Information
Landmark: Tumalo FallsCity: Bend
Country: USA Oregon
Continent: North America
Tumalo Falls, Bend, USA Oregon, North America
Overview
Tumalo Falls rises out of the Deschutes National Forest, about 12 miles west of Bend, Oregon, where Tumalo Creek tumbles in a white rush over the rocks.This 97-foot waterfall plunges into a canyon thick with evergreens, sending up a cool mist and offering one of Central Oregon’s most stunning-and easiest to reach-waterfall views.Around Tumalo Falls, thick stands of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and quaking aspen rise above mossy ground, where spring’s lupines give way to autumn’s golden leaves, painting the landscape in shifting colors all year.The waterfall formed from ancient basalt flows, the dark volcanic rock common across Central Oregon’s high desert.Tumalo Creek winds through the old lava, carving a canyon so deep you can hear the water echo off its walls.The falls drop almost 100 feet in one sheer curtain, crashing into a deep pool ringed with massive boulders and jagged rock ledges.Upstream, trails tracing the creek lead to smaller cascades like Middle Tumalo Falls and Upper Tumalo Falls, where the sound of rushing water guides you through each tier of the watershed.The forest around you teems with life-deer stepping softly through the underbrush, elk grazing in sunlit clearings, black bears lumbering past, and birds overhead, from swift peregrine falcons to watchful owls.The scenery shifts with the seasons-spring swells the creek with icy snowmelt, summer slows it to a quiet trickle, autumn sets the aspens shimmering gold, and winter lays down a thick, silent blanket of snow.The U. S. Forest Service manages the Tumalo Falls Day Use Area, where a narrow gravel road winds through tall pines before you reach the falls.Most visitors arrive on Highway 20 or Forest Road 4603, then follow a smooth stretch of pavement that winds just a few minutes to the entrance.The day-use area offers parking, picnic tables under the shade of tall pines, and restrooms, plus trailheads that lead to several viewpoints and hiking routes.You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass or pay the day-use fee to park, even if it’s just for a quick stop under the pines.From the parking lot, a smooth paved trail winds to the main viewing platform, perched just above the roar and spray of the waterfall.The trail is short and easy, so most people can reach the falls-kids in tow, sneakers crunching over gravel.From the main viewpoint, visitors take in sweeping sights of the waterfall spilling into the deep canyon, the spray catching light, with forested cliffs framing perfect photo moments.Trail for hiking, with dirt crunching under your boots.From the parking lot, a short, mostly paved path leads straight to the main overlook, where you can hear the rush of Tumalo Falls before you see it.It’s only about a quarter mile each way, and it gives you the quickest, easiest route to see the falls up close, where you can hear the water roar.Number two.The North Fork Trail starts at Tumalo Falls and winds upstream to Middle Tumalo Falls, a smaller cascade that drops in two graceful tiers.The trail runs about 1.25 miles each way, climbing steadily along Tumalo Creek as it winds through thick pines and over rocky ground.Three.The Tumalo Creek Trail winds along the water for several miles, the sound of rushing current at your side, and links up with other trails in the region.Perfect for hiking or mountain biking, this trail winds through open meadows, shady forest, and a series of small waterfalls, pulling you deep into the sights and scents of the high desert.In spring, melting snow swells the river, and the waterfall crashes down with a deep, echoing roar.The trails may be slick with mud, and the forest bursts with fresh green leaves.In summer, the trails bake in the sun until they’re firm underfoot, and the warm, clear days are perfect for hiking or spreading a blanket by the meadow.The creek runs more gently now, yet it still catches the light on the ripples.In autumn, aspen leaves blaze with gold and deep orange, catching the light like tiny flames in the crisp air.Cooler air takes the edge off the heat, making a hike feel easy and pleasant.In winter, heavy snow sometimes blocks the road, yet people still glide across the quiet trails on skis or crunch through the powder in snowshoes.The frozen landscape feels calm and still, with only the crunch of snow underfoot breaking the quiet.Tumalo State Park sits right on the Deschutes River, where you can cast a line, take a cool swim, pitch a tent, or wander onto trails shaded by tall pines.Shevlin Park in Bend offers short, winding trails that follow the gentle flow of Tumalo Creek, making it a great spot for easy hikes and relaxed family outings.Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway offers a route for travelers who want to see the falls, then wind past glittering lakes, rugged peaks, and the deep green hush of pine forests.Visitor tip: get there early-by mid-morning on summer weekends or during peak fall colors, the lot’s already jammed.Footwear: The path near the falls can get slick, especially where mist clings to the rocks, so wear sturdy shoes.Safety first: the rocks by the falls are slick with spray, so don’t risk climbing near the edge.For photography, the light is at its best in the early morning or late afternoon, when shadows stretch long across the ground; a soft fog or thin mist can turn the scene into something quietly dramatic.Leave no trace-pack out every bit of trash, even that candy wrapper in your pocket, to keep the place as pure as you found it.At Tumalo Falls, you can step out of your car and, within minutes, stand before a roaring cascade framed by evergreens.You can take a quick, easy stroll with the family to the main overlook, or head upstream for longer hikes that lead to quieter waterfalls and shady forest trails.The site combines thundering waterfalls, shadowy green forest, and glimpses of deer along the trail, offering an outdoor experience that draws in casual visitors, photographers, and seasoned hikers alike.With its shifting seasonal colors, striking rock formations, and endless ways to explore, Tumalo Falls stands out as one of Central Oregon’s most unforgettable natural spots.
