Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. – 07/28/23 8:00 AM
SALEM, Ore— Visitors to Silver Falls State Park can now hike the new North Rim Trail, a ½-mile trail connection to an overlook of North Falls.
The new trail is six-feet wide with a compacted surface that is less than a 5% trail grade and less than 2% cross slope, making it more accessible than some of the park’s other trails.
Visitors can access the trail from the new North Canyon Day-Use Area. The new day-use area includes about a dozen picnic tables, 59 new parking spots, including 3 that are ADA accessible, and an ADA-accessible bathroom. It also links to the park’s nature play area (Visitors can also access the trail and viewpoint from the North Falls Trailhead, but from that direction, the trail is not as accessible for those with mobility concerns.)
“The new North Canyon Day-Use area is a tremendous addition to the park because it offers another destination for our visitors to start their recreation at Silver Falls State Park. The new trail also provides access to the Canyon Trail and the Trail of Ten Falls, while also adding a new and unparalleled view of North Falls,” said Park Manager Chris Gilliand.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) extends special thanks to all those involved in making this trail and the new day-use area possible. Volunteer organizations that worked on the trail include Friends of Silver Falls, Trailkeepers of Oregon, Salem Area Trail Alliance and Northwest Youth Corps. Oregon Lottery staff volunteered their time in a service day project. Friends of Silver Falls funded the design of the viewpoint and construction plans. Donations to OPRD’s Park Explorer Series helped pay for the trail and viewpoint construction.
The new day-use area and parking lot were made possible with GO Bond funding approved by the Oregon State Legislature in 2021, as well as Oregon Lottery funds. The Go Bond work at Silver Falls State Park will eventually include the new North Gateway campground with restroom/shower facilities and the North Gateway Visitor Center as well as infrastructure improvements such as water, electrical, and sewer systems.
Silver Falls is one of 11 parks with Go Bond projects funded by the generosity of the Oregon State Legislature, which approved $50 million in general obligation bond proceeds for Oregon State Parks in 2021. Learn more about the Go Bond projects on our website.
To find photos of the new trail and day-use area for publication, please visit the Silver Falls Go Bond photo gallery.
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