Fifteen miles east of the Oregon’s capitol building lies the small town of Silverton. This town’s history ties deeply with that of the state it resides in. The town’s inception occurs about four years prior to statehood. Based centrally around agriculture, visitors to this area will awe at the impressive number of tree species, both wild and orchard.
Silverton is also the gateway to Oregon’s largest State Park, Silver Falls. There is a ton of articles, posts, blogs, and resources dedicated to the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system; however, I would like to reiterate some of the education features of this wonderful place.
Because of its size, the park has a lot to offer. There are 35 miles of trails that vary in difficulty and activity. Whether you need a flat trail that is near the main parking lot(s) or a more remote backcountry trail that is riddled with roots and water crossings, this park has it, making it an excellent place for student/kid field trips. Even with such close proximity to towns and main highways, the park feels very secluded and wild.
If time permits it, I would highly suggest walking the “10-Falls Trail” in any weather. A matter of fact, I would recommend going in the winter and spring months, when the water level is highest. This is when the park is least crowded and when every waterfall is at its peak, and you can see the sheer immensity of their power.
You can just see Rosalyn dressed in the usual Oregon rain attire, walking under the South Falls, the tallest of the waterfalls in the park. A good waterproof outer shell is recommended anytime of year for those visitors looking to explore behind the falls.
You will notice that in comparison to the photo above (taken in the late winter), images of the falls taken in the sunny summer months show a skinnier waterfall. In some cases, some of the waterfalls will be hardly present in the dry season.
Silver Falls State Park is addressed in Sublimity, but is most easily accessed via OR-214, through Silverton. This also affords visitors a town with both history and accommodations.
Heart of the Valley 