Silver Falls State Park

Area	Willamette Valley (Salem)
Best time to visit	Mid-April through May
Blooming Now	YES
Elevation	1000-1500 feet
Trail Info	Varies dependent upon trail
	PLANT LIST AVAILABLE
	WILDFLOWER SEARCH
	ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
	Hike information - Oregon Hikers Field Guide
Dogs	PROHIBITED. Please respect this location by leaving your dog at home.

NOTE: The blue marker indicates the trailhead.

Description

Located 25 miles east of Salem, Silver Falls State Park is Oregon's largest state park. Although it is best known for its "Trail of Ten Falls" (and rightfully so!), it is also a great place to see spring wildflowers. It is suitable for both serious hikers (who will probably want to do the entire 7 mile loop) and families with young children (who can take any number of shorter trails, including several which pass behind waterfalls such as the lower loop).

For more information including up-to-date trail conditions, visit the SFSP blog. Also, please note that during the spring, the park hosts regular Plant ID guided hikes, generally on Thursday afternoons at 2 pm.

Directions

From Interstate 5, take Exit 253 in Salem for Highway 22 heading east toward Detroit. Drive 5 miles east to the exit for Highway 214, which is clearly signed for Silver Falls Park. Stay on Highway 214 for 16 miles to the park entrance sign at South Falls, which will be on the left side of the road. (Alternatively you can take Highway 214 south 15.5 miles from Silverton.)

Once you are in the South Falls parking area, follow the signs to Picnic Area C, and park at the far end of the parking lot.

The park includes facilities, numerous picnic areas, and a gift shop. There is a day-use fee ($5) to use this park.

Trip Reports

Date	Submitted by
Reports from previous years
04/28/2024	Greg Lief
06/13/2023	Greg Lief
05/13/2023	Greg Lief
04/17/2023	Greg Lief
03/21/2022	Greg Lief
04/20/2019	Greg Lief
05/12/2016	Greg Lief
04/07/2016	Matt Palmquist
02/18/2016	Greg Lief
05/22/2015	Matthew Palmquist
04/21/2015	Matthew Palmquist
03/26/2015	Greg Lief
05/13/2012	Greg Lief
05/15/2011	Cheryl Hill
05/01/2011	Rory Nichols
04/25/2010	Greg Lief
05/15/2009	Jim Conrad
05/15/2009	Jim Conrad
04/24/2009	Jennifer Godfrey
04/24/2009	Jennifer Godfrey
05/01/2008	Rory Nichols
04/17/2008	Rory Nichols
06/09/2007	Al Ahlgrim
05/16/2007	Greg Lief
04/08/2007	Rory Nichols

Switch to historical view of wildflower reports

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Photo Gallery

South Falls, Silver Falls State Park

Lower South Falls, Silver Falls State Park

Lower North Falls, Silver Falls State Park

Middle North Falls, Silver Falls State Park

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'Let us give Nature a chance; she knows her business better than we do.' -- Michel de Montaigne