The peak is only reachable by trail, with no roads leading to the area, and is over nine miles from the nearest trailhead. The Tanner Butte Trail #401 ascends Tanner Butte by following Tanner Ridge for eight miles from the closed Tanner Creek Road (Forest Road 8400-777).[4] The Eagle-Tanner Trail #433 climbs the other side of the butte for five miles from a junction with the Eagle Creek Trail #440.[5] The Tanner Cutoff Trail #448 and Eagle Creek Trail connects Tanner Butte to the rest of the Gorge's trail network.
The Tanner Butte area was severely impacted by the Eagle Creek Fire of 2017, with nearly the entire north face experiencing a severe burn severity. Due to the increased risk of landslides, debris flows, and other hazards, recreation in the area remains closed as of January 2019[update].[6]