Most people plan their entire Pacific Northwest waterfall trip around Multnomah Falls, snap a photo from the viewing platform, and never realize there’s a spot an hour south where you can walk directly behind a 177-foot curtain of water. That’s Silver Falls, Oregon’s largest state park, and its Trail of Ten Falls has quietly built one of the best reputations of any hike in the state. Storm damage has changed the route slightly for 2026, so it’s worth knowing exactly what’s open before you drive out.
Here’s the current state of the trail, the fee structure, and what still makes this park worth the trip even with part of the loop closed.
Silver Falls State Park Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Location | 20024 Silver Falls Hwy SE, Sublimity, OR 97385 |
| Distance from Portland | About 80 miles / 1.5 hours via I-5 and OR-214 |
| Day-use parking permit | $10 Oregon residents / $12 non-residents |
| Full Trail of Ten Falls loop | 7.2 miles, about 800 feet of elevation change |
| Current 2026 status | Partial closure; ~5-mile loop open, covering 7 of 10 waterfalls |
| Tallest waterfall | Double Falls, 178 feet |
| Most photographed falls | South Falls (177 ft) and North Falls (136 ft), both walk-behind |
| Total trail mileage in park | Over 45 miles (hiking, biking, equestrian) |
| Pets | Leashed pets allowed on most trails; not permitted on the Canyon Trail |
| Camping reservation window | Up to 6 months in advance |
The 2026 Storm Closure You Need to Know About
Before you plan your route, know this: storm damage in February 2026 closed a section of the Canyon Trail between Twin Falls and North Falls, which means the complete 7.2-mile Trail of Ten Falls loop isn’t currently walkable start to finish. That sounds like bad news, but it’s less limiting than it seems. An alternate loop of roughly 5 miles remains fully open, and it happens to include the park’s most dramatic stops: South Falls, Lower South Falls, Double Falls, and Middle North Falls — four of the most photographed waterfalls in the entire park.
Trail conditions in Oregon can shift quickly after additional rain events, so checking the Oregon State Parks website or calling the park directly before you drive out is worth the extra five minutes, especially if seeing all ten waterfalls in one trip is a hard requirement for you.
What the Day-Use Fee Actually Gets You
Silver Falls charges a day-use parking permit rather than a per-person entrance fee: $10 for Oregon-registered vehicles and $12 for out-of-state vehicles, payable at self-pay kiosks scattered across the main trailheads. If you’re already camping in the park, your campsite pass doubles as your day-use permit, so there’s no need to pay twice. Annual Oregon State Park passes are also available and worth considering if Silver Falls is one stop on a broader Oregon parks itinerary, since the pass covers day-use fees across the whole state system.
Walking Behind a Waterfall: South and North Falls
The signature experience here, and the reason most first-time visitors show up, is walking behind a genuine waterfall rather than just viewing one from a platform. South Falls, at 177 feet, sits just a quarter mile from its trailhead and is the easiest of the walk-behind falls to reach, making it a strong option even for visitors who don’t want to tackle the full loop. North Falls, dropping 136 feet over a cliff face lined with lava rock, offers a similarly dramatic walk-behind viewpoint from its own nearby parking area.
Both are accessible independently of the full Trail of Ten Falls loop, so even with the current Canyon Trail closure, neither of these two marquee waterfalls is out of reach.
Choosing the Right Route for Your Group
Not everyone needs or wants the full loop, closure or no closure. A one-mile route descending to the base of South Falls suits visitors short on time or hiking with young kids, while a roughly five-mile loop (which currently overlaps closely with the open, storm-adjusted route) covers seven scenic waterfalls for those wanting a fuller experience without the entire 7.2-mile commitment. Reviewers consistently note that younger children tend to struggle on the complete loop, so families are often better served picking one of the shorter connecting trails rather than pushing through the whole route.
Regardless of which option you choose, expect the trail to be muddy and slippery near the waterfalls even in dry weather, given the constant spray, so footwear with real traction matters more here than it might at a drier hiking destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Will the full Trail of Ten Falls loop reopen in 2026?
There’s no confirmed reopening date as of now, since the closure stems from February 2026 storm damage between Twin Falls and North Falls. Checking the Oregon State Parks website close to your visit date is the most reliable way to confirm current status.
Q2. Can I bring my dog on the Trail of Ten Falls?
Leashed dogs are welcome on most trails in the park, including the Rim Trail and paved paths, but they’re not permitted on the Canyon Trail, which makes up the bulk of the waterfall route. This rule is enforced with fines, so plan an alternate route if you’re hiking with a pet.
Q3. Is Silver Falls busy enough that I should arrive early?
Yes, especially on weekends and during summer. Main parking lots regularly fill by mid-morning, and the trail itself can see a thousand or more visitors on a single day. Arriving close to opening gives you noticeably more solitude and easier parking.
Q4. Do I need a separate reservation to hike the trails, or just the parking permit?
Just the parking permit. Hiking itself requires no reservation or additional fee — the $10–$12 charge covers your vehicle for the day regardless of how many trails or waterfalls you visit.
