Nature Trail

The Nature Trail at Silver Falls State Park offers an easy and enjoyable walk through the woods for hikers (no horses or bikes are allowed on this trail). This loop trail is just over a mile in length and circles around the campground area. Campers have easy access to the trail, but non-campers are also welcome to use the trail and will find a small parking area just before the campground area. If hiking clockwise, the Nature Trail begins by following the South Fork of Silver Creek into the forest. The mellow trail wanders amongst tall Douglas firs and green vegetation including ferns and even huckleberries. The landscape opens up a bit afterward, and around the halfway point you'll reach a wildlife viewing blind. This wooden structure overlooks a small meadow area where you may just spot some deer or birds. Some bear scat was also present in this area during my hike. Right after the blind is a trail junction, be sure to stay on the Nature Trail to the right. The trail reenters the forest and crosses a picturesque wooden footbridge. You'll begin to hear some noise from the campground during this last stretch of trail. Finally the Nature Trail exits into the campground where you'll continue ahead on the paved road for a very short distance back to the trailhead parking area.