Tumalo Falls Day Use Area
Tumalo Falls Trailhead, Bend, OR, USA
Summer: May - October Winter: December - February
$$
hikes
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Thirty minutes outside of Bend is Tumalo Falls Day Use Area, with a short trail to view the stunning 97-foot Tumalo Falls.
Deceptive by its name, as it’s neither near Tumalo Oregon nor near Tumalo State Park, Tumalo Falls is believed to be of origin from the Klamath Indian word Temelo, meaning “wild plum”, which is a small, fast-growing tree that was once notably abundant in the area.
Although the falls are visible from the parking lot, the Tumalo Falls trail starts at the picnic area and travels .5 miles to a beautiful upper viewpoint of Tumalo Falls. You can continue on the trail another 1.25 miles to get to Middle Tumalo Falls, which is a two-tiered, 65-foot cascade. There are also a few other trails that can be taken from this area including a 7-mile loop trail, to see several other waterfalls, as well as a 6.5 mile out and back. There are even trails accessible here for mountain biking. Even so, this visit and review are based just on the Day Use area.
At the trailhead several signs and maps are posted, near the pay station. There is a day-use fee for using the area that is $5 a day. You can pay this fee onsite or if you have an acceptable pass such as a Northwest Forest Pass, Local Digital Recreation Day Pass, or any of the Interagency Passes.
The park is seasonal to some extent being only open to hikers in the Winter. The gate typically opens in late spring, May through October being of heavy use. In the winter months, with snow typical, hiking to the entrance gate can be an added 3 miles one way depending. When visiting in the winter always check recent trail conditions before you go.
If you don’t end up going for a longer hike, sit at one of the picnic tables available and enjoy lunch outdoors. There are seasonal vault toilets on-site as well.
Beyond the Bend Municipal Watershed bicycles, dogs, and stock are not allowed, so please come prepared. Also, the parking lot can easily fill to capacity on busy summer days, so be mindful of the No Parking signs posted along one side of the road. Since parking is limited there is a 27-foot vehicle length limit at the parking lot near the trailhead.
If you’re visiting from out of town nearby Bend is a great city filled with family-friendly breweries, great parks, and lots of other fun stuff to do and see.