Silver Falls is a 259-foot tiered plunge waterfall on Silver Creek in Coos County, Oregon, protected in Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area in the Coast Range near Coos Bay. The World Waterfall Database counts it among the tallest waterfalls in the Oregon Coast Range, and its twin, Golden Falls, drops into the neighboring canyon of Glenn Creek.
The falls
Silver Creek leaps a sheer 223 feet off a rock cliff, then slides another 36 feet down an angled shelf, based on an in-person survey. The creek is small: flow is about 20 cubic feet per second at high water and 2 at low. In winter and spring the water fans out across the face of the cliff; by summer it shrinks to a trickle.
Getting there
The natural area lies at the end of a 24-mile drive from Highway 101; the final 3 miles are a single-lane gravel road. It ends at a small parking and picnic area on the banks of Glenn and Silver Creeks. From there, the far-left trail leads about a quarter mile to views of Silver Falls. AllTrails measures the combined walk to both waterfalls at 1.2 miles round trip with 180 feet of gain and rates it easy. There is no fee or permit, and the area is open for day use year round.
When to go
Winter and spring bring the strongest flow, powerful then with a lighter spray in summer. In drought summers the creek can run entirely dry.
On site
A rough route continues to the base, past a couple of large fallen trees; it is very muddy and slick when wet. The trail is dog-friendly on leash, and a 2025 visitor there reported a pit toilet. The picnic area sits in the shade of big maple, alder and Oregon myrtle trees.
History and name
Coos County deeded 17.27 acres around the falls to the state in 1938. Silver Falls is the official name; it was possibly chosen to pair with Golden Falls, which honors Dr. C. B. Golden, an early visitor.
Nearby
Golden Falls is about 0.3 mile away, and a 1.4-mile trail climbs to its top. Darius Creek Falls is about 0.7 mile away and Hewett Falls about 2.3 miles.
Distances are straight-line.