Trails to Tumalo Falls set to reopen Saturday

Trails near Tumalo Falls will reopen Saturday after being closed for several months due to construction in the area, Deschutes National Forest officials said Friday.

The summer the trails were closed because of safety concerns around construction activity and heavy equipment operations.

“Both the Forest Service and the City of Bend appreciate the public’s patience and understanding during the construction period,” the statement said.

Bend’s water line replacement project is now completed in the area, as is work on Forest Service Road 4603, which allows for most closures in the area to be lifted.

However, construction on the Bridge Creek Intake structure is ongoing, causing the Tumalo Falls Trailhead parking area to be congested with heavy equipment. As a result, the parking lot will remain closed to the public.

Without parking available at Tumalo Falls Trailhead, Forest Service Road 4603 also remains closed to vehicles. When construction is completed and the equipment moves out of the area, the trailhead and road will reopen to vehicles.

Hikers, bikers, equestrians can access the Tumalo Falls viewpoints via the Tumalo Creek Trail orForest Service Road 4603 from the Skyliner Parking Lot.

Visitors can pass safely thru the parking lot by staying within the orange construction fenced corridor.

Other trails in this area, including North Fork Trail, South Fork Trail, Bridge Creek Trail, and Farewell Trail, will be open as well.

The public should be aware that some minor road work and extensive re-vegetation of disturbed areas will be occurring in the Tumalo Falls area until winter.