Silver Falls and Oregon rain

While the Oregon coastline gets rave reviews from all visitors, as it should, the interior of the state is equally impressive. From coastal range mountains to lush forests to rolling wheat fields to high desert, there are photographic compositions for all tastes.

Located less than an hour east of Salem is the splendid Silver Falls State Park. This park is Oregon’s largest, at almost 9,000 acres, and is a spectacular setting for lovers of waterfalls. The Canyon Trail, or Trail of Ten Falls, is about eight miles long and leads you on an extended tour of Silver Creek Canyon where you encounter ten waterfalls along the north and south forks of Silver Creek, each one a unique photographic opportunity.

The trail actually passes behind four of these falls, taking you into the amphitheater-like setting of moss-covered rock walls, providing an added flair to the forest trail.

In order to best capture beautiful waterfall photographs, there are several things you can do to help achieve satisfactory images. First, if your schedule and the weather allow, try going out with your camera on a cloudy or overcast day. In the lead photo to this article, the famous Oregon rain was falling that combined with an expanded waterfall spray zone, compliments of a light wind. These factors all created the challenge of keeping the lens dry during a 17 second exposure. The effort paid off, creating an image with rich color saturation, low contrast, and the dreamy effect of the falling water.

Second, try positioning your camera and tripod near water level, just downstream from the waterfall. You’ll have the proper perspective for your camera to do its job, and with a foreground object or two, you’ll be able to help create a sense of depth to your photograph. While trail conditions sometimes limit this option, keep the thought in back of your mind. A quality pair of river shoes are recommended any time you feel the need to photograph near water. This will provide the opportunity for dry shoes and feet once you step back onto dry land.

If you’re using a digital SLR, then you have instant feedback as soon as you squeeze the shutter. This is a great advantage for Also remember that if you want to capture that dreamy like effect to your waterfall images, a tripod is a necessity for the long exposures required.

There are overnight facilities at the park consisting of group camp areas, trailer and tent areas, and RV, cabin, and tent camping in the overnight campground. The Oregon state legislature enacted new state park camping rules, effective October 1, 2009. Make sure you have the latest information before you plan an overnight outing to this, or any other, state park in Oregon.

The Silver Falls Conference Center, located inside the state park, is ideally set up for conferences, workshops, reunions and overnight retreats, and can handle groups up to 76 people. Also available through the center are cabins tucked into the forest, convenient to the center. All conference center related reservations can be handled through its website.

With 25 miles of hiking trails in the park, there’s room enough to enjoy the scenery without feeling crowded.