Trail of Ten Falls Loop Hike

Overview

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 7.8 mile loop, which can be reduced via two cutoff trails, and most of them are flat-out gorgeous. Unfortunately, while the hike is not very strenuous (most folks will handle the rolling elevation, with about 1,300 feet of total accumulation, in three to five hours.), dogs are not allowed on the Canyon Trail portion of the hike—which is where the waterfalls are found. 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. Visitors also are bound to appreciate South Falls Lodge, which isn't particularly large and doesn't provide accommodations, but features a cafeteria and seating in a rustic space that smells of firewood smoke and stone walls. Silver Falls was designated as a "Recreational Demonstration Area" by President Roosevelt in 1934 and developed as a park by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which included the lodge's construction. Before that, it was the life passion of June D. Drake, a Silverton-area photographer who led a 20-year campaign to designate the area a park. For his efforts, one of the ten falls here bears his name. The description below takes you in a counterclockwise direction, beginning with a hike along the rim of the canyon. Alternatives are to hike clockwise by first visiting South Falls or to begin the hike from the North Falls Trailhead. Walk past the restrooms and nature store to pass in front of the South Falls Lodge, which has a small cafeteria. Bear right to follow a trail which displays interpretive signs on the history of Silver Falls State Park. You'll head through a picnic area and pass Parking Area A, which is closed in winter. Cross a road to begin the Rim Trail, which heads in a generally eastward direction. Enter a magnificent cathedral-like old-growth forest of toweri

Trail Stats

Photos

250px-SouthFalls1

250px-SouthFalls1

250px-SilverFalls_lodge_02_rsdw

250px-SilverFalls_lodge_02_rsdw

250px-SilverFalls_LowerNorthFalls_01_rsdw

250px-SilverFalls_LowerNorthFalls_01_rsdw

250px-DrakeFalls1

250px-DrakeFalls1

250px-WinterFalls1

250px-WinterFalls1

250px-DoubleFalls2

250px-DoubleFalls2

250px-NorthFalls2

250px-NorthFalls2

250px-MiddleNorth2

250px-MiddleNorth2

250px-NorthFalls4

250px-NorthFalls4

400px-SilverFalls_TrailofTen_map_01_rsdw

400px-SilverFalls_TrailofTen_map_01_rsdw

160px-North_Fork_Silver_Creek%2C_Silver_Falls_State_Park

160px-North_Fork_Silver_Creek%2C_Silver_Falls_State_Park

160px-MiddleNorth1

160px-MiddleNorth1

160px-Double_Falls%2C_Silver_Falls_State_Park

160px-Double_Falls%2C_Silver_Falls_State_Park

250px-Turkeytails%2C_Silver_Falls_State_Park

250px-Turkeytails%2C_Silver_Falls_State_Park

250px-Douglas-fir%2C_Rim_Trail%2C_Silver_Falls_State_Park

250px-Douglas-fir%2C_Rim_Trail%2C_Silver_Falls_State_Park

250px-SilverFalls_lodge_01_rsdw

250px-SilverFalls_lodge_01_rsdw

260px-SouthFalls4

260px-SouthFalls4

TKO put tools to trail here.png

TKO put tools to trail here.png

Tags