On the last day of our Oregon Coast road trip, we spent an afternoon hiking the trails at Silver Falls State Park as we headed inland toward Portland.
Earlier that morning, we'd hiked down to the Devils Punchbowl at low tide, making our way through tidepools and over slick rocks.
By the time we headed inland toward the Willamette Valley, our legs were warmed up, and Silver Falls seemed like the perfect next stop. The weather was clear, we had a little over two hours, and just enough energy for an easy-to-moderate walk through the temperate rainforest.
The largest of five state parks in Oregon's central Cascades region is famous for its 7.2-mile Trail of Ten Falls (a National Recreation Trail), but we knew we wouldn't be hiking the entire loop.
Instead, we picked a few sections with lots of waterfalls that looked worth the stop. We ended up with a short but memorable visit to Silver Falls State Park, enjoying shaded forest trails, dramatic waterfalls, and one moment that made the stop worthwhile all by itself.
Table of Contents
Silver Falls State Park
South Falls
Kel and I began at the South Falls Lodge Trailhead. From the overlook, South Falls stands 177 feet tall, with a wide curtain of water pouring over a basalt cliff.
Looking down from above reminded me of the Horseshoe Falls viewpoint on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. But what happened next is what really makes this part of Silver Falls State Park special.
From the overlook, we took Canyon Trail, heading down into a mossy corridor along South Fork Silver Creek. The trail was in great shape and easy to follow, with a gentle slope that made the hike feel easy.
Soon, the sound of rushing water was all around us, and before long, we reached the highlight: walking behind South Falls.
Walking underneath the waterfall, with mist in the air and water crashing just a few feet away, was exhilarating. It felt immersive, like stepping into a landscape photo instead of just looking at it.
It reminded me of another time I walked under a waterfall while backpacking in Ecuador. On a tour of La Ruta de Las Cascadas (The Waterfall Route) from Banos, I walked under Ecuador's largest waterfall, Pailon del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron). Luckily, I didn't get as soaked in Oregon as I did in South America.
Lower South Falls
We continued along the canyon to the 93-foot-high Lower South Falls, which was quieter but equally scenic. Canyon Trail continues under this waterfall, too, and we took turns continuing through to the other side. I went first, followed by Kel.
After we both had the experience, we decided to turn back and hike out the way we came.
If you prefer to break new ground, you can make the steep climb up along the one-mile-long Maple Ridge Trail, which will bring you back to the South Falls Lodge Trailhead.
Or, if you're not done chasing waterfalls, continue on Canyon Trail for another mile to reach Lower North Falls and nearby Double Falls. At 178 feet, Double Falls is the tallest waterfall in the park (by a mere 12 inches).
Altogether, the out-and-back hike Kel and I made was about 1.5 miles, and it was easily our favorite part of the visit. If you're short on time at Silver Falls State Park, this section alone is worth the stop.
North Falls
After finishing our hike at South Falls, we drove 2.6 miles to the North Falls parking area. This second stop was more relaxed and efficient-less of a hike and more of a quick reward, which was exactly what we wanted at that point.
From the parking lot, it's just a few minutes' walk west to the overlook at North Falls, which stands 136 feet tall. Unlike South Falls, you see it from above, where the creek narrows and drops into a rocky chute. It's a different view and less dramatic, but still worth the short walk.
Upper North Falls
Next, we returned to the parking lot and walked east along Silver Falls Highway SE to Upper North Falls. This waterfall pours over a mossy ledge into an amphitheater, surrounded by ferns and dark rocks.
It was quieter here, with fewer people around. This peaceful spot was our last stop before we continued to Portland. Visiting these two additional waterfalls in Silver Falls State Park didn't take much effort, but gave us a few more pretty places to see.
Although it wasn't as impressive as walking behind South Falls, it was a great way to finish our visit and showed how flexible the park's trail system is.
Why This Approach Works for First-Time Visitors
After days spent hopping between coastal viewpoints and Goonies filming locations, we appreciated having a final stop that offered scenery without a strict schedule.
Our visit reminded me of something I value more as I get older: you don't have to see everything to feel satisfied. Silver Falls State Park is known for its long trails and all-day adventures, but it's also great if you're short on time.
By visiting both the South Falls and North Falls areas, we saw four of the park's ten most popular waterfalls and enjoyed some great views. The hiking trails were easy to moderate, clearly marked, and well-kept-perfect for a road trip stop.
If it's your first visit, especially as part of a longer road trip, this is a great way to get to know Silver Falls State Park. You'll feel like you really experienced the park without getting too tired or worrying about the time.
Hiking Tips
Here are a few things we noticed during our visit that are good to keep in mind:
- Wear good shoes. Even on well-maintained paths, mist from the waterfalls and damp ground can make some spots slippery. Shoes with a good grip are a wise choice.
- Be ready for some elevation changes. The canyon trails go down and back up, but nothing felt too difficult on the sections we hiked.
- Parking is simple. Using different parking areas worked well for us and saved time compared to walking everywhere. The day-use fee is $10, and automated pay stations accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
- Crowds change throughout the day. South Falls is busier, especially around midday, while North Falls is much quieter.
- Stay flexible. If you have extra time, you can add more distance. If not, the park is still worth a visit.
Final Thoughts
We didn't hike the Trail of Ten Falls, but we never felt like we missed out. We planned our visit around the time and energy we had, and it led to a memorable hike and some of the best waterfalls I've seen in the Pacific Northwest.
As our last stop after driving the Oregon Coast, hiking at Silver Falls State Park gave us a nice change of scenery. It reminded me that sometimes the best travel moments come from taking a smart detour instead of sticking to big plans, and that even a short hike can be memorable.
