Trail of Ten Falls

Updated: Jan 15, 2023

Location : Silver Falls State Park, OR

Parking : $5

Trail type : Loop

Trail Length : 8 miles

Elevation Gain : 1300ft

Difficulty : Moderate

Trails traversed : Rim Trail > Canyon Trail

Pet Friendly? No

If you are short on time and you can do only one hike in Oregon, then this is it! Like the name says, this trail encompasses all what Oregon is about for a nature lover - falls, falls and more falls! The Trail Of The Ten Falls is located in the expansive Silver Falls State Park, about an hours drive south from Portland. The Park itself is the largest State Park in Oregon, and extremely well maintained, with well marked trails, a gift store, clean restrooms, restaurant, lodge and ample paid parking. I nicknamed it the Disneyland of Waterfalls!

The trail to see all 10 waterfalls is a loop and can be completed in about 4 hours. You can start the hike at the North Falls parking lot, or at the bigger South Falls lot. We started with the South Falls and traversed the trail in the clockwise direction.

As soon as you park the car, you hear the roar of the waterfalls nearby and know that there is a massive falls waiting for you just around the corner. Follow the throngs of people past the rest rooms, the nature store, the restaurant, down some stone stairs to witness the mighty South Falls. As you walk in front and under it, you realize this is a treat for all your senses. South Falls is the biggest fall in the park. After enjoying the misty spray from this ginormous falls continue on Rim Trail to see the remaining 9 falls. Each is spectacular in its own way. There are no restrooms along the trail and the foot traffic thins out after the second or third falls.

This hike was the highlight of our Oregon trip and walking behind waterfalls soon became one of our favorite things to do, thanks to many of the falls in Silver Falls State Park. Below are pictures of all 10 falls from this park.