Lower North Falls is a 30-foot wide horsetail waterfall on North Silver Creek in Silver Falls State Park, Marion County, Oregon. It sits on the Canyon Trail, the route of the park's Trail of Ten Falls, and is the last major drop on North Silver Creek.
The falls
North Silver Creek spreads across a dome of basalt and slides down it in a single broad horsetail. At low water the flow splits toward the edges of the dome. The World Waterfall Database re-surveyed and measured the falls at 30 feet, the same height shown on the park's own trail map. The creek runs all year.
Getting there
The shortest approach starts at the Winter Falls trailhead on Highway 214: about half a mile down to the Canyon Trail, then half a mile downstream, with the viewpoint roughly 300 feet farther on. The full Trail of Ten Falls loop, which passes Lower North Falls, is 7.2 miles with 800 feet of elevation change, and the park rates it moderate.
Parking in Silver Falls State Park costs $10 per vehicle for Oregon residents and $12 for nonresidents in 2026; state annual permits ($60 and $75) are accepted, federal passes are not, and no timed-entry reservation is required. The South Falls and North Canyon gates are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in September, with shorter hours later in the year. Storm damage closed much of the trail system in early 2026; most trails reopened on April 24.
When to go
November through May is the best flow. The park warns that trails can be icy in winter, and fall color typically peaks in mid-October.
On site
The viewpoint is on the Canyon Trail beside the falls. The park closes the water within 300 feet above and below its waterfalls, with exceptions only at Double Falls and Upper North Falls, so there is no wading or swimming here. Pets are not allowed on the Canyon Trail or the Winter Falls Trail.
History and name
Kayakers know the dome-shaped drop as the Thunderdome. The Oregon Historical Society holds a photograph of Lower North Falls by June Drake.
Nearby
Double Falls, on Hullt Creek, and Drake Falls are each about 0.1 mile away, Middle North Falls is 0.3 mile, and Winter Falls is 0.6 mile on Winter Creek.
Distances are straight-line.