NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS

Silver Falls State Park, OR: Trail of Ten Falls

A classic waterfall hike in Silver Falls State Park, the Trail of Ten Falls visits 11 cascades and tours lush forests sprinkled with vibrant wildflowers.

Map Tools

Share Trip

E-mail Trip
TXT To My Phone

Embed Map
Copy & paste the text in this field to embed this map in your blog or website.
Bookmark & Share

more bookmarks...

Download To

Create A Trip

Related Topics

Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.

Author:	Backpacker Magazine
Activity:	Hiking ActivitySearchHiking
State:	Oregon (OR)
Distance:	7.7 mi
Difficulty:	3 / 10
USGS Topo Map:	Drake Crossing, Elk Prairie
Rating:	1 rating(s)

A waterfall lover's—and photographer's—nirvana, the Trail of Ten Falls features spectacular views above, below, and behind cascades of all shapes and sizes. Start at the South Falls trailhead, near parking lot F and descend the Canyon Trail to a short spur leading to Frenchie Falls. Soon afterwards, the route meets the South Falls junction. Go straight to trek through a cool, dripping cavern behind South Falls, or fork right to switchback down to the bridge below the falls.

On the west side of the canyon, continue along the main trail heading north to Lower South Falls. After traveling behind Lower South Falls, the trail turns northeast and starts following the North Fork Silver Creek. Next, tour four waterfalls in rapid succession: Lower North Falls, Double Falls, Drake Falls, and Middle North Falls. Stop and savor each one for its own unique beauty.

After 3 miles, continue straight on Canyon Trail at the junction with Winter Trail. The next fall is cascading Twin Falls where a fenced area offers limited views. The trail continues another mile up the canyon offering peeks of North Falls, then descends behind the falls into a huge cavern. Enjoy views from all angles.

On the other side of North Falls, ascend to a spur that leads east to Upper North Falls. Take the spur to another gorgeous waterfall spilling into a deep, quiet pool. After a snack and a refreshing dip, start your return on the Rim Trail. At mile 5.2, turn right onto Winter Trail and descend 900 feet to views of wispy Winter Falls. Return to the Rim Trail and head south, then west, through more fir and hemlock forest to return to your starting point.

Note: An extremely popular location during spring and summer weekends, hikers will find more solitude by hiking this loop mid-week.

-Mapped by Eli Boschetto, Bosco Mountain Photo

TO TRAILHEAD: From Salem, OR-22 E to exit 7, OR-214 E for 15 mi. Enter park at toll booth, and continue to South Falls Trailhead at parking area F.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Silver Falls

Dist: 7.66 mi	Points: 444	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Points of Interest

TEN001

Location: 44.880865°, -122.656986°
Trail of Ten Falls trailhead.

TEN002

Location: 44.880923°, -122.657520°
At the junction of the Canyon and Rim trails, bear left onto Canyon Trail.

TEN003

Location: 44.880407°, -122.658765°
Turn right onto the short spur to visit Frenchie Falls.

TEN004

Location: 44.880696°, -122.658068°
Frenchie Falls: This small waterfall off the main trail is not included as one of the Ten Falls.

TEN005

Location: 44.879403°, -122.658974°
You have 2 options at the South Falls junction. 1. Go straight to take the trail behind the waterfall. 2. Take the right fork to descend to the bridge below the falls.

TEN006

Location: 44.879403°, -122.659929°
Cross the bridge below South Falls.

TEN007

Location: 44.885321°, -122.661152°
Take in the 93-foot Lower South Falls.

TEN008

Location: 44.888046°, -122.662160°
Stay left on Canyon Trail at the junction with Rim Trail.

TEN009

Location: 44.892143°, -122.647226°
Peer through the trees for views of the 30-foot Lower North Falls. Note: The access trail to water level is washed out.

TEN010

Location: 44.891702°, -122.646512°
Turn left onto the 0.25-mile spur to Double Falls.

TEN011

Location: 44.891968°, -122.645262°
Double Falls: Dropping 178 feet, this cascading waterfall is the tallest in the park.

TEN012

Location: 44.889878°, -122.646089°
Drake Falls: A platform high above the river offers views of this 27-foot cascade.

TEN013

Location: 44.889156°, -122.643122°
Turn right and descend the short spur to pass behind the 106-foot Middle North Falls.

TEN014

Location: 44.888495°, -122.640349°
Continue straight on Canyon Trail at the 3-way junction with Winter Trail. Note: To shorten this trip by 3 miles, turn right onto Winter Trail and follow it 0.4 mile to Waypoint 20.

TEN015

Location: 44.885568°, -122.637076°
Twin Falls: Protruding rocks split the North Fork Silver Creek to create the 31-foot Twin Falls; limited views.

TEN016

Location: 44.884930°, -122.622399°
North Falls: This 136-foot waterfall drops over a cavern.

TEN017

Location: 44.884420°, -122.621745°
Continue straight for a 0.8-mile out-and-back to Upper North Falls.

TEN018

Location: 44.882512°, -122.614782°
Upper North Falls: Often bypassed by other hikers, this 65-foot waterfall plunges into a deep pool.

TEN019

Location: 44.883691°, -122.627195°
North Falls viewpoint: Near the top of the loop, the trail cuts deeply behind this 136-foot "horsetail" waterfall.

TEN020

Location: 44.884550°, -122.639871°
Turn right at 3-way onto Winter Trail for a 0.3-mile round-trip to Winter Falls.

TEN021

Location: 44.884618°, -122.640987°
Winter Falls: This wispy, 134-foot cascade reaches its peak flow in early spring.

TEN022

Location: 44.879570°, -122.653170°
Cross the road and pick up the trail on the other side.

TEN023

Location: 44.879798°, -122.656914°
Pass a restroom. The trail continues north back to the trailhead.

Upper North Falls

Location: 44.882512°, -122.614653°
© Eli Boschetto

Frenchie Falls

Location: 44.880699°, -122.658003°
© Eli Boschetto

South Falls

Columbia Windflower

Switchbacks

Lower South Falls

Location: 44.885401°, -122.661029°
Hiker on the trail behind Lower South Falls.

Lower North Falls

Double Cascade

Drake Falls

Middle North

Winter Bridge

Location: 44.888472°, -122.640231°
Bridge over the North Fork Silver Creek to Winter Falls and Rim Trail. © Eli Boschetto

Rainforest

Twin Falls

North Falls

North Falls View

Winter Falls

Rim Trail

Location: 44.879152°, -122.646475°
After getting your fill of waterfalls, take a leisurely stroll back to the trailhead through shady woods. © Eli Boschetto

Related Trips

Comments: Post a comment

0 Trip Comments

Find the Outdoor Equipment You Need

Special sections - Expert handbooks for key trails, techniques and gear