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Summer 2025

Behind the Waterfall

A NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF SILVER FALLS MEMBERS


Entrance Monuments

By Chelsea Sims, Executive Director

FOSF Board of Directors, Staff, and Park Manager Chris Gilliand

The entrance monuments are finally finished! This project has been in development for several years, and the Friends of Silver Falls are thrilled to be contributing approximately $40,000 to the design and construction.

More than simple entrance signs, these monuments serve as symbolic gateways, marking the moment visitors enter or leave this treasured public land. The stone framing echoes the historic masonry found throughout Silver Falls, while the wooden center and the iconic Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s shield blend modern design with timeless tradition.


What's Happening at Silver Falls This Summer

by Kim Maley, Park Interpreter

Summers at the park are great opportunities to discover even more about Silver Falls! Whether you are new to the park or a regular visitor, there is always something new to learn or explore. Browse the following opportunities the interpretive staff have provided to create those important connections to this amazing space!

Guided Hikes & Walks

Mondays: Rainforest Ramble

Go beyond the waterfalls and explore the wonders of the temperate rainforest in this hour-long walk on the Rim Trail.

Thursdays:

South Falls Plant Walk

Have you ever walked by a plant, tree, or wildflower and wondered what it was? Join a Friends of Silver Falls volunteer on this hour-long walk to identify species around South Falls area.

Fridays:

South Falls History Walk

Join an interpretive guide for this hour-long walk around Historic South Falls District to discover the whys and hows of why the park is what it is today!

Custom Walks

Not able to make it to one of the weekly walks? Contact Kim Maley to book a guided walk/hike that fits your schedule! Multiple walks available: plant walks, history walks, geology walks/hikes.

 

Discovery Tables

Swing by one of these engaging, interactive tables and discover more about the park on your way to see those fabulous waterfalls!

Discovery Tables are offered most Thursdays through Sundays throughout the summer at the Stone Circle in the South Falls District or the North Canyon Trailhead.

Topics range from Wildlife Petting Zoo to Let’s Talk Trash to Edible Berries at Silver Falls, and many more!

 

Historic Stone Kitchen Shelter

This historic building will be opened to the public every other weekend throughout the summer. Visit to learn about the historical and geological significance, explore woodworking and stone work tools, and maybe try your hand at a stone splitting demo!

 

In the Campground: Junior Ranger and Evening Programs

Not just for overnight campers!

Anyone is welcome to join these free, interactive, educational programs that offer park visitors insights into key features of Silver Falls!

Programs are offered Wednesdays—Sundays. Check the calendar for the program topics scheduled and consider an evening program for your next date night!

 

4th of July Parade

Join Silver Falls staff and Drakes Crossing Fire Department for our annual parade in the campground. The Decoration Station is open at 10:00 am to decorate bikes, dogs, children, or yourselves!

Location: B Loop JR Shelter in the campground (park in overflow spaces. Parking fee required.

  • 10:00 am Decoration station open and Fire Engine is available to explore

  • 11:00 am Parade begins

 

2025 Annual Star Party

Join us for the 2025 Annual Star Party at Silver Falls on August 16th! The event kicks off with some daytime activities in the South Falls Historic District. A solar scope, a Discovery Table, and a Solar System walk will be available from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

The evening activities will begin around 7:00 pm in the Pet Exercise Area and will include a bank of telescopes with their astronomers, an Astronomy Scavenger Hunt, a Dark Sky Discovery Table, Star Wheels, and a beautiful evening under the stars at Silver Falls State Park!


Thank you business sponsors!


Updates on the Emerald Ash Borer

by Matt Palmquist, Park Ranger 2

The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a destructive beetle from East Asia that targets ash trees. First spotted in Michigan in 2002, it has since killed over 100 million ash trees in the eastern US and was confirmed in Oregon in 2022. EAB lays eggs on ash tree bark, and the larvae burrow under the bark, damaging the cambium layer and disrupting water and sugar flow, leading to tree death within 3-5 years.

The EAB has now been sighted in the following counties: Washington, Clackamas, Yamhill, and Marion. Oregon ash trees are abundant in wet areas in valley bottoms, especially in the Willamette Valley, where they shade the water to keep it cool for fish and their roots help to stabilize streambanks. Silver Falls is home to three small ash stands – the largest in the South Falls District (Parking Lot F) with smaller stands at the North Canyon District and the Davidson Ranch.

Knowing how to identify an ash tree is the first step, and spreading the news about this pest is an important way to help. The biggest thing we can all do is not move firewood from one location to another, as this can unwittingly lead to spreading the infestation to new areas.

While there is no way to eradicate EAB, its spread can be slowed by following the guidelines below:

Firewood guidelines:

  • Buy locally harvested firewood at or near your destination (within 10 miles).

  • Buy certified heat-treated firewood ahead of time, if available.

  • Do not move ash, olive or white fringe tree firewood from Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas and Marion to anywhere else. When in doubt about the tree species, leave it out.

Park staff continue to partner with the Oregon Department of Forestry to bring awareness of this pest to park visitors through discovery tables and displays. Stop by the South Falls Lodge Naturalist Nook to learn more about EAB.

Read more and report EAB sightings here.


Campground Reopens

Silver Falls welcomed campers back several weeks ahead of schedule. A new bathroom in B-Loop and the paving in A-Loop have been completed. Campsites are filling up fast!

To book a campsite or cabin, visit reserveamerica.com.


Mother's Day Birding and Wildflower Festival

By Chelsea Sims, Executive Director

The Mother’s Day Birding and Wildflower Festival was an incredible success, made possible by our wonderful partners, dedicated volunteers, committed staff, and, of course, our enthusiastic visitors!

The festival included a native plant sale, discovery tables, wildflower show, live raptor presentations, guided birding and wildflower walks, and much more!

With the new concessionaire taking over the South Falls Theater, which was frequently used for interpretive events, programs, and field trips, we invested in a large, high-quality tent to ensure the park could continue offering these meaningful experiences for visitors. Fluctuating budgets and evolving park needs created an opportunity for Friends to fund the guest presentations at this year’s event. Thanks to a strong membership base (that’s you!) and steady Nature Store revenue, Friends of Silver Falls is in a better position than ever to support these meaningful programs and experiences.

If you weren't able to join us this year, be sure to save the date for next year. This annual event takes place every Mother’s Day weekend!

Thank you to our partners and volunteers!


2025 Tree Climbers Rendezvous & Summer Camps

by Leo Rosen-Fischer, Owner of Tree Climbing at Silver Falls

"A Festival for All" August 21-25 

The Tree Climbers Rendezvous is an annual international conference and festival organized by the non-profit, Global Organization of Tree Climbers (GOTC).This year, it is hosted right here by Tree Climbing at Silver Falls. As one of the largest gatherings of recreational tree climbers in the world, it brings together both new and experienced climbers to have fun in the trees, build community, share knowledge, learn, adventure, and network. Learn more about the event and register online here.

 

Summer Camps are also open for registration here.

Kids Camp, Ages 7-13, August 18-22

Teen Camp
Three Day Camp: July 28-30 Five Day Camp: August 11-15



Shop the Friends collection online!