Tamanawas Falls survived a winter washout and a wildfire closure, and the trail is finally open again

A 100-foot curtain of water pouring off a lava cliff on the east side of Mount Hood spent most of 2026 off-limits, and that stung. Tamanawas Falls is the kind of hike Portlanders treat like a standing appointment, and for months the only updates were bad news.

Now it’s back. The Forest Service reopened the trail in early September, and a crisp fall morning is a pretty great time to go say hello again.

—

Psst — we made you a West Coast Adventure Map. Nearly 1,900 of our favorite spots, already pinned, ready to load into Google Maps in two clicks — grab it here.

—

Why Tamanawas was closed most of the year

Late December storms slammed Oregon with landslides and washouts, and Tamanawas took a direct hit. The Forest Service reported the trail was blocked by multiple slides and completely washed out in one section, cutting hikers off from the falls entirely.

Then came round two. The Grasshopper Fire, which started in late July east of the peak, kept parts of the mountain’s east side closed deep into summer.

On September 3, the Forest Service announced Tamanawas was open again, along with the Timberline Trail and a handful of other favorites. The repair is a temporary fix, though, and the official guidance is to watch for slides and loose rocks along the way.

What the hike looks like now

The out-and-back runs 3.4 miles with 580 feet of climbing, and it’s rated moderate. That’s a mellow gain for this kind of payoff, but leave the flip-flops in the car.

You start by crossing the East Fork of the Hood River and following it upstream before the route swings along Cold Spring Creek. Big Douglas fir and cedar shade most of the walk, and the creek keeps you company the whole way in.

Near the end, the trail climbs across a talus slope, a jumble of loose rock that has tumbled off the cliffs above. It’s the one stretch that asks for real attention, and after this year’s slides, it deserves even more.

Then the canyon opens up and there it is. Tamanawas Falls drops about 100 feet and spreads 40 feet wide, thundering off a dark lava cliff into a spray that’ll fog up your sunglasses.

We’ve scrambled behind the falls on past visits, and it’s a blast. This year, with the hillside still settling, I’d call the viewpoint out front the finish line and save the side trip for another season.

What to know before you go

Parking at the Tamanawas Falls Trailhead costs $5 per vehicle per day, year-round, and the Forest Service says to buy your pass before you show up. If you hike Mount Hood more than a few times a year, an annual Northwest Forest Pass runs $30 and covers it.

The trailhead sits on the west side of Highway 35, about 25 miles south of Hood River and a quarter mile north of Sherwood Campground. The lot comes up fast, so ease off the gas as you get close.

There’s no drinking water at the trailhead, so fill up before you leave town. The lot also fills on nice fall weekends, which makes an early start the smartest move you can make.

Trail conditions can shift after heavy rain, so check the Mt. Hood National Forest trailhead page the morning you go.

Turn it into a full east-side day

Tamanawas pairs perfectly with a slow drive along Highway 35 and a lunch stop in Hood River on the way home. Want the full turn-by-turn? Our Tamanawas Falls trail guide walks through the route in detail.

Still have gas in the tank? There are plenty more Mount Hood waterfalls to chase, and our favorite Mount Hood hikes will fill out the rest of your weekend.

Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.

Rules and fees change — always confirm current requirements before you go.

Have you made it back to Tamanawas since the reopening? Tell us how the trail’s holding up in the comments!

Sharing is caring!