Behind the Waterfall

A NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF SILVER FALLS MEMBERS

The Wednesday Wheelers Visit Silver Falls

by Jason Wagoner, Park Manager

Several years ago Silver Falls State Park opened one of its first trails with mobility and access inclusivity as a primary driver in design and construction, the North Rim Trail. While the trail has been a success, on June 20th Ranger John Hilbert, who played an integral role in construction of the trail, witnessed the impact a trail with a view can have. The Wednesday Wheelers, a group out of the Eugene area that utilize manual and powered mobility equipment, arrived to experience the trail and the North Falls Viewpoint at its terminus. Ranger Hilbert joined the group to provide some background and interpretation on the construction. He was also looking for feedback on the trail, bridges and the viewpoint for improvement and future projects. What he received was an inspiring experience on what thoughtful design and access to previously unavailable outdoor areas can mean to visitors. One of the Wheelers even stated “This is the first time I’ve seen a waterfall in real life”.

A note from the Wednesday Wheelers:

“Good Morning Jason,
I wanted to give John Hilbert a huge shout out for leading the Wednesday Wheeler Tour to the North Falls Overlook on June 20th. John was very welcoming, a great wealth for information in regards to the trail and the process of the design and build of said trail. John represented the goals of the Park and support of The Friends of Silver Falls! We applaud the Parks' desire to make certain trails inclusive!
Thanks for your good work!
Sincerely Loren Cushing”

Falls for All: A Visitor Center for Everyone

by Chelsea Sims, Executive Director

A new visitor center is coming to Silver Falls State Park

Building Exterior

Entrance & Fireplace

Entrance & Cafe Area

Interpretive Space

Community Meeting Room

Hallway Bathrooms

Located at the park's north entrance, the facility will become a welcoming gateway where visitors can learn about the park, plan their adventures, and discover what Silver Falls has to offer. Construction is already underway to transform an existing building into a modern, fully accessible visitor center. When complete, it will include interactive exhibits, a second Nature Store, a café, and a gathering space for educational programs and community events.

But this project is about more than a building. It represents a long-term investment in making Silver Falls more welcoming, accessible, and inspiring for every visitor.

Over the years, Friends of Silver Falls has worked alongside Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to expand access through projects such as the accessible North Rim Trail, North Falls Viewpoint, and accessibility improvements around the historic South Falls Lodge. These efforts have helped more people experience the park, but they’ve also revealed important challenges:

Many visitors don't realize these opportunities exist or how they connect to the rest of the park.
The historic buildings at South Falls are protected resources and cannot be fully adapted to meet the needs of today's visitors.

The visitor center provides an opportunity to address both challenges. Designed from the ground up with accessibility in mind, it will offer a welcoming place where visitors of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can begin their experience with the resources they need to explore the park with confidence. It will also encourage hikers to discover more of the park beyond the South Falls area, helping distribute visitation more evenly while preserving the character of the historic district.

The Vision

Fully accessible, interactive exhibits will introduce visitors to the park's geology, ecology, wildlife, cultural heritage, and stewardship initiatives. Orientation information will help visitors understand trail options, accessibility features, amenities, and interpretive opportunities before they begin their adventure.

The facility will also include a second Nature Store location, expanding the Friends’ capacity to reach visitors and fund programs and projects through earned revenue. It will have a gathering space for educational programs and community use, a café, and visitor services that make exploring the park easier and more enjoyable.

Most importantly, it will help people connect with Silver Falls. Whether someone is visiting for the first time or returning after decades, the goal is the same: to create a place where every visitor feels welcomed, informed, and inspired.

Falls for All Campaign

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has secured funding for construction and site improvements. Friends of Silver Falls' role is to fund the elements that transform the building into a meaningful visitor experience.

Through the Falls for All campaign, Friends of Silver Falls is raising funds for interpretive exhibits, accessibility features, furnishings, and other visitor experience elements. These are the features visitors will engage with every day. They are what will help a family discover an accessible trail, inspire a child to learn about local wildlife, or encourage a visitor to explore beyond the most familiar destinations.

A permanent donor recognition installation will be incorporated into the visitor center, celebrating the individuals, families, businesses, foundations, and organizations that make this project possible. Recognition on the donor wall will begin at the campaign's leadership giving levels, and we’ll be sharing more of those details as the campaign progresses.

Looking Ahead

Over the next few months, we’ll be sending updates to donors, members, and volunteers. Be on the lookout for special opportunities to tour the facility and meet the team bringing this vision to life.

Together, we're building more than a visitor center. We're creating a place where every visitor can begin their Silver Falls experience with a sense of belonging, discovery, and wonder. This is where stewardship is born, and how we ensure Oregon's crown jewel of state parks remains inspiring and welcoming for generations to come.

The Many Events Sponsored by Friends of Silver Falls

by Ann Kitchel, Board President

The Mother’s Day Wildflower and Birding Festival and the Winter Festival are park events visitors have been enjoying throughout the years. But the Friends supported several different and interesting events throughout its history. Here are a few:

Civil War Re-Enactments July 1989-1992

Over 200 people from Oregon, Washington and California participated in this 5-day event that included two battles daily, tours of the Union and Confederate camps, a fashion show and cannon demonstrations. The event attracted thousands of visitors each year.

Mountain Man Rendezvous July 1994-1996

Sponsored by the Friends and Willamette Long Rifles, this weekend event featured a model village and costumed fur trappers, a pistol and rifle shooting competition, a flint napping demonstration, dutch oven cooking and “tall tales of the mountain men.”

Music Festival Labor Day weekend 1997-1998

The Music Festival, a 4-day event staged at the Ranches, was a fund-raiser to help restore the South Falls Lodge. What an undertaking! It featured 350 ‘free-range” tent campsites, food and beverages, including breakfast, a wine and beer garden and musical performances throughout the day. Despite numerous logistical challenges, the first music festival in 1997 earned over $7,000.

Harvest Festival October 2002-2005

At this old-fashioned fall festival, visitors could decorate gourds, make bird nesting boxes and bob for apples while enjoying apple cider and homemade donuts.

Al Faussett Days June/July 1995-2008

Ah yes, we all remember Al Faussett, the daredevil who in 1928 plunged over the South Falls in a makeshift canoe and was severely injured but survived. To commemorate this famous event and the history of the Silver Falls area, Al Faussett Days included many historical demonstrations such as baking biscuits in the fireplace, churning butter, and spinning wool. You could learn how to stuff sausage and make sauerkraut. Al’s grandson was on hand to show a video of the 1928 spectacle. There were even mini canoe races over South Falls. The last festival was in 2008. As Louise Nelson, a board member of the Friends noted, “Al Faussett went over the falls in a canoe; it didn’t go well. We’ll have more things about the history of the area-pioneers, loggers and farmers.”

Historic Days 2010-2019

Logging Demonstrations

Chainsaw Display

Canoe Races

Historic Days celebrated the history of Silver Falls through logging demonstrations, horse-drawn carriage rides, historic automobiles, and traditions carried over from Al Faussett Days, including the South Falls canoe races.

Although the event came to an end during the COVID-19 pandemic, its legacy lives on through the summer Stone Kitchen Shelter tours. These tours continue to introduce visitors to the stories of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the homesteaders of Silver Falls City, and the people who helped shape the park we know today.

Thank you business sponsors!

Reopening the Canyon Trail

By Chelsea Sims, Executive Director

After months of closure following the 2025 December storm, visitors can once again experience the full Trail of Ten Falls. The storm brought down many trees and caused significant damage throughout the park, leaving sections of the trail system closed. Months of cleanup, restoration work, and careful planning were required to safely reopen the trails.

The reopening reflects a remarkable collaborative effort between park staff, Trailkeepers of Oregon, and the Salem Area Trail Alliance. Their combined work has made it possible for visitors to enjoy the complete Trail of Ten Falls just in time for summer.

On a personal note, I was happy to have the opportunity to visit with the trail crew on their final day working in the canyon. After months of physically demanding work, the group was full of smiles and gratitude for being part of this effort. What struck me most was that despite all they had already contributed, they were eager to find more ways to stay involved. To me, that embodies the spirit of Silver Falls, a place that inspires people not only to enjoy it, but to care for it and give back.

Thank you trail team!

Upcoming Events & Activities

Something fun and educational is happening just about every day at Silver Falls! Join a guided hike, a campground program, or special event. All activities are free, a $10 day-use fee is required. You don’t have to be camping at the park to stop by the Campground Amphitheater for an informative and fun presentation. Check our calendar for up-to date information and scheduled events.