Trail of 10 Waterfalls Hike

As you’ve probably figured out by now, Drew and I love waterfalls and try to incorporate as many as we can into our hikes. So when we heard about the Trail of 10 Waterfalls hike located in Silver Falls State Park in Oregon, it moved to the top of our list. True to its name, this trail takes you past 10 breathtaking waterfalls during the 8.7 mile hike.

We visited in late May over Memorial Day weekend when the weather was mild and the fall flow was strong. Initially, I assumed there would be one or two amazing waterfalls and the rest would be fillers. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case! More than half of the waterfalls were very impressive, and there were four you could walk behind. Very cool.

The trail is an 8.7 mile loop, but don’t let the distance scare you. The trail is easy and a great hike for people of all ages and experience. Though the hike is an easy one, plan to spend at least 5 hours hiking as you will want to spend time at several of the waterfalls taking pictures and enjoying the beauty.

Tips for Hiking the Trail of 10 Falls

• Parking is $5. We parked in the North Falls lot and started with Upper North Falls.
• Wear waterproof shoes. The trail can get very damp and having appropriate footwear will make your day a lot more enjoyable.
• Pack a raincoat. The weather can change in an instant, but even if it doesn’t rain, you may need your raincoat when you go behind falls or to the base of falls.
• Hydrate. Be sure to bring at least 2 liters of water for this long hike.
• Bring snacks or a light meal. As previously mentioned, the loop will take you awhile and it’s always good to have a light lunch or snack to keep you going. There is a lodge and snack bar near South Falls where you can grab snacks and drinks, but their hours are limited.
• Get an early start. The parking lots and trails fill up quickly, so the earlier you can get out there, the better.