Silver Falls State Park||Our first shot at camp hosting

We landed this afternoon at Ely KOA Journey, pretty much right in the middle of Nevada, elevation, 6500 ft. This is just a stop-over for a night, but it really is a nice campground. We plan to drive around this after and check out the town.

Ely KOA our site

From here we're heading north to Idaho. Our first stop is a place called Anderson Camp. We plan to spend a couple of days there so we can check out Shoshone Falls and what's left of Twin Falls

Anderson Camp Stock Photo

Top Panel

Jackie and the dogs

Our site

Looking up the road from our site

Jackie and me while out on a hike

Jackie's pose

Walking behind North Falls

Silver Falls has over 80 inches of rain anually

Looking down the road from our site

South Fork Silver Creek

Our Visit

Silver Falls State Park is another park that I've visited several times over the years to hike its miles of trails and have never camped here. I've been missing out. There are two loops to the campground. An older loop in which the trees are tall and numerous almost blocking the sun from hitting the campground, while the new loop has more open sites with smaller trees and lots of grass. Both are great. The campground also has several cabins as well.

Silver Falls on the map burned

Our visit to the park started on a very rainy Friday morning. On the way, we stopped and replace the deep cycle batteries in our coach. Then headed up a windy twisty road to the campground. We set up camp in the rain, not a big deal with our RV. On our first walk around the park with the dogs, Jackie noticed a young woman struggling to set up a large tent in the rain. She offered to help and the three of us got her set up. She had a friend showing up several hours later and I guess, setting up camp was up to her. Saturday after walking the dogs we went to town to find a bakery. No luck, but we had a great lunch at Mac's in Silverton.

Sunday it was lightly raining but decided to go hiking the falls trails anyway. The weather cleared up some and we had a great hike. However, shortly after we ate dinner on Sunday night it started to rain, and rain hard all night.

We returned to the campground a couple of years later. This time, we volunteered to camp host for a month. It was April and the first two weeks was rain and more rain, but the second couple of weeks the weather was better. Camp hosting turned out to be a lot of fun and we wound up volunteering for another couple of months at another Oregon State Park. As hosts, we were tasked with cleaning sites after people leave and before the next folks arrived. I wish that all campgrounds took the time to prepare sites. I can't say enough good things about state parks. We've had similar experiences at state parks all across the country.

Campground number twenty-one. October 7, 2016 (4 days) & March 30, 2019 (32 days)

Resort Information
Their Description
Amenities

Website:

oregonstateparks.org

Type: Oregon State Park

Address: 20024 Silver Falls Hwy SE,
Sublimity, OR 97385

Phone: 800-551-6949

Oregon State Parks

Park Overview

People call it the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system, and once you visit, you know why. Silver Falls State Park is the kind of standout scenic treasure that puts Oregon firmly onto the national—and international—stage. Its beauty, boundless recreational opportunities, and historic presence keep it there.

Waterfalls

Where else can you walk behind a waterfall? Check out the famous South Falls and see what a 177-foot curtain of water looks like from behind. It’s part of the Trail of Ten Falls, a spectacular, nationally recognized hiking trail that weaves through a densely forested landscape. The trail passes a series of breathtaking waterfalls along a rocky canyon and descends to a winding creek at the forest floor. This 7.2-mile loop is considered to be a moderate hike, with an overall elevation change of 800 feet. Several connecting trails with separate access points make shorter routes. For everyone’s safety— absolutely no pets are allowed on the Canyon Trail. Pets on a leash are allowed on all other trails.

Boots, bikes, paws, hooves

The park offers more than 35 miles of backcountry trails for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding (see guided ride info below). Bears and cougars live in the more remote park areas.

Daytime activities

The South Falls Day-use area has spacious lawns, barbecue stands, picnic shelters, tables, a playground, horseshoe pits, an off-lead area for dogs, and a charming creek. Ever since the opening day in 1933, visitors have been using these grounds for potlucks, family reunions, and weddings.

Overnight

The main campground has tent sites, RV spots and cabins. Bring your horse and stay in the horse campground. If you need an area for many people, the park also has group tent and RV camps, and the historic Youth Camp for up to 250 campers.

Campground

Book sites at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Reservations can be made 6 months in advance. Reservations are required for cabin stays.

48 electrical sites with water (18+ sites open year-round)
43 tent sites with water nearby (seasonal May–Oct.)
2 Group tent sites GROUP CAMP
14 cabins (7 pet-friendly, open year-round)
Flush toilets and showers
Universal Access: Campsites B2 and B4, four cabins, and campground restrooms/showers are accessible.
Dump station

Howard Creek Horse Camp (seasonal May–Oct)

5 primitive sites with horse stalls
Group site for 24 people and 12 horses

Smith Creek Village at Silver Falls

Visit Smith Creek Village to learn about additional lodging options, meeting venues, or intimate gatherings.

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