Kid-friendly hikes at Silver Falls State Park

By Lisa Smith, Freelance Writer Published: May 12, 2009 at 1:15 PM PST Last Updated: Apr 12, 2010 at 11:52 AM PST

NEAR SILVERTON, Ore. - When I first started to have kids, I thought I'd kissed all outdoor activities goodbye. After all, just packing and prepping for a simple hike sounded more like misery than the fun it was supposed to be.

But I eventually realized I didn't have to quit doing all the adventurous things I had been doing--I just had to tone them down a bit. For instance, instead of expecting to hike six miles on a deserted, cliffhanging trail--I had to walk safer and simpler paths.

Fortunately, Oregon has a plethora of these "short and sweet" kinds of trails. Just recently, my family traveled to Silver Falls, the largest of Oregon's state parks.

Situated just 20 minutes east of Salem (roughly 1.5 hours from either Portland or Eugene), this park has plenty of family-friendly trails leading to some pretty spectacular waterfalls. It's a very manageable day-trip for kids and parents alike.

What To See

This list barely cracks the surface of what there is to see at Silver Falls State Park. But with a lunch break included between the South and North Falls, the following plan takes about three hours.

South Falls - Not far from the main entrance of the state park is a scenic overlook of South Falls. However, taking the 2/10 mile trek to go behind the waterfall is well worth your time and effort.
North Falls Viewpoint - While driving east on Highway 214, there's a pull-off spot where you can take a quick peek at North Falls across the way.
North Falls - Further down the highway, there is a smaller parking lot which marks the trailhead, and it is just 3/10 of a mile to get to North Falls.
Upper North Falls - After returning to the parking lot, hike 2/10 mile in the opposite direction to reach the Upper North Falls.

What To Pack

When hiking with kids, the temptation is to pack for a 14-hour wilderness journey. But the truth is, the hikes mentioned above are each less than an hour, and on popular routes. So let someone else on the trail haul the compass and the Swiss army knife.

But here are some essentials you will want to carry:

Water - Use spill-proof containers, and take more or less depending on the weather and the intensity of the hike.
Food - Make sure everyone is fed before any hiking begins, which helps make the journey a more pleasant one. But having a small snack in your bag gives you a quick fix for a worn-out or upset little kid.
First Aid - Pack just the basics--bandages for minor cuts or blisters, sunscreen, and some wipes.
Camera - Carry just enough equipment to capture some nice pictures, but not so much that it becomes like an additional child.

What To Keep In Mind When Hiking With Kids

Attire - Because the temperature on the trail can be warm in the sun and cool by the falls, make sure to dress your kids in layers. Sturdy, closed-toe, non-slip shoes are a must not just for safety, but for comfort as well.
Ratio - Having one adult for each kid age four and under is ideal. There are areas that require close supervision, hand-holding, or carrying.
Bathrooms - At each of the trailheads for North and South Falls, there are restrooms. The ones at South Falls are inside the lodge, and quite nice. The one restroom at North Falls is an outhouse.
Schedule - Kids will have a far more positive hiking experience if they are well-fed and rested. For Silver Falls, I recommend hiking to South Falls in the morning, and then breaking for lunch. There are several picnic tables right around the lodge and the entrance to South Falls. Then the two small hikes around North Falls can be done right after the lunch break is done.

Where To Find More Info

Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon - This is a great book to have on hand not just for Silver Falls, but for many other hikes across the state.
Oregon State Parks and Recreation - The main website for information on trails, fees, and directions to the park. You can also view photos of the park as well as watch a video showing the more popular spots in the park.
Tips for Hiking with Kids - This site has lots of information on having fun while being safe in the outdoors with kids.

So pack up the kids and take a hike this year. Whether it's Silver Falls or another park in the area, you'll be glad you went on the adventure.

In her day job, Lisa Smith attempts to transform her three children from super-charged emotion-bombs into contributing members of society. And in her "free time," roughly 11:00-11:30 p.m., she saves the world (i.e. “writes”) via her website at www.stretchmarkmama.com.

Lisa's husband, Nathan Smith, is the photographer who provided the photos for this story. You can find out more about his work at www.crossmarkdesign.com.