The Trail of Ten Falls in Oregon’s Silver Falls State Park is one of the most beautiful autumn hikes I’ve ever done. This easy, high-reward hike is a scenic 7.2-mile loop that winds through lush temperate rainforest and passes ten waterfalls, some over 100 feet tall. We tacked this hike on a weekend trip where we drove down from Seattle to Portland, and it made for a perfect fall activity. While you definitely can hike the Trail of Ten Falls in every season, the fall season stands out with crisp air, vibrant foliage, and steady waterfall flow, making this iconic trail a Pacific Northwest adventure you won’t forget.
What is the Trail of Ten Falls?
Located within Silver Falls State Park, just east of Salem near Silverton, the Trail of Ten Falls is a 7.2-mile loop known for its dramatic waterfalls and vibrant forest scenery. As you can guess in the name, there are ten waterfalls you can see in this park, which is what makes this hike so unique! Many parts of the trail actually go behind a few falls, so you’ll be able to view many of the falls up close.
Hiking distance: 7.2 miles (11.5km)
Elevation gain: 800 feet (~244m)
Hiking length: 5-5 hours
Hiking difficulty: easy
Important to know: no dogs allowed on this trail
My experience hiking the Trail of Ten Falls
I went in expecting a tougher hike, but honestly, this hike was much easier than I thought it would be. The trail is relatively flat for most of the way, which made for a pretty relaxed hike. We went during October, so fall was in full swing, and the fall colors did not disappoint. The vibrant orange colors of the leaves against the contrasting mossiness of the surrounding forest made for some stunning scenery. We didn’t end up catching all ten waterfalls unfortunately (a few are pretty tiny, or maybe they were just dry), but we hit the main ones and got to walk behind a couple, which was a cool experience.
I love this map detailing the Trail of Ten Falls by Oregon is for Adventure! The classic route for this hike is a clockwise loop that starts at the South Falls parking lot, drops down behind South Falls and takes the Canyon Trail all the way out to North Falls.
Below is a list of all 10 waterfalls you can see on the Trail of Ten Falls hike:
- South Falls – 177 ft – Iconic curtain waterfall you can walk behind.
- Lower South Falls – 93 ft – Another “walk-behind” fall, narrower than South Falls but very scenic.
- Lower North Falls – 30 ft – Short and wide, with a gentle cascade.
- Double Falls – 178 ft – Tallest in the park, a two-tiered waterfall tucked just off the main trail.
- Drake Falls – 27 ft – Smallest of the ten, viewable from a platform.
- Middle North Falls – 106 ft – Walk-behind access with a sweeping plunge.
- Twin Falls – 31 ft – Two side-by-side drops into the creek.
- North Falls – 136 ft – Dramatic walk-behind cavern with powerful spray.
- Upper North Falls – 65 ft – Short detour from the main loop, very peaceful.
- Winter Falls – 134 ft – Best in rainy months; often reduced to a trickle in summer.
How to get to the Trail of Ten Falls
The Trail of Ten Falls is about 25 miles (40 km) east of Salem, Oregon, and 55 miles (88 km) south of Portland.
- From Portland (about 1.5 hours): Take I-5 South to Exit 271 (Woodburn). Follow OR-214 East through Woodburn, Mt. Angel, and Silverton. Continue on OR-214 into Silver Falls State Park and follow signs to South Falls Day-use Area, the main trailhead.
- From Salem (about 40 minutes): Take OR-22 East, then OR-214 North toward Silverton. Continue on OR-214 to the South Falls Day-use Area.
Parking before the trail
Parking was pretty plentiful when we arrived around 9am. The South Falls Day-use Area is the most popular starting point for the trail. It has parking, restrooms, picnic areas, and direct access to the Canyon Trail. There’s a $5 day-use parking fee (pay stations accept cash or card, or you can also use an Oregon State Parks Pass).
Helpful tips for your hike
What to wear
What you wear to hike the Trail of Ten Falls can be pretty casual, as long as you dress accordingly for the weather. Below are a few things I recommend wearing in order to have a comfortable hike:
- Hiking shoes or sneakers with solid grip — I have these hiking boots from Sorrel that I love.
- Comfortable, lightweight clothing that you can sweat in
- Layers — especially if you are hiking during the transitional months. Your hike may start off chilly, but 30 minutes into it you will start to get hot!
- Raincoat — You never really know when it will rain in the PNW, so bring a light raincoat just in case. If you’re looking for a good raincoat, I use this raincoat from Rains, which has come with me on a few rainy trips and is perfect for light rain/the continuous drizzle you tend to see in the PNW.
What to pack
Below I’ve listed a few things you shouldn’t forget on your hike.
- Water bottle (don’t forget to fill it) — Make sure you fill your water bottle before leaving home or at the Visitor Center.
- Sunscreen
- Camera — if you don’t already know, the views during this hike are incredible. What a shame it would be if you forgot your camera! If you’re looking for a digital camera, I use the Sony a6000, which is a great beginner-friendly travel camera. You can also find this camera used for under $300, which I recommend doing.
- Snacks/Lunch — you’ll be thankful for a few snack breaks during this hike. The hike is easy, but it is long. Just make sure not to leave any trash or food on the trail!
Best times to hike the Trail of Ten Falls
If you couldn’t already tell after reading so far, the best time to hike the Trail of Ten Falls is during the fall (September-October). This is a gorgeous hike to do while the leaves are turning color, and walking through all the waterfalls makes it that much more magical. However, there are perks to doing this hike during the other seasons. In spring (April–May), the waterfalls are at their most powerful thanks to snowmelt and seasonal rains, and the forest is alive with wildflowers. Early summer brings sunnier skies and more comfortable trails, and winter offers icy cascades and far fewer crowds (though it may slippery conditions).
