Lower South Falls
Marion County, Oregon
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 92 ft (28 m)
- Location
- Marion County, Oregon
- Access status
- State park trail from South Falls Lodge; walk behind the falls
- The walk
- 1.5 miles on foot from the South Falls Lodge Trailhead
- Ground & access
- Canyon trail with about 150 feet of irregular stone stairs beside the falls; wet and slippery behind the falls. No dogs on the canyon trails.
Lower South Falls is a 93-foot curtain on the South Fork Silver Creek that you can walk behind. From the South Falls Lodge area, take the trail down past the South Falls viewpoint and behind South Falls, then follow the Canyon Trail downstream through mossy forest for about a long half mile. The trail drops by switchbacking stone stairs to Lower South Falls and passes behind it in a large grotto. Return the same way or continue on the Maple Ridge Loop or the Trail of Ten Falls.
Plan your visit
South Falls Lodge Trailhead in Silver Falls State Park, Canyon Trail behind South Falls and downstream to Lower South Falls
Oregon Hikers gives 1.5 miles on foot from the South Falls Lodge Trailhead to Lower South Falls. Its Maple Ridge Loop, which visits South Falls and Lower South Falls, is 2.6 miles.
Canyon trail with about 150 feet of irregular stone stairs beside the falls; wet and slippery behind the falls. No dogs on the canyon trails.
Where to start
Main parking area at South Falls, past the toll booth, off Highway 214 in Silver Falls State Park.
Timing & water
Oregon State Parks says the park is open for day use year round. Flow is highest in winter and spring.
Before you go
Oregon State Parks day-use parking permit required: $10 for Oregon residents, $12 for out-of-state residents. Northwest Forest Passes and America the Beautiful passes are not valid.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Frenchie FallsSigned state park spur to a seasonal falls documentedMarion County, OR0.4 miSE
- South FallsPaved rim view and short loop behind the falls177 ft (54 m) · Marion County, OR0.5 miS
Drake FallsState park trail to a viewing deck documented26 ft (8 m) · Marion County, OR0.8 miE- Lower North FallsState park trail via the Winter Trail and Canyon Trail30 ft (9 m) · Marion County, OR0.8 miNE
- Middle North FallsState park trail with a side trail behind the falls105 ft (32 m) · Marion County, OR0.9 miE
Double FallsState park trail to the base of the falls184 ft (56 m) · Marion County, OR0.9 miNE
Winter FallsState park trail from a highway trailhead to the base of the falls135 ft (41 m) · Marion County, OR1.0 miE- Twin FallsState park trail to a side view of the falls30 ft (9 m) · Marion County, OR1.2 miE
- North FallsState park trail and stairs behind the falls135 ft (41 m) · Marion County, OR1.9 miE