Silver Falls State Park is one of the most popular state parks in Oregon – and for good reason! It is rare to find a park that contains so many breathtaking waterfalls within walking distance of each other. This state park is only an hour from Portland making it an easy destination for both locals and tourists. Whether you are just passing through or planning a trip to Oregon – this place is a must see. With that, lets get into your ultimate guide to Silver Falls State Park.
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Table of Contents:
Getting There:
Silver Falls State Park is located about 55 miles or an hour away from Portland, Oregon. It is easiest to drive there, that way you can have the freedom to explore the park and surrounding towns. Once in the park, I suggest parking at the North Falls parking lot or South Falls parking lot as those are the best jumping-off points for the main waterfalls. You can find a map of where to park here.
Resources:
Here is the link to the official Silver Falls State Park website. This website has park maps and great information about conditions, what is currently open/closed, and history about the park.
The Trail of Ten Falls will be highlighted in this post. You can find the AllTrails route here.
Booking campsites can be done through the Oregon state parks website here. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance.
The closest town is Silverton, Oregon. If you want to know more about the town or plan a more in-depth visit – you can find all of that information here.
Things to Know Before Going:
When is the best time to visit?
Silver Falls State Park is breathtaking any time of year. To guarantee the best weather, you want to visit in the summer and fall months. The waterfalls will not be as full but you will be able to enjoy the sunshine and cool off under the mist of the waterfalls. During fall, this park completely changes color. The moss highlighted in the winter and summer takes a backseat to the color-changing leaves that frame the waterfalls in the fall. For fewer crowds, winter and spring are great times to go. The waterfalls are much fuller from the rain and snow although conditions can be more dangerous. Ice can accumulate around the falls this time of year so make sure you are prepared – which brings me to my next point!
What should I pack?
If you plan to hike – make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks as there are no facilities once you hit the trail. At the South Falls lot, there are bathrooms and some shops where you can purchase food and beverages if needed. If hiking in the winter, we highly suggest having microspikes available as the waterfalls can make the trail icy as their mist freezes over. I also suggest layering! The mist feels great in the summer but can easily chill you during winter if you do not have a waterproof layer protecting your warmer base layers. For more information about hiking in the winter, what to pack, and what to wear – check out my winter hiking post here.
What can I do in the park?
Hiking trails are plentiful here – around 35 miles of trails wind throughout the park. If you want a more leisurely tour around the park, you can take a horseback ride through some designated trails. Biking and swimming are also permitted – you can find where they are allowed here. There are also many day-use spots for picnics if you want a relaxing day under the canopy of mossy trees.
Is it free to visit?
Silver Falls State Park requires a 5 dollar fee to use their parking lots regardless of any forest pass you have. Annual state park passes are accepted here if you have one of those. There are quite a few pay stations set up throughout the park accepting card payments so it is easy to purchase a parking pass when you arrive.
Can I camp in the park?
YES! There are many options for camping including tent sites, RV sites, and even horse camping. You can find more information and book your stay following the link above in “Resources.”
Where can I stay if I do not want to camp?
Smith Creek Village is a lodging option in the park with cozy cabin rentals that are mostly dog friendly. They also have large lodging options that sleep up to 75 people for a wedding or family reunion. There are a few other hotel and bed and breakfast options closer to Silverton like Silverton Inn & Suites and Oregon Garden Resort.
Hiking in Silver Falls State Park
As you can see above, there are many options to explore the park but if you are able, we HIGHLY suggest hiking the Trail of Ten Falls. This hike gives you the most bang for your buck in terms of seeing TEN waterfalls over 8-9 miles allowing you to really immerse yourself in the park. The hike is relatively easy in terms of only gaining about 1,000 feet of elevation as you walk around the loop. If you plan to do this trail, I suggest visiting the AllTrails link in the “Resources” section to ensure you find your way to each of the ten falls. This trail is NOT dog friendly and it is a longer hike so below you will find a few other hiking options based on what you are looking for.
Other hiking options:
- Buck Mountain Trail: This 8 mile loop is a great option if you have dogs as it is dog friendly. With about 1,000 feet of elevation gain, this hike is gradual and leads you through the beautiful mossy forests of the park.
- Silver Falls Campground Nature Loop: At only 2 miles roundtrip, this is a great hike if you have kids or just want a relaxing stroll by the river in the woods. This hike is not dog friendly.
- Perimeter and Rim Trail: This 9 mile trail is dog friendly and basically encircles the park. You do see one waterfall on this trail but I really only recommend this if you have dogs and do not want to hike without them.
Trail of Ten Falls
This trail is a MUST-see if you are able to hike eight miles. You not only pass TEN waterfalls but actually get to walk behind FOUR of them. The main trail you follow is the Rim Trail but do branch out twice on other trails in order to hit all the waterfalls. The trail map can be found here.
We like to park at the South Falls parking lot and begin from there but you can also park at the North Falls lot and do the same loop, just starting at a different spot. There are ways to make this hike shorter if you want to see most of the waterfalls but do not want to hike 8-9 miles. If you start at the South Falls lot and walk all the way to Middle North Falls (see map linked above) you can cross the bridge to walk on the Winter Trail, see the Winter Falls, and finish the loop back to the South Falls Parking lot. This will basically cut 3 miles off your trek. If you want to do the whole thing – we will outline what to expect and which falls you will see along the way!
South Falls
This 177-foot tall waterfall is the first stop on your route if you start at the South Falls parking lot. You will get your first peek at the lookout point right near the parking lot. As you walk down from here, the trail will wrap around the backside of the falls. This waterfall is the first one of four you get to walk behind and walking so close to these falls allows you to appreciate how large and powerful they are.
Lower South Falls
About a half-mile after South Falls, you will come to Lower South Falls. This is the second waterfall of four you can walk behind! This waterfall is only 93 feet tall but very wide making it feel like you are walking underneath a curtain of water on the trail behind the falls. Get ready to get soaked, there is a lot of mist coming off this waterfall, especially in the winter.
Lower North Falls, Double Falls, Drake Falls, and Midde North Falls
The next four waterfalls are relatively close together. You will reach them after about a mile and a half walk from Lower South Falls. Lower North Falls and Drake Falls are honestly not too impressive but still worth seeing nonetheless.
Double Falls however is the tallest waterfall along the route at 178 feet. This waterfall does require a short detour after the footbridge crossing Hult Creek but it is worth the extra steps! Middle North Falls is our personal favorite out of the ten and it is the third of four waterfalls you can walk behind! This waterfall is 106 feet tall and very wide allowing you to walk essentially inside of it creating another “wall of water.” The sheer power of this waterfall was almost deafening and with that power came a lot of mist! It created this magical feeling like you were (as corny as this sounds) one with the waterfall.
Twin Falls and Winter Falls
About 0.7 miles from Middle North Falls, you will find a small 31-foot waterfall named Twin Falls. Even though it is small, it is beautiful how the water cascades around a central boulder forming two distinct streams (hence the name!). This is where you can branch onto Winter Trail if you want to make the hike shorter! This trail is a mile long and will take you to Winter Falls which then leads you back up to the rim trail taking you back to the South Falls lot. If you want to continue on the Trail of Ten Falls from Twin Falls, this waterfall will then be your last stop on the way back to the parking lot.
North Falls
One of the most unique waterfalls, not only in the park but in Oregon is North Falls. This waterfall is the last one on the trail you walk behind but it is unlike the others. The trail behind the falls is in a large amphitheater-like cavern. You are basically up in a cave watching a 136-foot waterfall cascade into the river below you. The cave walls almost make this waterfall look like it is in a picture frame.
Upper North Falls
This waterfall requires a short detour from the main trail – but again, it is worth it! About a half-mile from North Falls, you will find this 65-foot fall that creates what looks like the perfect secluded spot to take a dip on a hot summer’s day. After you stop here you will head back to the main trail where you will walk about a mile and a half to Winter Falls and from there it is about a mile back to the South Falls parking lot.
Where to Eat & Drink
Okay – I KNOW you must be starving after all this adventure. If you read our other blog posts, you know we love a hike and brewery/ restaurant combo. There is a restaurant in the park near the South Falls lot if you want a quick bite, otherwise below are a few spots we recommend.
- Silver Falls Brewery is a great spot to try some local craft beer and have a burger to replenish those post-hike cravings.
- The People’s Taphouse is a super cool taphouse that is located in an old bank so the bar is built around the original safe. They have great cider and beer options from many popular local breweries and also serve pizza and calzones for lunch and dinner.
- The Noble Fox is a more upscale spot. They have a great outdoor patio overlooking the river if the weather is nice – we highly recommend sitting outside.
- Mac’s Place is a homey spot with lots of comfort food options and occasional live music. Check their website for the schedule.
I hope the Ultimate Guide to Silver Falls State Park gives you everything you need to plan a trip to this park and the surrounding area. It is definitely a must-see and worth the trip! If you are in the area and want a few other trip options, check out some of our other posts below.
- Top 10 Waterfall Hikes near Portland
- The Best Hike at Mount Hood
- Top 5 Day Trips from Portland, Oregon
As always, let us know what you think in the comments, if we missed anything that you recommend, or if you plan to use this post to guide your travels! We love any and all feedback, questions, and support.