Tunnel Falls in Oregon, accessible via the Eagle Creek Trail, is perhaps the most impressive and unique waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge. Yes, I’ve Multnomah Falls too!
There really is no other waterfall quite like it. Why? Because you can walk behind it through a tunnel. If you hadn’t already seen photos, you probably wouldn’t believe it.
Furthermore, this scenery-driven trail was constructed in the 1910’s and the area has an exciting history that is fun to appreciate when you visit.
While this trail is generally fairly accessible (if you think 12 miles round-trip sounds doable), there are some things to keep in mind that you might not be expecting.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting this wonderful Oregon waterfall, including how to get there and our recommendations for how to do it right.
Tunnel Falls Overview
Tunnel Falls is a stunning waterfall in Oregon that cascades down a 170-foot drop and requires hiking about 6 miles one-way to access.
While a total of 12 miles might make your knees hurt just reading it, I promise you that it is worth the effort to see this waterfall in person.
In addition, the grade of the trail is quite gentle, rising about 1,000 feet of climbing over the 6-mile distance.
It is critical that you are aware of the falling hazard: there are sections with sheer cliffs that are not for those afraid of heights. That said, the trail is stable and safe enough for most people to be comfortable.
If you overcome these challenges, you earned the chance to experience this incredible tunnel-behind-a-waterfall. In fact, this unique and impressive feature is not natural, but rather made by trail builders hired by the US Forest Service.
It’s worth noting also that the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire sizzled this area of the Columbia River Gorge. As a result, the forest is recovering, and the exposure is higher as a result.
Tunnel Falls Map
Use this interactive map to get your bearings. You can also expand it in a new window.
Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls Hike
The Eagle Creek Trail climbs over 1,000 feet for about 6 miles to reach Tunnel Falls.
While Tunnel Falls is the brightest gem of this area for most people (we included) there are actually 7 more noteworthy waterfalls along the trail (including the beautiful Punch Bowl Falls), which keep things interesting as the miles go by.
As mentioned before, the grade is gentle which makes this a relatively approachable 12-mile hike.
That said, people who are afraid of heights will be forced to pass or face their fears. There are six sections of sheer cliff with no protection, which may also be spooky for kids and dogs.
In our opinion, the trail is plenty wide enough to feel the adrenaline without actually sweating too much. Keep in mind we are rock climbers though.
It is worth noting that the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire burned much of the forest canopy. Today the forest is still recovering and there are many areas that are exposed, which can be tough on a hot day.
How to Plan Your Visit: Our Tips
While the 12 miles required to reach Tunnel Falls is no easy task, we think it’s definitely worth it as long as you do it right.
Of course, it goes without saying to pack enough food and water for a full day on the trail. You can use a water filter to lighten the water weight in your pack.
Also, sun protection is essential. As mentioned earlier, the Eagle Creek Fire has left many areas of the trail exposed while the forest is healing. We recommend a sun shirt and a hat.
We recommend choosing a sunny day. Not only will this make the overall experience better, but the trail will also be less slippery, which can be a confidence booster on the spicy sections.
We did this as an overnight backpacking trip recently. However, we would not recommend that to others solely because our car was broken into overnight, along with several others.
It makes sense: the parking lot is very close to the highway. For that reason, we’ll do it as a day hike next time.
History of Tunnel Falls and Eagle Creek Trail
The history of Tunnel Falls and the Eagle Creek Trail is part of what makes this hike one of the best in the Columbia River Gorge.
In fact, this was one of the most popular areas when part of the Columbia River Gorge was first established as a section of the Oregon National Forest in 1915 which prohibited development.
To provide recreation access, the Eagle Creek Campground was constructed in 1916, which was so successful that it attracted thousands of early car campers each year and established a precedent for the modern campground of the times.
The Forest Service constructed the Eagle Creek Trail as we know it today, which has remained one of the most unique and rewarding hikes in the entire Columbia River Gorge.
Standing the test of time, the trail was designed to be scenic and was blasted into the side of the sheer cliff. It seems the builders had the creative notion to create a tunnel behind the waterfall that we can appreciate today.
We are certainly thankful for their efforts, as it is one of the most unique experiences in the Pacific Northwest. However, it is hard not to imagine the likely controversial response of such a development today!
Conclusion
Overall, Tunnel Falls and the Eagle Creek Trail are a must-do in our opinion for all waterfall appreciators who aren’t scared of a long hike with some steep sections.
This spectacular trail leads to one of the most unique waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge and perhaps in all of the Pacific Northwest.
We hope this article was helpful for you when planning your visit to Tunnel Falls. Please feel free to bookmark this page for future reference.
Also, you may be interested in our other articles about the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood Area. We also have helpful content about other parts of Oregon, including Central Oregon and the Oregon Coast!
