SILVER FALLS STATE PARK : OREGON

Silver Falls State Park  is situated within the foothills of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains located 25 miles east of Salem.


"As the largest state park within Oregon, Silver Falls offers diverse opportunities for recreation with plenty of room for all visitors. For the equestrians, dog owners, mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts, more than 25 miles of multi-use back-country trails spread over the 9,000 acres offer a great escape."

The South Falls Day Use Area has spacious lawns, BBQ stands, picnic shelters, tables, playground, horse shoe pits, doggie off leash area, and charming creek. A viewing area of the famous 177-foot South Falls is a short stroll on a paved walkway.

 South Falls viewpoint (above and below)

The Kalapuya and Molalla, whose ancestors came to the Willamette Valley about 14,000 years ago, were the native people in the Silver Falls area when whites arrived as early as 1812. 

The 10 waterfall trail is a little more than 8-miles; however, only two are accessible by wheels (wheelchair, strollers, or bikes). In addition to the South viewing area, the upper North Falls path is narrow, but doable and is well worth the .2 mile stroll. Small trickles of water seep from the dirt walls of the path which allows for a peaceful meander to the fall.

 Cheyanne, our service dog, leading the way.

 Upper North Falls

WHITEHORSE FALLS, OREGON

Whitehorse Falls is a Punchbowl Fall located at milepost 65.9 on Highway 138. A gorgeous sturdy decking leads to an overlook. Wheelchair access is easy. The 15-foot falls is located on the Clearwater River in the Umpqua National Forest.

Waterfall Type:  Punchbowl - descends from a constricted width of a stream, empties into a pool below.

Directions:  Turn north at Whitehorse Falls Campground entrance on Hwy 138 at milepost 65.9.

SUSAN CREEK FALLS, OREGON

Susan Creek Falls can be found on North Umpqua River in Umpqua National Forest in Douglas County, Oregon. The waterfall is a Fan type fall that drops 50 feet over moss-covered rocks.  The falls can be accessed by an easy path that is well-maintained by the Bureau of Land Management. The 3/4 mile trail to the waterfall is evenly graded and is accessible by wheelchair; however, manual help may be needed for endurance to make the distance.

Directions: The trailhead is directly off of the parking lot located at milepost 28.2 on Highway 138. A Susan Creek Day-Use Area is across the highway. Picnic tables and restrooms are available at the day-use area, trailhead, and below the waterfalls.

Waterfall Type: Fan - descends vertically while maintaining some contact with the rock surface with an increasing width of spray.