Overview

• Location: Marion County, Silver Falls State Park

• Waterfall Type: Horsetail

• Height: ~31 feet (9 m)

• Trail Distance: ~3 miles from South Falls trailhead; ~1.3 miles from North Falls Trailhead

• Difficulty: Medium

• Best Time to Visit: Year-round; best flow winter and spring

History & Background

Twin Falls is a 31-foot horsetail in Silver Falls State Park on North Silver Creek, one of ten named waterfalls on the celebrated Trail of Ten Falls. While modest in height compared to the park’s signature falls, Twin Falls has a distinctive character — its wide, spreading horsetail fans across a mossy basalt ledge above a pleasant pool. The name ‘Twin’ refers to a second, parallel flow that appears during periods of very high water when a secondary channel fills alongside the main falls. Twin Falls is located between Middle North Falls and North Falls on the Trail of Ten Falls loop, and is part of the North Silver Creek drainage accessible from the North Falls Trailhead.

Geology

Twin Falls spreads as a 31-foot horsetail over the 15-million-year-old Columbia River Basalt at approximately 1,300 feet elevation on North Silver Creek. Like all ten falls in the park, Twin Falls reflects the same geological process: hard basalt over softer underlying sandstone, with the softer material eroding to create the characteristic cave-like amphitheaters. Twin Falls’ secondary channel — visible only at high water — reflects the way Silver Creek splits around a central rock rib during flood conditions. The circular indentations in the cliff nearby are tree casts, formed when ancient lava flows hardened around burning trees.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Silverton, OR (~14 miles northwest); Salem, OR (~35 miles west)

• Trail Information:

  • Twin Falls is part of the Trail of Ten Falls loop (~3 miles from South Falls trailhead) and the Winter Falls Loop (~1.3 miles from North Falls Trailhead); it is encountered between Middle North Falls and North Falls on the North Silver Creek drainage

  • The full Trail of Ten Falls is 7.2 miles; shorter Winter Falls Loop (5 miles) includes Twin Falls; no dogs on the Canyon Trail

• Parking:

  • North Falls Trailhead (closer approach, pit toilets) or South Falls Day Use Area (full facilities, day-use fee); arrive early on spring and summer weekends

• Accessibility:

  • Not wheelchair accessible on the Canyon Trail — natural surfaces with canyon descent; the paved North Rim Trail provides an accessible viewpoint of North Falls nearby

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Full flows; the secondary ‘twin’ channel may appear during very wet conditions; park at its most lush

• Summer: Lower flows; popular park season; pleasant hiking in the canyon

• Fall: Flows return with October rains; brilliant fall maple color in the canyon; fewer crowds

• Winter: Full flows; park open year-round; icy conditions near falls

Nearby Attractions

• Middle North Falls (106 ft, walk-behind)

• North Falls (136 ft, walk-behind)

• Drake Falls (27 ft)

• Double Falls (184 ft, park’s tallest)

• South Falls (177 ft)

References

• Links:

  • Oregon State Parks – Silver Falls State Park

  • Travel Oregon – Silver Falls State Park

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest