Peak Northwest

Exploring the backcountry of Silver Falls State Park


Listen Later

If you’ve only ever seen the waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park, you may be missing out.

While most visitors to Oregon’s waterfall wonderland are content to stick to the famous Trail of Ten Falls, there are also more than 35 miles of backcountry trails to explore, winding their way through the bulk of the 9,200-acre state park.

A day or overnight trip to the backcountry is an easy way to find solitude in one of Oregon’s busiest parks, whether you’re hiking, mountain biking or riding horseback. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we’ll take you to the trails, cabins and trees that make up this quiet adventure.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

  • The backcountry at Silver Falls is extensive, but considerably less explored than the main part of the park.
  • The Buck Mountain Loop is a great way to see a big chunk of the backcountry.
  • Cabins at Smith Creek Village are a nice alternative to the state park campground.
  • The Howard Creek Loop is an easy hike for those who want to dip their toes into the backcountry.

  • Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

    -- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Peak NorthwestBy The Oregonian/OregonLive

    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5

    4.5

    106 ratings


    More shows like Peak Northwest

    View all
    Science Friday by Science Friday and WNYC Studios

    Science Friday

    6,055 Listeners

    Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! by NPR

    Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

    38,617 Listeners

    Marketplace by Marketplace

    Marketplace

    8,595 Listeners

    Fresh Air by NPR

    Fresh Air

    38,176 Listeners

    Open to Debate by Open to Debate

    Open to Debate

    2,133 Listeners

    Think Out Loud by Oregon Public Broadcasting

    Think Out Loud

    265 Listeners

    Planet Money by NPR

    Planet Money

    30,877 Listeners

    Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

    Freakonomics Radio

    32,066 Listeners

    99% Invisible by Roman Mars

    99% Invisible

    26,155 Listeners

    Slate Money by Slate Podcasts

    Slate Money

    1,017 Listeners

    Outside/In by NHPR

    Outside/In

    1,440 Listeners

    OPB Politics Now by Oregon Public Broadcasting

    OPB Politics Now

    220 Listeners

    Explore Oregon Podcast: The state's most beautiful places and biggest issues by Zach Urness / Statesman Journal

    Explore Oregon Podcast: The state's most beautiful places and biggest issues

    111 Listeners

    City Cast Portland by City Cast

    City Cast Portland

    170 Listeners

    The Recipe with Kenji and Deb by Deb Perelman & J. Kenji López-Alt

    The Recipe with Kenji and Deb

    459 Listeners