Highlights
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Distance: 7.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,128 feet
Season: Summer to mid-fall, depending on snow
Notes: A parking fee or permit is required at the trailhead.
About this Hike
This 7.2-mile loop hike follows multiple proposed Wild & Scenic Rivers into the heart of Bend’s drinking watershed and a protected Roadless Area. The trail brings hikers up close to dozens of spectacular waterfalls flowing through a mixed conifer forest full of lodgepole pine, mountain hemlock, Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and white fir.
The trail starts from the very popular Tumalo Falls Trailhead, just west of Bend, and begins with a jaw-dropping view of Tumalo Falls, just a couple hundred feet up the trail from the parking lot. After viewing the falls, follow the North Fork Tumalo Creek Trail upstream, which will take you past several more picturesque waterfalls. The beginning of this hike can be extremely busy, but the crowds thin out significantly after the first few miles. About 3.5 miles in, take a left at the Swampy Lakes Trail junction. Soon, you will need to cross a small stream either on a fallen log or by wading across. Make sure to fill out a free Watershed Permit when you reach the Bend Municipal Watershed boundary (no bikes, dogs, or camping is allowed within the watershed). Follow the Swampy Lakes Trail until you reach the Bridge Creek Trail and take a left to follow Bridge Creek back to the parking lot.
Tumalo Creek and Bridge Creek are both proposed Wild & Scenic Rivers in the River Democracy Act. They are surrounded by a 14,829 acres Roadless Area, currently protected by the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. In addition to its alpine forest setting, clear waters, and dozens of waterfalls, this watershed also supplies over 100,000 people in Bend with clean drinking water.
Getting There
From Bend: Drive west on Skyliners Rd. for about 11 miles. Take a slight right onto Tumalo Falls Rd. and cross the bridge over Tumalo Creek. Continue on the dirt road after the bridge until you reach the Tumalo Falls trailhead at the very end of the road.
Take Action
Maintaining protections for this area under the Roadless Rule is vital for wildlife, recreation, and water quality. Take action here to defend the Roadless Rule, and support additional protections for Tumalo and Bridge Creeks by becoming a citizen co-sponsor of the River Democracy Act here.
