This is a beautiful hike, so many waterfalls along the way, great river views, lush green everywhere, and the wildflowers are starting to come out.
I left Seattle about 10am, stopped for gas etc. and arrived at the trailhead about 2pm. I did find parking, but the lot was pretty full, this is a popular hike. A Northwest Forest pass is required. Even though the parking lot was pretty packed, it didn't really feel very crowded on the actual hike, especially once you continue past Punchbowl Falls.
There are some very steep drop-offs along the hike and if you google "Eagle Creek Trail" you will see that there have been quite a few fatalities along this trail. Any adult using a reasonable amount of caution could easily navigate this hike without any problems, but I would be quite hesitant to bring a small child on this hike. Dogs should be leashed for their own safety. Be careful when passing other hikers.
The hike was long but there's not really any uphill sections, it feels mostly flat. I had my GPS and following this guide really helped orient me: http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Eagle_Creek_to_Tunnel_Falls_Hike/Log
I turned around at Tunnel Falls and make it back to the car at 8. Total hike time a little under 6 hours. My GPS clocked 13.4 miles and 1140 feet of elevation gain.
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