Tumalo Falls Trailhead closing for water project work

Starting Thursday, the Deschutes National Forest said it will be closing the Tumalo Falls Trailhead, parking lot and bridge below the falls that accesses the lot, for work on the city of Bend’s water project.

The closure is being put in place, in addition to the closure on Forest Road 4603, to allow the city of Bend to complete improvements to its surface water supply system.

Several trails also will be affected by the closure, and mountain bikers and hikers are being encouraged to know the closures before riding or hiking in the area.

Trail closures include the Farewell Trail and the North Fork Trail at the Swampy Trail intersection.

The public is encouraged to park at Skyliners Trailhead for hiking access to access to South Fork Trail #25.

There will be an additional closure of the Tumalo Creek Trail at the South Fork Trail intersection, which prevents direct access to the falls and parking lot. Visitors can still reroute to view the falls by following signage on the trail, but should be prepared for the 14-mile round trip.

The city of Bend’s contractor, Mortenson Construction, is continuing to make progress on the Bridge Creek Pipeline Replacement Project. The contractor has been installing pipe on Forest Road 4603, the road to Tumalo Falls.

Forest Road 4603 remains closed to all public access, officials said, because installing the pipeline requires trenching directly into the road bed, allowing no safe travel path on the narrow single-lane road.

The Forest Service will keep the closures in place until further notice.

For more information on recreation access, contact Amy Tinderholt, Recreation Team Leader, at 541-383-4708 or the Bend-Fort. Rock Ranger District front desk at 541-383-4000.