Tamanawas Falls Hike
Waterfall · about 100 ft high | Oregon
3.6 mi round trip
650 ft
Moderate
Tamanawas Falls Hike at a Glance
The Tamanawas Falls hike is 3.6 mi round trip with 650 ft of elevation gain.
| Falls height | About 100 ft |
|---|---|
| Distance | 3.6 mi round trip |
| Elevation gain | 650 ft |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Your time: about 1 h 30 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 1 h 55 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 860 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 3.6 mi distance and 650 ft of gain for this hike are verified (wta.org), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Tamanawas Falls
Tamanawas Falls is a waterfall in Oregon, about 100 feet high, on land managed by Mt. Hood National Forest. Its height is from fs.usda.gov.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Tamanawas Falls Trail: 3.6 miles round trip with about 650 feet of elevation gain, from Tamanawas Falls Trailhead. Distance from wta.org. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Moderate.
Before You Go
- A valid Recreation Pass is required at Tamanawas Falls Trailhead year-round. (fs.usda.gov)
- Dogs are allowed on leash. (wta.org)
- The trail was damaged in a December 2025 storm, so use extra caution and watch for loose rocks and slides. (fs.usda.gov)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Mt. Hood National Forest for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Tamanawas Falls?
The Tamanawas Falls Trail to Tamanawas Falls is 3.6 miles round trip with about 650 feet of elevation gain.
Where does the Tamanawas Falls hike start?
It starts from Tamanawas Falls Trailhead.
How tall is Tamanawas Falls?
Tamanawas Falls is about 100 feet high.
Is there a fee to hike to Tamanawas Falls?
A valid Recreation Pass is required at Tamanawas Falls Trailhead year-round.
Are dogs allowed on the Tamanawas Falls trail?
Dogs are allowed on leash.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Tamanawas Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- wta.org
- Distance
- wta.org
- Falls height
- fs.usda.gov
- Falls location
- waterfallsnorthwest.com
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Tamanawas Falls.