Silver Falls State Park is often touted as the crown jewel of Oregon’s state park system, and for good reason. It features one of the most spectacular collections of waterfalls in Oregon, all situated in an easily accessible, family-friendly park. The Trail of Ten Waterfalls, a designated National Recreation Trail, is one of the park's most popular attractions—taking visitors through the lush canyons of Silver Creek and past ten distinct waterfalls, each unique and stunning in its own right. The path even leads you directly behind four of these beautiful falls.

We hiked this trail in mid-October to capture an amazing display of fall colors, but the Trail of Ten Waterfalls can be enjoyed year-round, with each season providing new and varied experiences.  Winter brings frozen falls and icy rock faces, spring delivers surging flows from snowmelt, and summer offers long, bright days that illuminate the canyon floor. It’s the perfect excuse to revisit the trail any time of the year.

Trail Stats
Distance: Approximately 7.2 miles (or 5 mile alternative)
Total Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,300 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 4 - 5 hours
Best Season: Year-round (spring offers maximum flow from snowmelt and rains; autumn brings brilliant foliage along the canyon).
Kid Friendliness: Due to its length, this hike is recommended for children 13 and over.  However the South Falls Day Use, including South Falls, is accessible to nearly all ages.
Dog Friendliness: Dogs are not allowed in any part of the Silver Falls Canyon, including the Canyon Trail and all of the waterfalls.

Trail Description: 

This guide begins the Trail of Ten Waterfalls loop at the South Falls Trailhead, following the circuit in a counter-clockwise direction. From the parking lot, follow the signs for the Trail of Ten Waterfalls via the Rim Trail. Follow the Rim Trail for 1 mile through a shady forest canopy to the Winter Falls Trailhead. As the name suggests, Winter Falls is most active in winter and spring—so don't despair if it’s late summer and the flow has slowed to a trickle, as nearly all the other waterfalls run year-round.

Continue along the Rim Trail as it skirts the canyon edge toward the North Falls Trailhead, offering quick glimpses down to Silver Creek. As you arrive at the North Falls area, take the short 0.5-mile round-trip spur trail to visit Upper North Falls.

After the spur junction, switch over to the Canyon Trail and begin your descent into Silver Creek Canyon.  This first leg of the Canyon Trail winds down into a spectacular natural amphitheater surrounding North Falls, with a massive rock grotto carved behind the waterfall. It provides an unique perspective of the falls and is a favorite spot for photos, snacks, and just taking in the scenery.

From North Falls, follow the Canyon Trail down along the creek for another 0.5 miles to Twin Falls, then continue another 0.25 miles to the Winter Falls Trail junction. Stay on the Canyon Trail as it reaches four more waterfalls in quick succession over the next half mile: Middle North Falls (accessible via a short lower spur trail that leads behind the curtain), Drake Falls, Double Falls (via a brief side trail), and Lower North Falls.

Just below Lower North Falls, cross the footbridge over the creek and trace the canyon floor for roughly 1 mile along Silver Creek, passing the Maple Ridge Trail junction as you make your way toward Lower South Falls. Lower South Falls is a stunning 93-foot drop where the trail once again wraps completely behind the curtain of water.

From Lower South Falls, climb the stone and wooden stairs to begin the final leg up to South Falls (pictured at the top). As the park's most iconic landmark, South Falls plunges 177 feet over a basalt ledge, with the trail hugging the cliff walls behind it. Take your time enjoying the final climb and taking photos along way. Once out of the canyon, it is a short, flat walk past the lodge and back to the South Falls parking lot.

5-Mile Alternative
Visitors who don’t want to make the full 7-plus mile loop, can take a shortcut at the Winter Falls Trailhead for a 5-mile loop.  This option connects to the Canyon Trail via a short 0.5 mile connector trail and bypasses Upper North Falls, North Falls, and Twin Falls.  (If visitors still want to experience the North Falls grotto or Upper North Falls, both can be visited with relatively less effort by driving to the the North Falls Trailhead afterward.)

Recommended Gear

• Durable Hiking Boots
• Day Pack
• Hydration System
• Hiking Poles
• Traction Devices - If icy conditions are present (often in winter and early spring).

Driving Directions 

From Salem, OR (via OR-22 East / Sublimity)

• Head East on OR-22 in Salem: From I-5 (Exit 253), drive east on OR-22 E for approximately 10 miles.
• Exit toward Sublimity / Silver Falls: Take the exit for OR-214 North (signs for Sublimity / Silver Falls State Park).
  
• Continue on OR-214 N: Turn left onto OR-214 N / Cascade Hwy SE and follow it through Sublimity and up into the foothills for approximately 16 miles.
  
• Enter South Falls Day Use Area: Turn left into the main South Falls Day Use Area entrance. Follow the park road to the large parking lots near the historic South Falls Lodge and Visitor Center.
  
• Total Distance: ~25 miles
  
• Drive Time: 35–40 minutes

From Oregon City, OR (Scenic option via OR-213 / Silverton)

While little slower, visitors travelling from the Portland area may enjoy this alternative route through Silverton, Oregon, and the surrounding countryside.

• Head South on OR-213 to Silverton: From I-205 in Oregon City (Exit 10), drive south on OR-213 S for approximately 30 miles to Silverton.
• Take OR-214 to Silver Falls: In Silverton, follow the signs for  OR-214 S / Cascade Hwy SE and follow it through Silverton and up into the foothills for approximately 15 miles to the Silver Falls South Falls Day Use Area.
  
• Enter South Falls Day Use Area: Turn right into the main South Falls Day Use Area entrance. Follow the park road to the large parking lots near the historic South Falls Lodge and Visitor Center.
  
• Total Distance: ~45 miles
  
• Drive Time: 70-75 minutes

Note: A Day-Use Parking Pass is required for parking at Silver Falls State Park. You can purchase a day pass or annual pass via automated kiosks at the park or online prior to your visit. As of 2026, day passes cost $10.

More Information:

Oregon State Parks Official Website for Silver Fall State Park

Oregon State Parks | Silver Falls State Park – Real-time updates, trail conditions, alerts, fees and restrictions.

Camping

Silver Falls State Park operates a campground within the park, with 48 electrical sites, 43 tent sites, and 7 cabins from May through October, and reduced services through the off-season.   The campground features flush toilets, showers, and access to the South Falls Day Use Area via bike path.  Silver Falls Campground is highly popular and reservations are recommended year-round.   More information can be found the Silver Falls State Park Website (linked above).