Silver Falls State Park Is The Single Best State Park In Oregon And It's Just Waiting To Be Explored
By Sarah McCosham|Published June 28, 2021
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
The Oregon State Parks are extraordinary, period. The Oregon State Park system is one of the most popular in the country, attracting over 51 million visitors each year to its 254 superlative parks. All of Oregon’s state parks are worthy of a visit; each and every one of them offers its own unique geography, geological features, climates (temperate rainforests in Oregon? You bet!), and experiences. But, today we’re playing favorites, which is why we’re naming Silver Falls State Park as *the best* state park in Oregon. This park is breathtakingly beautiful; it possesses many of the Beaver State’s unique features and wonders; and with an abundance of stellar trails and campsites, Silver Falls stands out as Oregon’s single best state park.
Silver Falls State Park is a vision; a portrait of pure, pristine, perfect Oregon beauty.
Widely considered to be the ‘crown jewel’ of Oregon’s state park system, this gem is located just outside of Salem, not far from both Eugene and Portland.
At 9,000 glorious acres, Silver Falls is the largest and most popular state park in Oregon, and it's easy to see why once you see all this wondrous place has to offer.
One of the most unique things about Oregon's state parks is how incredibly diverse they are. Even within one, singular park, you'll find a variety of ecosystems and terrain.
Silver Falls State Park, for example, is home to a lush temperate rain forest of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, Oregon grape, and other native trees and plants.
The camping at Silver Falls State Park is spectacular; if you're into pitching a tent and having an authentic experience in Oregon nature, this is the place to do it.
Of course, this Oregon state park is best known for its waterfalls, with South Falls the most spectacular, and the smaller North Falls and Middle Falls also oft-visited.
Middle North Falls is another of the park's collection of cascades. The 106-foot-tall waterfall takes the form of a series of narrow columns of water, creating a unique effect that looks almost too perfect to be real.
In the autumn, the fall foliage and filtered sunlight create a golden glow around this picture-perfect Oregon park, and the effect will totally take your breath away.
Do you agree with our choice of the best state park in Oregon? If not, which Oregon State Park is your favorite? Drop a comment below, or nominate it for a chance to be featured on the website!
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