Silver Falls State Park: My Sneaky Tips from 10+ Visits

Silver Falls State Park is home to 10 stunning waterfalls — and we’ve visited more times than we can count. In this insider guide, we’re sharing everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip to one of Oregon’s most breathtaking state parks.

Before moving to Oregon in 2019, I’d never heard of Silver Falls State Park. When we went for the first time, I was absolutely BLOWN away.

Since that first visit, I’ve been back many, many times. And I will never get sick of this place.

This 9,000-acre park just outside of Salem is home to some of the most stunning waterfalls not just in Oregon, but in the entire country. Yep, I stand behind that.

This park boasts 10 waterfalls, five of which are over 100 feet tall. Plus, you can walk behind 4 of them! If that doesn’t sell you on visiting this park, I don’t know what will!

In this article, I’m sharing my insider tips for visiting Silver Falls State Park, including best places to eat nearby and other things to do in the area.

Speaking of which, if you’re mapping out a Pacific Northwest trip and want to make sure you’re not missing the good stuff, our PNW Map has all our favorites in one place.

Silver Falls State Park Guide

• Our experience
• Park overview
• Know before you go
• Best hikes at Silver Falls
• Things to see nearby
• Where to eat nearby
• Where to stay nearby

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My personal experience at Silver Falls State Park

I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve visited Silver Falls State Park. We went before kids, with one baby, with a little kid and a baby in tow. 

Every single visit has been worth it.

I’ve hiked the trails in every season, stumbled across the café tucked inside the park that most people don’t know exists, and camped here more than once. 

It’s the kind of place that never gets old, and I fully expect to keep coming back for years.

Silver Falls State Park overview

While there are 10 waterfalls at this state park, the 2 most famous (and easy to access) are South Falls and North Falls.

South Falls

At 177 feet, this is the most iconic (& popular) waterfall in the park, and for good reason. Plus, an easy 1.1-mile trail from the parking lot brings you behind the falls for an epic, yet easy, experience.

If you do one thing in the park, make it this!

North Falls

Only slightly shorter than South Falls (136 feet tall), this one is equally as magnificent and is also a waterfall you can walk behind. It sees a bit fewer people because the parking lot nearby is much smaller and often fills up completely. The only other way to reach it is via the Trail of Ten Falls (which is a 7.6-mile loop – more on that later!).

More noteworthy places near South Falls

• South Falls day use area: This is a massive parking lot, and most likely where you’ll want to park.
• Historic South Falls Lodge: Not far from the South Falls parking lot, you’ll see this lodge as you walk toward the waterfall. Built in 1940 using hand-cut stone, cedar, and peeled fir logs by the Civilian Conservation Corps, it’s a beautiful old building. There is a grab-and-go cafe there, but the lines do tend to get long on busy days.
• Public restroom: This is the main bathroom with flush toilets, and it’s typically pretty well-maintained.
• Gift shop: A little further on the path, you’ll find a small gift shop. They have things like clothing, stickers, and all the other typical souvenirs. We even got our daughter an owl stuffie here!
• Accessible viewpoint: Just past the gift shop is an overlook where you can get a pretty nice view looking down at South Falls. The path getting here is paved and accessible. However, if you want the best view of the falls, you will head back down a dirt path, which is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.

Things to know before you go

• Location: When you plug Silver Falls into Google Maps, navigate to the South Falls Day Use Area. That’s where the main parking is and where most of the best trails begin.
• Driving there: Just over an hour from Portland and about 30 minutes from Salem
• Parking fee: $10 for a day pass, or $30 for an annual Oregon State Parks pass
• Crowds: This is one of Oregon’s most popular state parks. Weekends in good weather fill up fast. Arrive early if you can or choose weekdays for fewer crowds.
• Dogs: Leashed dogs are welcome on the Rim Trail only, not on the canyon trails.
• Cell service: Cell service is spotty. Download your AllTrails maps before you leave.
• Restrooms: There is a public restroom with flush toilets not far from the parking lot, on the walk down towards Silver Falls. There is also a vault toilet at the North Falls parking lot as well as in the campground.
• Best time to visit: We’ve personally visited in all seasons and think it’s a great year-round destination. That said, springtime has the heaviest water flow and is our favorite time of year to go.
• Family-friendly: We love visiting this park with our kids. Bring a hiking carrier because other than a couple of viewpoints, most trails are not accessible for strollers.

Best hikes at Silver Falls State Park

The park has many trails to choose from, and the best one for you depends on how much time and energy you have.

Walk behind South Falls

• Distance: 1.1 miles
• Elevation gain: 200 feet
• Type of trail: loop
• Difficulty: easy

From the South Falls Day Use Area, it’s a relatively easy walk down to South Falls, a 177-foot waterfall you can walk behind. This is, without question, the absolute highlight of the entire park. 

Even after visiting more times than I can count, standing behind that curtain of water still gets me every time. When we’re short on time, this is the route we take.

Good to know: There are sections that get slippery due to the waterfall mist. Wear hiking shoes with good traction and watch your step.

If we have time, we also add on a walk behind North Falls because it is just as spectacular (and usually less crowded).

Walk behind North Falls

• Distance: 0.5 miles
• Elevation gain: 60 feet
• Type of trail: out and back
• Difficulty: easy 

For North Falls, you’ll need to drive to a separate, smaller parking lot on the north end of the park. Heads up: it fills up, especially on weekends. North Falls is about a half-mile round trip from that trailhead, and you can walk behind it too. Both are worth doing if you have the time.

Have more time? If you’re up for a bigger hike, we’d highly recommend doing the Trail of Ten Falls. It is well worth the effort and the payoff is huge.

Trail of Ten Falls 

• Distance: 7.6 miles
• Elevation gain: 800 feet
• Type of trail: loop
• Difficulty: moderate
• AllTrails notes

As the name implies, this loop takes you past 10 waterfalls, behind four of them, and through old-growth forest that feels genuinely remote. 

This trail is absolutely epic and well worth it if you have the time. 

You’ll peel away from the crowds once you exit South Falls, and you can stop at Lower North Falls for a great picnic spot that is noticeably quieter than some of the more popular areas in the park (aka South and North Falls).

Two more options:

• Maple Ridge Loop (2.6 miles | Moderate | ~400 ft elevation gain): A solid option if you want a bit more than the short loop but aren’t up for a full day. You’ll see South Falls and Lower South Falls and make a satisfying loop back.
• Rim Trail (5.3 miles out and back | Easy/Moderate): The only trail where dogs are welcome. Less crowded, a nice way to move through the park at a slower pace. You can turn around at any point.

The 10 Waterfalls (in order along the trail)

1. South Falls (177 ft): The one everyone comes for. You walk directly behind it, which never gets old no matter how many times you’ve done it.
2. Lower South Falls (93 ft): Another walk-behind, and genuinely stunning. Don’t blow past this one trying to get to the next thing.
3. Lower North Falls (30 ft): Smaller and more gentle, but this is my personal favorite lunch spot in the entire park.
4. Double Falls (178 ft): Technically the tallest waterfall in the park, tucked into a small side canyon. Easy to underestimate on the map, impressive in person.
5. Drake Falls (27 ft): A smaller cascade sandwiched between Double and Middle North Falls. Blink and you’ll miss it.
6. Middle North Falls (106 ft): Another walk-behind with a cave-like path behind it. One of the more dramatic moments on the trail.
7. Twin Falls (31 ft): The water splits into two streams, which makes it feel different from everything else on the loop.
8. North Falls (136 ft): Massive, walk-behind, and the main attraction on the north end of the park. Worth driving to separately if you’re not doing the full loop.
9. Upper North Falls (65 ft): A short spur trail gets you here. Quieter than the others and a nice bonus if you have the energy.
10. Winter Falls (134 ft): Best after a good rain. If you visit in the wet season, this one really delivers.

More things to see nearby

Explore Silverton

The town itself is worth a wander. Charming downtown, good food, local shops. Be sure to look for the mural dedicated to Bobbie the Wonder Dog.

Here’s the short version: In 1923, Bobbie, a Scotch Collie mix from Silverton, was separated from his family while they were visiting Indiana, over 2,500 miles away. He found his way home entirely on his own, crossing mountains, plains, and rivers over 6 months. Is anyone else tearing up or just me?

Benedictine Brewery

Run by the monks of Mount Angel Abbey, this is just an overall cool experience and the beer is genuinely excellent. There’s also an Abbey Bookstore and coffeehouse on the same property.

Open Wed–Sun (hours vary by day). Even if craft beer isn’t usually your thing, the setting alone is worth a stop.

Paradis Vineyards

A beautiful, peaceful winery about 20 minutes from the park with stunning vineyard views and a really good pinot noir. Open Sat–Sun, 12–5 p.m.

This is the kind of place you show up meaning to stay an hour and spend the whole afternoon because it’s really that lovely. Also a Harvest Hosts location, which is how we’ve ended up staying overnight here more than once!

Tree Climbing at Silver Falls

This is at the top of our bucket list and it looks genuinely unlike anything else in the area.

You can book guided tree climbing adventures right inside Silver Falls State Park, with half-day climbs starting at $225 per person and morning or afternoon start times available daily.

If you’re looking for something beyond hiking, this is it!

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm (only in spring)

If your visit falls between late March and late April, pairing Silver Falls with the tulip farm is a great combination!

Tickets must be purchased in advance online. Located in Woodburn, this tulip farm is 30 minutes from Silver Falls. 

The Oregon Garden

An 80-acre botanical garden in Silverton with specialty gardens, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house on the grounds, and a tram tour for those who’d rather ride than walk.

Open daily 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (4 p.m. on weekends). Beautiful any time of year, but especially spectacular in spring.

Abiqua Falls

Not far from the park, but the access road is notoriously rough. Know what you’re signing up for before you commit.

Where to eat near Silver Falls

We love packing a picnic lunch to enjoy in the park. But if you haven’t packed anything, there are plenty of great options to choose from – one inside the park, and several nearby.

Bigleaf Market & Grill (my top pick!)

This is a hidden gem cafe inside the state park that most people don’t know exists. It is a short walk from from the main parking lot, but well worth it.

Open daily 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. with breakfast, salads, flatbreads, a full espresso bar, local beer and wine, and cozy seating by the fireplace. 

There’s outdoor seating on nice days and a small selection of gift items and artist-made goods. I’m so glad I stumbled onto this place, and will probably go here on all future visits to the park!

Check out our most recent experience…

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A post shared by Katie & Ben | PNW Adventure Travel Family (@twowanderingsoles)

Where to eat in Silverton

If you’re looking for more options, head to the nearby town of Silverton, which is super cute and worth checking out in general.

• Fin+Fowl Kitchen: Hawaiian/Asian fusion with ramen, poke bowls, and Japanese curry made from locally sourced ingredients. Open Wed–Sat, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Farmer’s Corner Deli & Market: Good sandwiches, easy and casual. A great option to grab lunch before heading into the park. (This is a great spot to grab and go for a picnic lunch!)
• Solvivo Coffee Roasters: Great coffee and donuts, a perfect stop before or after the park.
• Little Leaf Cafe: Grab a spot outside on the deck, which overlooks a creek. Really charming.
• Silver Falls Country Store: After closing for renovations, this rustic roadside stop known for its Sasquatch burgers is set to reopen in May 2026.

Where to stay near Silver Falls

Camping at Silver Falls: The main campground has 45 tent sites plus horse camps. We’ve camped here and while the sites aren’t anything too special, we think it’s a great option for its proximity to the falls. Book ahead because weekends in peak season go fast.

Harvest Hosts option: If you have a self-contained vehicle, Paradis Vineyards is a Harvest Hosts location just 20 minutes from the park. We’ve stayed here on multiple visits.

Smith Creek Village: A newer option right inside the park with cozy cabins and cottages that include comfortable beds, kitchenettes, and fire pits. More comfortable than tent camping but still fully immersed in the park experience. Book 3 to 4 months out to get your pick of options.

Idyllic Cottage on Organic Farm: A cottage on a 67-acre organic farm and equestrian facility about 12 miles from Silverton. There are private hiking trails on the property, a cedar hot tub on the deck, and two waterfalls just up the road. It’s tastefully decorated with antiques and art and surrounded by gardens. A really special option if you want something beyond a standard stay.

Extending your trip beyond the park? Our PNW Map is the easiest way to discover our favorite places to stay, eat, and explore across the Pacific Northwest. Get the map!

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Plan your trip to Oregon

Being that Oregon is our home state, we have TONS of content to help you plan your trip. Start with our Oregon Homepage and be sure to check out the articles below. Leave us a comment if you have any more questions!

• Don’t miss our round up of things to do in Bend (all year round!)
• This article will help you visit the 7 wonders of Oregon.
• If you need more ideas, here are some incredible places to visit in Oregon.
• You’ll want to keep this Oregon road trip itinerary close by.
• Read up on all the weirdly awesome things to do in Portland. 
• If you’re headed west, here are all the cutest Oregon Coast towns.
• Plan your Oregon coast road trip with our insider tips & map.
• Don’t skip Cannon Beach, our favorite small town in Oregon.
• Keep this list of our favorite things to do in Oregon handy.

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We want to hear from you!

Have you ever visited Silver Falls State Park? We’d love to hear about your experience! Drop a comment and let us know — and if you have any questions before your trip, we’re happy to help.