Silver Falls State Park offers a diverse array of services, from primitive campgrounds and cabins to horse corrals and a conference center. But really, it’s all about the waterfalls. The crown jewel of the park is the Trail of Ten Falls, a loop hike arguably as spectacular and scenic as any in Oregon. During this epic outing you’ll pass by no fewer than ten waterfalls ranging in height from 27 to 177 feet. And, yes, the waterfalls are the primary draw, but beautiful forest, deep opal pools of water, and striking canyon views rank highly as well. Another asset is the flexibility to choose where to start and how far to hike.
Distance: 8.2-mile loop (5.2-mile option)
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Trail surface: Paved, hard-packed dirt; rocky
Hiking time: 1.5 to 5 hours
County: Marion
Land status: State park
Seasons: All
Fees and permits: Day-use fee
Trail contact: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, (503) 986-0707; oregonstateparks.org
Maps: Oregon Road & Recreation Atlas: Page 48 F5
Finding the trailhead: From downtown Salem, head east on State Street and drive 11.8 miles. Turn right onto Cascade Highway SE and drive 3.6 miles. Turn left onto the Silver Falls Highway and drive 7.8 miles, arriving at Silver Falls State Park. The described hike starts from the South Falls parking area. GPS: N44° 52.748' / W122° 39.401'
The Hike
There are two main trailheads and a third with a 2-hour parking limit to choose from, giving you the option of reducing the hike to a more manageable 5.2-mile loop that still passes most of the larger falls. I recommend starting at the South Falls parking area and taking the Rim Trail toward Winter Falls. This might seem counterintuitive, since it leads you away from South Falls, the largest waterfall on the trail. It’s all a matter of personal preference, but I enjoy the “best for last” approach.
If you’re taking the shorter loop, turn left onto the Winter Falls Trail when you arrive at the Winter Falls Trailhead; then turn left again when you reach a junction with the Canyon Trail. The path will loop back to South Falls and the South Falls parking area.
If you’re making the full loop and it’s high-water season, it’s worth taking the steep path down to the base of Winter Falls for the full view. If it’s late summer and you don’t feel like hoofing it down to the base and back up, nobody will hold it against you. Continue past Winter Falls on the Rim Trail, making your way up to North Falls. When you reach the junction at North Falls, take the short 0.2-mile jaunt to the right to visit Upper North Falls and then return to the massive North Falls. The trail descends to and behind the thundering North Falls. Continuing along the Canyon Trail, the scenery in the deep canyon is stunning, and you’re seemingly greeted by a new cascade around every turn.
The trail eventually loops back to epic South Falls. The path becomes paved and climbs up to and behind the imposing cascade. Keep an eye out for tree wells when you’re behind the falls. These round holes in the ceilings of the caverns behind the falls were formed millions of years ago. Occasionally a lava flow would encounter a tree and harden around it while the tree eventually burned away. Water erosion did the rest, moving soil from underneath the lava rock and leaving behind tree wells. Keep looking up and you’ll spot a few. Continue up the paved path and back to the parking area where you started.
Miles and Directions
0.0 Start from the South Falls parking area. Hike up the Rim Trail toward Winter Falls, away from South Falls.
1.2 Arrive at the Winter Falls Trailhead (N44° 53.065' / W122° 38.434'). Head down to the left to view the falls. Continue easterly along the Rim Trail. (Option: For a shorter loop, make a left at the junction with the Canyon Trail and continue on this path until you arrive back at the parking area at 5.2 miles.)
2.3 Reach the junction with North Falls. Take the short trip to the right to visit Upper North Falls (N44° 52.979' / W122° 36.935') and then return to North Falls (N44° 53.119' / W122° 37.374'). Take the descending Canyon Trail and continue to Twin Falls (N44° 53.133' / W122° 38.226'). Continue hiking to a junction.
4.6 Arrive at the junction with the Winter Falls Trail. Continue straight Stay on the Canyon Trail at any junctions, visiting Middle North Falls (N44° 53.343' / W122° 38.596'), Drake Falls (N44° 53.350' / W122° 38.786'), Double Falls (N44° 53.517' / W122° 38.732'), Lower North Falls (N44° 53.466' / W122° 38.843'), and Lower South Falls (N44° 53.115' / W122° 39.702') along the way.
7.7 Stay straight at a junction just before South Falls (N44° 52.781' / W122° 39.498'). The paved path then leads behind the falls and ascends back up to the parking area where you started the hike.
8.2 Arrive back at the parking area.
Local Information
Post-hike food and drink: Seven Brides Brewing, 990 N 1st St., Silverton