Tamanawas Falls, OR

Vicinity Location:
About 54 miles east of Portland, OR in the Mt. Hood National Forest.

Directions:
From Portland, take I-84 east for about 55 miles and take exit 64 in Hood River for Hwy 35. Drive to the traffic signal and turn right onto Button Bridge Road/Hwy 35.

Drive south on Highway 35 towards Mt. Hood. After about 23.7 miles, look for the sign for the trailhead for Tamanawas Falls. This is the south access to the falls and the parking area is on the west side of the highway (right). This trailhead is 1/4 mile north of Sherwood Campground.

The parking lot tends to overflow on weekends any time of the year.

A Northwest Forest Pass Required for parking.

Restroom facilities are available during the summer months.

Trail:
East Fork Trail #650, Tamanawas Falls Trail #650A. Connections to Tamanawas Tie Trail #650B.

Trail Maps:
Topo Map, Download Garmin .gpx file

Length and Elevation:
3.7 miles round trip. Elevation at the trailhead is 3,050 feet, 3,475 feet at the falls. Highest point is at 3,475 feet. Lowest elevation is 3,050 feet.
One way elevation gain of 550 feet and loss of 65 feet to the falls. Total gain and loss is 1,100 feet.

Review: October 18, 2015
From the east fork trailhead, walk north about 200 feet and cross over the East Fork of Hood River and turn right onto the East Fork Trail. Walk downstream along the East Fork of Hood River for about .6 mile and turn left onto the Tamanawas Falls Trail #650A and soon cross a scenic log bridge over Cold Spring Creek.

It is an easy walk along Cold Spring Creek through the hemlock forest. Soon the trail rises a bit above the creek and passes through a rock slide. There are some nice fall colors along the trail with the vine maple and cottonwood trees. About 1.5 miles from the trailhead is a trail junction for Tamanawas Tie Trail #650B, leading to the Polallie Trailhead.

Continue towards the falls, which are just .4 mile farther to the falls. There are some nice views of the falls just as it comes into view. There is a jumble of rocks which has tumbled onto the trail near the falls but with care, you can climb over them.

The waterfall is a beautiful cascade plunging 109 feet over a basalt cliff. Many people pick their way along the right side of the falls to get a closer look or even go behind the falls.

The area around the falls can get pretty crowded on weekends so don’t plan on seeing the falls alone on weekends or holidays.

This is a great hike for kids as there are no cliffs and fairly gentle grades. With this being a short hike, you could combine this with another short hike.

Enjoy the photos!!
Gallery Pics
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