Tumalo Falls Reviews

4.6

3 of 149 Best Attractions in Bend


Reviews

Awesome trail

By Lisa S |

We went to Tumalo Falls only to find the road to the Falls was closed. We decided to make the walk to the Falls.
3.4 miles later we found an awesome waterfall. It was well worth the hike. I think a different time of year might make this area even more enjoyable.

Very pretty, and picturesque

By KendianaJones |

We were told that there were two viewpoints, one a quarter mile up the trail, and another a half mile up the trail, from the top of the falls. The truth is, if you are lucky enough to find a parking spot near the trailhead, the first viewpoint is only a few yards away. The top of the falls is a quarter mile away, and well worth the walk, for a closer look.

Locals tell me it is TUM-a-low, not TUME-a-low Falls. Whatever the name, when the water is flowing heavily like when we visited, it is quite pretty. Be prepared to drive a dusty rock road to get there though.

Short hike! Great Scenery!

By Mike G |

This is the second time that I have been to Tumalo Falls. The hike to the first overlook is only about 300 feet from the parking lot. Then there is a short five minute hike to the viewing platform at the top of the falls.

Follow the trail above the falls to view a very scenic mountain stream. Good example of the beauty of the Oregon forest.

Spectacular Waterfall close to Bend

By CristenB |

Tumalo Falls is spectacular in any season. Be sure to walk up to the top where there are viewing platforms. It is amazing looking back at the stream and then following its cascade over the edge. There are distant views from there as well. Bring your camera or phone for great photos. There are hiking trails down along Tumalo creek. It can get crowded. Go early.

Beautiful but buggy

By EmeraldDove |

Very beautiful water falls, plural...the trail past the main falls was not very busy. Seems like most people just go to the first viewing platform.
Packed dirt path with very few roots and rocks compared to other trails in the PNW made for a relatively easy uphill hike for 2 plus miles out. The main detraction was the number of little black flies and mosquitos which did not give me a moments peace...even after applying insect wipes with Picaridin twice. Still it was a beautiful spot and I am glad to have seen it. :)

Must See

By TikiDreams |

So easy to get to and only $5 fee. Can see the beautiful falls from the parking lot but be sure to hike the somewhat steep 1/2 mile up to falls. But don't stop there. Be sure to continue maybe 3/4 miles further to the rock stacking creek and add your own creation.

Early April Hike/Walk

By The McTusins |

Beautiful waterfall and scenery. We went in early April and the access road was closed, there was parking for a half dozen cars at the gate though. We walked 2-3 miles at a slight incline to the viewing station at the falls and then up a short, steep and slippery trail to the top of the falls. Wear boots as there was some snow on the road and trail this time of year. The walk up was definitely worth it!

Beautiful!!

By Chelsy S |

This is a easy hike up to the falls. Great view of the valley. You can also walk past the falls and follow the river. You can go sit by the river and build rock towers. My nephew had a lot of fun. The water is freezing through. Great place to take the family.

Long walk

By Olga |

We didn't get to the falls as were not prepared to walk such distance. The road to the falls was closed, you have to park by the bridge and then walk. We just didn't have time! No toilets, no water. On weekends even in April difficult to find spot to park. All info and map are at the bridge parking area.

Nice walk in the pinewood

By Cyr75 |

The Tumalo Falls are really pretty but if you want to hike, just follow the trail until the next falls that are 1-1,5 miles away. The hike is easy but bring some water for it is hot during the summer.

Fantastic Falls

By ElConquistador000 |

Beautiful falls and an easy hike to get to see them. If you're feeling really brave, there is a trail you can take that will take you right down to falls.

Beautiful and easily accessible waterfalls

By Eve P |

So beautiful, less than an hour from Bend, you can do a longer or shorter hike seeing multiple falls or just take in Beautiful Tumalo Falls from the parking lot. A MUST See while in Bend!

Beautiful walk to the falls

By kimmackinnon |

The road is closed to the parking lot for the winter but the snowy walk was beautiful and worth the time. The trail from the base of the falls is slippery so be prepared.

Don’t miss it!

By Erik R |

Just a twenty minute drive from Bend, it’s a spectacular waterfall that you can walk right up to. An easy walk, that kids and little dogs seemed to love running up to see.

Easy to get to but the road can get very crowded

By Dean F |

You can see the falls from the road/parking lot. Easy, short hike to get all the way to the falls. Good trail to get to the top. Non-maintained trail gets you to the bottom, but it can be slippery and somewhat difficult if you have any physical challenges.

Tumalo Creek Falls via North Fork Trail

By Midwest Scout |

A fun trail to hike. Great, clean trails with beautiful views. Still had some mounds of snow in areas which we were surprised by. Only drawback was the unrelenting mosquito swarms as we neared Happy Valley. Highly recommend this trail. Parking was sparse but worth the extra effort.

Worth the short drive from town

By Thomas H S |

We were running short of time so we passed on the hike and drove on the gravel road straight to the falls. Quite a nice place!

Extremely easy to get to, good photo shots, and it looked like there were a couple more hikes you could take from the falls. Some folks were down at the bottom of the falls. Not sure how they got there but there looked to be a wet trail if you had hiking boots.

It was fun to see all the bicyclists climbing their way up from Bend to the entrance of the gravel road that leads up to the falls. A lot of people in Bend are in great physical shape! Next time I will have to try that.

Showing friends natural beauty of Central Oregon

By Cheryl B |

We had some friends visit and decided a little hike with a gorgeous waterfall was just what they needed for their first Central Oregon exploration. It doesnt dissappoint.

Easy and very pretty hike

By Beth C |

I agree with other reviews that it's easy and very scenic. I was under the impression one had to hike in several miles to even get to the waterfall. Actually, the parking lot is 1/4 mile from the waterfall and you can see it from your car. Hiking past the falls gets even prettier...

Moderate drive, short hike, nice falls

By gjfromwa |

The drive out to the falls is scenic and paved most of the way but becomes gravel/dirt about 3 miles before the parking area. Once you get the the falls is in view and the hike to the top is short and easy. There is also a trail to the base of the falls. There are trails that go along the creek too.

Breathe Taking

By blinschoten |

This is an easy walk from the parking area to the top of Tumalo Fall. The trail is only 1/4 mile to the top but a lot of elevation change. Coming from Florida at sea level was a multi stop climb for me. There is a trail that takes you to the base of the falls and yes, under the fall. Again, fairly easy to negotiate. It is well worth the hike down for the breathe taking views.

Beautiful falls

By Susan M |

While tandem mountain biking the trails we came across these beautiful falls, so gorgeous. Highly recommend checking them out if you are in the area

Could not get there

By Caw1203 |

I’m sure the falls are lovely, but we could not get there. Massive crowds on a Saturday 10:30 am in early October- gravel road that is barely wide enough for 2 way traffic with many cars parked on the roadside. Gave up and turned around. Probably need to go very early.

Worth the drive

By MEKonrad |

Hiked up to the falls after driving on snow for about a half hour. It was fantastic! The water raged over the volcanic cliffs and each bend in the path offered a new view of the river. It is a bit of a drive, and in winter you would want all-wheel drive to get there, but well worth the effort.

Beautiful side trip when you're in the area.

By Michael H |

Tumalo Falls is a beautiful destination with scenic views all along a short, easy hike. Parking might be a challenge on the busier weekends, but still worth a little extra hiking.

Beautiful hike!

By cali4niafoodie |

As others have mentioned, the gate is closed for winter, but we found easy parking and began our trek to the falls. It's absolutely gorgeous scenery, however the packed snow "road" was rutted and uneven...hiking boots or snow shoes would have been helpful, to prevent turning ones ankles. We started too late in the afternoon to hike all the way to the falls, as the sun goes down early here, due to the high ridge...we knew it would be getting dark and really cold, so chose to turn around. I'm determined to go back in summer, earlier in the day, and see the falls! This may very well be a better hike in a season other than winter...I can't wait for the weather to change!!

I Love the View

By MrSunes |

The water was clear and cool, and the nature around make my waterfall visit the best. My family had an enjoyable time hiking. I will be sure to come back this summer

Great outdoor area

By JFC63 |

Came to hike and it's such a beautiful place to get some exercise. Not a tough hike but a great addition if ya want to vary your hiking scenery. Pet friendly.

Fall property hunt

By UgaBend OR |

Beautiful falls.. the drive is bumpy and parking can be a challenge. Coming when we did was easier then in the summer to find parking.. love the roar of the water and the solitude of the area..

Lovely Falls

By TeePeeEnCee |

Our son took my wife an me there during our visit to see him in Bend. Only a short walk (a few hundred yards or less) from the parking area to view the falls, and about a 10-15 minute hike to the top of the falls and some gorgeous views. Can also continue hiking beyond the falls, if desired. Definitely worth visiting.

Amazing snowy hike

By Ben V |

Today the forest road was closed so you walk 2.5 miles from parking to the falls. Not very many parking spots so go early or on a weekday. Bright blue skies and sunshine made the snowy trek excellent. We wore hiking boots which were fine for 95% of the hike. The last uphill I would have enjoyed some spikes but it was doable if slow.

Incredible view when you get there. Plan to come back in summer to continue on to the other waterfalls.

If I did this again tomorrow, I would pack a lightweight sled. There were times when it would have been incredibly fun to sled down the trail.

Easy access to a beautiful water fall

By Peggy S |

Very close to Bend but plan for 2 miles of dirt road. There are more dramatic falls, to be sure but definitely worth the trip through a gorgeous NW forest.

So Pretty

By katt82 |

This place was magical and I have a fear of heights. The waterfall is just to die for!! I went hiking in vans and it was ok until it got a little slippery.

Excellent Hike!

By kdavi3 |

This is such a great hike to a beautiful location! It really is not that extensive - so, pretty quick to get to the falls if you have a good pace. It is a relatively flat path and actually quite wide in many areas - makes it nice not to have to always walk single file!

We completed the trail in just under two hours.

The terrain on the way up to the falls is peaceful and you get to see the creek and go over a few bridges. The falls was already experiencing ice, so it was beautiful to see it falling, but also ice castle-esque.

Beautiful

By willpack2 |

We went after it rained all day. It made the water roar over the falls! It was spectacular. Plus it was a nice, short walk to the platform to view the falls. The biggest problem was the unpaved road to the falls that were full of potholes. But it was worth it.

Worth the Drive!

By k7333 |

Beautiful falls just a steps from the parking lot. Keep hiking up the trail along the creek and you will definitely see more. It's a well groomed path and not too hard. Lots of people and so beautiful!

Beautiful Site...

By Mfonnesbeck |

We enjoyed the easy hike in to see the falls. It was peaceful and enjoyable. The road was well marked so visitors could find the Tumalo Falls.

Amazing!

By Daniel Fishman |

There are a few different way to reach the falls. The short one is 0.25 mile hike from the parking lot just below it. There is 4 mile hike as well.
The parking is very small can be overcrowded during the weekend,

Snowshoe to the Falls

By ReddingNorCalGal |

Our family snowshoed to this beautiful waterfall the last week of the year. Several people were on the trail. The 'summer' road to the falls is closed in the winter, so we walked on the snow covered road. Parts of the Falls were frozen, really beautiful.

Beautiful falls

By JSA-Seattle |

Made a quick trip here with my son after a baseball tournament. We drove up to the falls parking lot (vs. hiking from the lower lot). Highlight was the path to behind the falls. I'd read about it somewhere, and it's not obvious and easy to miss. As you leave the parking lot to head up the trail to the lookout, there will be a path off to your right. There's a log across the path (not sure if it's there to discourage people), but there's a clear path beyond. It gets a bit narrow at times and you have to negotiate some large tree roots and a few awkward steps (not recommended for small children or the elderly), but it's so worth it. Very cool to be underneath and behind the falls. We'll worth it.

Great views while hiking

By DenW978 |

Followed a trail that was leading us in the wrong direction of the falls. But finally got on track and ended up at the falls. Autumn colors beautiful.

Beautiful Falls

By Laura P |

Gorgeous walk to the falls and the waterfall itself was gorgeous. The air is so fresh and the sounds are incredible!

Wow....beautiful waterfall!

By Dotty M |

Tumalo Falls is amazing. Be sure to walk about 1/4 mile up a hill (go easy) and get to the top of the Falls. Pristine water roaring over the edge.

We thoroughly enjoyed our short time there.

Beautiful view even without the effort of a hike

By trishgh |

You can hike up to a different view or simply stay at the bottom...busy day when we were there. $5 fee to park.

Did not disappoint

By patnnet |

It was an hour drive from Redmond, last few miles on a US forest road, but once you made the parking lot the waterfall came into view. This is a beautiful fall even with the snow flurries. This waterfall is accessible for anyone, even a wheel chair. I highly recommend it to all traveler's going through Bend.

Spectacular natural beauty!

By AVLwriter |

What makes this attraction special: The falls are very close to Bend and you can view them without much of a walk since the falls are just at the end of the parking area. Spectacular flow of water from a great height tumbles into a rushing creek — what could be better! A 1/4-mile upward hike on a dirt trail takes you to the top of the falls for another great view. There is also a trail leading past Tumalo Creek. Be aware that there is a $5 day use fee. Also be cautioned that the 3-mile approach road is unpaved. Even driving slowly will result in a VERY bumpy and dusty ride — which is why I rated this 4 instead of 5 stars. With the popularity of this spot it would be nice if someone would consider paving the road!

Be sure to go to top for a greater view of area

By Joseph S |

An easy short outdoor activity to do while visiting Bend. Short drive on a gravel road and you're there. Great view and easy to get to. Be sure to take the short 1/4 mile hike up to top to get a different view of the area.

Limited parking, but walk was not bad at all.

For the more adventurous outdoor hikers, there are longer 3+ mile hiking options for surrounding areas.

Beautiful place for a short jaunt

By Littlebitts1 |

A bit crowded the day we went, hard tofind parking, but still glad we went. There is a short jaunt to the falls, but longer trails if you dsire.

Tumalo Falls

By SandersonTravels |

There are several ways to get to Tumalo Falls. We took the drive up to the parking lot but you can hike from further down the trail. It is a beautiful fall and only about 1/4 mile from the parking lot..

Wish we had more time!

By katwave1 |

To visit the falls you don't have to walk far, but there is a trail that continues on that we were not aware of and started on it right before lunch so we couldn't take the loop. But if you keep going up from the falls, it is beautiful with more water features and scenery. It is pretty incredible standing right above it as well. A great place to visit.

Stunningly Beautiful!

By JaneAustenFan |

Nice, easy drive from Bend. Worth the trip. A bit crowded in the summer though. Parking is a nightmare with not enough parking spaces and a narrow parking lot. The bathrooms are a bit scary.

Ambitious Hike

By pfefmeister |

Took the longer and dramatic loop hike on North Fork Trail to Swampy Lake Trail to Bridge Creek Trail. I clocked it at 8.7 miles in about three hours. There are quite a few dramatic falls as you climb the trail above Tumalo Falls. The only tricky part is about a half mile down Swampy Lake Trail, you have to cross a stream that has no bridge. Follow the orange tape tied in the trees to a jumble of logs affording you a relatively safe passage if you are careful. We parked on the side of the road before the bridge since there already were 4 cars waiting for spots. Great hike, and not to bad on the uphills.

Hidden Gem

By Kelsey A |

We stumbled upon this and will go back. It is out of the way and down a long dirt path and if you park in a certain area you do need to pay $5 cash so keep that in mind. Beautiful falls but not a lot of parking close to it.

Wow! Worth a visit.

By Grace Carr L |

If you like to walk but don't want to do any serious hiking, this is a beautiful option. You can drive to the falls and park ($5 cash - put it in an envelope and deposit in box). It's a little tricky finding the parking lot: Take Skyliners Road west, all the way to the end. It then turns into a gravel (somewhat washboard) fire road. Stay on this for about 2 miles, and you come to the parking lot.

You hike steeply for about 5-10 minutes, and then you're at the falls! There is a big, nice viewing area. Then you can get on the trail and walk along (above) Tumalo Creek for 4 miles, then return. Highly recommended.

Iconic view in Central Oregon!

By Tambry S |

This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Central Oregon. It is very accessible and doesnt even require hiking to see it. Literally you can park your car in the parking lot and be seeing the waterfall in 3 minutes!

Mosquitoes!

By PBJIlly |

Great hike and great views. Just bring some bug repellent as the mosquitoes are everywhere-including in the sun!

Beautiful

By lilmel459 |

Beautiful waterfall, you can hike to the top and enjoy the view.
Well cared for trail. Great place for photos.

Three Falls hike

By AirSchis |

Pretty easy hike. You can see the first falls which are pretty high from just beyond the parking lot if you come for them. If you want to hike to the other two falls the trail is easily navigated. Soft trail within the lush forest. The ascent is very gradual so can be accomplished by anyone. $5 fee for visiting the falls like any other Oregon attraction.

Easy hike to the top.

By Robert M |

Short drive on a gravel road, very much worth the drive. The view and sound of this waterfall are awesome. A viewing spot at the top gives you a good photo op. Oh and only 1/4 mile up to the top, easy incline. There were two different bikers who cruised right up on mountain bikes.

Long but Rewarding Day

By Mark Song |

There are a plethora of trails crisscrossing the mountainside, and Tumalo Falls is just the beginning. Yes, they are spectacular, but continue on up the North Fork Trail and you encounter 6 or 8 more, most with access to get up close and personal with the falls.

Plan your route carefully, and watch the trail markers, and you can create your own loop through the wilderness and arrive safely back where you started.

Not for the faint-hearted - it is a real hike. But the effort is amply rewarded by the spectacular views.

SO close to downtown Bend

By Mary G |

Only problem is the parking. Nowadays there are SO many visitors and the road in can be very dusty in the drytimes.

Stunning Waterfall just outside of Bend!

By Donna S |

Tumalo Falls is a beautiful location and the falls are very close to the parking area. There are trails close by that follow the river upstream--you can hike a mile or 7. The trail is smooth and not difficult and smaller falls can be seen as you hike. Be sure to check the park website as the road can be gated in icy/winter weather. Parking is tight and a parking permit is needed--I believe you can purchase it there for $5.00. Fall colors are lovely here,

Beautiful !

By SafariBart |

Very accessible and nice views ! Note that last few miles is over a gravel road. We did it with our Mustang convertible without any problems (although we had to close the roof for dust).

Beautiful and easy access

By Craig S |

This is a "no brainer" to see as it is so accessible, a short drive followed by a shorter walk. There are a series of waterfalls but we were short on time and spent all we had around the large falls. We noticed a side hike that goes down to the large falls. We observed a few hikers went behind the falls. Looked cool but do not know how safe it was.

A long hike but well worth it!

By theloneglobetrotter |

The hike is kind of long but it was definitely worth it. By the time I was near the falls there was no one around at that time so had a great time enjoying this beautiful waterfall!

Awesome, a MUST see!

By Travelbug201 |

Lucky we got our first visit in right before they closed the road for winter. The road is definitely bumpy, take it slow:) During our visit there was a small amount of snow & little bit of ice, just walk slow, be careful! Very easy 'hike' we parked close & walked to the first deck for pics, hicked to the top, was a bit slippery & muddy due to weather but not very dangerous, got some amazing pics from up top. It was absolutely beautiful!

One of the top 5 best waterfalls in Oregon

By NeoWasHere |

Depending on where exactly you're coming from in the Bend area, it will take anywhere from 15 - 45 minutes to drive here. In our case, it was a nearly 30 minute drive. Lots and lots of bicycles on the roads. There were more people on bicycles than vehicles. In fact, I haven't seen so many people on bicycles like in the Bend area than anywhere else with the exception of Amsterdam. The last 2.6 miles (Forest Service Road 4603) is closed to motor vehicles from Nov to May due to snow. We went on a Tuesday afternoon in June and there was no sign of snow anywhere to be found. We had no problem parking in the very limited and high use parking lot right at the trailhead. Parking (only vehicles under 27 feet) at this day-use area requires a $5 recreation pass and can be purchased at the site. We used our Interagency Access pass instead for FREE. They provide vault toilets for the restrooms.

The 97 feet tall waterfall was gorgeous. I love the sound of the rushing water of an impressive waterfall. The panoramic views were breathtaking. It only took a few minutes to hike the 0.5 mile uphill trail to the Upper Viewpoint. Leashed dogs are welcome. E-bikes are not allowed.

The best time to avoid the crowds is mid-week and in the morning before 9 AM.

Beautiful Scenery

By Lori H |

Very nice drive and hike to the falls. They are spectacular in both the summer and fall months. I do wish the parking area was larger.

Great hike. Beautiful waterfalls

By J K |

Gorgeous scenery. Beautiful hike. We stopped next to the river to cool off. Boy is that water cold. Easy hiking for spectacular views.

Great Waterfall and Surroundings

By Dmlsun |

This was probably the best thing we saw on our one day visit to the bend area. We went morning, about 9:30am on a beautiful day. The signage to get there is not great, we had a map. There is a dirt road at the end of the paved road that is bumpy for about 2 miles. When you get to a parking area near a stream, you are there. You can view the waterfall from the parking area below or hike uphill to the top viewing area. We hiked up and took pics at the top platforms. There is a longer hike and one that goes to base of falls also. The scenery was beautiful!

Natural Wonder

By Jason T |

It is hard to go wrong with a nice short hike and a waterfall. Well done nature! It is a little down a dusty and semi-rough dirt road, but as a kid that grew up in the country I've dive WAY WORSE.

One of the better waterfalls in central Oregon - which means it can get crowded

By graewolf |

Scenic spot with access to below, middle and above the falls as well as a trail that continues on into the hills to more falls along the same creek. development from Bend is encroaching on the region, so I hope they take steps to make sure this gem stays pristine. Parking can be an issue when it's crowded. Make someplace special and....well, you know.

Great Falls, but keep going!

By Linda D |

Yes the main falls are a short walk from the parking lot – but keep going! The trail is wide and well traveled with a beautiful tree canopy. And if you take the trail along the river you will see many other waterfalls. Spectacular scenery a great hike. You do have to share the trail with bikes but they’re only going uphill. Also dogs are welcome on the trail and fun to encounter. This could be a half-day or a full day - make the most of it!

Worth the drive and hike

By Us2Berts |

Great trails with awesome falls to view as your reward. Not really that far out of town, Mosquitoes ate us up but sure that varies with seasons. STAY HYDRATED and There is a restroom. ;-)

Senior Friendly

By 63901pb |

Nice hike/walk to the falls. Rustic and picturesque. Easy incline so take it easy and enjoy the view.

Great hike with stunning views

By umsteadtravel |

It is a short hike to the main falls, however keep going up the trail and there are two other sets of falls. Ok, going up is a hike but coming down is easy, well worth the effort.

Beautiful falls, pretty crowded

By plivsey2017 |

Tumalo Falls offers a system of trails. The main attraction is going up the river where there is a number of beautiful falls. At the bottom near the parking lot it is very crowded. However, as you proceed up the trail crowds thin out quickly. Going up 2 miles past the Upper Falls to a bridge crossing and back made a nice hike for us. We passed at least 5 waterfalls.

breath taking falls

By suezbend_Oregon |

The falls are beautiful, easy to see even if you have issues walking.
The parking is awful and the last part of the road is so very dusty.

Worth a Visit

By Lori L |

Worth the short drive outside Bend. Parking is extremely limited, with maybe 20 spots available at the entrance. We arrived on a weekday before 9 AM and got the last spot. There's parking across the bridge. Once you arrive, you can see Tumalo Falls 700 ft away. Great view and we hiked two miles in and turned back.

Note: Bring mosquito spray. There were so many that we were getting bitten.

Gorgeous but crowded

By iamhere555 |

About 20-25 minutes east of Bend, Tumalo Falls is a great day or half day trip. We also saw a lot of bicyclists on the road between Bend and Tumalo.

It is on US Forest land so requires a parking permit or America the Beautiful Pass.

We went on a weekday afternoon in early September and it was crowded--difficult to find parking and we had to go back out and park along the road. It still wasn't a far walk to the waterfall, though. There were a lot of people on the path and overlook to the waterfall; I'm assuming it would be much more crowded on a weekend.

But, the falls are spectacular and we enjoyed seeing them and walking a short distance on the path along the river past the falls. There are other hiking/walking paths, but we did not take the time to explore them all. It's worth the trip, but I'd suggest a weekday if possible.

Excellent hike

By Tina B |

This is a terrific hike with amazing views. The start is steep, but don't let it deter you. Get through the first five minutes and you'll find more moderate ups and downs. We saw several waterfalls and I'd love to do this again.

Beautiful - Go early

By ccwb_tx |

Beautiful falls within 30 minutes of downtown Bend, Oregon. Fee is required but they also honor some National Park passes. Parking can be an issue as it is a very popular place. Get there early to beat the crowds and get that morning light for your photos!

Other Worldly setting

By Steve B |

This is a must hike for anyone in the area that loves the Outdoors and scenery. You feel like you are the only one out there for much of the trails and sites like the waterfall and some of the babbling waters make you want to never leave.

Nice, but Crowded

By AroundTheWorldIn80kDays |

We had kids in our group, so this was an appropriate activity, but there were so many people, we had to park a half mile down the road. Also there was so much wildfire smoke, there wasn't much of a view. And too hot.

Beautiful falls

By LinC449 |

Absolutely stunning waterfall among the fall colors. Easy directions. The 2.5 mile graded dirt road was a bit rough the first mile but was much nicer the closer I got. The pay kiosk is just onto the start of the unpaved road and you need to pay for the pass there as there is no kiosk at the trailhead. ( cards only at kiosk) Parking is limited at the trailhead, and if you have to park on the road it’s a bit of a hike up. Easy walk to the lower viewpoint. The .25 mile hike to the upper viewpoint is steeply uphill, but the path is wide and smooth and easy to stop and catch your breath.

Easy Hike for Great View

By Kirby K |

Close to Bend, easy drive and you can park very close to the Falls. We hiked to the top and further down, gorgeous view!

Beautiful Falls

By Jlhtu |

I love the area around Bend, and Tumalo Falls was no exception. I was surprised how close it was to the city.

Beautiful Waterfalls

By JerryH9905 |

August 31, 2017 - After returning to Bend from seeing the Painted Hills, we drove just outside of town to see Tumalo Falls. We had already seen the 5 waterfalls along Route 30 next to the Columbia River Gorge and wanted to see one more.

It is a short 30 minutes outside of Bend to get to Tumalo Falls and a lot of the drive is through residential areas, some in forested locations. But the road was smooth and it was interesting to see some residential areas.

Once you get close to the Falls, you are on a dirt road and the parking lot is dirt and gravel covered. There are bathrooms available and plenty of hiking opportunities. The Falls can be seen from a viewpoint not far from the parking lot.

It was worth the drive and I highly recommend a short hike to anyone who has the time.

Beautiful on a sunny fall day

By ColoAvsPuckhead |

Went here on a beautiful fall day while visiting Bend from out of town. Take Skyliner Drive and then turn off on a 3 mile road that is initially paved but then rutted gravel. The parking area at the trailhead is small - seemed to hold about a dozen cars, with the remaining cars parked along the road. We got there @ 2:30 on a Friday afternoon and were fortunate to find a parking space close. You can get a glimpse of the falls from the parking area, and there is a small viewpoint just off the parking area. There is a quarter mile uphill path to a viewpoint above the falls - enough to make you work a little. On our clear, sunny day the view of the falls and the steep-sided valley/gorge was stunning. For lovers of natural beauty would definitely recommend.

Beautiful falls!

By Elizabeth W |

Absolutely loved this waterfall 😍 We only did the 1/4 mile hike to the first falls since we had little kids with us, but it was beautiful!

Beautiful Falls

By VanLaraLe |

Parking is scarse, so we had to park outside of the lot. You can take a photo from the bottom of the falls and then take a quick but steep hike to the top to experience the beauty of the area. The "road" into the falls area is not paved so we were happy to have our SUV, and there are multiple places to stop within the area to get out and take beautiful photos. We were pressed for time, but would come back for the various walking paths.

Go early and hike further than the falls

By Cathy R |

Lovely spot. We went early and hiked a 7 mile loop up from the falls and down another trail. Absolutely beautiful and we only saw one other person on the second half of the hike. Got back to the falls and it was packed with people parked all down the road. most don't go further than the falls. So go early and hike high and take insect repellent - the skeeters are hungry!

Breathtaking

By Carol K |

Tumalo Falls was beautiful. Nestle in rocks and pines. there are a couple of observation locations both with magnificent views. It's probably a medium hike from the lower point to the upper point. A little steep but not that bad. The air smelled like pine. It was beautiful. Would definitely go there again if ever in the area. Would have liked to have more time to hike and explore

Well Worth Your Time

By Brian B |

Walked along the Deschuttes river for several mile not a difficult walk. We started above the rapids/falls where we found quiet water. It was a beautiful walk.

Our new favorite hike in Bend

By Ross I |

This hike is awesome! The views of numerous waterfalls and the Tumalo River make it so beautiful. We hiked into Happy Valley and had a small lunch, got our feet wet with ice cold water and headed back. The trail is well marked and safe. All in all in was an eight mile hike. Water is recommended. If you like to hike, this is a must.

Beautiful waterfall

By Jill M |

We enjoyed our drive out to Tumalo Falls. There is a gravel road for the last few miles of the drive. Bring along a pen or pencil if you need to purchase a day pass there and cash. You have to fill out an envelope with your info and put the $5 in it and drop it in a money box. The falls are visible from the parking lot viewing area but you can also climb up a steep trail to get to the top of the falls viewing area. I highly recommend doing it. Once at the top of the falls you can continue on the trail and see another set of falls further up. Not sure the name of them. It was a nice hike and there was even still some snow on the trail in late May. We had children with us ages 5-11 and they enjoyed the hike.

Gate is Still Closed

By luvmom |

5 mile out and back when the gate is closed. You cannot drive it. The more scenic route is 3 1/2 miles one way.

Time of Year Important for this Hike

By Ellen |

We walked 2.5 miles in to see the lower falls. It was beautiful and an easy path to follow but the gates were locked for driving closer to the falls. You may want to consider this if you arrive too early in the year. When we arrived there was no snow and the temperature was in the mid fifties so we didn’t understand why the gates were locked. Also, parking is limited if you can’t drive past the gate so plan accordingly.

gorgeous

By christie c |

great easy hike and so gorgeous . i will be back again to take in the amazing views and terrain. Love bend.

Unbelievable falls!

By Lori B |

Beautiful falls, easy hike, great place for a picnic! We will visit this place again when we return to Bend, for sure.

Gorgeous Falls

By Jacksons4112015 |

So happy we took the time to drive to Tumalo Falls! It's an easy drive and the short trail to the overlook was not difficult to navigate. It's worth seeing if you have the time and enjoy the outdoors.

Easy & Fun

By Kelly |

The waterfall is lots of fun and enjoyable for most! The waterfall is about 20 minutes outside of Bend. A portion of the road to the falls is unpaved. There are restrooms at the trailhead but no water fountains. There is a $5 fee for access to the park.

There is a ledge right at the parking lot that you see the waterfall, but I recommend walking to the top. There is a short, high hike to the top where you can step out right at top of the falls. You can continue along the river on the trail.

I recommend going down towards the falls. Halfway down (or up) the hill to the top of the falls, there is a small path towards the falls. The path is a little rougher. If you follow this path, you will be lead to the foot of the falls. It is steep at some points so it may not be ideal for children. Also (as most hikes near water) there are a lot of bugs so you may want to bring bug spray.

Fun long hike and nice Views in Winter

By Tom L |

We went in early February, so the road up to the parking lot was closed. But we decided to hike up anyway in the snow (about 2.5 to 3 miles each way). It took several hours so don't try to hike it if it is getting late otherwise you will be hiking back in the dark. But it was worth the hike to see the falls. in my opinion anyway.

Child’s perspective

By Valerie O |

Hi! I’m Valerie a 14 year old child. I’ve never been hiking before but Tumalo Falls was an easy adventure. There was multiple choices whether you wanted to see the falls without hiking or hiking a bit with a beautiful view. I loved all the nature there. My only suggestion is to go there early because the parking is not easy to work with.

Hiking

By jnetterlund |

Beautiful hike to the falls. I would recommend this location for anyone who likes to hike and the beautiful scenery.

Wonderful Hike

By jackmckenzie47 |

Tumalo Falls is a truly magical place. The "main falls" is just the tip of the seven waterfalls that you will see if you are in for a nice hike!! This area is highly trafficked and if you can enjoy it on the weekday. As with most popular spots it has been found and is very heavily used.

Great hike

By Victor S |

Just remember there is a long two mile drop be on bad road to get in but a great drive till there and a hike with great views. It wasn’t too hard and lots of scenic views along the way

Beautiful

By robin z |

My children and I very much enjoyed the hikes and scenery. The falls are beautiful, even a little place my son could get his feet wet.

This was a great hike in the snow over Christmas break

By PNG98 |

The road was covered in packed snow, mostly flat going to a great waterfall. Round trip was about 5 miles. Great winter hike and the scenery was beautiful.

Beautiful waterfall a short distance from Bend

By Jlo7799 |

Tumalo Falls in a beautiful waterfall. A very short walk to get to the bottom of the falls and another short hike to get to the top. I would suggest that you go earlier in the day. It gets very busy and the parking lot fills up fast so you have to park on the road. There is also a $5 park pass that you are suppose to purchase and then put back in your car. Luckily, we found a close parking spot so we didn't have to walk so far back to the car. I think a lot of people just don't purchase the park pass. There is a hike that goes beyond the falls which is not too strenuous.

Great hike

By jbflorida |

About 30 minutes outside of Bend, with the last 2 miles on a partially washboard dirt road. Arrive early, parking spots go quickly. An out and back 4.4 mile hike will get you three waterfalls. Tumalo, Double, and Upper Falls. Lots of shade, beautiful scenery.

Amazing falls...

By tkhaskell |

This was amazing.... a must see in my opinion! We took the obscure trail off to the right and cut lower along the river and there is a great place to walk behind the falls. (This trail is a bit tricky though not for handicapped or small children)

Beautiful Falls, a bit off the beaten path.

By Shapley_Hunter |

We first stopped at Tumalo State Park, expecting to find the falls. There is a helpful sign at the park advising that the falls are some distance away, and providing information on how to get there. There is a shorter route than the one they list, however, if your GPS is up to date.

The drive to the falls takes you through the historic Skyliners Neighborhood of Bend. Be advised that the distances given by GPS are only to the end of the pavement. The falls are about 2 1/2 miles further down an unpaved National Forest road (NF-4603) at the end of Skyliners Road.

There is a parking lot, with toilet facilities (privies). The view of the overlook is a short walk from there. There is a not-to-steep climb up to an overlook at the top of the falls. I believe it was about a 3/4 mile walk to there - and not too strenuous.

The base of the falls does not appear to be accessible - Tumalo Creek flows from the falls through a steep-walled canyon for some distance before passing the lower overlook. Thus, the lower overlook is some distance from the falls themselves. The upper overlook, however, is right at the crest of the falls, and affords a fine view.

Beautiful day trip

By Jean C |

This is a very short trip out of Bend and it is a must see very beautiful waterfall very sort walk to enjoy it's glory

Central Oregon's Finest Waterfall

By EzMotownB |

This is a spectacular waterfall in a spectacular setting. Road up is a little bumpy, so stay home if you don't have something with clearance and chunky tires.

You can take photos or get soaked.

By Robert F |

There is a trail to the lookout above the falls, and another one to the base of the falls. You can walk behind the falls for a thrilling experience, but be prepared to get wet!

Don't stop walking! Beautiful

By a07668 |

Very stunning walk. Some rough terrain, but fairly easy hiking! Worth the walk! Seemed we had the place to ourselves! Mostly shaded walk.

Great short stop/hike! Beautiful!

By Ann P |

Great stop for a short hike to a beautiful fall - one of many in central Oregon! Lots of folks there!

Easy hike - Nice Falls

By ricry525 |

My son and I headed up to the falls after a soccer game in the area. The last 2 1/2 miles were on a dirt road, but easy traversed. Drivers were courteous. It was later in the day and there were places to park. The trail to the upper lookout was easy with a beautiful view.

Beautiful but...

By Leslie J |

Such amazing falls. The reason we give it 4 stars is the parking situation is bad! Very limited and hard to know if there is space at the entrance! My advice is to go early or ride you bike up the incredible bike trail!

Nice Short Hike....

By Takarehi |

The negatives....gravel road that is really dusty. Parking lot is small for the number of people that use this area....TIP: go after 3PM the lot had really cleared out by then on the day we visited. The trail is that powdery dust that gets on everything....our grandsons loves playing in it and were covered in dirt.
The positives... it isn’t too far out, the hike to the Tumalo Falls overlook is easy and the falls are beautiful. Further up the trail we found a nice little beach where we could picnic. Another 20 minutes up the forested trail brings you to Double Falls for a nice picture opportunity.

It's a trek, but delightful to view

By JWP8 |

Went with family and friends and the mild hike to falls overlook was short, but the view was so special. It doesn't take too long to make this short jaunt and I think it was well worth it. Beauty, tranquility, calm.

Scenic Hike with Beautiful Waterfall as a Reward!

By JimSTL1021 |

Take the well maintained and popular trail to the overlook of Tumalo Falls. Don't stop there but continue up the hill to see even more of the river and some smaller falls that are also quite scenic. There are several species of wildflowers along the way to enjoy as well.

Great hike near Bend

By Damien P |

We stopped at Tumalo Falls while we were visiting bend and it was very beautiful. There is easy access to the lower viewpoint of the falls if you can get a close parking spot. We had to park on the side of the road, but it wasn't very far to walk. You can hike to the top of the falls and see it at a different angle, which was nice. You can also hike past the top of the falls beside the river. This is definitely worth a stop if you are visiting Bend.

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!

By 76FOODY |

Mother nature at its best. In the summertime you can drive right up to where the falls are and take one of several hiking trails along the river. One of the trails even goes under the falls. Just simply gorgeous. In the winter, when the gates are closed, you can snowshoe or cross country ski to the falls. Less than 2 miles each way. Just simply beautiful!

Worth the visit!

By Ann L |

Great short hike to see this magnificent falls! There are 2 viewpoints to see the falls. If you hike about 2 miles further up the trail you come to Double Falls. It’s an easy moderate hike.
We were there in October and got to the lot by 9 am and the lot was nearly full. By the time we finished our hiking the lot was full and cars were lining the road up.

Impressive, beautiful, and a nice light hike

By elsabear3 |

We were so impressed by this beautiful park. It's accessible for all ages and abilities, and if you'd like a longer (but not heavy duty) hike you can get that too. We got in about 10K steps on the trail that follows the falls and the views were so rewarding.

Beautiful

By Mariann G |

Really beautiful falls but please go beyond the falls itself. There is an area (not far) where a collection of rock stacks stand near the water.

Beautiful Waterfall near Bend

By Joseph Robba |

Tumalo Falls was an excellent experience for us. There are lots of gorgeous scenic view points to see the falls, and it's not a very long hike, although it is a little uphill to get to the top of the falls so be advised on that.
The parking lot here is incredibly small, and I ended up parking along the gravel road pretty far away from the parking area, so be prepared to drop your group off near the trailhead and then have to park and walk back to the trailhead, as it can get very crowded.
But, it's totally worth it, and make sure to bring your camera, it's an incredibly beautiful and impressive Waterfall.

Nice waterfall with limited parking area

By eatshoptravel |

There were no available parking spaces in the lot when we arrived, so my husband parked the car out along the gravel road we came in on (this is another road in the area that could benefit from basic paving), along with several other vehicles. We used our National Parks annual pass to cover the $5 recreation use fee. The waterfall was scenic and it was nice that you could see it without having to do the optional hike.

Tu-tu-tumalo

By Paula B |

Majestic hiking where the air is crisp, the trees are your guide, falls are gushing and the hikers are friendly

Easy hike to falls

By KMAAI |

Went early to avoid crowds - large group of us with 5 cars. Parking early was great. Easy hike to Tumalo falls with additional hiking if you want more. Definitely busy late morning and beyond.

Stunning!

By 1972TravelGirl |

blown away by the pristine setting. parking was easy. the waterfall is accessible for families or people who don't want to go to far. the trails are well marked and you can wander around the leading streams. very pleasing!

Best close hike to Bend with at least a dozen waterfalls to enjoy if you hike up 3.5 miles.

By Otazman-Ron |

At least a dozen waterfalls a beautiful river and a great hike make this the don't miss while in Bend. Tiny hike up to the top of the first falls but keep going so many more views to be seen for the next 3.5 miles. HINT, this place gets busy be on the trail by 9am or parking can get bad and the later it gets the longer the walk from the parking lot.

Timeline falls

By maureenswaney |

This is a short drive from downtown bend. The falls Ardene spectacular in all seasons. For mush looking there is an observation deck near parking lot and fog the more adventurous there is a hiking trail to top of falls and at top more waterfall options.

Nice hike. Bring bug spray!

By lapril24 |

After reading many reviews about this hike my friend and I took heed about the warning of limited parking spots and arrived early - 9:15 on a Tuesday morning. Glad we did as we grabbed one of the last of the 15ish spots in the lot. There are other spots you can grab along the road but it just means more walking.

The hike was a nice mix of shade and sun. Great to listen to the sound of the water as you hike and wonderful waterfall views along the way. So glad we brought bug spray because the mosquitoes were out and biting!

My friend and I hiked the full 3.8 miles in and then out. The end of the Tumalo trail was a bit underwhelming as it's just a place where 3 others trails come together - plus it got extremely buggy towards the end. There was no grand view at the end, which I really like. If you feel the same, I would suggest turning around at the 3 or 3.3 mile or once you start hiking AWAY from the water.

Great site

By clyde |

Well worth the effort to get there Very well marked. Trails well maintained. Great vistas. Good facilities

Seven Waterfalls on a well-maintained trail

By David R |

Started at the North Fork Trailhead at the base of Tumalo Falls. Went out 4 miles (8 miles out and back) to Happy Valley. Seven waterfalls by my count along the way. Vert well maintained trails with a gentle upslope the whole way out. Decent amount of shade except near noon when the sun is directly overhead the trees. Mosquitos and other bugs were a bit of a nuisance the last mile out.

beautiful display of nature

By rexhans |

We arrived on a Monday morning around 10 am. we were able to secure a parking place near the trial head which cut quite a hike off our outing. since parking is scarce the earlier the better. there is a $5 fee per vehicle which can be paid at a pullout before reaching the parking area or you can wait and pay at the trail head. the view from the parking area was as describe...beautiful. of course you can't come here and not take the short but somewhat steep 1/4 hike to the top of the falls. plenty of photo opportunities all along the path. We chose to continue up to Happy Valley from the top of the falls. This hike had some ups and downs but was not very easy going. about 1 mile in there were 2 sets of falls within a short distance of each other that i thought were better that the one at the parking area. we hiked about 2 miles up into the canyon before being scared back by dark black storm clouds. we were hoping to see more of the other half dozen falls that are said to be found on the trail but today it just wasn't to be. all in all this was a great outing. worth the $5 and short 15 mile drive.

What a view!

By Terry B |

Drove up to the falls from west side of Bend. Took about 45 minutes. Nicely paved road until the falls turnoff. Last 3 miles on dirt road, lot of dust. The falls were great, worth the drive. There is an easy path leading up to the top of the falls. Below or above what a view.

Get away from civilization but still be close

By LBK1000 |

Tumalo Falls is only about 10 miles from Bend but there is no cell reception and a feeling that you have escaped the crowds. Go only as far as suits your party, or the full 7mile loop. In October there were not many people, and leaves and water were lovely. I am told that parking and crowds can be an issue in the summer.

Restrooms at the trailhead have no running water but are clean and in a welcome location.

Beautiful falls close to Bend

By aberiksen |

A great place to take visitors or a chair and a book. A must see if you visit Bend. Try rising a mountain bike up to it and coast down. Very doable for all ages.

Only with four wheel drive

By Nrenaut |

We were just here in November and they have snow. 2 of the falls we wanted to see were unapproachable and couldn’t be seen. The road to the falls was snow packed and the parking lot had deep, icy snow ruts. As we made our sliding turn out we say the falls. They were beautiful…at least from our vantage point. We had a Nissan Altima. I would suggest only going if you have a four wheel drive. Not for the road but for the inclined parking lot.

wonderful hike, lots of going up;

By timrage00 |

get there early, although considering it was a weekend and proximity to Bend it wasn't too bad, but earlier is better. lovely views, not super exposed to the sun; I was nursing an arthritic knee and still made it.

Short Hike

By Hammertime |

Beautiful view but very busy! Parking was difficult, trails were over populated and short. They did have facilities at the trailhead. Would recommend doing during a slow time or find another trail.
Note: Parking is by permit, or pay

Hiked up Tumalo falls with group

By MillC1 |

I forgot tennis shoes and had to hike in my birks but it wasn't bad. Beautiful hike but I would have liked to know how far up it went or how long a round trip would have taken. I had no phone service up there so I had no idea how close we were to the top. If there were landmarks on the way that might have helped.

Worth It!

By Jake F. |

This was my second time to Tumalo Falls and it was just as beautiful. The main waterfall is very close to the parking lot so many families come here because of the ease, so expect crowds and a full parking lot although there is plenty of parking along the gravel road. We did the Happy Valley Trail which was 8 miles round trip that followed the river with lookouts at several smaller but gorgeous waterfalls. Very few people on the trail beyond the first half mile since the main waterfall
Is so close to the trailhead. Very gradual trail with nothing too steep or dangerous. Pretty easy. TIP- Not very many trail markers and no cell service so be sure to take a pic of the trail system map at the trailhead so you don’t get confused!

A gorgeous smaller waterfall which is good sized for the area

By sexybaby7399 |

This is a nice sized water fall, particularly for central Oregon but not comparable with Multnomah Falls! It is available by a short hike and is well worth it! Highly recommended!

A Hidden Gem – Absolutely Worth the Visit for any seniors !

By RealtyAZ |

We absolutely love this place! The falls are stunning and surprisingly easy to reach. The first one is less than 1/4 mile from the parking area—an easy and beautiful walk to an incredible view. The second fall is about another 1/4 mile uphill, but it’s well worth the climb. We're both in our 60s and had no trouble at all.

The views are breathtaking—pictures just don’t do them justice. Don’t let the drive on the gravel road discourage you; it’s all part of the adventure, and the destination is more than worth it.

There is a small fee of five dollars US to access the falls, but honestly, it’s worth every dime for the experience and natural beauty.

Pretty hike to the Falls

By Isabelle F |

Easy 3.5 mile hike to the falls. Peaceful, not crowded, with pretty scenery. Very well marked trail. Mountain bikers delight

Easy access

By ssparlin |

The drive was about 30 minutes from our hotel in Bend. Beautiful drive. Last 2.5 miles are unpaved. Gravel but very dirty. A one way bridge at the very end to the psrking lot. They had parking for handicapped. The walk from our car to the first falls viewing area is close to 50 yards and easy walking on dirt. You can also take 1/4 mile hike to top of the falls and the lookout there. I did not take that hike due to a broken back in January. There were lots more cars there than anticipated with several csrs parked on the road before the bridge to the parking lot and walked in. Definitely had to wash the car after we returned to Bend.

Worth the drive

By Tony M |

If you are staying in Bend, don’t hesitate to go see this remarkable area beautiful kept with several falls and all the sounds of nature you would expect in the wilderness. It is a 30 mile drive from Bend but fits perfectly with a lunch in the town of Sisters . Don’t miss either

A relaxing day in the woods.

By Nampa_Guy |

A great place to explore & spend the day. Quiet (well, other than the sounds of the falls & river), peaceful, and a really relaxing day.

Trails are well maintained and made for a good walk. They are dirt, with rocks & roots, so it may be difficult for some.

Fantastic photo-ops everywhere. You kind of have to decide what to take. We had a partially overcast day that broke into nice sun. Made for all the best types of photos. We only walked about 3/4 of a mile along the path. It goes all the way to Happy Valley (4.5 mi one-way, and it's not a loop, so it's the same walk back).

There is an entrance fee, but we were pleased that the National Park Pass works just fine.

We got there fairly early, but parking was jammed @ the falls itself. By the time we left (hours later) the roadway & overflow were getting plenty of parking use. Be aware.

Easy to get a great view, can do a lot more if you want

By odie33 |

Tumalo Falls is a very short walk from the parking so it's very worth visiting. We took it easy for once but our son and his girlfriend hiked to the top of the falls, which they said was great, and then they kept going. They ended up going much farther than expected and decided to do the entire loop which was 11 miles. Not as rewarding, lots of bugs! One warning, when we got back to our car the vehicle in back of us had been broken into. A rock thrown in the window. Actually nothing had been taken so the offenders must have been spooked. But be careful not to leave anything visible that is of value (they left wallets).

Nice and easy hike

By Terri A |

This was a really fun way to get a little exercise. At this time of year (Mid-March) there is still snow on the ground so, we shared the experience with snowshoers, cross country skiiers, people walking their dogs, and many just like us, out to enjoy a hike and the beautiful falls. There were also a few photographers who I am sure got some beautiful photos. The biggest problem is parking. There are very few parking spots in the area where the hike begins.

Afternoon outing

By Carin W |

Beautiful waterfall - easy drive right outside Bend. The dirt road is pretty bumpy, but you drive slow and you're fine. Nice hike past the waterfall.

So beautiful!

By GK360 |

So beautiful! We drove out on a bit of a rainy day, so there was almost no one else here. Perfect! Water was roaring over the falls. Impressive from the initial viewpoint, but even better after the short hike up to the next viewpoint at the top. Well worth the time to drive out here and enjoy the beauty.

great hike of any length! beautiful falls

By H20girl08 |

Tumalo falls proper just a short slightly steep hike for viewing - if you follow the signs for Happy Valley you can take in many more falls on a shaded trail - we hiked out an hour then back - great for a hot day!

Beautiful waterfall close to Bend

By DJP1979 |

The road to the falls is a bit rough at the end, but it is well worth a trip to see the falls if you are in the area. I only wish we could have seen the falls in the spring, when the water level is a bit higher (even in September it was impressive).

Easy to get to!

By PSinternational |

This is a pretty short drive out of town. The road is a little rough, but the view along the way is beautiful! The hike to the falls is about a 1/4 mile onna very nice trail. This is a good place to take the entire family. There is also a couple other longer hikes in the same area.

Great day trip. Beautiful and easy access.

By Susan S |

We rode our bikes up there, which was an 11 mile gentle climb. 14 of us made it easily and enjoyed the views, a small hike to the very top. Parking is rough, so we were glad to have our bikes. Falls were awesome, but it was a very wet winter. We went on Sunday morning and had very little in the way of crowds. I would imagine with the limited parking, that visiting early in the morning is best.

A must see!

By Tiane S |

This was a very beautiful, simple waterfall but the fall colors and fresh air were amazing! Everyone on the path was very friendly!

Don’t miss this easy to see!

By Bgdg1962 |

You can see this waterfall before you get to the parking lot. We were here in April and there was snow. the falls are so pretty. Easy walk to get an even better vantage point don’t miss this natural beauty

Beautiful!

By HikeEatRepeat |

While you do get your car dusty on the gravel road, I feel it was definitely worth the trip. It’s nice you don’t have to hike for miles to see the falls. Parking is very limited!

Great trail

By James Y |

Great time walking up to top of waterfall, it was nice, put also safe and a great place to take pictures.

Beautiful falls!

By Shirley S |

It was fairly easy to find.... the good road turned into a gravel road for the last 7 or 8 miles... limited parking up by the falls.

Great hike to several falls

By Kyojin42 |

Scenic hike to along the river to several falls. Trail is nice not too challenging. This hike is a shorter trail and is good for families. A lot of photography opportunities.

Beautiful! Secure time for a hike upstream....for more falls!

By Annaline |

Be advise that parking lot is not that large and you might need to park far away from the viewing platform. But if you are a hiker: no problem. The Tumalo Falls are visible right from the parking lot but you can walk up to the top of the falls. And further, to other falls (many falls on this spectacular Tumalo Creek (be advise: closer to water mosquitos are ruthless.

Beautiful

By Heather S |

Beautiful waterfall and nice hike. Easily hiked by the whole family. Trails are even and wide and well defined. Not too steep.

Always a place to take the family for a hiking adventure

By Don S |

We usually visit before and after the tourist season for lesser crowds. Still, it can be busy anytime of the year. That leads to another issue, which is finding a parking spot. You might have to park away from the main parking lot. The falls are spectacular and the scenery around the falls and river is also breath taking. One more place to take the visiting family members. If your not in shape, it is somewhat of a steep incline on the hiking trail. Make sure to pack a lunch, bring plenty of drinking water and enjoy your day.

Hiking was fantastic

By lizzie8890 |

Beautiful views. Well marked paths. Would be a great place for a picnic too or to spend the day. Pet friendly. You will never run out of hiking trails In this area.

road closed but worth the hike

By yehudah |

It was a 2-1/2 mile hike to the base of the falls, but it was sunny and the fog had turned the valley below in a refrigerator. Glad we had Yaktrax for our shoes as the climb up to the top of the falls was icy.

Great series of waterfalls

By Colleen H |

The main falls in very close to parking (very busy so go early). Next is double falls which is a tiered fall and a second drop fall about 300 yards up hill. The upper falls is another good drop fall. The water was flowing and they were all great. The hike up to the third fall was 2.2 miles (4.4 RT) with 550 foot elevation gain.

Beautiful, easy hike.

By Traci H |

We were lucky to have beautiful weather, and the falls were picture perfect! We did make the mistake of parking further away from the falls than we needed to, but the added hike didn't hurt us at all! If you have trouble with walking, follow the gravel roadway as far as it will go, and you will find a parking area & viewing area.
If you make the quick hike to the top of the falls, there are beautiful views down valley.

Beautiful!

By EC |

Worth the effort! Long drive down a gravel road so don't wash your car before you come. Parking lot is small so you may have to park on road. Septic tank bathroom with no tp or place to wash your hands. Can walk up to the top of the falls.

So beautiful....

By Gail H |

The whole drive to the falls was gorgeous...easy to get to and not crowded at all. You can hike to the top or stay at the viewing area at the bottom which is great for group pictures.

Great little hike from Tumalo Falls to Double Falls

By Kris C |

Four of us did this hike yesterday. The weather was perfect.

The Tumalo Falls portion was right off the parking lot - easy access - on the right side of the parking lot. Nice views from there but if you continue up the trail, left side of the parking lot, you go up to another viewing platform. Getting up there is an uphill sloping climb, not bad.

If you continue on from there, about 1 mile in, you reach Double Falls. Very pretty. Most of this portion is an easy walk.

We were told by other hikers that if you keep going, there are several other waterfalls. But, for us on that day, a 2 mile round trip was perfect.

There are two bathrooms right off the parking lot. No running water to wash hands. The parking lot is small. Many people parked along the road. $5 fee.

Glad to see couples, families, runners and even a couple of mountain bikers using the trail!

Next time I'd like to go further but happy with our visit yesterday.

Must see

By Avalanche408 |

You can't miss with Tumalo Falls. If you just want a quick view or a longer hike this place won't disappoint.

The walk to see the main falls is short and well paved so almost anyone can do it.

We ended up hiking past the main falls and wound up about two miles in at a large bridge carved from a tree. Along the way we saw many smaller falls and none of them disappointed us.

The walk was fairly flat and well defined. It was an easy two miles and gave lots of rewards along the way.

Check this place out if you have a few minutes or a few hours.

Great views

By sgmurillo13 |

Short, easy walk to see those falls, views from the top and from the bottom of that nature marvel, you want/must use bathroom prior the arrival, since they have only a type "can" bathroom, very uncomfortable for ladies..

Amazing!

By cmjrichey |

We went fairly early in the morning and it wasn't too hot or crowded. We parked at the first lot about a half mile away and enjoyed the easy walk through the high desert. Being able to see the waterfall from different views was a treat. We did hike down to the water with our five year old, just take your time and there's nothing to work about. Standing under the waterfall after a bit of hiking was very refreshing!

This is worth the gravely road!

By love2travelUSA66 |

You might feel like you're on a road to know where, but when you arrive and begin one of many hikes, you soon realize it was a road to magnificent beauty! We were there during a horrific wildfire in the area, hence the smokey pix; but it didn't change the ability to absorb the sights and sounds of nature all around. The length of your hike depends upon your choosing. A 3 day hike is available with camping along the way. We were there for a short time, but it was full of grandeur!

Hike or drive for a view

By Leah |

You can access the falls from a parking lot about 10 feet away from a viewing point, or you can hike in from various points. Even if you drive to the falls there are several trails around them to explore. Parking lot is super small so go early or park on the dirt road leading to it.

Starts of great and gets even greater!

By jane w |

This gem of a falls is just 13 miles from the heart of Bend, making for great and quick awesomeness. The last two miles are gravel, so heads up... and it has become a traffic jam of sight-seers. But if you head up on weekdays, or off hours it is worth the close up look. You will not find "official" trails to its base, but all the unofficial ones are easily scouted. Don't know if that is a super no-no or not - so find them at your discretion. The trail up to the overlook of the upper falls is short enough that any steepness is negotiated and forgotten in no time. The best part of this trail, though, is if you continue past it into Happy Valley - about 4 miles - where you pass over the river and past some GORGEOUS other falls. You could even do a 9 mile loop back to your car (but that one definitely needs to be perused on a map... gives some great views back to the Cascades)........ Anyway, whether short or long, this trail will not disappoint.

Natural Beauty!

By Pecola10 |

Perfect place for a hike and enjoy nature. Not to far from Bend, part of the road is not paved and parking may be a problem so be patient. Once you get out you feel absorbed by nature, fresh air and a nice waterfall. Not a difficult hike and many places to stop and enjoy the scenery.

Easy access to beautiful waterfalls

By Piter92604 |

Plan to arrive early to avoid the crowds, this is an easy uphill hike where you can see a beautiful waterfall. If you have more energy, you can go further on the trail and See smaller waterfalls

Beautiful hike

By Sharon Blumenthal |

The road is currently closed but would still highly recommend this breathtaking hike. Would be best in waterproof shoes right now. My family of four with two teenagers loved this hike through the snow to see the Tumalo Falls. We parked at the gate and walked about 2.5 miles to the falls. My teens have never enjoyed a hike more than this one.

Very nice trail and waterfall

By TaraH |

This was a really nice hike overall. However, the trail markers have been damaged (missing the pertinent info) and once you're on the trail you have to rely on GPS.
It was pretty busy on a Wednesday morning at the end of June.
Definitely a highlight of our visit to the Bend area, but the actual hike/scenery is not as lush and impressive as Koosah and Sahalie Falls about 1/2 hr. away.

I totally recommend going here!

By chelsysunshine |


We had a great time! Loved the short hike to the falls and enjoyed the walk along the river along w making rock towers. Was such a beautiful, peaceful place to hang out w our family. Next time we hope to do the hike. We had our grandson who is 1 and we didn't feel he would make the 4 miles to happy valley and back.
But I would totally recommend coming here!

Tumalo Oregon State Park

By Morrie C |

This is a very nice Oregon State Park. The campground is nice with lots of trees. The river is close allowing for a nice picnic and hiking ara

Tumalo Falls family day.

By Susan V |

Gorgeous waterfall!! Just a short drive or bike ride from the city but worth the bumps and gravel. Limited parking but had no problem getting a spot. Short walk to viewing site at bottom and just a 1/4 mile easy hike to get a view from the top. There are also close by picnic tables so pack a lunch. Loved every minute of this "making memories" visit with my 31 year old daughter and 70 year old husband. Lots of families around enjoying this beautiful spot. It's not to be missed.

Trail Hike

By Magdalene L |

We enjoyed a Beautiful hike in the snow to see These amazing falls! It was a unique experience. The road to the Usual parking area was closed to traffic due to snow but we hiked the 2.5 miles to get to the view of the falls and took pictures. It was a lovely hike with our dogs who enjoyed it. They are medium sized Brittany’s. There were a lot of people carrying smaller dogs. I’m glad I wore my waterproof snow boots! We both slipped a little going up to the final viewpoint of the falls but it was gorgeous!

Worth the drive!

By Deanne2332 |

We finally made it to see the Falls! It is only about 10 miles east of Bend and a gravel road about the last 2.5 miles. It was absolutely breathtaking with all of the fall colors along the road to the Falls. When once we got to the Falls, it is just a short walk from the parking lot. Be sure to get there early because the parking lot is not very big. It is just a short hike up to the top of the Falls.

Another tip from the locals

By oek9mom |

Another conversation with the locals sent me here & I was so glad I took their advice! Amazing area & a great feel for the area.

Scott and Monique

By Monique R |

This was a beautiful scenic drive. We are cyclists but since this was part business and part pleasure we didn't have bikes. But this is a great place to cycle to. Then you can hike the path to view the magic of the waterfall and the snow capped mountains.
We drove up all the way and parked. Then hiked the path with our dog. Oregon is very dog friendly. It was spectacular. Loved it

Beautiful Falls

By Bill B |

Great falls, access road is rough and parking is a joke. The Forest Service needs to pave the road and make a bigger parking lot, Charge more for access to give the public better access.

Great views of Falls...very pretty

By Bill H |

I've been here summer and in winter. There is a great hike beyond the main falls that will lead you to 5-6 additional falls and the trail is pretty easy. The road to the falls is closed to vehicle traffic in the winter but the hike in is only a few miles and worth the effort. Last winter we snowshoed in, very nice. This year there isn't much snow so we hiked in. Expect to pay a $5 State of OR parking pass in the summer.

Absolutely Gorgeous; easy hike

By BillyFarrer |

I have visited the falls twice now, once more than 8 years ago and then again last month. The water was gushing. the falls are very impressive. Don't miss the other waterfalls farther along the trail. Can be crowded on weekends, so recommend going during the week if you can. Beautiful drive from downtown Bend.

Amazing Hike!

By Nickie C |

This is a must see for hikers and explorers in Central Oregon. No matter the time of year, it's a beautiful and iconic place to visit, take pictures, have a picnic, or just enjoy some quite time in the wild outdoors. The trails can be busy at times, wear good hiking shoes and at least have snack and water with you. It's an easy hike though, for most.

Beautiful although remote.

By Ed A |

We decided to visit the falls on our way from Bend to Eugene. Unfortunately, you have to backtrack through Bend. You can view the falls from two spots. To get the closest look requires an uphill walk on a paved trail. But there is also a good view just twenty yards from the trailhead. There are restroom facilities (the bare necessities kind). Parking is very limited near the trailhead and part of the drive from the highway is rough/slow going.

Great hike. Great exercise.

By KSeater |

Great hike with beautiful views. The waterfalls were great. It was busy on a Sunday but well worth the hike.

Great hike to beautiful falls

By gr8passage |

We really enjoyed walking to these falls, and we followed up with a delightful picnic lunch in the woods nearby. It was really just a beautiful scenario and a great way to take in all the wonders of nature.

Not accessible in winter

By Tammy B |

I wished some of these reviews would have alerted me that you can’t access these falls in the winter. We wasted an afternoon trying to find it!

Worth the trip

By dagcoin |

Difficult pothole road to drive but worth it. Parking is a bear as there aren’t many spots. Cost $5 to drive up and park. The hike to the first falls is minor about 1/4 mile. The day we went snow stopped us from going any further than the top of the first falls. It’s a beautiful view and worth the trip.

beautiful water fall

By brent b |

after short up hill walk you are on the top of the fall with a great view of the fall and the area. there are several trails in the area.

GPS can be misleading

By Kathy H |

We loved Tumalo Falls. It's very dusty, so wear clothes and shoes you don't mind getting dirty. Dogs are allowed on leash. Be careful of GPS directions. Siri on our iPhones tried to send us on a wild goose chase quite a bit south of the falls. Fortunately, I had taken photos of directions from a guide book at our B&B, which I'm including in this post (The gravel road mentioned is paved at first though.) Parking is difficult, but we were fortunate to be arriving as someone else was leaving. (Self pay $5 or display park pass.) Unfortunately, we didn't hear about the trail that goes behind the falls until a couple days later, so we will have to go again next time we're in the area.

Short drive bu great hiking

By Norris E |

We enjoyed both the magnificent waterfall and enjoyed our trek up the trail. The scenery was spectacular!

A great attraction

By C S |

Lots of great hiking out in this area. Hiking effort is from easy to moderate effort. Beautiful nature at it's best.

Road closed during winter

By MargieGarcia |

I was looking forward to visit Tumalo Falls, given the good reviews I had seen in TripAdvisor. So after doing check-in in our hotel in Bend, this was our first stop. It was a short drive from downtown Bend, but once we got there, the road was closed. So people were parking just about anywhere, road conditions were icy so it was a bit of a challenge. I can’t walk long distances & we weren’t sure how far the Falls would be from where the road closing was located, until someone told us it took them 45 mins each way. So my husband had to piggyback me for 20 mins. That didn’t stop us from seeing some wonderful views while trying to make it there, but disappointed we didn’t get even a glimpse of the Falls. If you can’t hike or walk much, I strongly suggest you plan your visit during a different season. Would definitely come back during Summertime & maybe we can drive closer to the Falls.

Let your GPS get you there - but keep driving after it says you arrived. You can't go wrong.

By Logan H |

Our GPS said we we had arrived a good 1/4 to 1/2 a mile before we got to the falls on the gravel road. We were almost to the point of turning around because there are no signs along the way once you get onto the gravel to say how much farther you have to go. Keep going - you can't go past the falls and it's so worth putting up with a little dust and washboard gravel road. We were there by 10 am and the small parking lot was already full. Going later in the day will likely mean you're parked well back on the road and walking up to the lower falls viewpoint and the trailhead.

Didn't go up the trail since we were headed for Crater Lake but photos from the lower viewpoint made the bumpy drive worthwhile. Remember to slow down when meeting opposing traffic so that you don't throw rocks at each other !

We saw a sign indicating that this was a day use fee state park but no sign of a collection box, or payment system like at Smith Rock State Park.

Beautiful Views of the Falls

By Jon A |

does not disappoint with easy short access from parking to the falls with the opportunity for many more other trails to hike in the area.

A pleasant afternoon

By Michael B |

After seeing the eclipse in the morning, we wanted to do something pleasant in the afternoon. This is a short drive from downtown Bend. The falls are a short walk from the parking lot. Very pretty and refreshing. You can take the top trail and get a nice view, or take the bottom trail and get drenched.

Spectacular!

By Michael T |

You can see the falls by driving up and easy dirt road. You can litterally almost pull up to the view point. The falls are very high and have a nice hike you can take to the top. There is an associated use fee involved. It is worth it.

Amazing!!!

By Catherine A |

Parking was the pits but sooo worth it. Expect a narrow, gravel, dusty road and you'll love this. There was a short walk up to the falls or you can see the falls from the parking lot with little walking. There are other hikes there if you wish but we chose the smaller one and weren't disappointed. We did put our feet in the water and boy was that COLD. Loved every minute of it.

Hard to find

By Jim B |

The instructions on how to get here are not accurate. We read to get to this o go down Phil's Road and that is not correct. So, we missed it - sad.

Worthwhile Hike

By philmP451YB |

We were told about this place and that it was an easy hike to the top of the falls. It was very beautiful and the hike was dusty - really enjoyed ourselves and the trek down was a breeze.

Good hike, with beautiful falls

By Natalie M |

We parked below the bridge since it was busy, but we didn't really run into many people on the trails. There are plenty of great views to see multiple falls. Beautiful hike. Since we had 2 small kids with us we didn't get to go quite as far as we would have liked, and they were in carriers a majority of the way. I will be returning.

Beautiful

By Jen A |

This is a great spot because you can drive there and take in the Falls or stay and hike up and see many more waterfalls. The hike is beautiful and not too difficult. A great hike for an afternoon with some snacks.

Beautiful setting

By RockSeeker |

The falls were lovely. The hike relatively easy. The day we were there it was pretty busy, but it was a few days after the eclipse, so many tourists were in the area. Worth the trip!

Beautiful falls

By Steve C |

Nice scenic drive outside of Bend to see a beautiful waterfall. Parking is limited. National Forest pass or annual pass required. A quarter mile walk up to the viewpoint is doable for most able bodied folks. Dog friendly. Other trailheads here also and along the road to the falls.

Views to die for!

By GraceSellsBigBear |

This is our second time doing Tumalo Falls. The first time the road was not open due to snow and we hiked up to the frozen falls and it was gorgeous. This time around Bend was hanging on to fall and it was just as gorgeous.

Skip Tumalo Falls during summer

By scubagal2014 |

No parking, too crowded, road not paved to where "parking" is so you'll have to wash all the dust off your car when you get home. Understand there is a proposal to move the entrance so this situation may change. Photos I have seen of the fall make you want to see it. Just wait until there are less crowds and better road.

Beautiful falls.

By Sandeep K |

Gorgeous falls that are easily accessible from a short hike from the parking lot. Easy to do with children.

May 10, 2023 - Road Closed - 2 1/2 mile walk to Tumalo Falls - Snow all the way up to Double Falls

By sheilaoc |

This was absolutely gorgeous, but not as expected. We planned to drive to the trailhead, hike up about 0.2 mile to Tumalo Falls, and then see if the trail was clear enough to go the additional 0.8 mile to Double Falls. The road was closed (no idea why, as it's totally clear), so had to walk up the road 2 1/4 mile to the trailhead before hiking up to Tumalo. That was totally clear and the falls are rushing!

Other hikers told us that the hike to Double Falls was snowy but manageable if you stay in the center of the trail. The hard center of the snowy trail is only 8 - 12" in most places and incredibly slippery, so we ended up sinking into the snow up to our knees many times. Finally made it after a very slow and wet journey to the beautiful Double Falls - wouldn't do it again. Very dangerous for sprained knees, ankles, etc. Took almost 4 hours to do the total 7+ miles.

BEST HIKE

By LaDavi16 |

We did the 8 mile hike that started with Tumalo Falls. The initial waterfall is located very close to the parking lot. It is accessible to many people and small children. The 8 mile hike to Happy Valley was a pleasant journey. It was a moderate hike (no technical skill needed) that was filled with stunning views of many waterfalls along the way. The path is well marked and easy to follow. There was a good amount of shade, so we were comfortable on a very hot day. I suggest packing a picnic/snack (and some bug spray) for a break at Happy Valley.

Beautiful falls

By matthask |

Drove directly to the falls. 10 minutes on a dirt road - wish it was paved. Falls are gorgeous. I heartily recommend hiking not only to the top of the falls, but another 30 minutes on the trail to see to the double falls.

Parking is tight, go early

By friendofmitzi |

The falls are about 30 minutes outside of Bend and were easy to find. You have to travel 2 miles down a gravel road to get to the close parking. It was crazy because the road barely fit two cars and people were parking on the side of the road. We lucked into a spot otherwise we would have left. There is a viewing spot very close to the parking. Or you can walk up a little ways to see the falls from above. Great location for a super easy short hike and glad we went.

Beautiful Waterfall!

By travelford |

The road may be gravel but easy drive to parking lot and easy walk to top....Can also walk to bottom of the falls. Easy and quick trip from Bend.

Multiple falls and cascades close to town

By pvemapgal |

Maybe 10 miles drive from Bend city center, the last bit was gravel. $5 self paid at serve day use kiosk. The signage wasn’t great about hiking distances but 1/4 mile got you a terrific view of the top of the falls and a couple of more miles through mostly shaded forest revealed a couple of additional waterfalls. The trail was easy on the feet and gently uphill most of the way. We stopped at a wooded bridge and the round trip was approx 5 mi. A really pretty outing.

Worth seeing!

By BC Traveller |

We enjoyed these falls. Worth trying to get down to the bottom, albeit dodgy in terms of the trail. These falls are NOT in Tumalo State Park. Do your research in terms of location before you go!

Perfect!!!

By Didi |

Beautiful hike and easy enough to do even with older adults or children. It's about a 2.5 mile hike in on the mostly flat road or you can do the 3.5 river trail when the road is closed for winter. Dec.19 seems to be about the time they close the road to car traffic but parking along the road is free and even when there is snow, the road hike is doable with snowshoes. (It's so well traveled that good winter boots without snowshoes can get you into the falls without trouble). The upper fall view is a bit tricky because of ice on the trail so clamp ons for hiking shoes would be a good option.

Easy walk/hike

By pjgrad |

This was an easy walk/hike and a BIG payoff! You should go early as it gets crowded. You can do a very short walk to a look out point. A bit longer walk (up hill) to another look out point. and then a trail along the river that is very easy, continuously uphill but very moderately.

Falls are Really Cool!

By Peter Smith IV |

The big falls are easy to see. It is a 2 minute walk from the parking lot. There is an upper view point that is super cool.

There are bunch more falls as you go higher up the river. It is a bit of a hike, but the smaller water falls are just as good!

If you want to see a picturesque water falls, you should come to see these falls!

This is a easy hike

By dottie575 |

My best friend and daughter hike up to this fall in Sept of 2016 just now getting aroud to post.The hike was easy I saw many seniors walking to the falls. Including me.

Love this spot!

By Karen L |

The waterfall is beautiful with easy access if you have physical limitations or the possibility of a beautiful hike if you are able. We had the added beauty of fall colors in much of the surrounding foliage and even a dusting of snow on the rocky cliffs above the river. It's about a 20 minute drive from downtown through the forested rolling suburbs of an ever expanding Bend.

Must visit

By George Y |

Tumalo Falls are spectacular and really easy to get to. If you go early you can hike up 1/4 mike to the top for a spectacular view and continue upstream a while to see beautiful scenery and rapids. The view is actually best from the tiny parking lot just down from the base of the falls. If you want a longer hike just park further downstream and hike up. There is a $5 day use fee on the honor system so please comply.

Great for a short trip

By Megan M |

We took just a short drive from town to see the falls. It was about a 1/4 mile hike up with our toddlers but the waterfall was beautiful! Spectacular sights! It was a little challenging with small kids and not a lot of railing or things to do at the top. I would recommend if looking for a shorter nature-related activity.

Maybe try the off season

By Kristina S |

We couldn’t find a place to park. Did a uturn and parked away from the falls so we didn’t even get to experience the hike to the falls. The scenery was awesome, from what we were able to see out of the car window. The horse flies bit us like crazy so make sure you put on heavy deet or whatever big repellent you prefer.

a short hike to the falls or a much longer hike to more falls...your choice

By Sherry G |

we had a wonderful heat filled day hiking the falls, 4 miles and so enjoyable. Definitely a must do in Bend, Or.

Just wonderful

By baywhey |

Beautiful falls
We were so happy to take the small hike to see this
Photogenic and peaceful
The terrain was pretty easy for most people with no disabilities
However if you can’t climb there is a lower view point that will still let you see these falls

Climbed up to the overview site.

By JonO |

We took several pictures and climbed up to the top of the falls. That's just about a quarter mile, so pretty easy. Not the largest of falls, but beautiful, with lots of rapids in the stream above and below the falls.

Beautiful Hike!

By shaunie1972 |

This is my third time. I Feel like everybody needs to experience this went in Bend. Relatively easy hike, and a beautiful pay off when you get to the falls. You won’t be disappointed!

Beautiful Waterfall

By JLPeterson58 |

Okay so I got a thing for waterfalls but this one is awesome. A drive down a dusty road to a small parking lot and a quick hike and there you are. Great for kids and seniors alike. This waterfall is truely amazing and not to be missed.

Wow just wow !!

By UKVISIT |

Don't miss this. Spectacular views. Its a fairly easy walk to the viewing point of the falls and you can back all the way down the winding river. We ended up walking along the river quite and way very beautiful and then walked back through the woods. All around was worth it.

Busy spot so get there early for parking

By Rudy F |

We did not do the loop as the crossing was closed for repair by the park service. We did as out and back, around 7 easy miles. The most dramatic falls are first. There are 3 more larger falls along the trail. Overall nice hike through the woods. Some mosquitoes … they ate my wife alive, did not bother me. Keep moving!

The Falls are Worth Putting Up with the Dusty Road to get There

By Oskarduck |

The falls are close to Bend, but the road to get there involves a couple of miles on a dusty gravel road. Your car will get dirty from the dust, but it is worth it. Parking is limited in the actual parking lot, and during busy times it may be necessary to park along the dusty road. The falls themselves are beautiful from the vantage points, but the most fun thing to do is to hike along a trail that is a bit dangerous to get behind the falls. If adventurous, it is fun to clamor down to the stream below the falls. There are hiking trails emanating from the top of the falls to distant points. All in all, it is highly recommended.

Lovely falls, very short drive from Bend

By Gemini5 |

This is a beautiful waterfall even in late summer with plenty of water flow and only a short easy distance from downtown Bend, Ore. Pros: beautiful falls, fenced viewing area, trails with other falls continuing up mountain, easy directions to falls, dirt road fairly well maintained, able to see falls from parking lot, short walk to falls from parking lot, public bathrooms. Cons: Couple reasons why I didn't give it 5 stars; very small official parking so parking is scare, but you can park along the dirt road; extremely busy and popular so lots and lots of people; dirt bikes are allowed on trail so you have to be alert for them to come racing by you. Most bikers were considerate and gave us warning they were passing us, but not all...watch if you have young kids; Very long walk to parking lot if crowded. Best advice to see this beautiful waterfall...go early!

Amazing Views & Hike

By Majorcapsfan |

You have to go, there is just too much to see not to go. Amazing views, great hike, and areas that you can go in and enjoy the fresh cold water....just amazing.

Worth a Short Hike

By Culture821016 |

The hike from the upper parking lot to the best view of the falls is quite steep but definitely worth it. It helps if you have a senior National Park Pass, so it is free. Otherwise $5. Be aware that part of the road there is gravel and in some places quite rough, but still ok for a rental car.

nice views

By JVallejo |

1o km walk with kids the first 3 km was amazing but then kids got tired and you describe what happens later..... amazing views , snow and snow and snow kids really enjoy it

Great experience

By Richard S |

Well worth the adventure. To get there drive almost 12 miles on Skyliner's Road, then almost 3 miles on Forest Road 4603 ( GPS ), which is rough, bumpy and unpaved, but well worth the trip. Small parking lot and a $5 ( Northwest Forest Pass) is required. It's only a short uphill hike from the parking lot to the top of the falls .... go for it!

Beautiful

By Companion791179 |

Easy drive from town, and easy to walk around. Pack a picnic lunch. Don't forget to pay your $5 per vehicle entrance fee. They do write tickets if you don't have a stub showing on your dash. Enjoy!

Enjoyable hike

By Asimms21 |

We have been to Bend a few times but have not heard of this trail until TripAdvisor showed it. We highly recommend it. Get there early because the parking isn’t great. The views were awesome. It’s a gradual incline and listening to the water as you hike is soothing. So many families were hiking with little ones too. We had a couples getaway but we definitely will come back with our kids.

Ride here!

By yellowbfly |

Amazing falls, even more if you bike or hike up the North Forks trail. We came on our mountain bikes and it was wonderful. I imagine this gets very crowded in the higher season.

The best part is above the falls... keep going!

By Pat G |

It’s a short hike to the top of the falls but keep going to see more falls along the way! Not too hard. Nice terrain. Perfect for family with young children. You can bring a picnic and have it along the river. You can go as far as you want and turn back. Parking is a challenge and yes it is dusty!

Great view. Not too much hiking.

By snoyogi |

Get there before 10 since there is not much parking. The Tumelo creek and rocky point trails are good for mountain biking.

Scenic spot; lots of visitors

By Aileen H |

We came here on a Saturday afternoon and were warned that it would be crowded. It was. Parking was tricky but the views made it worth the effort. Be warned that the first 1/4 mile is the most challenging - you ascend 90 feet or so by ways of a few switchbacks. After that, the mile hike to the next spot was mostly small grades or flat. Lots of folks and dogs in the trail - even a few mountain bikes. We are not big hikers but found it manageable. It was very pretty - dusty! Wear closed toe shoes!

Closed Road to falls but can walk the easy 2 1-2 miles in to see the beautiful Falls

By Sharon D |

Closed Road to falls but can walk the easy 2 1-2 miles in to see the beautiful Falls Worth the walk. There are outhouses there Careful walking up to the top when it’s cold.

Visit during a 3 hour Jeep Tour

By marsha228 |

An easy hike up and back from the parking lot to the falls. The views also the way were spectacular.

Do yourself a favor and walk in on Tumalo Creek Trail.

By Chris G |

Most people drive up to the falls and park and then walk up to the top 0.4 Miles call it a hike and drive out. That is if your a tourist. Do yourself a favor and take in all the great well maintained trails Oregon has to offer. I can’t say enough about them. No trash, well marked, and thee most friendly local people out and about. We parked at the Sno-Park about 3.2 miles out and walked along the Tumalo Creek to the falls. I knew where we were every step of the way. It was absolutely beautiful. We did it on a cloudy 39 degree day and it was still awesome. I would call it a moderate trail for me (I’m over 50) and we hike 6-8 miles each time we go out. This was 6.8 miles total and we were walking at a 21 minute pace, we took a lot of pictures. Park a little ways out and walk in, it will be well worth it.

Greeat views

By Edmund1138 |

A very pretty falls that you can see right next to the parking lot. There is also a trai that leads to other views.

Easy hike to the falls.

By Mark H |

Easy hike to the falls. Take time to enjoy the butterflies on the trail. Sit at the falls and enjoy. The walk was about 2.5 miles but flat.

Easy shady hike up to the falls.

By Raysunlover |

Easy shady hike up to the falls. Around 2.2 miles I believe. Once you reach the end of the paved road keep following the gravel road to the end. $5 for a day pass use unless you already have one. (Bring cash.) Come early has parking can be a challenge. We arrived 9:50am and had to park down the road a bit.

Very pretty and very little walking required

By BlueTravels |

This is a popular place. Even on a wet, snowy October day, the parking lot was full. But the walk to the falls was less than a 100 feet, they were very pretty, and the viewing platform provided a perfect view.

Beautiful falls

By Brian M |

To get there you have to go off the paved road for a couple of miles but a regular car can get there if you drive slowly. There is a car park area a bit short of the final car park where you pay $5 before driving on. The falls are impressive. There is a path that lets you down right at the base of the falls.

Amazing view

By Chance W |

My wife and I visited on our anniversary several years ago. The hike is amazing. It is extremely popular so make sure you park in a way that there is an easy exit. The day we went there were cars over flowing the parking lot and along both sides of the road for at least a half mile. The hike makes it more than worth it. Picturesque does not begin to cover it

Easy hike

By Claire P |

A fun hike for families as most should be able for it. Above the falls are fun stony 'beach' areas along river where people have built rock stacks. Our kids enjoyed this the most.

Earn the Falls with the rest of the hike

By 488traveller022 |

Like everyone says, the Falls are beautiful and easily accessible by the even, quarter-mike gravel trail from the parking lot. But I recommend taking the longer hike to earn the view. Park at Skyliner Sno-Park on Skyliners Road. It’s 3.5 miles to the Tumalo Falls parking lot.

Beautiful

By letsdotravel |

These falls are off the beaten path behind the town of Bend. If you can go during the week parking would be less crowded. Walk the short trail to the top and experience the beauty.

Great waterfall

By Happiness800479 |

Your can drive by road, road ride, or take the MTB trails to this waterfall. Parking was crowded on weekend. Many trails to explore in the area

WITH A SNOWY BACKDROP

By SoCalOregonian |

We visited here on 09/30 after an overnight snow shower dropped a couple inches at the falls. Makes for a spectacular view.
Located 2 1/2 miles down a washboard gravel road is the small parking area. This is a USFS area and day use fees are required. Worth the drive to view the falls.

Worth the drive

By Alan O |

We went up after dinner so there was no crowd. The view is spectacular and well worth the hike to the top. Very short walk and well maintained. It is a fee area but for $5 you get more than your moneys worth.

Awesome picnic place

By Евгений М |

Bring some food and water, find a parking spot and enjoy the nature! You can spend here at least half of the day, so many views and hiking traills will make you hungry, but no worries, there are picnic tables for you and your family

Lovely place to visit not too far from town!

By Marlene R |

This waterfall is not too far from Bend to spend a few hours looking out at a lovely waterfall. The last part of the trip out is unpaved road, so be prepared for a bumpy and dusty ride, but once you reach the parking lot, you can wander around in pretty much any kind of shoes. We were lucky enough to catch a wedding down at the bottom of the Falls, which was a real treat to watch. Worth a couple of hours to see a beautiful site.

when accessable its worth the drive. Bring bug spray

By bwstill |

these falls are worth seeing. plus if your adventurous the hike above the falls ties into the pacific coast trail

Superb Falls - Up Close and Personal

By Chuck2010 |

What a definite treat ... most people take in the main viewing area from a distance or walk up the trail to the brink of the falls ... many good photo spots along the climb up a decent trail.

You can walk back to the falls at the base ... this side trail to the base can be seen about 20-30 yards at the start of the climb up to the brink ... it is not posted or marked but can be seen branching off ... It was easy to see as people were exiting back on the main trail at that point

Well work the trek to the base ... just a great view

Tried to go, snow gate kept us away

By WestCoastRestless |

The snow gate kept us away from hiking to the falls. That isn't necessarily a problem, but there wasn't any snow to speak up and a 2 1/2 mile walk one-way with children isn't really doable. Nothing online mentioned the snow gate was closed.

Awesome Waterfall

By Previa1994 |

Tumalo Falls near Bend is an absolutely beautiful waterfall. When I visited in June, the place was packed and the little parking lot was overflowing with cars parked along the road leading to the parking lot. The falls are located in the Deschutes National Forest, and there is an entrance fee requirement (I believe it was $5 at the no-attendant kiosk). The falls are only a short walk from the parking lot, and the first view of Tumalo Falls is breathtaking. There is also about a quarter mile strenuous hike to the top of the falls where guarded platforms provide louder and closer views of the falls.

In addition, a six-mile unpaved but well maintained trail along the Tumalo Creek starts from the falls. More waterfalls come into view as one ascends on the trail. I hiked up about two miles until I saw the 2-tiered and 3-tiered falls along the way. Tumalo Falls is an awesome waterfall and is a must stop when visiting Bend.

Easy enough walk...if you stay on the path

By mamaRaury |

Traveling with a 21 year old that figures you will never stray off the path, inspires you to stretch your boundaries and get into the beauty of the area.

Worth a visit

By GlideDon |

The Falls are quite nice and grounds well kept for such high use. Although the bathroom facilities were receiving a lot negative comments from kids to oldsters for smelly conditions. The co- usage with mountain bikers and hikers seems too close to overcrowded.

Lovely falls and hike

By Richard H |

Very lovely falls! Easy hike with a little up hill right at the start. The path is wide and easy to follow. Start early in day, we started at 7 am on a Wed. and there were only 3 cars in lot but at 8:30 when we finished the lot was full and we passed lots of number of cars headed up. The other reviews were right the parking situation is bad if you’re later in day.

Beautiful Falls, easy walk there

By lamontravel |

We went to Tumalo Fall at the recommendation of a friend. It is definitely worth a visit if you’re in Bend. It’s only about 15 minutes out of town. You need to pay to go to the falls, but can use that $5.00 pass all day at many other sites in the area (like the Newberry Volcanic Lava Monument). Once parked, it’s an easy walk to see the falls. You can get right up over the falls that are only 0.15 mile away, but it is slightly inclined and uneven. For most people, it should be an easy walk to see the top of the falls.

No parking

By jtatom |

There were so many tourists here and no parking. We couldn’t even get out to do the hike. Im sure it would have been a great experience if there was parking.

Very nice falls

By Ksj |

We really enjoyed the hike and seeing the Tumalo Falls. Would like the forest road to get there to be paved and better parking area.

Tough walk in winter with kids

By Ushma |

This was a beautiful walk but icy. We did it in late March. We are not sure we would have done it had we known how difficult it would be for the kids. Lots of icy patches. The most dangerous was the path at the viewing spot. Wear snow boots or something for traction in the ice/packed snow.

Easy Hike to both upper and lower falls

By Tribe93 |

Once you reach the small parking area, it's an easy hike up to the top of the falls. You can also hike down to the bottom of the falls. We weren't sure if this was possible, but the signs say stay on the trails and there is a well-defined trail that leads to the bottom where you can stand behind the falls and feel and hear the water rushing over. There are longer hikes you can take in and out of the falls, but you can drive right to a parking area next to the falls. Note this is a fee area of the Forest Service but is free if you have your National Parks Pass with you.

Ton of people

By Sellards_007 |

It’s a short hike into the view point with a great view of the falls. On the weekends it may be as busy as Multnomah falls

Nice hike and great scenery

By fftravelers |

We were incredibly lucky to have great weather for October in Oregon. Bright and clear, and the flowing falls and rapids made this nice, easy break from all the construction in Bend. The road is a little bumpy and dusty, and parking can be a little problem, but we visited in the middle of the week, so it was imminently doable. Just a short trip west of Bend, and the amount of time is only determined by how much hiking you want to do. The trails are narrow, so keep your eyes open for bikers.

SO amazing

By Catherine R |

Such an amazing view. A short hike up to the top of the waterfalls from the parking lot...was easy enough even in flip flops. Breathtaking.

Beautiful vista

By Michelle |

Once you turn off the pavement it is a bumpy and dusty ride to the parking area. We arrived here and it was quite busy. The cars were lined up on the road outside the parking lot. The parking lot was very small so I'm not surprised we paid our $5 fee just to be covered. We walked up and went to the lower view point. There is a wonderful view from this point. We only had a limited amount of time so we were not able to hike up to the upper view point that looks down over the falls. It looked like a short hike.

Beautiful

By kapcat |

This is a very beautiful area. I definitely would not want to miss it. It is an easy walk for most people. It was not overly crowded.

Beautiful falls

By April C |

Decent road to the parking area. Short hike to the falls overlook. Dusty trail. Popular spot, parking was fairly full.

Beautiful falls

By Elizabeth S |

Was worried about driving to the falls in our rental car but that seemed to go okay! There is a lookout almost immediately when you arrive at the falls that is neat enough. Take the upper trail further down there is a cool outcropping with a view of more falls. We had a hard time figuring out the lower trail and we were overall unimpressed with the signage. Ultimately found it to be a good activity for part of the day!

Tumble Falls and More Falls

By Annapollino |

The gentle incline up the trail leads to multiple falls. One of them can be accessed for the brave to sun themselves and jump off for a frigid swim. Beautiful wildflower meadows at the higher altitudes.

Worth every bit of the easy hike

By mightymouseSanDiego |

I loved this hike! It is 2.1 miles each direction, but up a raod, so easy. It's so worth it!!! Don't stop at the Falls. Go the extra 1/4 mile to the top.

Long Hike to See the Waterfall in Winter

By happyrelaxeddudes |

Tumalo Falls is closed for the winter, but you can still walk into the park to hike or see the waterfalls. However, be advised, the waterfalls are at least 2.5 miles from the gated entrance and the viewpoint is up the hill from that point. The restrooms were open and clean. The park is not crowded, but it is quite a hike.

Spectacular and serene

By JimHop |

This trail was fantastic. You can drive right up to see the spectacular falls right from the parking lot, then our group did an 8 mile hike through the forest to the valley, with even more waterfalls and views along the way.

Tumalo Falls, A Nice Easy Falls To Visit

By Julie GH |

Tumalo Falls is a very easy drive from Bend. You can take great pictures from many viewpoints of the Falls once you get there. There is an easy hike to several viewpoints. A nice stop.

Nice little side trip

By mda49 |

Visited the falls on April 21st, 2018.Just a short drive from Bend and very pretty. We viewed the falls from below and hiked the 1/4 mile or so path to the top. Nice views all around. Not much parking so be prepared for a little walk. There are pit style toilets available. Glad we went.

Great experience for such an easy visit (drive + short walk)

By Roger |

These falls aren't the biggest I've seen in my life, but for the brief excursion outside of Bend (30 minutes) and the 1/4 mile hike from the parking lot, this is well worth it. First, you can hike right up to the falls and have it spray you and take great pictures & videos (be careful though 'cuz it can get slippery!). The main trail (1/4 mi.) takes you to a lookout above the falls, which is also great. All in all, for a 2-hour excursion from Bend, this is certainly a highlight. For those who want to explore more, there is a longer trail/hike you can do (I believe 4 miles?) above the falls area, which I'm sure is reviewed elsewhere.

Pro tip: parking in the lot can be challenging depending on time of day/weekday vs. weekend, but it's the easiest/quickest and you can pay with a credit card. If you want free parking many people were parking before the bridge on the side of the road, then it'd just be a short walk to the parking lot and trail start.

Tumalo Falls is spectacular

By kernst2016 |

Pictures do not do this place justice. You have to see it in person to really appreciate it. Well worth the trip!