In a forested landscape filled with mossy trees and cascading waterfalls, it’s easy to imagine you’re in a scene from “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy instead of in a state park near Salem.
Silver Falls State Park accomplishes this feat in a temperate rain forest with 25 miles of trails, multiple waterfalls and an abundance of Douglas fir, western hemlock and sword fern. Frequent rabbit, bird, deer and beaver sightings add to the illusion that hikers are in a fantastical world where nature reigns supreme.
“Students love the waterfalls, and day trips are easier for most busy schedules,” said Suzanne Hanlon, the Outdoor Program’s assistant coordinator. “This is a great trip rain or shine. If it rains there is more water in the falls and the hike is still fun; if it’s sunny, that’s nice too.”
Numerous trails are suitable for walkers, runners and horseback riders. The 80-acre park also boasts four miles of paved bicycle paths that run around its ridge and 14 miles of horse trails.
The seven-mile Trail of Ten Falls is arguably the park’s biggest draw. Also called the Canyon Trail, this packed dirt path delves deep into the forest, meanders past 10 waterfalls in the Silver Creek Canyon and then joins the Canyon Rim Trail to complete the loop.
“I’ve only hiked the waterfall loop,” Hanlon said. “It’s so fun, so fulfilling. And the lure of the next waterfall really makes the miles fly.”
The trail can require up to three hours to complete when considering appropriate amounts of time for nature appreciation. There are ample locations to stop for a picnic, soak in some sun or take some stunning pictures in front of the falls.
For hikers wanting to experience nature with a bit more brevity, shorter hikes are available. Hikers with multiple vehicles can also opt to leave a second car in the North Falls parking lot and drive the last two miles of the long hike.
“You can hike a variety of distances to suit your mood or ability level,” Hanlon said. “Hike one, two or three miles and see a couple waterfalls, hike five miles and see nine falls or hike the entire seven-mile loop to see all 10 falls.”
The falls, as indicated by the park’s name, are the real spectacle of the park. They
range in height from South Falls’ 177-foot plunge to the shorter but still spectacular
27-foot Drake Falls.
For a moment of pure awe, visit the towering North Creek Falls. For more romantic moments, try the Frenchie Falls. According to the park’s Web site, many women have received marriage proposals while standing near it.
“I love the North Falls best, not because it has the most awesome shape and sound with regard to the other nine falls, but because it took me a long time to get there since it is distant from the others,” graduate student Wei Yan said. “It gave me time to anticipate and to imagine
its beauty.”
Since the state park and hike are about a two-hour drive from
Eugene, it makes for a good weekend excursion. A state campground in the park provides the option for an extended stay. Amenities include hot showers, a campground host and flush toilets for students who don’t like the idea of roughing it in the woods.
In addition to hiking, the park has numerous activities to entertain overnight visitors. It offers guided horse trail rides and provides picnic shelters for large gatherings. Swimming or wading in the creek is another recreational opportunity that rises in popularity with summer temperatures. And if boredom sets in and all else fails, there’s always the option of another hike.
