Oregon’s Silver Falls

It’s one of those places I always thought I would like to visit, but somehow never made it. So, on my latest trip to Oregon, I decided to make time and reserved 3 nights at the State Park Campground. Being a big fan of Oregon State Parks, I knew the campground would be a nice place to stay. And of course, it is. Reasonable rates, RV hookups, and pet friendly, too. Other states could take a lesson from Oregon when it comes to managing their state parks (you listening California?), but I digress.

Hiking trails abound in this park (over 25 miles of them!), but the centerpiece and most hiked of them all is the Trail of Ten Falls. A beautiful, awe-inspiring 8.7 mile loop through the temperate rainforest. As the name suggests, you see ten waterfalls along the trail. The bonus is, four of them you can actually walk behind! There is a half mile cutoff trail available, in case you want to split the loop into two hikes. This is actually what we did, so we ended up hiking approximately four miles the first afternoon, and then approximately six miles the next day.

Winter Falls

North Falls is one of the waterfalls you can walk behind, and the cave behind it is quite large.

North Falls

On the second day, we took the most traveled part of the trail, but chose to go in the opposite direction that most people go.

Middle North Falls

Lower South Falls

By going in the opposite direction, we ended our hike at South Falls, which many consider to be the most beautiful waterfall in the park. For me, I can’t decide, they are all so beautiful!

South Falls through the Trees

Upper North Falls was the one waterfall we missed on our two day adventure. So, the next morning, before we left the park, I took the opportunity to go there early in the morning, alone. It is a short hike from the North Falls parking lot, and a magnificent way to wake up!

Morning Light at Upper North Falls

If you are a waterfall-lover like me, then Silver Falls is a must-see. You can view all of my images from Silver Falls and many other waterfall images in my waterfall gallery.

With the hot, dry weather scheduled to return to northern California starting today, I find myself revisiting images of the cool, misty Oregon rainforest. I hope these images will take you there as well.