Silver Falls State Park is the largest state park in Oregon and only 20 miles southeast of Salem in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The 9,000+ acre park offers more than 35 miles of backcountry trails for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding.
Depending on the first frost, mid-October is usually the peak for Silver Falls State Park’s spectacular fall color season. Best known for its legendary Trail of Ten Falls, where hikers can walk beside and even behind ten spectacular waterfalls, this park also dazzles in autumn. By mid- to late October, maples and alders along the trail burst into brilliant color. The foliage show is no longer a secret, so plan to arrive early, mid week is best, if you want to avoid the heaviest crowds.
The Trail of Ten Falls is a 7.2-mile loop that passes behind four of Silver Falls State Park’s waterfalls, but the massive recess behind North Falls is especially unique. The undercut cliff extends back from the falls for at least 100 feet, and the ceiling runs anywhere from 20 to perhaps as much as 75 feet above the trail as it passes behind the falls.
In the Willamette Valley you can spend your entire day doing nothing. Relax on a comfortable front porch at one of bed and breakfasts or in their gardens. Or head out on a day trip Silver Falls State Park, the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system.
As fall settles into the Pacific Northwest, storms begin to roll in, feeding Oregon’s magnificent waterfalls with even more power and beauty. Don’t let a little rain keep you away—this is when the cascades are at their most breathtaking. Once winter snow arrives, many falls become harder to reach (though still possible for the adventurous with the right gear). And with autumn’s brilliant foliage fast approaching, now is the perfect time to feel the mist of Oregon’s waterfalls on your face. It’s certainly not too early to start planning your Oregon vacation that should involve chasing waterfalls.
Our Chasing Waterfalls and Oregon Waterfall Wednesdays series continues. According to Northwest Waterfall Survey there are well over 1000 waterfalls in Oregon! We’ve set out to witness the beauty of as many as we can. We’ll share our finds with you, our guests, so you too can set out to Chase Waterfalls.
Where To Stay. What To Do. Where To Eat. Where To Play. The Oregon Trail Of Waterfalls Map From The Oregon Bed And Breakfast Guild Will Inspire You
Download the Oregon Trail of Waterfall map and start the new year right with some Oregon inspiration. Our Oregon Trail of Waterfalls Map was created with your planning in mind. We included where to stay, things to do in Oregon, where to eat and of course, where to find some of the very best Oregon Waterfalls.
You’ll find a mountain of epic trip ideas for your next outdoor, cultural or culinary adventure in every corner of the state. Now more than two dozen inns are ready to help you plan your most EPIC Oregon road trip!
SEE A DIGITAL VERSION OF THE MAP
Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.
Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority.
Although mask guidelines are lifted:
● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.
● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.
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