Silver Falls State Park
Oregon's largest state park, where the Trail of Ten Falls links ten waterfalls and you can walk through a rock hollow behind South Falls, beneath the curtain of water.
Silver Falls State Park lies in the Cascade foothills about 1.5 hours' drive south of Portland and is Oregon's most popular waterfall hiking destination. The signature Trail of Ten Falls loop runs about 11 km and takes 3 to 4 hours. It follows the canyon through mossy forest and passes ten waterfalls. South Falls drops about 54 meters, and the trail runs under the overhanging rock behind it, so you can watch the falls from behind the water curtain. You can have the same experience at Lower South Falls. For a relaxed visit, take the short loop of just over 1 km from the South Falls parking lot. Parking costs about $10 per vehicle, and there is a log-cabin café beside South Falls. In winter the trails are slippery and icy and are occasionally closed, so check the official website before you go. Dogs are not allowed on the waterfall trails.
Opening hours
Open daytime (approx. 08:00 to dusk)
Nearby sights
- Willamette Valley Wine Country
- Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
- Portland Aerial Tram
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
- Oregon Zoo
- Portland Farmers Market at PSU
- Hawthorne District
- Tom McCall Waterfront Park