Silver Falls State Park: Everything You Need to Know
The Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park is the most beautiful trail we’ve hiked in Oregon so far. Visit and you’ll quickly lose count of the waterfalls you’ll see, get to admire lush rainforests, and icy blue rivers. Spend one to two days here to enjoy everything the park, and surrounding towns, have to offer.
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Getting to Silver Falls State Park
Oregon State Parks Parking Permit
Disclosure: We’ve included affiliate links with recommended hiking gear in this post. If you click through and buy something, we’ll receive a small portion of that sale. You won’t be charged more, and we haven’t been paid by any of these retailers to share their information. These are all our genuine preferences.
Getting to Silver Falls State Park
Silver Falls State Park is about 30 minutes off I-5, and it’s well worth the detour. It’s located an hour from both Portland and Eugene, and is just under a two-hour drive from the Oregon coast.
Although it’s possible to reach the park from Portland or Eugene using public transit, it’s easiest to get to with your own vehicle.
Best time to visit
September to April
Best for crowds
We highly recommend visiting during the slower, albeit rainy, season. The park is much less crowded, and the forest is especially lush and green. The weather is moderate year-round, so if you dress right (more on that below), visiting is still an enjoyable experience.
May to August
Best weather
If you’d rather avoid the rain, visit in the summer months for warmer weather. Be prepared for crowds though. We’d suggest visiting on a weekday and arriving by 9:00 am. Don’t forget to look for wild berries while you hike!
Where to stay
Silver Falls State Park
You can camp or reserve lodging within the park year-round. Campsites go on sale six months in advance here, whereas you can book different styles of cabins, lodges, and rentals at the Smith Creek Village.
Silverton
Located 25 minutes from Silver Falls State Park, the Oregon Garden Resort is not only a convenient place to stay, but it’s also beautiful. Breakfast is included with the stay, and guests love the resort’s events with live music, holiday markets, and cute town.
Salem
Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn
Stay in Salem for convenient access to I-5 to and a 35-minute drive to the park. This hotel has the most positive reviews in the entire town!
Oregon State Parks Parking Permit
Some of Oregon’s State Parks require a paid parking permit, and Silver Falls is one of them. You can purchase a day pass on-site for $5 or choose to buy a 12 or 24-month parking permit online.
Hiking
There are over 45 miles of trails across 9,000 acres in the park. You’ll find beautiful waterfalls, rainforests, rivers, throughout the park. Some trails allow mountain bikes (bikers yield to hikers) and equestrians (everyone yields to horses) so be aware of your surroundings. Below our our favorites.
Trail of Ten Falls
The most famous hike at Silver Falls State Park is the 8-mile loop called the Trail of Ten Falls. From the South Falls parking lot, head to South Falls first, and within five minutes of starting your hike you’ll be walking behind one of the trail’s best waterfalls.
View of South Falls from above
Minutes later
We highly recommend hiking the entire eight-mile loop, but if that’s too much the 2.6 mile Maple Ridge Loop or 1.6 mile South Falls Loop are great options to see some of the best waterfalls on the hike.
This map shows the Trail of Ten Falls marked in blue. We opted to hike up the Twin Falls Trail and do not recommend it. You’ll see much better views following the trail in the canyon.
Source: Friends of Silver Falls
Upper North Falls
Check out Upper North Falls (a 0.7-mile hike) if you’re looking to cool down. It’s the only waterfall where swimming is allowed, and pets are also permitted.
What to do nearby
Willamette Valley Pie Company
This destination is a few minutes out of the way, but well worth your time. Choose to eat there or take a slice and milkshake to go. It’s a local favorite!
The Yard Food Park
Oregon’s food truck scene is on point, and The Yard Food Park is the best we’ve seen yet. They have 15+ trucks of varying cuisines and a large indoor seating area. Do a lap around the entire building to scope out all the menus before choosing your meal!
Tree climbing
Book reservations in advance to have the opportunity to climb some of the world’s largest and tallest trees! No previous climbing skills are required — the guides will teach you everything you need to know.
Monastery
Visit the Mount Angel Abbey to take a self-guided tour through a Catholic monastery. The grounds were beautiful, but we enjoyed visiting the bookstore and coffeehouse the most. There, as well as at Benedictine Brewery, you’ll find monks serving the drinks.
Gordon House
Book a tour in advance to visit the Gordon House designed by the famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. He was known for Usonian design, using native materials, sustainable uses of energy, and keeping the structure’s environment top of mind.
Park tips
Cell service
Cell phone service is unreliable throughout the park. Load GPS directions before leaving your lodging and download a map of the trails before heading out.
Summer crowds
Expect crowds throughout the warmer months. Arrive by 9:00 am to find parking and be patient with others on the narrow trails.
Seasonal flows
Except for Winter Falls, all of the waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park flow year-round. Water levels vary by season, and flows are highest in spring.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are allowed on all trails, except the Trail of Ten Falls. Service dogs are allowed on all trails. Below, you’ll see the dog friendly trails marked in yellow.
Source: Friends of Silver Falls
Leave no trace
Following the Leave No Trace Principles is especially important on popular trails like these. Please stay on designated trails and pack out what you pack in.
A raincoat is a must for walking behind the waterfalls!
Packable quick-dry towel if you plan on swimming at North Falls
Great for rain or shine — we love that baseball caps keep rain off your face!
We add the following items for the winter:
Bottom base layers (men’s/women’s)
Top base layers (men’s/women’s)
Packable puffy coat (men’s/women’s)
Check out our blog with our favorite hiking gear for more tips on what to look for in buying your own gear.
Where to go next
Crater Lake National Park
Visit from late June to September to enjoy beautiful lake views, hikes, and drives. We highly recommend reserving a guided tour here – you’ll learn about the lake’s natural phenomenon and indigenous myths!
Oregon Coast
Less than two hours away, the Oregon coast is a great destination any time of year. Check out this blog to help figure out where to stay, or this blog to explore more of the coast.
Bend
Bend is two and a half hours away from Silver Falls State Park and is an outdoorsman’s paradise. In the summer we love kayaking, hiking, and climbing here, while winter brings all kinds of snow activities.
Portland and the Columbia River Gorge
Drive an hour north of Silver Falls State Park to reach Portland. Explore the Columbia River Gorge’s waterfalls and views if you have time.
Search the blog for more adventures! Try searching for topics such as “backpacking”, “waterfalls”, or “national parks”.