This Blue Pool! Initial impression that comes to my mind? What a fantastic hidden gem natural landmark! It's located 140 miles southeast of Portland, Oregon or just 60 miles northeast of Bend, OR.
I was introduced to this Blue Pool (which really is blue) from watching TikTok recommendations.
I must divulge a secret, lol. There are wonderful content creators on TikTok and if it weren't for their suggestions about visiting beautiful destinations around the United States, I would have unknowingly skipped this Blue Pool along my explorations.
To arrive here, it's a moderate 4.2 mile roundtrip hike in total gaining a few hundred feet in elevation.
A majority of the trail is hiked through pleasant forest surroundings. Once near the end of the trail, you view down upon the Blue Pool which offers dramatic perspectives especially when the sun is fully shining.
I immediately noticed the turquoise waters and took a few moments for photos and recordings before finding a pathway to the shores.
Btw, the last section of the hike is a little distorted. I lost track of the trail direction and had to improvise to figure out a way down to the bottom. This is a friendly reminder not to be discouraged if you encounter the same difficulty I did.
No worries, everything is worth it. For being in Oregon, you won't encounter anything like this along your travels.
I give supreme credit to all the majestic waterfalls Oregon is known for, but a blue pool of water is exactly what you'll receive...and you gotta be here to witness it.
To back up a moment, if you enter "Blue Pool" into Google Maps, it'll show as "Tamolitch Falls - Blue Pool". And this is what you're looking for. Google will successfully lead to the trailhead.
There was plenty of parking available on the side of the road at 9am in the morning.
By the time I departed around 3pm, the road was crowded with cars.
As is normal for most hikes and outstanding attractions anywhere you may go, early is always the better time, lol.
The pool is not large. You can walk around the shores pretty comfortably until you find an area that may suit you for hanging out at.
You can bring a bathing suit just in case. I didn't expect to enter the waters but a couple of risk takers at the shores encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone. And so, I spontaneously jumped in, lol.
The water was freezing for late July. In fact, the water is freezing year round no matter when you visit.
I was convinced I needed to make a lasting memory and so...I dove head first in like a polar bear plunge!
I'd like to mention the best picture taking spot. Towards the right hand side of the pool, you can safely and carefully climb on the rocks and it'll afford you a higher glance than standing at eye level beside the shoreline. The taller view enhances that hypnotic blue coloring.
I did have to pause for strangers to exit my picture lens frame, but ultimately it was worth it for undisturbed looks of the entire Blue Pool with no one in sight.
So for quality photos, climb on the rocks to the right side of the pool.
In total, you can take a few hours to half a day to enjoy the setting. It's such a unique pool of blue water in the middle of the forest, it's hard to ponder it exists.
But then again, for this summer of 2023, I received incredible hiking recommendations and under the radar waterfall suggestions situated throughout Oregon from casually swiping TikTok posts!
Lastly, it's free to come at your own accord. You don't need a reservation. There's no fee to park. No park rangers. It's just you and the great outdoors.
Right nearby are 2 MUST DO WATERFALLS located 3.5 miles down the road. They are...Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls. In total, you can create a very fulfilling and memorable day at all 3 sights. I highly recommend them.
When planning out your itinerary for visiting Oregon with places to go and sights to see, make sure to include this Blue Pool.
At 4.2 miles in total length, you get the perfect pairing of a casual day hike along with enjoying a gorgeous turquoise lake setting. And it's moments like these that will connect you to nature on a whole new level. read more