Destinations Guide / Oregon / United States

Hike or Bike to Enjoy the Silver Falls State Park

Silver Falls State Park lies in the heart of Oregon’s wine country. The beautiful quartz slate cliffs and forested mountainsides of this scenic region have long been popular spots for outdoor recreation. For several decades, Silver Springs has hosted a variety of outdoor events including outdoor concerts, family camping and fishing trips, boating and swimming events, and outdoor events such as mountain biking. The area also offers some of the best public land for biking in Oregon. If you are looking to see more of Oregon’s natural beauty, the Silver Springs State Park will provide some of the best opportunities.

Silver Falls State Park

There are two main campsites at the park. You can choose to stay at one of the hotels at the park, or if you prefer to camp on private property. Both offer full access to the park’s walking trails and are just a short distance from other attractions. The Hiking and Backpacking Trail, west of Horseshoe Curve is on public land, but the trail is not easy to follow. You should do a little research on the best routes and directions to take.

You can hike along the Horseshoe Curve Trail, which starts by turning left toward the trail sign for Silver Falls State Park. The trail covers a large amount of land, going through wooded areas, rolling hills, and finally turning down into a valley. The trail makes an easy path down to the valley floor where you will find streams flowing into the creek. The trail continues along the Horseshoe Curve, passing another set of stone pillars.

Hikers can view spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, Mount Hood, the Silver Needle, the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Tamalpais, the Three Forks, the historic Crystal Cascades, the historic Mt. Hood, and the historic George Washington Trail in the background. The Horseshoe Loop Trail also gives hikers the option of visiting the viewpoints of the park as well.

To experience the true splendor of the falls, there are several trips available to you. If you would like to be able to see the waterfalls without having to hike through the woods, a river rafting trip is your best option. This is an exciting and skillfully designed trip that takes you under the falls and gives you a view of the Gorge. Riders are taken on rafts that meander through the falls, meandering along the river. In addition to being able to see the waterfalls, you will also have opportunities to explore the park. Numerous trips provide overnight accommodations so that the participants have a place to sleep during the day.

Another way to view the falls is to visit them from the air. There are planes that will fly over the area at certain times of the year that will give you a scenic view of the falls. You may also want to visit during one of the periods between the warmer months of May and October. At these times, it is possible to view the waterfalls from the air. Depending upon your schedule, you can make this possible.

In addition to being able to view the waterfalls from the air, you can also explore the park from the ground. Silver Falls State Park features hiking trails that are challenging and beautiful. These trails offer you an exceptional view of the Gorge from a top view. Hikers can choose to enter the park through the parking area or go through the gate. Many who choose to go around the gate opt to take a hiking adventure through the forest.

Because there are a number of attractions located around the park, you may find that you want to stay in one area of the surrounding area. There are a number of hotels and lodges in close proximity to the park. If you stay at one of these accommodations, you can take advantage of complimentary bus tours of the area. In addition to sightseeing, you can also experience the Gorge for yourself by riding in a hot air balloon.