Silver Falls State is the “crown jewel” as stated by the park rangers of Oregon State Parks. With over 35 miles of trails Silver Falls should be on your Oregon bucket list when you visit the area. Depending on when you visit Oregon, it is important to note the weather can change drastically, altering your experience. Having visited in every season, I can offer advice on the best way to experience it. Below I will share the best times to come, where to stay near Silver Falls, and what to expect.
Inside of the park there is a 7.2 mile hiking trail called Trail of Ten Falls, picnic areas, campsites, and onsite lodging options.
Where Is Silver Falls State Park?
Silver Falls is Located just an hour and a half from Portland and thirty minutes from Salem. Silver Falls is just outside of Silverton, Oregon, a small town that is worth stopping at for lunch or shopping. Summertime there is a wonderful farmers market that is walkable throughout the town.
What Is The Trail of Ten Falls?
The Trail of Ten Falls is located inside of Silver Falls Park. It is a 7.2 mile loop the trail that can be done in 3 hours and 25 minutes. For avid hikers looking to visit each portion of the trail, this loop is a stunning hike.
What is so unique about Silver Falls State Park in Oregon is that you can actually walk behind three of the waterfalls! After a big rainfall this is truly a surreal experience. Below is a map of the park provided by the State Park service.
Can I Bring My Dog To Silver Falls Park?
If you plan on hiking Trail of Ten Falls, dogs are not allowed on most of the trails. If your looking for Silver Falls State Park camping and want to bring your dog-there is a great off leash dog exercise area near the South Falls parking lot.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Trail of Ten Falls?
Considering a big portion of Trail of Ten Falls will only exist during the rainy season, Spring is going to be the best time to visit. Silver Falls State Park weather can be quite finicky. It is best to visit when you get the waterfalls with the most amount of rainfall possible.
From June-September Oregon goes through a dry season which causes waterfalls to shrink over time. As winter progresses and spring approaches, that is my favorite time of year to visit waterfalls.
What To Expect Each Season
Spring at Silver Falls is going to showcase each waterfall at its peak! The waterfalls rely on the river systems inside to be gushing. This will provide with the best experience for walking behind 3 of the ten waterfalls inside Trail of Ten Falls. February-April are going to be the best time to visit.
Fall is a photographers dream for visiting because of the bold yellow colors that perfectly frame the waterfalls. Typically October is when the colors are at their peak here-but changes year over year. Especially if the Silver Falls State Park Weather forecasts an early snowfall!
Winter at Trail of Ten Falls can be quite stunning too. especially if the winter has provided plenty of rain since dry summer to fill the canyon walls. Rarely does it snow inside of Silver Falls State Park, but when it does it can be quite beautiful. Keep in mind that it will be very icy-and while most of the trails are paved mirco-spikes are a must!
Summer at Silver Falls State Park is a popular time to visit the area because of peak tourist season for Oregon. However, waterfalls are going to become less and less as the summer goes on since it is dry season. Many of the waterfalls nearly disappear! With that being said, the lush green forests are still quite stunning.
Where Can I Stay At Silver Falls?
Silver Falls State Park camping is a great way to slowly experience the park . All while getting to sleep beneath the stars and get an early start to the trail. Currently there is construction at the campsites, closing group camps A and B. Campgrounds are open May-October and can be reserved in advance.
New management has taken over the Lodge at South Falls and is currently named Smith Creek Village. Smith Creek Village is a dog-friendly lodge that can be reserved in advance. Each cabin is heated, which is an excellent way to warm up after hiking.
Nearby Airbnbs are a great option, especially in Silverton, just fifteen minutes outside of the park. I stayed at a unique property a few years ago on a farm, which is also close to Abiqua Falls.
How Much Does It Cost To Visit?
If your planning on visiting Silver Falls, be sure to be prepared to pay $5 a day for parking. The main parking areas have parking meters that accept credit card for payment. Moreover, paying in advance is a good option as not all trailheads accept credit cards.
Waterfalls On Trail Of Ten Falls Trail
Depending on if your completing the 7.2 mile loop at Silver Falls, or driving to trailheads, hiking a portion of the park. Personally, I prefer hiking the Trail of Ten Falls from the North Falls trailhead and going counter clockwise. Hiking clockwise will be more rewarding with waterfalls immediately-although this requires more elevation gain. Hike this loop counter clockwise to hike down more-but keep in mind the first mile you won’t see a waterfall.
Below there are details on each waterfall and what to expect.
1. South Falls
Located at the main parking area, this waterfall is the most popular due to the size of 177-feet tall! South Falls is the most photographed waterfall inside of the park because your able to walk behind it. This portion of the trail can be done independently with 194 of elevation gain in .09 miles. To do this park at the South Falls parking lot and follow signs for South Falls.
2. North Falls
Seeing this waterfall in spring makes it one of my favorites because of the gushing water from the basalt columns. North Falls is popular because in just half a mile you’re able to walk behind the waterfall from the North Falls Trailhead. Personally this is my favorite waterfall on the entire trail!
3. Lower South Falls
This provides a unique vantage point of South Falls, and has a small cascading waterfall of 93 feet. In the fall this portion of the Trail of Ten Falls is one of the most picturesque portions of the trail. Yellow maple leafs perfectly frame the waterfalls, a perfect moment to get slow shutter photos.
4. Double Falls
This waterfall is a double two-tier waterfall gushing from basalt columns-truly beautiful in the winter or spring time after months of rain. Since this is on the least visited side of the park people may swim here in summertime.
5. Winter Falls
At 134 feet high, Winter Falls is best to visit during rainy season due to is geologic location in the canyon. In the summertime the waterfall is nearly nonexistent, having people question whether or not there is even a waterfall. Silver Falls State Park weather can really alter an experience so it is best to be aware!
6. Upper North Falls
This is the only portion of the entire Trail of Ten Falls that allows dogs on a leash. Be sure to leash your dogs when visiting, and only stick to this portion of the trail. While this is the least visited trail in the park, this hike is perfect for kiddos at just .6 miles and 62 feet of elevation gain.
7. Twin Falls
Many hikers suggest this is the least visited portion of the park due to being far away from the South Falls parking lot. Twin Falls is the third shortest waterfall at the park at just 31 feet tall. Spring is the best time to visit these falls as they dry up quite a bit in the summertime.
8. Drake Falls
The smallest waterfall along the Trail of Ten Falls- Drake Falls is only 27 feet tall. IT is important to note that it is quite hard to get a good view of these falls in relation to the trail.
9. Double Falls
Cascading from moss covered basalt walls, Double Falls is best to be observed in the spring with plenty of water to showcase it to its best. One of the larger waterfalls inside of the park at 184 feet tall!
10. Middle North Falls
Middle North Falls is a popular portion of the trail because hiking behind the waterfall is possible! Like many other waterfalls inside of the park, the amount of water will alter the appearance of a waterfall. With that being said, visiting this is one of my favorite parts of the park in rainy season.
Leave No Trace Ethics
When visiting Silver Falls State Park be sure to abide by Leave No Trace ethics while your there. Having visiting the park many times over the years, there has been an increase of trash, pesky animals, and oblivious hikers. Familiarizing yourself with Leave No Trace ethics can provide a clean and healthy park for future visitors.
Have you ever visited Silver Falls State Park? I would love to know more about your experience in the comments below.
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