About
Length3 mi
ShapeLoop
DifficultyModerate
Elevation gain300 ft up
Typical time2 hr
TrailheadOhanapecosh Campground
SurfaceForest loop beside the river
Best seasonThis trail is typically hikeable from May to October. The Ohanapecosh area is not accessible by vehicle during the winter months.
DogsNot allowed
AccessibilityThe Silver Falls trail is relatively flat but has some small hills. It is made up of sections of smooth dirt path, as well as sections with boardwalk, bridges, small rocks, and tree roots.
What you'll see 💧 Waterfall🌊 River or creek🌲 Old growth

In 2026, the Silver Falls Trailhead in the Ohanapecosh Campground is CLOSED due to the Ohanapecosh Construction Project . Please note: Silver Falls can be accessed from the Grove of the Patriarchs parking lot via the Eastside Trail . The portion of the trail connecting to the Ohanapecosh Campground is closed and the Silver Falls Trail cannot be hiked as a loop . The two sides of the trail on either bank of the Ohanapecosh River can be hiked as out-and-back routes only. The Silver Falls Loop Trail is a moderately-strenuous round trip loop trail, heading up one side of the Ohanapecosh River and returning down the other side. It gains 500 feet of elevation, making it popular with families and an excellent option for many ages and abilities. Starting at Ohanapecosh Campground, choose your own adventure by going clockwise or counterclockwise. Hikers can begin their journey from Loop B (near the visitor center), or across the river near the campground amphitheater. The trail runs parallel to the Ohanapecosh River before crossing it, leading hikers to a bridge with a stunning view of Silver Falls. The turquoise water churns below, turning white as the water rushes around rocks, and between the eroded walls of the small canyon. The trail continues along the other side of the Ohanapecosh River, leading hikers back to the campground. Caution : Do not approach the river's edge or jump in near the falls. Rocks along the river are slippery and the water is turbulent and dangerously cold. Supervise children closely and stay behind barriers. Although there is no wilderness camp in the area surrounding Silver Falls, the Ohanapecosh Campground is available for visitors who wish to camp in the vicinity. For those who prefer to hike to a trailside camp rather than stay in a drive-in campground, wilderness camping permits are required. Permits, backpacking information, fishing regulations, and current trail conditions for the area are available from the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center. Permits and information are also available park-wide from wilderness information centers, ranger stations, and visitor centers. Trail Statistics Distance, round trip: 3 miles Elevation gain: 500 feet Hiking time, round trip: 2 hours Wilderness Camps: None Rules & Regulations Pets are not allowed on trails No campfires (backcountry stoves are okay) No bicycles on trails Pack out trash Do not feed or disturb wildlife Do not disturb any natural, cultural, or archeological features Permits are required for all overnight wilderness use in the park, and for travel on glaciers above 10,000 feet

Tips
The water is an extraordinary blue-green. Do not climb on the rocks around the falls - the current here has killed people.
Location

Ohanapecosh Campground

Other Hikers
No one has logged this trail yet.
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Trail data: USGS National Map / PAD-US, the National Park Service, state agencies, and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Access and conditions change — check with the managing agency before you go.