Silver Falls State Park is the crown jewel of the Oregon State Parks system, being both Oregon's largest State Park (9,000 acres) and boasting one of America's most impressive waterfall day-hikes. There are no less than ten falls on this 8.7-mile loop (which can be reduced via two cutoff trails), and most of them are flat-out gorgeous. Most folks will handle the rolling elevation, with about 1,300 feet of total accumulation, in three to five hours. Unless it's a foul-weather day in the middle of a week in winter, count on seeing plenty of other visitors on the trail.

Activity Notes

The Trail of Ten Falls, at Silver Falls State Park, is Oregon's most waterfall-rich trail. This hike, starting and ending at South Falls, will be sandwiched by two cultural activities: breakfast in Silverton in the AM and the Silver Falls Holiday Festival in the PM. If you're not interested in both cultural experiences, please do not register for this Trail Trip. 

Icy conditions have been encountered on this weekend in the past, so please bring micro-spikes. Every vehicle will need to pay $10 or display an Oregon State Park day use pass. 

Here is our detailed schedule.

  • 07:30 leave Tualatin P&R
  • 08:15 arrive The Warren restaurant in Silverton
  • 09:45 start counter-clockwise loop hike from South Falls on the Rim Trail, experiencing the ten falls on/off the Canyon Trail on our way back
  • 13:00 return to South Falls, eat or buy lunch inside the lodge, and experience the Holiday Festival
  • 14:00 leave for Tualatin P&R
Other Information
Driving Distance from Portland 55 miles
Driving Time from Portland 1 hours
Distance - Round Trip 8 miles
Expected Duration Car to car in one day
Interesting Features Waterfalls
Awards Qualified Waterfall Award
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