Tumalo State Park Hiking Guide
After many trips to Bend, I finally went to Tumalo State Park for the first time. I think my oversight is a common one. The park has the misfortune of sharing a name with a more spectacular destination, Tumalo Falls, while lacking a clear focal point of its own. Yet there’s a quiet beauty that makes it well worth seeking out. Only 15 minutes from downtown Bend, it’s a convenient destination for last-minute hiking plans or uncertain weather. An impressive metal walkway along the Deschutes River is a great bonus. Here’s everything you need to know about hiking at Tumalo State Park.
Deschutes River Trail through Tumalo State Park
Quick stats
Distance: 3-7 miles
Elevation gain: Up to 300 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass required: Oregon State Park Pass
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trail until you reach Riley Ranch.
ADA access: Not on the hiking trail. The campground has some accessible campsites.
Season: All year, barring heavy snow or ice in winter.
Highlight: Metal walkway along the Deschutes River.
Deschutes River
Hike options
The trail through Tumalo State Park is the Deschutes River Trail. It connects to the trail network at Riley Ranch Nature Reserve. Here are the route options.
Tumalo State Park only:
3 miles out and back
Easy, minimal elevation gain
Dog-friendly
Tumalo State Park and Riley Ranch:
7-mile lollipop loop
Easy/moderate, about 300 feet elevation gain
Dogs aren’t allowed
The Deschutes River Trail explores Tumalo State Park
Know before you go
Cost: Day-use parking at Tumalo State Park requires the Oregon State Park Pass. It’s $10/day or $60/year. You can buy a day pass on-site with a credit card.
Amenities: Picnic tables and restrooms are by the parking lot.
Kids: The Deschutes River Trail is kid-friendly, but would not accommodate a stroller.
Bikes are not allowed on the trail.
The very popular Tumalo Falls is NOT in Tumalo State Park. Same name, different place. The waterfall is about 45 minutes away.
Tumalo State Park hike
Start here
The hike through Tumalo State Park starts from the Deschutes River Trailhead in the day-use area. Just past the trailhead is a large grassy picnic area by the river. After a short paved section, the Deschutes River Trail switches to dirt. You’ll see the river right away and will stay alongside it while you’re hiking through Tumalo State Park.
End of the picnic area
The hike begins with good shade from tall ponderosa pines and junipers. The trail has some rocks and roots, but mostly it’s an easy stroll along the Deschutes River. In summer, it can get hot and dusty. It was hard to picture on my early-March hike, when snowflakes were falling. The trail was almost deserted, which I suspect is also not the case in summer. Tumalo State Park would be a great place to cool off by the water on hot days.
Some large ponderosa pines line the trail
The Deschutes River Trail has regular access points where you can get down to the water. Stick to the places marked with signs since the trail gets close to private property. Wading will be more tempting in the summer when the currents are slower and temperatures are higher. In any season, the riverbanks are good places to look for wildlife, like this common merganser that went cruising by.
Common merganser in Tumalo State Park
After about a quarter mile, you’ll reach a short paved section. Walk past the bridge that crosses the river. It leads to private property. Resume the unpaved trail by the sign with a map.
Continue here
From here, the hike is easy to follow, a straight shot along the Deschutes River through Tumalo State Park. In early spring, the river was swollen and surging, with many small rapids.
Deschutes River
After about a mile, you’ll reach the highlight of the journey, a metal walkway over a boulder field next to the Deschutes River.
Tumalo State Park’s walkway
After the walkway, you’ll pass the mouth of Tumalo Creek. The Deschutes River Trail continues another half mile or so until the park boundary with Riley Ranch Nature Reserve.
Deschutes River
If you’re hiking with a dog or want a shorter distance, turn around when you reach the large sign for Riley Ranch. It’ll be about 3 miles round-trip. If not, you can continue through Riley Ranch for a longer hike.
Add Riley Ranch
Riley Ranch park boundary
If you’re planning to hike through Riley Ranch, it might make more sense to start there since parking is free. If you’re staying at the Tumalo State Park campground or have an annual state park pass, it wouldn’t matter. Anyway, on to Riley Ranch. Two connected loop trails explore the nature reserve. I have a separate Riley Ranch hiking guide, so I’ll stick to a quick summary here.
Continuing on the Deschutes River Trail past the park boundary sign, you’ll soon reach the first of two connected loop trails, the Canyon Loop. It’s much like the trail through Tumalo State Park, with river access and ponderosas. At the far end of the loop is a short and steep connector trail to the Sage and Juniper Loops. The highlights of these loops are two viewpoints overlooking the Deschutes River Canyon. If you do the loops, then return through Tumalo State Park, it’s about 7 miles total.
Canyon Overlook
Tumalo State Park vs Riley Ranch
Tumalo State Park
$10 to park or use an annual Oregon State Park Pass
Leashed dogs are allowed on the Deschutes River Trail
Large picnic area and campground
Lots of river views and easy river access
15 minutes from downtown Bend
Riley Ranch
Free parking
No dogs
Mountain views and river access
Accessible hiking trails
10 minutes from downtown Bend
Camping at Tumalo State Park
The campground at Tumalo State Park is open all year. It has flush toilets and hot showers. Water spigots are on during the summer. Sites range from RV sites with hookups to tent sites and yurts. You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance through Oregon State Parks. Not all sites require a reservation, but I’d recommend making one regardless. This campground is popular.
Getting there
Address: 64185 O. B. Riley Rd, Bend, OR 97703
In Google Maps, navigate to “Deschutes River Trail Trailhead” on OB Riley Road. If you search for Tumalo State Park, it will take you to the campground rather than the day-use area. The drive from downtown Bend takes about 15 minutes. The parking lot is paved and in good condition.
Explore nearby
Check out my hiking guide for Riley Ranch Nature Reserve.
Check out the best short hikes near Bend.
Find the best things to do in Bend.
