Camping at Silver Falls State Park
Oregon’s crown jewel: 9,000 acres, ten waterfalls, and six ways to spend the night from tent sites to tree camping.
Oregon’s Best Campground
Silver Falls offers tent sites ($19 to $26), RV hookups ($31 to $36), cabins ($53 to $98), group camps, a horse camp, Smith Creek Village glamping, and one-of-a-kind tree camping. Summer weekends book out the day the 6-month reservation window opens. Book early or plan a shoulder season trip.
Silver Falls State Park is often called the crown jewel of Oregon’s state park system. Located about 26 miles east of Salem in the Cascade foothills, this 9,000-acre park is built around the Trail of Ten Falls, a 7.2-mile loop passing ten distinct waterfalls, including the 177-foot South Falls. Camping here puts you steps from the trailhead and deep inside old-growth forest.
The campground sits near the South Falls day-use area, which means you can walk to the trail rather than drive in and fight for parking. That alone is worth the site fee. Beyond the waterfall trail, the park has over 35 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, plus Silver Creek for fishing and wading.
With six distinct ways to spend the night, from standard tent sites to sleeping in a harness 90 meters up in an old-growth tree, Silver Falls has options for every type of camper. This guide covers all of them.
How Much Does It Cost?
Prices vary by site type and season. Always verify current pricing at ReserveAmerica before booking as Oregon State Parks adjusts rates seasonally.
A $5 per day vehicle permit is required for day use parking. This is separate from camping fees. Annual Oregon State Parks permits ($30) pay for themselves quickly if you visit more than six times a year. Your campsite fee covers your vehicle’s parking at the campground.
Camping Options at Silver Falls
Six distinct ways to spend the night, ranging from classic tent sites to a full glamping village to sleeping in a harness in the forest canopy.
43 tent sites each with a picnic table and fire ring. Many are tucked into wooded areas for privacy. Easy walking distance to restrooms and the Trail of Ten Falls trailhead.
Reserve a tent site ↗
Loop A has 10 standard sites (up to 33 ft) and Loop B has 38 back-in sites (up to 83 ft). All have water and electric hookups. The dump station is at North Falls group camp, 3 miles away.
Reserve an RV site ↗
Fourteen cozy cabins sleeping up to four people each. Every cabin has heating, lighting, and beds. Clean restrooms and hot showers are nearby. Reservations are required and these book fast.
Reserve a cabin ↗
Pet-friendly heated cabins with en suite toilets, hot showers, an on-site restaurant, fire pits, and bike rentals. Open year-round. Note: 2.1 miles from the South Falls area, a 7-minute drive to the trailhead.
View Smith Creek Village ↗
Six sites plus one group site with horse corrals, picnic tables, fire rings, and running water. Up to 4 horses and 8 people per site. Direct access to the park’s extensive horse trail network.
Reserve horse camp ↗
Sleep suspended in the old-growth canopy between 10 and 90 meters above the ground. Choose a personal hammock or a two-person portaledge. Views of the Willamette Valley, wildlife, sunrises, and a sky full of stars.
Book tree camping ↗Silver Falls has several group campsites ideal for family reunions, scout troops, and large gatherings. The North Falls group camp includes the RV dump station. Reserve through ReserveAmerica well in advance for summer dates.
Covered picnic shelters are available for day-use reservations near the main trailhead area. South Falls Lodge offers cafe dining, restrooms, and free WiFi. It is the social hub of the park and worth a stop on your way to the trail.
Silver Falls is one of the most sought-after campgrounds in Oregon. Summer weekends regularly sell out within hours of the 6-month reservation window opening. Set a calendar reminder for exactly 6 months before your target date and book at midnight when the window opens. Shoulder season trips in May, September, and October are much easier to book and often the better experience anyway.
Best Time to Camp at Silver Falls
Every season has something going for it here. Here is what to expect based on when you plan to visit.
April and May bring peak waterfall flow after winter rains. Trails are lush and green, wildflowers bloom along the creek, and crowds are manageable. Some sites may be wet. Bring rain gear.
Peak season. Warm, dry weather and the best conditions for hiking all ten falls. Book 6 months out for weekends. Weekdays are noticeably quieter and easier to snag last-minute.
September and October are the hidden sweet spot. Crowds drop after Labor Day, fall color hits the maple-lined trail sections, and temperatures are still comfortable. Reservations open up quickly.
The main campground closes in winter. Smith Creek Village stays open year-round. Trails remain open and the falls run strong after heavy rains. A quiet, dramatic time to visit on a day trip.
Which Sites Are Worth Booking?
Not all sites are equal. Here is what to know before you pick.
38 back-in sites can handle rigs up to 83 feet. Loop A only handles 33 feet. Both loops have full water and electric hookups. If you have a rig over 33 feet, Loop B is your only option.
Sites tucked further into the tree canopy offer more separation from neighbors. Check the campground map on ReserveAmerica and look for sites away from road intersections and restroom buildings.
Cabins 1 through 10 remain available during off-season periods when other sections may close for maintenance. Best option if you are booking a late-season or shoulder-season stay.
Sites immediately next to restroom buildings are the last to book for a reason: foot traffic starts early and runs late. Worth skipping unless everything else is gone.
Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the campground and on most trails including the Trail of Ten Falls. Leashes must be 6 feet or shorter at all times. Dogs are not permitted inside the cabins but are welcome at tent sites, RV sites, and Smith Creek Village. Keep dogs out of waterfall pools and clean up after them.
Lower South Falls, one of ten waterfalls on the park’s signature trail loop.
Things to Do at Silver Falls
The campground is the base. Here is what fills the rest of the day.
Silver Falls is home to deer, elk, black bears, and a wide range of bird species. Early morning walks along Silver Creek and the forest edges offer the best sightings. The old-growth sections near the canyon walls are particularly active at dawn and dusk.
Silver Creek runs through the park and offers trout fishing in designated sections. Swimming in the waterfall pools is not officially permitted due to safety hazards, but wading in calmer creek sections is possible. Water stays cold year-round.
Over 20 miles of multi-use trails are open to mountain biking and equestrian use. The trails wind through second-growth forest away from the main waterfall corridor. Horse campers can access the network directly from Howard Creek Horse Camp.
What to Pack for Silver Falls
This park has specific conditions worth packing for: waterfall mist soaks the trail in spring, creek crossings can be slick, and nights get cold even in summer.
- Rain jacket (essential even in summer)
- Waterproof hiking boots or trail runners
- Wool or synthetic base layer
- Warm mid-layer fleece
- Gaiters for spring trail conditions
- Wool socks, at least 2 pairs
- Dry clothes stored in a dry bag
- Tent with solid rainfly
- Sleeping bag rated to 30 degrees or lower
- Sleeping pad (ground stays cold)
- Firewood (purchase at the park, no outside wood allowed)
- Camp stove and fuel
- Bear canister or hang bag for food
- Headlamp and extra batteries
- Offline trail map downloaded before arrival
- 2 liters of water per person
- Trekking poles for steep sections
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Snacks for a 3 to 4 hour hike
- Camera in a waterproof case
Tips for a Better Trip
Summer weekends book out within hours of the 6-month reservation window. Set a reminder for midnight, 6 months before your target date, and log in to ReserveAmerica before morning. Midweek sites stay available much longer.
Cell service is unreliable throughout the park. Download the Oregon State Parks map, the Trail of Ten Falls route, and your driving directions before leaving home. The South Falls Lodge has free WiFi once you are inside.
One of the biggest perks of staying at the main campground is walking directly to the Trail of Ten Falls. Day visitors compete for limited parking lots. Campers skip all of that. Start your hike by 8 am to beat the day-use crowd.
Oregon has invasive pest regulations that prohibit bringing firewood from outside the local area. Firewood is available for purchase at the park store. Do not bring wood from home regardless of where you live.
September and October offer manageable crowds, cooler temperatures, and fall color on the maple-lined trail sections. Spring (April and May) delivers peak waterfall flow and fewer people than summer weekends.
Silver Falls sees heavy use year-round. Pack out all trash, stay on marked trails, and respect wildlife. The trail behind South Falls is particularly fragile. Keep hands off the rock face and canyon walls.
How to Get to Silver Falls
Easy to reach from both Portland and Salem. The drive goes through open Willamette Valley farmland before climbing into the Cascade foothills.
60 miles south via I-5 to Salem, then OR-22 E toward Stayton, OR-214 S through Sublimity. Follow signs to Silver Falls State Park.
26 miles east via OR-22 E to Stayton, then OR-214 S. The park entrance is well-signed. Pairs well with a stop at the Oregon Garden in Silverton on the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
