Over the summer we took a road trip from Michigan to Oregon. It was a dream. We instantly knew that one of our “pit stops” had to be none other than Oregon’s Tamolitch Blue Pool. Something about its rainforest-like setting & vivid blue water had us hooked. And let me say, the Blue Pool is a stunner and it did not disappoint. As a matter of fact, Tamolitch Blue Pool literally held on to our number 1 spot (favorite places on this trip). That is until we saw Secret Beach. Then it dropped to our second favorite place we saw in Oregon. That says a lot as we saw a ton of places on this road trip.
For more things to do in Oregon check out this article
Fun Facts about Tamolitch Blue Pool?
- Tamolitch Blue Pool is also known as Tamolitch Falls.
- Tamolitch Falls are typically seen in the early spring.
- 1,600+ years ago lava flow from the Belknap Crater buried a 3 mile stretch of the McKenzie River. The river resurfaces at Tamolitch Pool.
- The McKenzie River seeps up to the surface through the porous lava. This creates the deep turquoise-colored pool, also known as Tamolitch Blue Pool.
- Blue Pool is a chilly 37 degrees Fahrenheit!
- The water is so clear that it looks really shallow. Don’t be fooled, the Blue Pool is over 30 ft. deep!
- There are no fish or living organisms in the Blue Pools.
- It is free to visit.
Where is Tamolitch Blue Pool & Directions?
Address – National Forest Road 2672-655, McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413
Tamolitch Falls (Blue Pool) is located in Central Oregon’s Willamette National Forest.
How to get to Blue Pool from Bend, OR
- Take HWY 20W through Tumalo & Sisters
- Continue on HWY 20W until OR-126E (This will be a fork in the road)
- Turn left onto OR-126E
- Follow OR-126E for about 9 miles. You will see signs for Tamolitch Blue Pool on your right.
How to get to Blue Pool from McKenzie River Ranger District
- Head east on OR-126 E toward Foley Ridge Rd/NF-2643
- Follow OR-126E for about 13 miles. You will see signs for Tamolitch Blue Pool on your left.
How to get to Blue Pool from Redmond, OR
- Take OR-126 W to US-20 W
- Take HWY 20W through Tumalo & Sisters
- Continue on HWY 20W until OR-126E (This will be a fork in the road)
- Turn left onto OR-126E
- Follow OR-126E for about 9 miles. You will see signs for Tamolitch Blue Pool on your right.
We opted to stay at Comfort Suites in Redmond, OR. Staying here allowed us to be in good proximity to Blue Pool & Smith Rock. The room was very clean and we have no regrets.
Parking Area at Tamolitch Falls
Tamolitch Falls (Blue Pool) doesn’t have an actual parking lot. However, there is free parking along the side of the road. The road that you’ll park along is an extra-wide dirt road.
If you visit during peak time, you may have to walk quite a ways before getting to the trailhead.
Are there bathrooms?
Yes! When we went there were 2 outhouses (vault toilets) and 2 porta-potties. All of the bathrooms were located near the trailhead.
We were there in the early evening of June. We could tell there had been massive crowds of people there before us by the way people were parked. The outhouses were absolutely disgusting while the porta-potties looked brand new. If one is gross, be sure to check the other.
Best Time to Visit
While Tamolitch Blue Pool is open year-round, it is the busiest during June & August. That being said, we visited in June and could tell that the trail was extremely busy that day. Thankfully we arrived a few hours before dark and the trail had cleared out. We passed a total of 7 small groups on the trail. If you do plan to visit during June or August try to do so early in the morning or in the evening. Spring and Fall are also great times to visit. Visiting during these seasons will give you milder temperatures and pretty foliage. Visiting in the winter may be cold and icy. I highly encourage you to bring ice cleats to help navigate the boulders and ice.
If choosing to hike just before dark, I highly recommend making sure that you are off the trail before dark. The trail is really rocky in some spots and it will be hard not to lose your footing in the dark. Bring a flashlight or headlamp just in case.
Tamolitch Blue Pool Trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 3.6 miles
- Trail Type: Out and Back
- Elevation Gain: 285 ft.
- Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash.
The trailhead for Tamolitch Blue Pool is one of the many access points to the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail. Which is a 24.1-mile trail along the McKenzie River. Thankfully you don’t need to hike 24.1 miles to get to the Blue Pool. You only need to hike a 3.6-mile section of it.
The beginning of the hike (Tamolitch Blue Pool) starts on a relatively flat, cleared path through the old-growth Douglas Fir forest. It’s stunning and the trees are huge. Next, you’ll follow the path alongside the McKenzie River where you’ll see large, moss-covered boulders filling the river bed. Then you’ll start to come across old lava flow. This is where things get interesting. While the lava rock is very unique and fun-looking, it becomes mundane. I say this because you have to watch your every step or you’ll trip. If you stop and look up, it’s a spectacular view, but you have to stop moving to take that view in. Once you get to the Blue Pool you’ll be greeted with a huge 50-foot drop. Stay a safe distance from the edge of the steep cliffs. You wouldn’t want to tumble over. You can make your way to the bottom of the Pool by rock scrambling your way down the trail. We didn’t do it because it would have been quite a challenge with our dogs.
Dogs – You may have to help your dogs over parts of the lava stone. We brought our 2 dogs on this trail with us. One of our dogs was a tiny pomeranian (she’s 16!). Since she’s blind we knew she couldn’t navigate this trail so we carried her in a pet carrier. She loved it. Our other dog is a 1-year-old Bernedoodle. He navigated the entire trail beautifully. *All dogs must remain on a leash & you must clean up after them.
Mountain Biking – While this trail is mountain bike friendly, I’m not sure how the mountain bikers would get over all of the large rocks.
Tamolitch Blue Pool Tips & Tricks
- This is a heavily trafficked trail. If you don’t like crowds, visit in the off-season, or early morning or before dark. This is a very popular spot on summer weekends.
- Cell service is hard to come by. Make sure that your GPS or Google Maps is ready to go without cell service.
- Bring plenty of water. There isn’t anywhere to refill your water.
- You can swim in the Blue Pool. Remember it is 30 ft. deep and 37 degrees, know your abilities, and don’t go in if you are not a strong swimmer. Cell service is terrible in this area and if something were to go bad it could take a while for paramedics to get there.
What to Pack
Things to do Nearby
Koosah Falls & Sahalie Falls
This trail is a 2.9-mile loop featuring 2 beautiful waterfalls. The trail is rated moderate and has a 360 ft. elevation gain. The trail gets heavy use so try to go early in the morning or evening.
Hot Springs
Surprisingly there are quite a few hot springs nearby. Some to check out are Bigelow Hot Springs & Belknap Hot Springs.
Clear Lake Trail
This easy hike is a 4.9-mile loop that will take you all around Clear Lake. Like Blue Pool, this lake has very clear water.
Overall, Tamolitch Blue Pool in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains is a beautiful destination. It’s a great hike for families and dogs. Just remember the summer months are the busiest. So plan accordingly.
What are your thoughts? Have you been? Will you go? Do you have any additional advice to add? Let us and our readers know in the comments below.
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