Travel to a stunning oasis in the middle of a lush forest formed by volcanic forces. Tamolitch Falls Blue Pool in Oregon is a spectacular destination with vibrant colors and cool waters. 💦 It will surely captivate you!
In order to get to the pool, you will have to go on a 2 mile family friendly hike through a forest. Once you get there, you will see why it’s one of the most popular spots in the state! ⭐️
I spent a month in Oregon and this was one of my favorite things that we did! The blue water was absolutely mesmerizing and diving into the cool waters was invigorating. It’s definitely a place you should go if you’re visiting central Oregon.
Although most of the trail is straightforward, there are some parts that can be confusing at the end. So, I’ve created this guide with a detailed trail description for your trip. It’s got everything you need including when to go and things you need to know. Happy trails!
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Table of Contents
Visiting Tamolitch Blue Pool Details
Quick Hike Info
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation: 350 feet of gain
Type: Out and Back
Length: 1.5-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
How was the Blue Pool Formed?
Blue Pool was formed by volcanic activity over 1000 years ago. Just 1600 years ago, lava from the Belknap Crater 🌋 flowed down through the area and buried 3 miles of the Mckenzie River.
Even though the river was covered, it continued to flow under the surface. Then, it resurfaced at the Blue Pool area. The water comes up through the lava, which is why it gets the vibrant blue color. It’s a geological masterpiece!
It’s actually a “dry falls” but in particularly wet years, the water will flow off the cliffs and over into the pool!
Tamolitch Falls Blue Pool Location
Tamlitch Falls Blue Pool is in the Mckenzie River area in Central Oregon. It’s located in the Willamette National Forest, which is about an hour from Bend and 40 minutes from Sisters, Oregon.
The McKenzie River is a gorgeous shade of blue 💙 and runs throughout the forest. If you want to have a fun day in the area, then you can add the Koosah or Sahlie Falls trail. It’s just about a ten minute drive between each other.
How to Get There
The easiest way to get to Tamolitch Falls Blue Pools is to drive. 🚗 The drive is just an hour from Bend and 2.5 hours from Portland, Oregon. Take highway 20 from either direction until you get to the junction for Highway 126.
From there, you’ll take McKenzie Highway 126 about 10 miles south. Turn, right at the Trailbridge Campground sign, where you’ll continue over the bridge. Finally, after a third of a mile you’ll see signs for the trail, and you can park along the road.
Things to Know Before You Go
💵 There is a $5 daily fee to visit Tamolitch Blue Pool but there is no kiosk to buy them. You can buy it beforehand online or use another pass like the Northwest Forest Pass or the America the Beautiful Pass.
☀️ Rain is common in Oregon and this forest is no exception. Expect there to be some wet conditions on the trails and pack waterproof gear for your hike!
⛺️ There is no camping at the Blue Pool, but you can find campsites nearby in the National Forest. If you are interested in camping, look at the Ice Cap Campground, Paradise Campground, and Trail Bridge. You can make reservations here.
🦮 Pets are allowed in the Willamette National Forest, but they must stay on a leash.
🅿️ Parking is mostly along the road for Tamolitch Falls Blue Pool. It fills up quickly during peak season, so get there early!
⚠️ These roads have seasonal closures and are often closed when there is snowfall. You can check the trail status here.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
Best Time to Visit Tamolitch Falls Blue Pool
Tamolitch Blue Pool is most beautiful from the Spring through the Fall. In the winter, the roads and trail may be closed because of snowfall. While I enjoyed going in the peak of summer to swim in the frigid waters others like visiting in the fall to see the foliage. 🍂
Tamolitch Falls Blue Pool gets very crowded in summer, so plan accordingly!
If you are going during the peak season, then I recommend getting an early start or heading out on a week day! The earlier you go, the more likely you’ll miss the crowds and get parking along the road. Plus, then you’ll get beautiful light on the pool.
Can You Swim?
Technically, swimming is allowed, but you will have to do it at your own risk. The water temperature usually hovers around 37 degrees, so it will be a very frigid dip! 🥶
My husband and I both went for a freezing cold dip and it literally took my breath away!
Dipping into very cold water can be dangerous, so you should know the risks before you go in. ⛔️ It can cause hypothermia or cold shock where you heart rate and blood pressure increase quickly.
Getting down to the pool itself is a bit challenging with a steep climb down the cliffside. So, you’ll want to have good shoes and walk carefully to the water’s edge. But, for the daring it is an invigorating swimming hole.
What to Pack
It’s important to be prepared for wet weather and slick trails on your hike. So, pack waterproof clothing and comfortable hiking boots 🥾 for your hike.
If you do want to go for a dip, then you should pack a towel and change of clothes to dry off. The water is freezing cold, so you’re going to want to warm up immediately afterwards!
Packing List
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Day Pack
- Hiking poles
- Water Reservoir
- 1-2 Liters of Water
- Snacks and Food
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Shelter
- Rain jacket
- Base Layer
- Good Hiking Pants/Bottoms
- Satellite phone
- Bathing Suit (optional)
- Towel (optional)
- Downloaded AllTrails Map
You can read more about my day hike gear here.
Tamolitch Falls Blue Pool Trail Description
Through the Douglas Fir Forest
Once you get to the Blue Pools area, you will see a sign for the trail. Turn right onto the trail and continue through the forest. You’ll walk among plenty of gorgeous old growth trees and it almost looks like a fairytale. 🧚♀️
Continue across the bridge and through the woods until you begin to see the creek on your right. You’ll continue walking for just over 1.5 miles and then there will be an overlook of the stunning Blue Pool. From there, you can stop there or continue down to the pool itself, but that’s the hardest part.
Over the Rocks & to the Pool
It’s very helpful to have the Alltrails downloaded at this point, because it’s hard to find the best path down to the Blue Pool. You’ll see a bunch of rocks to your right. Turn right and continue over the rocky boulders. 🪨
From there, you’ll come to another path that continues above the pool. Finally, you’ll see a clearing/path down to the right. This part gets steep and you may have to walk over sticks on the way. So, just be careful and take your time.
Finally, you will make it to Tamolitch Falls/Blue Pool. You can sit along the water’s edge, take in the beauty, or go for a very frigid dip.
Final Tips for Visiting Tamolitch Falls Blue Pool
Now you’re almost ready to set off on your journey to the glistening Blue Pool. Before you go, just remember to go early in the day, download the Alltrails map, and take care if you plan on going for a swim. You’ll definitely love the shimmering waters of the pool! Enjoy your time.
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this post!
📍 Pin Guide to Visiting the Magical Tamolitch Falls Blue Pool to Pinterest
Okay, how have I never heard of this?! That water color is amazing!! Definitely adding this to my list when I go back to Oregon 😍