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). The Eagle-Tanner Trail #433 climbs the other side of the butte for five miles from a junction with the Eagle Creek Trail #440. The Tanner Cutoff Trail #448 and Eagle Creek Trail connects Tanner Butte to the rest of the Gorge's trail network.