Height: 177’
Located on South Fork Silver Creek
The most visited/photographed waterfall in the park
Geology: a great place to see the basalt layers from the Columbia River Basalt Flows. Three are easily visible in the canyon wall.
Walk behind to get a better view of how far the water from the falls has eroded the rock layers
Flow is at its’ peak January to April. You will get wet!
Lower South Falls
Height: 93’
Located on South Fork Silver Creek
A walk-behind waterfall
The trail cut behind the falls cuts close enough to get an up close and personal view of the back side of water.
Visiting in the Fall? Find a dry Big Leaf Maple leaf; toss it gently behind the waterfall in just the right spot and watch your leaf hover “magically” in mid air. Hit the sweet spot and the waterfall will toss your leaf back to you!
Lower North Falls
Height: 30’
Located on North Fork Silver Creek
This photo was taken in August while the flow rate is at its’ low point.
In the heart of the canyon, this spot is in one of the more serene stretches along the trail.
Lower North Falls is the last waterfall on the North Fork Silver Creek before the confluence of North and South Forks.
Double Falls
Height: 178’
Located on Hult Creek tributary just before the confluence with North Fork Silver Creek
Technically the tallest waterfall in the park! At 178’, Double Falls is a whopping 1 foot taller than South Falls
Double Falls is a tiered waterfall; apparently, ”waterfall-ologists” will count the total height as the sum of all its’ tiers. (So if I stand on my friend’s shoulders, do I get to say I am the tallest in the park?!)
This waterfall lives in a lovely little glen in the middle of the canyon that is well worth the trip
A seasonal waterfall which is mostly dry in the summer months
Drake Falls
Height: 27’
Located on North Fork Silver Creek
The only waterfall in the park named after a person
June Drake, as the early 20th century photographer who advocated for the preservation of this canyon, is definitely deserving of the honor!
Middle North Falls
My favorite waterfall!
Height: 106’
Located on North Fork Silver Creek
A walk behind waterfall
No railing behind this waterfall. Watch your step!
Great place to see a plethora of lichen species
Twin Falls
Height: 31’
Located on North Fork Silver Creek
A humble little waterfall that is difficult to see from the trail. Nevertheless, this 31’ drop in elevation adds it’s charm to the overall canyon effect
North Falls
A quick 5-minute walk from the North Falls Trailhead, this is the second most visited/photographed of the waterfalls in the park.
If you like geology, visit this waterfall; if you do not like geology, visit this waterfall to get excited about geology!!
look for the tree casts in the ceiling where the lava had started cooling around the trees in the ancient forest
check out the volcanic layers in the wall that show the geologic timeline so clearly
learn fun geology words like, “entablature” and find this cool feature in the canyon wall
North Falls 136’; North Fork Silver Creek
Geologic layers
Upper North Falls
Height: 65’
Located on North Fork Silver Creek
Dogs are allowed at this waterfall!
An easy 1/4 mile hike from North Falls Trailhead on a mostly level trail makes this waterfall a popular one for those short on time.
Winter Falls
Height: 134’
Located on Dry Creek tributary just above confluence with North Fork Silver Creek
Seasonal waterfall - the name Dry Creek says it all.
If visiting in the summer months, you will view some wet rocks and some interesting geology! (But at least we have a bench for you as you make the climb out of the canyon)
