalo Falls just 0.1 mile farther.
Note that mountain bikes are allowed uphill only on the North Fork Trail. A loop hike is possible, taking you past even more waterfalls, but part of the trail runs through a protected watershed where dogs and bikes are not allowed.
Tumalo Falls | Facts
Open: Summer: May-October; Winter: December-February
Managed by: U.S. Forest Service
Amenities: Vault Toilet
Activities: Hiking, biking, picnicking, photography
Accommodations: No camping at Tumalo Falls
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
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.