Silver Falls Full Perimeter Loop

Silver Falls State Park is home to the Trail of Ten Falls, attracting visitors from all over the state and country. But the State Park is also home to a wonderful backcountry full of beautiful forests crisscrossed by a network of trails. This loop combines the Perimeter Trail, Catamount Trail and Canyon Trail to form a full loop around Silver Falls State Park. You’ll still hit the beautiful waterfalls, while also exploring the backcountry where few visitors go.

This loop can be started from a few different trailheads, but in this guide we’ll start from the North Falls Trailhead. From the parking lot cross the footbridge and follow the signs for Upper North Falls. Take a quick right on the Perimeter Trail. You’ll gradually climb your way up a series of mellow switchbacks.

The trail then mellows out for a bit before climbing a little more then reaching a junction with the Rackett Ridge Trail (continue straight on the Perimeter Trail). Next you’ll drop down to the South Fork of Silver Creek. This is the same stream that turns into waterfalls further down.

After a climb up you’ll come to a large junction area with the Buck Mountain and Catamount Trails. Here is where you’ll join the Catamount Trail and continue following it for quite a ways. This trail is fairly mellow with no big climbs. You may see a few mountain bikers here as it is a popular stretch to bike.

Continue on the Catamount Trail through lovely forest all the way to the Newt Loop Trail. Follow it for a short distance to the 214 Trail. Then follow the 214 Trail to the Nature Trail. You’ll see a wildlife viewing blind overlooking a small meadow just to the right of this junction. Go check it out, but then turn left and follow the Nature Trail to the campground.

At the campground you’ll turn left, cross Highway 214, and continue on a paved pathway. This pathway follows near the South Fork of Silver Creek. Continue to the last footbridge then cross the creek. You’ll be near the top of the impressive South Falls.

The final leg of this loop follows the Canyon Trail. Descend down to the bottom and walk behind South Falls. You’ll walk by several more waterfalls including Lower South Falls, Lower North Falls, Drake Falls, Middle North Falls and Twin Falls. Finally you’ll come to the impressive North Falls and walk behind it before making a short climb back up to the North Falls Trailhead and the end of the loop.