Silver Falls State Park is the largest state park in Oregon, spanning over 9,000 acres in the foothills of the Cascade Range, about 20 miles east of Salem. Nicknamed the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system, it is most famous for its Trail of Ten Falls—a spectacular 7.2-mile loop that passes by (and even behind) a series of breathtaking waterfalls, including the iconic South Falls (177 feet).
The park features lush forests of Douglas fir, cedar, and bigleaf maple, along with diverse wildlife such as deer, coyotes, and numerous bird species. In addition to hiking, visitors enjoy camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, and picnicking.
Silver Falls has both natural beauty and historical significance: many of its trails and structures were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), whose stonework and bridges still remain.
Today, it is a popular year-round destination for locals and travelers alike, offering a combination of dramatic waterfalls, forested trails, and Oregon’s signature Pacific Northwest scenery.
