Last Updated on 1 January, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf

When you hike in the Pacific Northwest, you’re bound to run into some stunning waterfalls. While many of these cascading falls are beautiful to see, there are only a few you can get up close and personal with. One of these is Tumalo Falls in Central Oregon near Bend.

Tumalo Falls is a 97-foot waterfall in the Deschutes National Forest, west of Bend, Oregon. In this guide, I’ll give you the inside scoop on taking a secret path that leads directly to the waterfall, where you can walk behind it and feel the power of the surging water above!

Although the hike to get there is only a half-mile round trip, it is strenuous and not for the faint of heart! If you’re ready for the adventure, let’s begin!

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The Secret Path to Tumalo Falls

You won’t find this creek trail on popular apps like Alltrails or Hiking Project. It’s off the beaten path and will challenge your technical hiking skills. However, when you’re standing at the plunging pool of this mighty waterfall, it makes it all worth it!

The Tumalo Falls Day Use Area is a popular spot that gets packed on the weekends. Finding a parking spot close to the trailhead can be a nightmare if you go during a busy summer weekend. This is also a fee area, so bring a pass or be prepared to pay the $5 fee. More on all that later!

So, let’s discuss where to park for this epic hike and what to expect along the trail.

Where To Park To See Tumalo Falls

As I mentioned before, parking at the Tumalo Day Use Area can be a challenge on busy weekends and even on nice summer days during the week. The road to the day-use area is well-maintained, but it is a gravel road with washboards, so prepare for bumpy travel.

There are no high-clearance requirements to get to Tumalo Falls – almost any vehicle can reach the parking lot or the roadside parking area. That said, the US Forest Service does not allow vehicles over 27 feet at the Tumalo Falls Trailhead parking lot.

It’s surprising how small the parking lot is for such a popular area. Unless you go early or on an off-day, you’ll likely be parking alongside the road.

The parking lot is located off Tumalo Falls Road, which is connected to Skyliners Road, which runs into the western side of Bend.

• GPS: N44.0319, W121.5664

If the parking lot is full, park along the road. Just make sure to check out the ‘No Parking’ signs along the road that say where you can and cannot park. This allows larger emergency vehicles to get through if necessary.

Finding The Trailhead

The main trailhead in the area is the Tumalo Falls Trailhead, located right at the parking lot’s north side. However, this isn’t the secret path to the waterfall!

Instead, from the parking lot, you’ll want to head back toward the one-lane bridge that crosses over Tumalo Creek. On the bridge’s western side, you’ll see a narrow, barely discernible path heading toward the creek.

This is the start of the secret trail!

Finding The Falls

The trail to Tumalo Falls is very straightforward regarding where to go. The trail does not intersect with other trails and is relatively easy to follow. The trail is narrow and has rugged terrain, but it is only about 0.2 miles long one way.

Take your time, and continue heading up the creek. The hike has minimal elevation gain, but you will run into steep sections occasionally. There is an excellent little flat area of rocks along the creek where you can get fantastic views of Tumalo Falls before you reach it.

Once you reach the falls, retrace your steps to head back to the one-lane bridge and parking lot.

Permit & Fee Requirements

As mentioned before, the Tumalo Falls Day Use Area charges a fee to park. This $5 fee is only charged when the road is open, which is weather-dependent but typically from late spring to early fall.

The fee can be paid at a self-use pay station that prints a receipt you place on the dashboard behind your car’s windshield.

Several passes are accepted at the Tumalo Falls Day Use Area:

• Northwest Forest Pass
• Digital Day Pass
• Interagency Pass

There is no fee when the road is closed. However, to access Tumalo Falls from the gate, you’ll add about 5 miles round-trip to your hike.

What To Expect While Hiking Tumalo Falls

When you see that a hike is only a half-mile round trip, you may think that means it’s easy. Trust me, the hike to Tumalo Falls is challenging! All in all, I would rate the hike as moderate. The distance is easy, but the terrain is rugged. Putting those two factors together, I rate it as moderate.

Before you visit this magnificent waterfall, there are a few things to be aware of. Check out our tips below to ensure you’re prepared for the journey!

Terrain

When we went to Tumalo Falls, it was the height of summer. You’d expect the trail to be dry, right? I wore my trail running shoes, which were completely covered in mud by the end of the hike.

The hike to Tumalo Falls is on a narrow dirt/rocky path. Due to the creek and the waterfall, some sections of the trail are muddy, slippery, and wet. You may need to use your hands to scramble over rocks or grab roots or tree trunks to haul yourself up. There are even trail sections where you must jump a foot or so to cross a steep section that has washed out.

There are no sections where you must cross or walk directly in the creek. Still, there are wet areas on the trail.

Shoes

Depending on your experience level, there are a few different options I would recommend for footwear for this hike if you go during warm weather:

• Beginners: If you’re not an experienced hiker, I recommend wearing waterproof boots. The traction on the bottom of the shoes will help you on difficult sections of the trail, and the boots’ waterproof nature will keep your feet dry.
• Moderates: If you have hiking experience but don’t consider yourself an expert, wear trail shoes or rugged tennis shoes. The grip on the shoes will help with traction, but they aren’t as heavy as hiking boots and will allow for more technical hiking.
• Experts: You know who you are. Just put on a pair of Crocs or sandals, and you’ll be fine.

In the winter, I recommend hiking boots to keep your feet warm and dry and provide traction.

Gear

Usually, in this section, I recommend some gear to take with you on the hike, such as sunscreen, bug spray, a sun hat, snacks, etc. However, this hike is so short that not much gear is needed!

Still, here are a few of my top gear recommendations for this hike.

• Dry Bag: Bring a dry bag to carry all your essential electronics, such as your cell phone, camera, GoPro, and any others you don’t want to get wet. The Flash 18 Pack is the perfect size for a day hike and seals out all moisture.
• Trekking Poles: Due to the difficult terrain, trekking poles can be super helpful on this hike! Check out Explorer 3 Trekking Poles by Black Diamond.

If you plan to hike more than this short 0.5-mile trail, check out our article on the Ultimate Day Hiking Gear List for all the items necessary to enjoy a day hike safely.

The Falls

This trail takes you directly to the bottom of the 97-foot Tumalo Falls. Watch your step around the bottom of the falls, as the rocks will be slippery.

Never stand directly in a waterfall. While the force of the water will not harm you, the rocks, logs, and general debris being carried by the water will!

Tumalo Falls has a slight overhang where you can somewhat safely stand beside or behind the waterfall, but always use caution and your best judgment.

Wildlife

The Tumalo Falls Area is extremely popular. If you hike during the busy summer, it’s unlikely you will see any wildlife other than crows and the occasional chipmunk. However, if you hike early in the morning or during the quieter times of the year, you may be graced with some exciting wildlife.

Possible wildlife at Tumalo Falls include:

• Elk
• Mule Deer
• Beaver
• Mink
• Otter
• Bobcat
• Black Bear

The Deschutes River is home to various species of fish, and the Tumalo Creek is an offshoot of the Deschutes River, so you may spot salmon, steelhead, and others as you hike around the area.

Weather

Tumalo Falls can be hiked any time of year, but the road to the parking lot is closed in winter. Depending on rainfall, there are also specific times when the falls will be highest versus lowest. Below is a breakdown of the weather you can expect for each season at Tumalo Falls:

• Spring (March-May): Spring is typically chilly and even snowy at times, with highs ranging from the low 50s to mid-60s. Spring is one of the best times to see Tumalo Falls at full power, as the snowmelt and rain increase the water levels. Snow is possible well into April. The road to Tumalo Falls usually opens around May.
• Summer (June-August): July and August usually see the highest temperatures with averages in the low 80s. There is far less precipitation in the summer, but Tumalo Falls flows year-round, so you’ll still get a spectacular show. However, summer is busy, so the area will be more crowded.
• Fall (September-November): Fall brings cooler temperatures and slightly increased precipitation. Snow is possible from mid-October onward. Temperatures drop significantly in the fall, with September’s mild average of 70 and November’s average of 48! The road to Tumalo Falls typically closes in November.
• Winter (December-February): Temperatures drop significantly in the winter, with highs in the low 40s and lows in the mid-20s. Snow makes the road impassible, so you’ll have to hike down the road to reach the trailhead.

If you’re looking for the best weather, head to Tumalo Falls in the summer. If you prefer fewer people, aim for late fall or early spring, but be prepared to extend the hike by a few miles each way. If you’re hoping to see wildlife, head to the falls in the winter.

Hiking With Dogs At Tumalo Falls

If you know anything about us, you know we always aim for hikes on which we can take our dog, Pawdrick.

The hike to Tumalo Falls is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your canine companion with you. However, some of the other hikes in the area do not allow dogs due to the proximity of the Bend Municipal Watershed to the west.

Trails in the area that do not allow dogs:

• Bridge Creek Trail
• Swampy Lakes Trail

You can check out a map of the restricted zones here. The watershed is close to Tumalo Creek and Falls, but doesn’t actually touch it, so the trail to Tumalo Falls is open to dogs!

Special Considerations When Bringing Dogs to Tumalo Falls

If you’re set on bringing your furry pal to Tumalo Falls, there are a few special considerations unique to this hike.

• Challenging Terrain: The path to Tumalo Falls is filled with rocks, mud, steep inclines and downclimbs, roots, snags, and washouts. Make sure your pup is up for the challenge. I would not recommend very small dogs, elderly dogs, or out-of-shape dogs for this hike.
• Steep Drop-Offs: Some areas of the trail have steep drop-offs into the fast-flowing creek, which is really more like a river. Be very cautious with your pup, and ensure you have them under close supervision for the entirety of the hike.
• Water Hazards: As mentioned before, the trail follows Tumalo Creek, which is broad and fast-moving, even at the height of summer. Please keep your dog close to avoid them falling in. We have a fantastic guide on the best dog leashes for hiking if you need some inspiration!
• Loud Sounds: If you’ve never hiked to a waterfall before, you may not realize how loud it is to be standing next to it. Make sure your dog is prepared for the raucous, or be prepared to stand far enough back so that they feel comfortable.

Now, that all sounds a little tough and scary, but to put things in perspective, we took our dog on this hike. Pawdrick is a tripod, so he only has three legs. He weighs about 40 pounds and is a pit mix in excellent hiking shape. He had minor trouble along the trail but powered through most of it just fine!

Points of Interest Near Tumalo Falls

If you’re up for more adventure, there are a few other waterfalls, hiking trails, and points of interest in the area. Double Falls and the upper, middle, and lower north fork falls are in the Tumalo Falls area.

There is also a beautiful meadow called Happy Valley, which can be reached by hiking the Tumalo Falls Loop Trail. This seven-mile loop connects North Fork, Swampy Lakes, and Bridge Creek trails.

Outside of the Tumalo Falls area, there are a few points of interest that are worth visiting:

• Mt. Bachelor: This is a large ski area worth visiting anytime. Even if it’s not winter, you can still check out the mountain and drive around the beautiful scenery.
• Tumalo Mountain: Located near Mt. Bachelor, Tumalo Mountain is a 4-mile hike to the top of a 7,779-foot mountain.
• Black Butte Ranch: If you need a place to stay while visiting Tumalo Falls, consider the Black Butte Ranch. It offers its guests horseback riding, pools, massage tables, and a slower pace of life so you can kick back and relax after your adventures!

The city of Bend is also just down the road! There are tons of things to do in Bend, such as eating at the famous Smash Burger food truck, checking out one of their beautiful parks, or floating down the Deschutes River on an inner tube!

Tumalo Falls FAQs

Below, you’ll find answers to the most commonly asked questions about Tumalo Falls in Bend, Oregon.

How Long Of A Hike Is It To Tumalo Falls?

This depends on where you start. From the parking lot, the trail along Tumalo Creek, which leads directly to the waterfall, is about a half-mile round trip.

If you arrive when the road is closed and have to walk from the gate, you’ll have to hike 5.5 miles.

The hike to the Tumalo Falls viewpoint is approximately 0.4 miles round trip. Again, if the road is closed, add around 5 miles to the hike for a total of 5.4 miles round trip.

Can You Drive Up To Tumalo Falls?

You can get pretty close! The parking lot for Tumalo Falls is extremely close to the falls. However, you cannot see the waterfall from the road or your car. You must hike to either the viewing platforms or alongside the creek to see the falls.

One of the viewing platforms is located less than a tenth of a mile from the parking lot and is accessible.

Is Tumalo Falls Dog Friendly?

Dogs are allowed on the trail to Tumalo Falls and on many of the nearby trails, such as the waterfall viewing platforms. However, some of the nearby trails are not dog-friendly due to the presence of the Bend Municipal Watershed.

The Bridge Creek Trail and portions of the Swampy Lakes Trail are not dog-friendly.

When Does Tumalo Falls Road Open?

While it can depend on the weather, Tumalo Falls Road is typically open from May to November. Due to snowpack and hazardous winter conditions, it is closed from November to the following May.

Hiking is still permitted when the road is closed, but you must hike up to the Tumalo Falls area, which adds about 2.5 miles each way. The road closes where Skyliners Road turns into Tumalo Falls, near the Skyliner Sno-Park.

That’s A Wrap On Tumalo Falls!

We hope you enjoyed our guide on the Tumalo Falls hike. This 97-foot waterfall is a sight to see, and it really exemplifies the impressive waterfalls found in the Pacific Northwest.

Looking for other stunning waterfalls in Oregon? We’ve got a guide on our top 8 favorite waterfalls in Oregon! Until next time, give your furbags an extra pet from us dirtbags, and keep exploring.