214 Trail Loop

Silver Falls State Park is well known for its stunning waterfalls and the Trail of Ten Falls. What many visitors don't realize is the abundance of backcountry trails that are also found within the park. One good hike is the 214 Trail, also open to bikers and equestrians. In this guide I'll describe how to make a 5 mile lollipop loop using the 214 Trail combined with sections of the Howard Creek Trail and Smith Creek Trail. Begin by parking at the 214 Trailhead, the first trailhead you'll come to within Silver Falls State Park. Follow the 214 Trail as it descends gently into the forest. This entire hike is perfect for forest lovers as it spends the majority of its time traveling through beautiful, dense forest. You'll soon come to a junction (with signage) for the Skills Station. Ignore this and continue straight. The 214 Trail continues descending slightly and will ultimately come to a junction with the Smith Creek Trail. This is the start of the loop portion of this hike. I'd recommend hiking it clockwise, so take a left here. After a very brief uphill you'll reach the top of the hill and begin descending, sometimes rather steeply. At the bottom of the descent you'll reach a junction with the Nature Trail. You'll continue straight (slightly right) here, but I'd suggest taking the very brief detour to the Wildlife Viewing Blind located on the Nature Trail. It overlooks a small meadow area and offers a good chance of viewing deer, birds or other wildlife. Continuing along the 214 Trail you'll next come to a road. Cross the road and immediately afterward take a right on the Howard Creek Trail. Follow this trail as it parallels the road. The next junction you come to will be just before a paved parking lot. Take a right toward the Smith Creek Trail. In a short distance you'll reach the Smith Creek Trail and take another right. This is the last stretch of the hike. The trail ascends, fairly gradually, until it again meets up with the 214 Trail. Continue straight along this familiar path until you find yourself back at the trailhead.