Frenchie Falls

Silver Falls State Park straddles Highway 214 east of Salem and can be reached from either the north or south. From Salem, exit Interstate 5 onto Highway 213 eastbound and proceed 10 miles to Silverton. In Silverton turn right (south) onto Highway 214, following signs pointing to Silver Falls State Park, and drive another 15 1/2 miles to the South Falls area of the park. Alternatively, from I-5 in Salem drive east on Highway 22 to its junction with Highway 214, then follow Highway 214 for another 16 miles to the South Falls area. The spur trail leading to the Frenchie Falls viewpoint is found at the first switchback of the trail which leads to the bottom of South Falls. Depending on where you park (some parking lots may not be open during the winter) it will be about one-quarter of a mile to the viewpoint from the parking lot.Frenchie Falls is technically the 11th named waterfall along Silver Falls State Park's Trail of Ten Falls. The tiny stream, which drains from a small depression behind the Silver Falls Lodge, sprays 48 feet over a cliff next to the trail which descends to the bottom of nearby South Falls, and would otherwise be completely hidden if it weren't for a short spur trail which leads to a partially obscured view of the falls. Because of the tiny drainage are which feeds Frenchie Falls, it only flows during the wet season, and only flows with any sort of fervor after periods of prolonged rain or snow melt. Most years the falls are just a trickle by April and are totally dry by May.The waterfalls of Silver Falls State Park were discovered and named by local photographer June Drake in the late 1880's. Whether or not Drake discovered Frenchie Falls, we don't know. The falls were named for Roland "Frenchie" Lecompte, the assistant manager of Silver Falls State Park in the 1960's, however when the falls were officially named is not clear (though it certainly wasn't something June Drake was responsible for singling out).