You’ll never guess how many waterfalls are on this hike… The Trail of Ten Falls in Oregon is one of the most popular hikes in the state. People come from all over to see these stunning natural features stream over mossy cliffs. It’s a fantastic gift to see all of these in just one long hike!
See ten falls that range from 28 to 178 feet, walk behind four of them, and stare in wonder at this waterfall lover’s paradise!
I’ve had this trail on my bucket list for years and I was finally able to cross it off on a recent trip to Oregon. It was a fabulous hike and I loved being able to take my in laws along with us. It’s perfect for the family and it’s amazing to see so many gorgeous cascades all along one path!
Going on the Trail of Ten Falls is an experience that you will never forget. But, it can be confusing to figure out the path and plan your trip. This blog post includes everything you need to know including the best time to go, how to get there, and what to pack!
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Table of Contents
Trail of Ten Falls Hike Details
Quick Hike Info
Distance: 7.5 miles
Elevation: 1100 feet of gain
Type: Loop
Length: 3-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (Long, but it’s not very steep)
Trail of Ten Falls Location
You’ll find the Trail of 10 Falls in the beautiful Silver Falls State Park. This park is just 90 minutes from Portland, 40 minutes from Salem, and 1 hour 20 minutes from Eugene, Oregon. So, it’s a great day trip if you plan on visiting any of these areas!
This trail is one of the main attractions of the park, so you’ll find plenty of signs that will lead you to it. There are multiple starting points for the trail. Once you get there, you will find parking 🅿️ in one of the large parking lots and you can start the trail from different points.
How to Get to Silver Falls State Park
Silver Falls State Park is located a bit inland from the major cities and there is no public transportation. So, the best way to get there is to drive! 🚙 But, there is very little service around the park, so pull up the maps ahead of time.
Portland Airport is just an hour and 15 minutes from this park! ✈️
If you are coming from Salem or Portland you can take i-5 South to Route 22 East and then turn onto i-214. From Eugene, you will follow the same directions except you will take i-5 North from the city.
Things to Know Before You Go
💵 There is a $5 parking fee per vehicle to visit Silver Falls State Park. If you have an annual Oregon State Parks pass than you do not have to pay the parking fee.
☀️ Oregon is very rainy and the trail can be slick a lot of the time. Make sure to pack waterproof gear and be careful on the pathways, because they can be slippery and rocky.
⛺️ There is one campground at Silver Falls State Park. However, this campground has more than 80 spots as well as 14 cabins. You can make reservations six months in advance and they do sell out!
🐻 There are black bears and mountain lions that frequent the state park area. If you see black bears, make sure to keep your distance or make loud noise to scare them away.
🦮 Pets are not allowed on the Trail of Ten Falls. However, they are allowed on the backcountry trails in the park.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
Best Time to Hike the Trail of 10 Falls
One of the best things is that the Trail of Ten Falls is accessible year round. That being said, the best time to hike this popular trail is anytime from April through October! I suggest getting to the trail early in the morning or on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Many people enjoy hiking in the spring, when water levels are highest and the falls are gushing. 💦 However, if you go early in the spring there may still be snow or ice on the pathways!
Summer is the most crowded, but it’s a fabulous time to hike with high temperatures and dry weather. But, just know that the trails may be full of people unless you go early!
Camping at Silver Falls State Park
One of the best things about Silver Falls State Park is that it’s incredibly family friendly with a huge campground. The campground at the park has more than 80 sites and 14 cabins. 🏕
You can book a site reservation up to 6 months in advance.
The campground has a few horse sites, group sites, sites with electrical hook ups, and tent sites. So, you can choose from what you need. Plus, there are showers and flushing toilets. 🚽 It’s a great place to spend the weekend with loved ones!
What to Pack for the Trail of Ten Falls Hike
As you may know, Oregon is an incredibly rainy state. It’s important that you pack waterproof gear for your explorations. Also, wear boots or shoes 🥾 with good traction because the paths can be very slippery.
Although this hike is not incredibly hard, it is long. So, I suggest you bring at least 1 liter of water per person with plenty of snacks or food. That way you will be set for your day out on the trails!
Packing List for Your Oregon Hikes
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Day Pack
- Hiking poles
- Water Reservoir
- 1-2 Liters of Water
- Lifestraw
- Snacks and Food
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Rain jacket
- Base Layer
- Hiking Pants/Bottoms
- Satellite phone
- Portable Charger
- Camera Clip
- Downloaded AllTrails Map
Trail of 10 Falls Description
You can start this trail either at the North or South Parking lot. However, I recommend beginning at the South Lot and going clockwise. ⏱ Once you get to the trailhead there is a large map as well as small paper maps that you can take with you on the hike.
This trail combines the Canyon Trail & Rim Trail and as you go you will follow a paved path. There isn’t much elevation along the way, so while it is long it is not particularly difficult.
You will pass a total of 10 waterfalls throughout your journey and you can even walk behind four of them! There are ways to shorten the trail including parking one car at the South Lot and another at the North lot and ending at the North. Or, you can skip some of the side trails to the falls.
But, this is one of the coolest hikes in all of Oregon. You’ll be amazed at the gorgeous water and how many large falls you pass on your route! It’s truly a magical experience ✨ that is a wonderful family friendly trail.
Final Tips to Hiking at Silver Falls
The Trail of Ten Falls is one of the most incredible waterfall trails in the entire country! Just make sure to start early to beat the crowds or go on a week day. I highly suggest downloading the Alltrails map, because there are a variety of ways you can do the trail and it can be confusing! If you do all that you will have a fantastic time on the hike.
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this trail guide!
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Such pretty photos and great trail guide! This was on our itinerary in 2022, but we ran out of time! Can’t wait to hike this someday 🙂