Silver Falls State Park
(southeast of Silverton OR)
Certainly someone must know why most folks really like a waterfall they can walk behind. But do we really need to know why except that North Falls is one of the best such falls. A good flowing stream, 15 feet wide, drops 136 feet over a promontory. The resulting ‘cave’ is 70 to 80 feet deep and the sound… ah, that’s part of the thrill.
Oh, yes, you can view North Falls from your car. There is a good viewing point about a mile beyond the parking area.
There is also an Upper North Falls. Though it isn’t as tall (only 65 feet) it is about twice as wide and completely different from its big brother. You have to take the trail under the road and climb the mountain on the other side. It is short (about 400 yards) and very easy going.
All of this is in Silver Falls State Park, a well developed facility with camping (tent and RV), cabins, picnic facilities, horse camps, running water, even ADA restrooms. To enter and just view the waterfalls, you still have to pay the $3 entry fee. Guided one-hour daytime horse trail rides for people of all abilities are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The $25 (per person) includes horse rental. For more information or to make special arrangements, about the horse rides, phone 503-873-3890.
For more information about Silver Falls State Park, phone 800-551-6949. To make camping reservations, phone 800-452-5687
How to get there:
From I-5 exit 253, follow OR-22 freeway to the intersection of OR-214 (about 7 miles) and then follow 214 to Silver Falls State Park (about 10 miles).
For photos of North Falls, see:
For photos of Upper North Falls, see:
See also: South Falls
There are 11 major waterfalls in the park all connected by a 7-mile loop trail. There are also individual parking areas throughout the park at trailheads for most of these waterfalls. Most are very easy and some even wheelchair friendly. It takes somewhere around 3 hours to do the whole tour on the trail.
