Tunnel Falls
Hood River County, Oregon
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 172 ft (52.4 m)
- Location
- Hood River County, Oregon
- Access status
- Long established cliffside trail; walk behind the falls
- The walk
- 6 miles one way (Oregon Hikers); 12 miles round trip
- Ground & access
- Long, gently graded trail blasted into cliffs, with sheer drop-offs and six cable-railed sections. The tunnel and the cliff beyond are slick. Not recommended for small children, dogs or people afraid of heights.
Tunnel Falls plunges about 172 feet on the East Fork Eagle Creek, and the Eagle Creek Trail passes through a tunnel blasted behind the falls. From the Eagle Creek Trailhead, follow the gently graded trail up the canyon past Punch Bowl Falls, the High Bridge, Tenas Camp and the 4 1/2 Mile Bridge. Around mile 5 the trail enters the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness, where a free self-issued permit is required. Past Wy'East Camp and Blue Grouse Camp, the trail crosses a cable-railed cliff and enters the amphitheater of Tunnel Falls. Return the same way. Twister Falls is less than half a mile farther.
Plan your visit
Eagle Creek Trailhead, Eagle Creek Trail #440 up the canyon to Tunnel Falls on the East Fork Eagle Creek
Oregon Hikers gives 6 miles on foot from the Eagle Creek Trailhead to Tunnel Falls and 12 miles round trip with 1,640 feet of elevation gain. USFS describes Tunnel Falls as about seven miles up the trail.
Long, gently graded trail blasted into cliffs, with sheer drop-offs and six cable-railed sections. The tunnel and the cliff beyond are slick. Not recommended for small children, dogs or people afraid of heights.
Where to start
Eagle Creek Trailhead at the end of the road from I-84 Exit 41 (eastbound only), 0.5 mile past the day-use area. If full, use the Eagle Creek Day Use Trailhead. Car break-ins are common; do not leave valuables.
Timing & water
No seasonal closure is stated. Camping is allowed only above the High Bridge; campfires are not allowed.
Before you go
USFS lists a $5 per vehicle day-use fee or a valid recreation pass at the trailhead. Free wilderness permits are self-issued at the wilderness boundary.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Grand Union FallsLong canyon trail with a tree-filtered view of the falls41 ft (12.5 m) · Hood River County, OR0.1 miW
- Twister FallsLong gorge trail with cable-railed cliff sections to the falls148 ft (45.1 m) · Hood River County, OR0.2 miS
- Wy'east FallsEstablished trail route and trailhead documented; long cliffside hike157 ft (47.8 m) · Hood River County, OR0.8 miNW
- Tenas FallsLong trail to a bridge-side view documented18 ft (5.5 m) · Hood River County, OR1.6 miNW
- Four Mile Falls95 ft (28.9 m) · Hood River County, OR1.7 miNW
- Skoonichuk FallsEstablished cliffside trail to a trailside view48 ft (14.6 m) · Hood River County, OR1.9 miNW
Loowit FallsEstablished cliffside trail to a viewpoint across the canyon78 ft (23.8 m) · Hood River County, OR2.3 miNW
Punch Bowl FallsResearched visit notes36 ft (11 m) · Hood River County, OR3.3 miNW
Lower Punch Bowl FallsCanyon trail and spur to the shoreline beside the falls12 ft (3.7 m) · Hood River County, OR3.4 miNW