Bend, OR

Remember Deschutes River? Well Tumalo Falls’ beauty flows into that river. This 90’ majestic waterfall flows from the top of the canyon to right down underneath your feet. There is no swimming because the water is too darned cold but you have so many choices here. One can follow the creek down and see the wild birds that nest among the reeds or follow the trail up to the top of the water fall and see a whole different perspective.

From the top of the waterfall there is another trail that wanders through the forest and will take you to the old ranger cabin as well as the other 2 smaller waterfalls that you will come across in the first few miles of a hike. Unfortunately I was unable to go any further in this little trek and it’s the snows fault but I will be back in about May or June with a whole new post of this upper area. The trail up to the top of the falls would challenge younger children and those with disabilities due to it being uphill but it can be done.

Instead of walking up to the top of the falls or down the creek well there are a large number of little trails that pop in and out of everywhere on the road you took to get here. Some of these trails I can’t say where they go but several of them will also wind you up to the top of the rocky ridge where you have a viewpoint of Skyliner across the way and a large view of Tumalo Creek.

Across from the main entrance to Tumalo Falls is Skyliner’s tubing and sled park where all the locals seem to head to during this wintry time of year. This vast area of several square miles can be snow shoed, cross country skied or even snow-mobiled upon and in the summer many hikes and bike rides happen. There are picnic and restroom facilities. I have to suggest two separate trips to this area, one in the winter and one in the summer. The scenery is vastly different as are the things to do.

To get to Tumalo Falls from Hwy 97 vis-à-vis 3^rd St. go West at the Franklin stop light situated at the Safeway store (the only Safeway on hwy 97) and simply follow the road through downtown and across the bridge, through the round about and go to the 10 mile marker. At the Marker you will see the sign that says Tumalo falls to your right which is a 2.5 mile dirt road.