Silver Falls State Park · Oregon · 7.2 miles · 10 named falls
Trail of Ten Falls
Oregon's signature waterfall hike. A 7.2-mile loop in Silver Falls State Park that threads past 10 named waterfalls — including 4 you can walk behind. We index each fall individually below.
The basics
- Trail length
- 7.2 miles loop (full)
- Elevation gain
- ~800 ft
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Time
- 4–6 hours
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Fee
- $5/vehicle day use (Oregon State Parks pass works)
- Best months
- Oct – May (peak flow)
- Parking
- South Falls day-use lot (paved, restrooms)
The ten falls, in trail order
Each opens to its own page with height readings cross-checked against Wikipedia, USGS, and OSM, plus best months and conditions.
Questions hikers ask
How long is the Trail of Ten Falls?
7.2 miles as a full loop with 800 feet of elevation gain. Most hikers finish it in 4-6 hours. You can shorten it by skipping the back loop — South Falls + Lower South + Lower North alone is roughly 2.5 miles.
Where does the Trail of Ten Falls start?
Most start at the South Falls day-use area in Silver Falls State Park. There's a paved parking lot, restrooms, and a visitor center. The trailhead is signed.
Is there a fee?
Yes — Silver Falls State Park charges a $5 day-use parking fee per vehicle (subject to change). The Oregon State Parks annual pass covers it.
Can I walk behind any of the falls?
Yes — South Falls, Lower South Falls, North Falls, and Middle North Falls all have trails behind the waterfall curtain. South Falls is the most photographed.
When is the best time to hike the Trail of Ten Falls?
October through May for peak waterfall volume. Summer is drier but lower flow. Winter can have icy patches but the falls are at their most powerful.
Are dogs allowed?
No. Dogs are NOT permitted on the Trail of Ten Falls (state park rule, enforced). Service animals are an ADA exception. There's a dog-friendly trail near the campground.