Silver Falls State Park, Oregon (May 2025)

Silver Falls is perhaps the “crown jewel” of the outstanding Oregon State Park system, located at the junction of the South and North Forks of the Silver River, about 20 miles southeast of Salem. The park is famous for its 7.2 mile Trail of Ten Waterfalls; five of which are over 100 feet tall, and four that you can hike behind without getting too wet.

From the main parking lot at South Falls, you descend into the canyon, hiking behind the first 177 foot South Falls on the way down. About a mile further along the Canyon Trail, you will descend again, this time hiking behind the 93 foot tall Lower South Falls. Shortly after Lower South falls, you will turn to the east and head up North Fork of the Silver River to Lower North Falls (30′), passing Double (178′), Drake (27′), and the 106 foot Middle North Falls that you can also hike behind.

Shortly after Middle North Falls, you have the option of taking the Winter Falls Trail south up to the 134 foot tall Winter Falls, or continue east past Twin Falls to the 136 foot tall North Falls. The climb out of the North Fork canyon leads behind North Falls with a short hike further up the North Fork to visit Upper North Falls (65′). From Upper North Falls, it is about a 2.5 mile hike along the Rim Trail and through second growth forests back to the South Falls parking lot where the adventure began.