The trail and its trailhead are closed this winter because of unstable slopes from last winter's landslide; the falls can still be reached from Polallie Trailhead. Closed until further notice.
Read the official closure orderTamanawas Falls Trail #650A follows Cold Spring Creek on Mt. Hood’s east slope, shaded by big Douglas fir and cedar, to a waterfall roughly 100 feet tall and 40 feet wide. From the Tamanawas Falls Trailhead on Oregon Highway 35, just north of Sherwood Campground, hikers cross the East Fork Hood River and follow East Fork Trail #650 for half a mile.
Nearer the falls, the route crosses the creek more than once, including on a log bridge, then climbs a talus slope of loose rock. It’s a cool, shady choice on a hot day. For a different way back, Tamanawas Tie Trail #650B links to Elk Meadows Trail #645 and the East Fork Trail for a 5-mile loop.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 3 of 5
- Typical grade
- 12-20%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Hood River
Connects to: Tamanawas Tie Trail #650B, East Fork Trail #650
Line, length and trail class: U.S. Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.
Getting there
From Hood River, OR
- Travel south 25 miles on Hwy 35 to the Polallie Trailhead (north access).
- Continue on Hwy 35 for about 5 more miles to reach the Tamanawas Falls Trailhead and parking area on the west side of the highway.
- This trailhead is 1/4 mile north of Sherwood Campground.
- The parking lot comes up quickly, so turn carefully!
From the Forest Service
Passes and permits
A valid Recreation Pass is required at Tamanawas Falls Trailhead year-round.
Ranger office
Hood River Ranger District
Address: 6780 Highway 35 Parkdale, OR 97041
Phone: 541-352-6002
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed 12 to 1 for lunch. (Closed on federal holidays)
Trails nearby
Tamanawas Tie Trail #650B
0.8 mi round trip
237 ft
Easy
East Fork Trail #650
14 mi round trip
1,820 ft
Very hard
Elk Meadows Trail #645
17.6 mi round trip
3,439 ft
Very hard
Lamberson Spur Trail #644
3.2 mi round trip
1,330 ft
Moderate
Bluegrass Ridge Trail #647
12.2 mi round trip
3,084 ft
Very hard
Zig Zag Trail #678
1.8 mi round trip
892 ft
Moderate
Surveyor’s Ridge Trail #688
35 mi round trip
6,218 ft
Very hard
Dog River Trail #675
10.6 mi round trip
2,565 ft
Very hard
Tilly Jane Ski Trail #643
5.4 mi round trip
1,920 ft
Hard
Cooks Meadow Trail #639
13.4 mi round trip
2,512 ft
Very hard
Wagon Road Trail #642
4.4 mi round trip
1,462 ft
Tilly Jane Trail #600A
3.4 mi round trip
1,077 ft
Moderate
