Tamanawas Falls Trail

Tamanaws Falls Hike Government Camp, OR ^🖶

Tamanawas Falls

A note: As of 2022, I no longer use the writeup format used herein. I was too lazy to change this one to the new style. The info is all here, but it just took too much time to do each trail like this, so I shortened to the new format used in trail descriptions starting in 2022.

November 20, 2020 (During COVID-19 pandemic) - About 4.0 miles, fairly easy, out and back. Tamanawas Falls Hike is a very pleasant hike that parallels Gold Spring Creek after turning west from highway 35. It is a popular trail, even in the winter, so expect to see people. I have only hiked this trail in the winter. The first time we did it, we didn't have boot chains and we slipped and fell so much that we didn't enjoy the experience. I convinced Marguerite to try it again, but this time with boot chains. We hiked all the way to the falls without an incident. If you are going hiking in the mountains in the winter, you really need boot chains or snowshoes.

Gold Spring Creek is beautiful in itself as it roars along the trail, over small falls, downed trees and boulders. It is shaded by large Douglas fir, cedar and a variety of trees and shrubs. A photographer could do well just taking pictures of the creek. But Tamanawas Falls is the goal, and every bit worth the very easy hike. They thunder over a 110-foot cliff and drown out all other sound. Another great place for pictures, especially in winter when the area around the falls freeze.

There are several options to extend the hike, especially in summer. You can make a lolli-pop loop by connecting with Elk Meadows Trail and then returning by following East Fork Trail back to the trailhead. See the map.

Overview:

Main Attraction: Tamanawas Falls, Gold Spring Creek, rock formations, large Douglas fir, cedar and a variety of trees and shrubs.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance & Elevation: About 4.0 miles round trip: Elevation Gain:637'
Type: Out and back:: Good, easy-to-follow trails. No difficult sections, but there is a boulder field about 1.2 miles in that you need to hike through, which can pose some slipping problems in winter, especially if you don't have boot chains.
Usage: Medium to heavy.
Best Season: I prefer winter, but it is open all year.
Fees: $5/vehicle/day from May 15th to October 1st.
Driving Directions

Trail Details:

Designations:

Amenities & Other Goodies:

Vault Toilet. A few picnic tables.

Should you hike it?

👍 Yes - Hike this trail if you like to hike in the mountains, with a lot of tree cover, along a beautiful rumbling creek to waterfalls.
👎 No - Do not hike this trail if you are looking for solitude, even in the winter. It is a very popular trail and you will see a lot of people.

After Hike

There are several good places to eat and drink in Government Camp.. I am particularly fond of Huckleberry Inn because of its long-standing tradition and memories of the huckleberry hot cakes to get me up and running before a long hike.

Did You Know?

Tamanawas Falls Name: According to The Northwest Waterfall Survey, "Tamanawas Falls was originally known as Giffords Falls, after photographer Benjamin A. Gifford, whose photos documented the falls in 1909 - whether he should be properly credited with discovery or first documentation of the falls is not known. The current name, derived from a Chinook word which means "friendly or guardian spirit" was officially adopted in 1971."