South 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. From the parking lots, the trails to South Falls are very well marked and will lead to the top of the falls in under one quarter of a mile. The loop around the falls will add an additional third of a mile or so.South Falls is the highlight of Silver Falls State Park, and due to its proximity to the city of Salem, is likely one of the most popular waterfalls in Oregon outside of the Columbia River Gorge. The falls are produced where South Silver Creek plunges 177 feet over a huge overhanging basalt cliff with a large pool occupying the bottom of the amphitheater. While South Silver Creek isn't nearly as voluminous as North Silver Creek, South Falls will still swell to impressive volumes during the wet season and is without question the most powerful waterfall in Silver Falls State Park during the high water season. Like all the other waterfalls in Silver Falls State Park, South Falls is formed where the creek has eroded away at layers of lava flows. The stream bed above the falls is flat and very gentle and this allows the stream to spread out over a considerable width, similar to several of the other waterfalls in the park. The bedrock constricts ever so slightly at the top of the falls such that the majority of the water does funnel into a much narrower plume as it drops over the falls, but during high water periods the falls may still expand to as much as 50 feet in width, but nothing quite as pronounced as either Lower South Falls or Middle North Falls. South Falls is one of four waterfalls in Silver Falls State Park which features a trail passing behind the falls. Unlike at the other three waterfalls where this occurs, the overhanging cliff at South Falls is immensely tall, so it doesn't so much feel like walking through a cave as it does taking shelter under a high forest canopy. In several places where the trail does approach overhanging rock, there are many "skylights" visible in the rock, which were formed where the lava enveloped trees. As the lava cooled it hardened around the trees and then over time the wood decayed away, leaving empty holes in the cooled lava flows where they once stood. Visitors should take note that the pool below South Falls has been closed off from access following the 2005 death of a 14-year old boy who was apparently pulled under by the current generated by the falling water. Please observe the signs posted around the park which indicate the areas which are closed to travel.The waterfalls of Silver Falls State Park were discovered and named by local photographer June Drake in the late 1880's. South Falls was likely named such because it is the primary waterfall along South Silver Creek.