!HIKE! Tumalo Falls via Tumalo Creek Trail (PARK AT SKYLINER SNO PARK)

12-4-2025: I'M CHANGING IT FROM TUMALO FALLS AT THE CLOSED GATE TO SKYLINERS SNO PARK TRAILHEAD. THIS HIKE IS CALLED TUMALO FALLS VIA TUMAL CREEK TRAIL ON ALLTRAILS.
SKYLINERS SNO PARK IS VERY EASY TO FIND AND PARK. CHECK BACK FOR ANY UPDATES OR CHANGES.
**12-4-2025 CINDY AND I PRE-HIKED THIS TODAY (SEE PICS ABOVE) AND IT WAS A PEACEFUL, SERENE HIKE WITH THE CREEK CONSTANTLY IN THE BACKGROUND. THE TRAIL ITSELF IS PINE NEEDLES, MOSTLY FLAT AND FRIENDLY. SOME INCLINE AND DECLINE BUT NOTHING RADICAL. WE GO TO THE FORK IN THE ROAD AND TURN AROUND. IT'S A LITTLE OVER 6 MILES IN ALL. This isn't a "hard hike", but it's a lengthy hike.
I'M CHANGING IT FROM TUMALO FALLS AT THE CLOSED GATE TO SKYLINERS SNO PARK TRAILHEAD. VERY EASY TO FIND AND PARK.

**DATE AND TIME SUBJECT TO WEATHER CHANGE. ALWAYS CHECK BEFORE LEAVING.
I'm going to try and get this hike in before the weather has changed radicallly. BRING YAKS (if you don't have them, you won't be allowed to go), ARRIVE EARLY, bring water, snacks, 10 essentials, proper snow boots, pole(s), warmers. PLEASE KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS BECAUSE THIS HIKE IS DIFFICULT IN PLACES AND MAY HAVE ICY/SNOWY CONDITIONS.

This is a popular hiking and mountain biking trail near Bend, Oregon in the Deschutes National Forest. The route starts off at the Skyliners trailhead parking lot and meanders along Tumalo Creek Trail #25.1 to Bridge Creek Trail #24 to gorgeous views of Tumalo Falls. The trail is well maintained and extends through a beautiful forest offering views of both the mountains and the river. There are a number of day-use and picnic areas to visit. A Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking and can be purchased in Stayton or Gates. There is a bathroom is located at the falls.
*This is considered a MODERATE hike.

COME PREPARED. 10 ESSENTIALS, WATER, SNACK, POLE(S), PROPER BOOTS, BUG/SUN SPRAY, ARRIVE EARLY! CARPOOL WILL BE AVAILABLE.

*Take Skyliners Rd to Tumalo Falls Rd
20 min (11.5 mi)

######

"Highlights include numerous waterfalls, well-maintained trails, and beautiful views. Challenges involve river crossings and a lot of mosquitoes. Bring bug spray and arrive early for parking."
"Waterfalls galore, trail easy to walk, good shade mostly, fewer people early. Parking gets more crowded and by 1:00pm on return too many people. One spot was tricky to find the trail, it required a river crossing over a log. Returning the vegetation was very different. Overall a good 3.5 hour hike."
6.9miLength
1,223ftElevation gain
3h 15mEstimated time
Loop
No dogs and no camping are allowed inside this watershed.
**The trail runs past Tumalo Falls, Doulble Falls, Upper Falls, North Fork Falls, and Bridge Creek Falls, among others. The viewpoint for Tumalo Falls is a few steps from the parking lot or a short trail to the top. The 97-foot fall along Tumalo Creek is one of the tallest and most beautiful waterfalls in Central Oregon. The USFS has developed viewpoints both at the top (0.5 miles up the trail) and near the base of the falls making the views easy for everyone.\n\nAs you continue up North Fork Trail you will pass several other waterfalls before crossing Middle Fork Tumalo Creek via a cut log bridge. Thereafter North Fork Trail passes several more waterfalls before the Swampy Lake Trail return route (about 300 yards past the Swampy Lake Trail trailhead, marked by a sign for Bridge Creek, is a beautiful meadow called Happy Valley, which is worth a look though not on this route). The Swampy Lake Trail requires crossing Middle Fork Tumalo Creek again, this time without a bridge. Some downed trees can be used to cross but require great balance; otherwise, you have to wade through thigh-to-waist-deep frigid water for about 50 feet. The Bend Watershed starts approximately a mile further and continues along Bridge Creek Trail until you return to North Fork Trail.
less