Trail of Ten Falls Oregon

Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park 

Silver Falls State Park, located about twenty miles southeast of Salem, is the largest state park in Oregon. The 9,064-acre park is notable for its numerous waterfalls, the tallest of which is Double Falls, at 178 feet. The best-known falls in the park is South Falls, at 177 feet.

The Trail of Ten Falls is a designated National Recreation Trail, and lures photographers, hikers and waterfall enthusiasts alike.  Listed as a moderate hike with 800 feet elevation variation, sturdy shoes and a camera are encouraged. Each of the three trailheads leading into the canyon starts atop of an over one hundred foot waterfall. The decent into the pristine canyon begins within the canopy of towering Douglas Firs, as it meanders down to the undergrowth of ferns into the heart of the canyon, meeting up with the winding creek.  Whether you are up for the full seven mile trek or a shortened journey, the Trail of 10 Falls is and enjoyable and beautiful hike as you as explore from one falls to the next.

The full Trail of 10 Falls consist of Canyon Trail and Rim Trail, for a 7 mile loop. Parking for these trail heads are South Falls and North Falls. Day Use parking passes may be purchased at both locations. Entry to the Canyon Trail can also be accessed via the Maple Ridge, Winter and North Group Access trail. 

There are four water falls that you are able to walk behind. South Falls is the famous one, though Lower South, North and Middle North all have an amphitheater that provides enough room for a trail.  The water of Silver Creek flows over a thick basalt lava flow that is resting on softer, older rock. As the water loses elevation this softer layer beneath erodes and created a natural pathway.

Silver Falls State Park Oregon

Silver Falls State Park - Silverton Oregon 

Silver Falls State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Oregon, located near Silverton, about 20 miles (32 km) east-southeast of Salem.

It is the largest state park in Oregon with an area of more than 9,000 acres (36 km2), and it includes more than 24 miles (39 km) of walking trails, 14 miles (23 km) of horse trails, and a 4-mile (6.4 km) bike path.  Silver Falls State Park opened July 23, 1933.

The area was settled originally by the Kalapuyan Indians, who were removed through various treaties and resettled on the Grand Ronde Reservation. The Kalapuyans most likely used the area for hunting, as well as for spirit quests. A small town was established in the Silver Falls area, although it was abandoned by the time the park was created in 1933.

The State Park has the scenic treasure, The Trail of Ten Falls, a spectacular, nationally recognized hiking trail that weaves through a dense forested landscape. The trail passes a series of breathtaking waterfalls along a rocky canyon, and descends to a winding creek at the forest floor. This 7.2 mile loop is considered to be a moderate hike, with an overall elevation change of 800 feet.

All waterfalls in the park spill over 15-million-year-old Columbia River basalt. At that time the Columbia River flowed through this area to the sea at what is now Newport. Repeated lava flows poured down the river channel from vents in Eastern Oregon, gradually pushing the river northward. As the lava slowly cooled, it sometimes fractured to form the honeycomb of columns visible on cliff edges. Circular indentations in the ceilings of the misty caverns behind the falls are tree wells, formed when the lava flows hardened around burning trees. The churning of Silver Creek gouged the soft soil from beneath the harder lava, leaving these caverns and casts.

North Falls in Silver Falls State Park

North Falls in Trail of Ten Falls Oregon

North Falls is a waterfall located in the Silver Falls State Park at the east end of the city of Salem, in Marion County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located in a privileged area on the west foothills where Mount Hood National Forest meets with the Middle Santiam Wilderness.

North Falls is the third tallest along the Trail of Ten Falls and the only one in the park that can be viewed from highway 214. The falls drops in a straight plunge down approximately 136 feet (41 m) channeled through a narrow crack in the basaltic bedrock to a steeply slanted protrusion of basalt which causes splashing of the cascade into the pool. At North waterfalls, erosion caused by the action of water has undercut the softer rock beneath the basalt lip to form a cavern.

·         Name : Middle North Falls

·         Height : 136 feet

·         Access : Trail of Ten Falls

·         Hiking Distance:  0.4 mile from the north falls parking lot

·         Location : Silver Falls State Park Silverton Oregon ( Near Salem )

The North Falls trail is a 1/4 mile trail with a moderate elevation gain approximately 80 stairs that lead behind North Falls through a large cutout on the rock. It continues west and roughly follows North Creek through the Canyon Trail, passing several waterfalls, including Twin Falls, Middle North Falls, Drake Falls, and Lower North Falls. On the opposite direction from the North Falls trailhead is the short, flat trail to Upper North Falls.

The North Falls trail passes behind North Falls in massive undercut cliff that extends back from the falls for at least 100 feet. The large size of the undercut rock allows the roar of the falls to be considerably amplified.

Middle North Falls in Silver Falls State Park

Middle North Falls in Trail of Ten Falls Oregon

Middle North Falls is located in Silver Falls State Park. A side trail leads under this 106 foot waterfall. Like Lower South Falls the trail is close to the waterfall, making for some interesting photo opportunities. Of the four most impressive falls in the park, this is the most remote from the main parking areas.

It is about 1.5 miles from North Falls parking area, and 3 miles from the South Falls parking area. But it is only .7 miles from the Winter Falls parking area.

·         Name : Middle North Falls

·         Height : 106 feet

·         Access : Trail of Ten Falls

·         Hiking Distance:  1.5 miles from the north falls parking lot

·         Location Silver Falls State Park Silverton Oregon ( Near Salem )

Middle North Falls is one of the most majestic waterfalls in Silver Falls State Park. In many ways, it's similar to Lower South Falls. The water cascades from a wide sheet about 100 feet into a large basin. Middle North Falls is one of four waterfalls on the Canyon Trail which has a trail going behind the waterfall. Centuries of erosion have opened a large grotto behind the waterfall, and a trail has been constructed through the grotto. The Middle North Falls Trail is sometimes closed due to the danger of falling rocks.

Middle North Falls is the second most impressive waterfall on the north fork, and the third most impressive overall of the many falls in Silver Falls State Park. The trail even continued to go beyond the backside of the falls into a large alcove area opposite the creek responsible for a satisfying direct look.

Upper North Falls in Silver Falls State Park

Upper North Falls in Trail of Ten Falls Oregon

Upper North Falls was a pretty compact but classically rectangular-shaped 65ft waterfall. It is the only waterfall in Silver Falls State Park that's not on a trail loop. Stashed away east of the highway, 65-foot "Upper North" is often overlooked or forgotten by visitors. For that reason it may be the most peaceful waterfall in the park. The North Fork of Silver Creek drops off of a basalt ledge here.

·         Name : Upper North Falls

·         Height : 65 feet

·         Access : Trail of Ten Falls

·         Hiking Distance: 0.4 miles round trip from the parking lot

·         Location Silver Falls State Park Silverton Oregon ( Near Salem )

The waterfall is a short and easy .2 mile walk from the North Falls parking area. This is a smaller waterfall, but worth the walk.

Silver Falls State Park is off of Hwy 214, about 26 miles east of Salem.

Lower North Falls in Silver Falls State Park

Lower North Falls in Trail of Ten Falls Oregon

Lower North Falls is located in Silver Falls State Park. It is the last and least of the "North" falls. It is a 30-foot-high slide. The other "North" and "South" falls are all plunges.

This waterfall is roughly on the half way point of the Canyon Trail. It is .5 miles downstream of Middle North Falls, and 1.3 miles from Lower South Falls.

·         Name : Lower North Falls

·         Height : 30 feet

·         Access : Trail of Ten Falls

·         Location Silver Falls State Park Silverton Oregon ( Near Salem )

Lower North Falls is the last and most distant of the falls on the north fork. Not especially impressive all by itself, but it is part of Silver Falls State Park's wonderful Trail of Ten Falls. For anyone who likes waterfalls, Silver Falls State Park is not be missed. 

This one was more of a sliding waterfall said to have a cumulative height of around 30ft with lots of fallen logs resting on its main drop.

Lower South Falls in Silver Falls State Park

Lower South Falls in Silver Falls State Park

Lower South Falls, is a waterfall located in the Silver Falls State Park at the east end of the city of Salem, in Marion County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. 

It is located in a privileged area on the west foothills where Mount Hood National Forest meets with the Middle Santiam Wilderness. Several prominent waterfalls are located in the Park along Trail of Ten Falls: South Falls, Drake Falls, Middle North Falls, and Winter Falls—among others.

·         Name : Lower South Falls

·         Height : 93 feet

·         Access : Trail of Ten Falls

·         Location Silver Falls State Park Silverton Oregon ( Near Salem )

Lower South Falls is created along the course of South Silver Creek and it sits on the west section of Silver Falls State Park Trail of Ten Falls, along Canyon Trail, a mile north of South Falls. Lower South Falls is one of four waterfalls in the Park where the trail passes behind the falls.

South Falls in Silver Falls State Park

South Falls in Silver Falls State Park

Silver Falls State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Oregon, located near Silverton, about 20 miles (32 km) east-southeast of Salem. It is the largest state park in Oregon with an area of more than 9,000 acres (36 km2), and it includes more than 24 miles (39 km) of walking trails, 14 miles (23 km) of horse trails, and a 4-mile (6.4 km) bike path.

Its 7.8-mile Canyon Trail/Trail of Ten Falls runs along the banks of Silver Creek and by ten waterfalls, from which the park received its name. Four of the ten falls have an amphitheater-like surrounding that allows the trail to pass behind the flow of the falls. The Silver Falls State Park Concession Building Area and the Silver Creek Youth Camp-Silver Falls State Park are separately listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

South Falls

South Falls, is a waterfall located in the Silver Falls State Park at the east end of the city of Salem, in Marion County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located in a privileged area on the west foothills where Mount Hood National Forest meets with the Middle Santiam Wilderness. Several prominent waterfalls are located in the Park along Trail of Ten Falls: Lower South Falls, Drake Falls, Lower North Falls, and Winter Falls—among others.

South Falls was said to have a direct plunge of 177ft. Its drop over an overhanging ledge gave it a classically slender rectangular shape. The park's most visited waterfall is South Falls, a 177-foot (54 m) cascade.

There were plenty of walking trails allowing us to see the falls from its very top as well as from both sides in addition to its aforementioned back side. A footbridge a little further downstream from the falls provided us with a direct view opposite the giant plunge pool. 

·         Name : South Falls

·         Height : 177 feet

·         Access : Trail of Ten Falls

·         Location : Silver Falls State Park Silverton Oregon ( Near Salem )

It only required us to walk on a gentle 0.2-mile path from the car park to the first views of the waterfall, but then we descended towards the loop trail that went around its base, which itself descended down to the level of the plunge pool when the trail swung around to the footbridge opposite the falls.

South Falls is created along the course of South Silver Creek and it sits on the west section of Silver Falls State Park Trail of Ten Falls, along Canyon Trail. South Falls is one of four waterfalls in the Park where the trail passes behind the falls.