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Tamolitch Blue Pool Hike in Oregon

ByAgnes Stabinska Updated on

The Tamolitch Blue Pool Hike in Oregon, AKA Tamolitch Falls Blue Pool, is a spectacular, pristine turquoise blue pool with a seasonal waterfall. It is hidden in the Willamette National Forest on the McKenzie River in Linn County. So, in this post, we share handy tips about the Tamolitch Blue Pool Hike, which is fabulous. It’s one of the prettiest and best hikes in Oregon. How to get there, how long is the hike, and what to expect? Check our hints.

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Agnes Stabinska, the author, is sitting on the rocks and admiring the blue water and view of Tamolitch Blue Pool.
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Tamolitch Blue Pool Hike Quick Overview

Level Difficulty and Time Required for Tamolitch Blue Pool Hike

Level: Easy to Moderate. It’s quite a short hike, but it might be rough and challenging due to the rocky terrain, so take proper hiking shoes with great traction. It could be slippery.
Hiking Distance: From Trailbridge Reservoir is 4.2 miles out and back.
Elevation Gain: 375 feet.
Approximate Hike Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes one way.

Best Season and Permits for Tamolitch Blue Pool Hike

Best Season for Visit: Spring, due to the highest water level and the most beautiful waterfalls. And Fall because of the wonderful fall foliage, great weather, and fewer crowds. The busiest season is from June to August.
Best Time To Go: Most tourists are on weekends, so it’s better to go during the week or early in the morning.
Permits: There are no permits required.
Fee: No Fees. $0.00.

Accessibility and Services at Tamolitch Blue Pool

Accessible: year-round. It’s also accessible for mountain bikers, so share the trail carefully.
Family-Friendly Hike: Yes
ADA accessible: No
Pets-Friendly Hike: Yes. Dogs must be kept on a leash.
Services: no facilities such as drinking water, garbage, or restrooms exist. So, prepare for your hike, pack all your trash, and practice Leave No Trace principles during your visit.
Closest Towns: McKenzie Bridge, Oregon.

Mossy trees in the forest in Oregon on the route to Tamolitch Blue Pool.
yellow fall leaves on trees.
Boulders on the trail to Tamolitch Blue Pool covered with thick moss.

Our Experiences

My partner Chris and I did this hike in the fall during one of our Oregon road trips. The scenery was fabulous, as the colorful autumn leaves surrounded us in shades of yellow and orange. The hike wasn’t challenging, but the trail goes through the thick old forest, so it’s shaded and chilly.

Even in summer, it’s worth packing something warmer because it will be colder in the middle of the forest. The article shares our observations, first-hand experience, and tips. All photos presented in this article are ours.

What is Tamolitch Falls Blue Pool?

Tamolitch Falls, also known as Blue Pool due to its amazing blue watercolor, is a popular hiking spot in Willamette National Forest, Oregon. The deep turquoise and stunning clarity of the Blue Pool make this place unforgettable.

This cliff-rimmed basin with stunningly clear water looks fabulous from the top when you stand over the edge. The steep cliffs surrounding the Blue Pool are 10-60 feet tall, so be careful not to trip over and jump from this height into the water. It might be dangerous.

Blue Pool Hike is a short section of the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail, which runs from Trail Bridge Reservoir north along the McKenzie River. The Trail is 26 miles long and perfect for mountain biking.

The McKenzie River area is full of amazing places, like Koosah Falls, Sahalie Falls, or the fabulous and our favorite Proxy Falls.

Furthermore, Tamolitch is an excellent photographic spot. Blue Pool Hike offers lots of photo subjects, such as reflections of the water, the alder trees, the lichens and moss, the downed trees, and more.

blue water nad yellow leaves around Tamolitch Blue Pool.

Where is Tamolitch Blue Pool Hike?

Tamolitch Falls Directions from Bend

The total distance from Bend is 63 miles, and it will take approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes to drive. Drive on US-97 north and take exit 135A to merge onto US-20 West towards Sisters for 20 miles.

In the charming town of Sisters, stay on US-20 West. Then, turn onto OR-126 E for 10.8 miles. Turn right at a sign for Trailbridge Campground/Blue Pool. You must cross a bridge and turn right onto gravel road NF-730. After about a third of a mile, park along the right side of the road.

From Band and Sister is also possible to take McKenzie Pass Scenic Highway number 242 to see some of the Sisters Country’s most spectacular scenery. But route 242 is closed during winter from November to July. So, if you are in the summer, take this route to admire Oregon’s Cascade Mountains.

Tamolitch Falls Directions from Portland

Portland’s total distance to Tamolitch Blue Pool is 138 miles, or 2 hours and 30 minutes of driving. It would be best to drive I-5 south toward Salem. Then, take exit 253 for OR-22 east toward Detroit Lake/Bend.

Drive on OR-22 for 80 miles, then turn right onto US-20 W. Turn right onto OR-126 E. Then turn right at a Trailbridge Campground/Blue Pool sign.

When you cross a bridge, turn right onto gravel road NF-730. After about a third of a mile, park along the right side of the road.

Our Tip: If you are driving from Portland, make sure to check out our Portland itinerary.

Tamolitch Falls Blue Pool: blue cascade of water and dense forest and rocks around the pool.

How was create Tamolitch Blue Pool?

The area was extremely volcanically active. 1,600 years ago, lava flow from Belknap Crater buried a 3-mile (4.8 km) stretch of the McKenzie River between Carmen Reservoir and Tamolitch Falls, moving that portion deep underground.

The Tamolitch Blue Pool has been created from where the river seeps the surface through the porous lava back above ground as an enchanting crystal-clear lake. In Spring, when the runoff is strongest, Tamolitch Falls flows over the lava.

How deep is the Tamolitch Blue Pool?

The water is so clear that it feels shallow, but the pool’s depth is over 30 feet in many spots.

How cold is the water in the Tamolitch Blue Pool?

The water temperature in Tamolitch Blue Pool is low, on average 37 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 C).

Wooden mossy and very slippery bridge in the dense forest between mossy green trees during hike to Tamolitch Blue Pool.

Can you swim in the Tamolitch Blue Pool?

The water temperatures are frigid. So, swimming is not encouraged or recommended. It’s important to know that you can become hypothermic in less than 10 minutes in such a cold water temperature. Swimming and jumping into the water can turn out to be tragic. It is difficult to call an emergency because there is often no coverage. So, don’t risk it. It’s not a swimming pool.

Is there camping nearby?

There are 14 US Forest Service Campgrounds along the McKenzie River. The Blue Pool Campground (Middle Fork Ranger District) is the closest, open from May 28 to September 20. You can check the details on the Forest Service website. Other campsites in the area you will find in the Willamette National Forest.

But staying overnight in the picturesque and beautiful town of Sisters is worth staying overnight. This post recommends where to sleep and what to do and see in the Sisters area. It’s about 40 miles from Blue Pool Hike.

McKenzie River National Recreation Trail
yellow fall leaves on McKenzie River National Recreation Trail.
Agnes Stabinska, the author, is sitting and admiring the view of McKenzie River National Recreation Trail during hike to Tamolitch Blue Pool

Tamolitch Blue Pool Hike Detailed Description

Directions to Tamolitch Blue Pool Trailhead

From the McKenzie River Ranger Station, take Highway 126 east 10 miles to Trail Bridge Reservoir. Then you must turn left on FS Road 730 at the sign to Trail Bridge Reservoir. After crossing the river, turn right and travel to the parking area. Start walking slightly uphill to the trailhead sign, and begin walking upstream.

Hike to Tamolitch Blue Pool

The Tamolitch Blue Pool Hike starts at the entrance of an old-growth forest with gigantic Douglas fir trees dating back more than 500 years. Looking at these ancient mossy trees evokes a fairy tale. The trail is well-marked.

Woodland is dense. You are surrounded by deep green, mossy branches of trees, and the river hum. The path is straight at first, then gradually ascends. It goes along the McKenzie River, along the cliff, so the views are great. You are crossing an old bridge with decaying trees.

You descend into a dry river bed, eventually coming to an old lava flow. Slippery lava rocks can be a problem, so be careful. Some elevation gains might be challenging if it’s wet, but it is not a strenuous hike. It’s also great for families, runners, or mountain bikers.

Accessing the Blue Pool

When you reach the trail’s highest point, you can enjoy the crystal clear water from above or walk down to the reservoir itself. Accessing the water is by hiking over the waterfall ledge and taking the trail down to the pool’s side. The descent leads on large, slippery stones and rocks. It is steep. Therefore, remember to wear shoes with a good grip.

Blue Pool Hike water and rocks around it.

Hiking Tips & Safety Rules

Check out our datailed Day Hiking Packing List to know what we always take for a trail.

  • Remember to bring water and snacks. Pack more water than you need, as we use a capacious water reservoir.
  • Start your hike early in the morning. It might be crowded later, and you may also have trouble finding a parking spot if you arrive too late.
  • Take shoes with excellent grip. Slippery lava rock and tree roots might be dangerous, so don’t wear flip-flops.
  • Trekking poles will also be helpful on this hike.
  • Share the trail with mountain bikers.
  • Pack all your rubbish and take them back with you. Leave No Trace.
  • If you are going in the summer, take sunscreen.
  • Cliff diving at the Blue Pool leads to death and injuries. Don’t take the risk. There have been fatalities at this place.
  • Swimming in such cold water leads to hypothermia; don’t swim.
  • Be careful when standing over the cliff while taking pictures. Don’t lean forward; it’s easy to fall. One man fell off the cliff, taking a photo, and he died.
  • There’s no Cell Service.

Add other trails & attractions near Tamolitch Blue Pool

If you are planning a road trip to Oregon, you may be interested in the following places which are stunning:

  • Proxy Falls – one of the most photographed and beautiful waterfalls in Oregon.
  • Sisters – a charming town near Bend with plenty of hiking trails.
  • Umpqua Hot Springs is located in the central Oregon Cascades.
  • Crater Lake – the only Oregon national park, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, and the deepest lake in the US.
  • Multnomah Falls – the tallest waterfall in Oregon.
  • The Alvord Desert – desolate, alien landscape with hot springs.
  • Timberline Lodge -the Shining movie location in a picturesque setting of Mount Hood.
cascade of water in Tamolitch Blue Pool.
fall river scenery during the hike.
stunning blue water in the Tamolitch Blue Pool.

Agnes Stabinska is a writer, photographer, and co-founder of The Van Escape. She loves wildlife, landscape photography, and outdoor adventures, especially hiking, camping, and exploring U.S. national parks. Although she has traveled to many countries for almost 20 years, her favorite places are Alaska, the American Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest, which she often visits and explore with her partner, Chris. Their travel tips, itineraries, and recommendations will help you get away from it all and plan a wonderful vacation.