Sitting at my desk, photos from our last hike at Silver Falls, Oregon scroll past on my laptop screen. I’m trying to figure out how to describe how beautiful the trip was, but I’m at a loss.
We walked for about 30 minutes before we saw the first waterfall on the agenda, South Falls.
This waterfall is 177 feet tall; it is the most popular and biggest fall in this park. There is a trail that loops behind the waterfall. How many people can say they’ve been behind a waterfall? Well, I guess everybody who’s gone through the trail can, but still, that doesn’t take away from the amazingness.
There are four waterfalls in the park that you are able to walk behind.
The second one we found is called the Lower South Falls.
This one is 93 feet tall, but its spray really makes up for its lack of height. There is a stone wall preventing you from falling to a rocky death. The water is still so close, that if you reach out, you can feel the cool droplets on your skin.
The third waterfall you can venture behind is named the North Fall.
This one kind of looks like a faucet that has high water pressure. The kind that if you turn it on too high it'll spray all over you. Or some could compare it to a high-pressure hose.
This waterfall is 65 feet high. It falls into a mossy, algae-filled pond that looks almost bottomless when looking down from the edge. There is a smaller run-off stream that spews a little bit. I’m sure if there was more of a stream you could call it a double-fall! When you walk behind this one the trail leads into almost a cave. It looks like a mouth that you hike through and the water is too far away to feel the spray. That’s okay though because there is an array of flora that is native to Oregon. For instance, I found an abundance of a plant called Oxalis. These plants’ leaves are shaped like little hearts, and their flowers are small and white. They grow around all of the falls. You can find out all of the plants growing here in this "Plant Sightings" article.
sprinkled with water from the falls.
There are multiple viewpoints for each fall. They include seating areas, informational signs, and guide signs.
The most populated one, (even in the pandemic!), is the South Falls viewpoint.
There is also the North Falls viewpoint which is almost directly on the shoulder of Highway 214. You can see these falls from the Rim Trail viewpoint as well.
Here is the trail guide that my family and I used for our hike.
There are a few day-use facilities at this state park, if you aren’t up for the whole hike. There are picnic areas, grills, shelters, spaces for your pets, and playgrounds for kids. There are also various lodges, gift shops, and eating areas.
Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, unfortunately the eating areas are temporarily closed. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t visit them once they open! You can also pack and bring your own lunch for picnic.
If you decide to visit Silver Falls State Park, there are multiple trails and activities for everyone.
Whether you bring your family, friends, or just yourself, it is also important that you follow regulations to keep you and others safe! Even when not in a pandemic.
You can learn about the current and permanent state park rules on their website.
Silver Falls State Park
Where: 20024 Silver Falls Hwy SE, Sublimity, OR 97385
Status: Always open, masks and social distancing required.
Admission: Day-use parking permits are required, $5 fee.
Official website: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=151