Camp Oregon recently had the opportunity to speak with the Park Manager at Silver Falls State Park. He walked us through the amenities that the park has to offer, including horse camps, their retreat center and access to the waterfalls. Listen to our full interview here:
Camping Silver Falls State Park Oregon
Camp Oregon: I’m talking to Kevin today. He is the Park Manager for Silver Falls State Park in Oregon. Kevin, why don’t you get us started with telling us how long Silver Falls State Park has been there and how it got its start?
Kevin: Silver Falls was established in 1933. And it’s formerly – Silver Falls City was a logging town here. It started in 1880 through the 1920s. It was completely logged over in that time, and then the State Park System. It was brought to the attention by a photographer named June Drake. They started filming the ten waterfalls on Canyon Trail here and was able to get the Board-men to adopt Silver Falls into the Park System.
CO: Okay. And what types of camping do you offer there?
Kevin: We have tent camping and RV camping. We also have 14 cabins. Four of them are pet friendly. We also have group camps, horse camps, and a full service retreat center in the Park.
CO: Pretty much anything that anybody could want. How many people does the retreat center hold?
Kevin: The retreat center holds up to 87 people.
CO: Okay, and tell me a little bit about the cabins.
Kevin: The cabins. We have the four one-room cabins that are pet friendly. They have heat, lighting, futon, and bunk beds in them. Also, a table and chairs. Then the rest of the tent cabins are two-room cabins with the same amenities.
CO: Okay. And what are the most popular activities for the guests in the Park?
Kevin: Hiking the Canyon Trail. There’s a eight-mile loop trail through the Park, and there’s ten waterfalls. Four of them you can walk behind.
CO: And what are some of your favorite attractions in and around that area outside of Silver Falls State Park?
Kevin: Silverton is a really neat community. It’s a very artistic community. It’s about 18 miles to the north. And there’s also another waterfall called Shellburg Falls off of Back Road, near Silver Falls State Park. It’s very little use, so if you want to get away from the crowds, that’s a good one to go to.
CO: Okay, two more questions for you, Kevin. If you could spend only one hour at Silver Falls State Park, how would you spend your time?
Kevin: I’d go into the Main South Falls day-use area and hike behind South Falls. It’s about a 25-minute loop walk, and I’d finish that up with a visit to our Nature Store and our Historic CCC-built lodge.
CO: Perfect. And if you could spend just one night at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon, which specific campsite would you choose and why?
CO: Okay, thanks for the tip. And Kevin, thank you for taking some time out of your morning to tell us about Silver Falls State Park in Oregon.
Kevin: Thank you.
