I Hiked Behind Oregon’s South Falls and It Was as Cool as It Looks

You know how you see pictures of a place, and you think: I have to go there! Then you finally get there, and it's... underwhelming? I experienced the exact opposite when I finally made the trip from my Midwestern home to Silver Falls State Park in Oregon with the sole purpose of hiking behind the iconic South Falls: Standing on a rim carved from volcanic rock, a curtain of water falling just feet from my face, was just as incredible in person as it had appeared in the videos and photos that had inspired my visit.

You can reach South Falls via several routes and trail combinations within the park, including the Trail of Ten Falls loop. The quickest and easiest route (and thus, the most popular) begins at the South Falls Historic District trailhead. Here, you'll find plenty of front-country amenities, including restrooms, a visitor center, a park store, and even a snack shop. If you don't have an annual or biannual Oregon State Parks pass, expect to pay a day-use fee (currently $10) to park at the South Falls lot.

The round-trip hike is less than a mile, and the first half is on a wide, paved path that leads to the overlook where I caught my first glimpse of the iconic waterfall and the wide bowl beneath it. AllTrails gives the short hike a moderate rating, presumably because the trail becomes a rough and occasionally narrow dirt path over the section between the viewpoint and the waterfall. It's also pretty much all downhill getting there and, as you'd expect, all uphill on the way back (bring water).

You'll enjoy views of the falls as you follow the trail down to them. Interestingly, the view from the overlook didn't really convey to me the sheer scale of the waterfall and the grotto behind it. I mean, I could see South Falls and the trail, and I knew intellectually that it was a 177-foot plunge from rim to pool, but I didn't start realizing how small I was in comparison until I got closer.

The portion of the trail behind the falls runs a quarter-mile beneath a massive overhang of volcanic rock. Some sections were low enough that I had to duck and crouch to avoid hitting my head (I'm 5 feet, 11 inches in hiking boots). For the most part, though, I was able to stand up to my full height, especially when I stood closer to the rail that marks the edge of the trail.

Standing behind South Falls was a sublime experience, even with several other visitors sharing the space with me. The roar of the falls echoed from the curved stone walls, enveloping me in the sound. A cool mist kicked back onto my face, refreshing after hiking down in the midday heat of an August Friday. At times, I could see individual drops in the cascade; occasional blobs of water would surge through the fall, as if someone above had dumped an extra bucket into the waterfall.

Eventually, a pressing need to get to the next destination pulled me away from South Falls, and I made my way back up to the paved trail (bring water) and to my rental car, pointing it toward Mount Hood. My visit to Silver Falls State Park and the hike behind South Falls were all I had hoped they would be, and it was an experience that was even cooler than I had imagined. I definitely think it's something you should consider doing on your next visit to the Beaver State.

Do you have a favorite hike in Oregon? We'd love to hear about it. If my trip inspired you, try planning your own Oregon adventure using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.