Hiking to Silver Falls in the Washington Cascades

Looking for more to explore near Silver Falls?
Try camping overnight at Lake Creek Campground on the Entiat River, or going for a swim at Entiat Falls.

CURRENT INFO

Current information and reviews for Silver Falls are available on the Washington Trails Association (WTA) website. The hike is also included in the guidebook Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano.

GOOD TO KNOW

• The Silver Falls Trail is located on National Forest land, so an America the Beautiful pass (or other national parks pass), Northwest Forest Pass, or $5.00 day pass is required for parking. Be sure to purchase a pass ahead of time, as they are not available at the trailhead. I prefer the America the Beautiful Pass, as it covers the entrance fees for National Parks and other national lands throughout the U.S.
• Check ahead of time to see if you qualify for a free or reduced price pass — seniors, fourth graders and active military do!
• Trailhead parking is available on the west side of Entiat River Road, while the trailhead is located on the east. Look for a sign marking the start of the trail next to a beautiful stone staircase.
• A vault toilet is available at the trailhead.
• Pets on leash are allowed on the Silver Falls Trail.
• Bring water. There is no potable water at the Silver Falls trailhead, but it is available at nearby campgrounds, including the Silver Falls or Lake Creek Campgrounds.
• Hiking poles are recommended. The hike to Silver Falls is quite steep in spots. Rock stairs line the steepest sections, but there are some areas with sandy, slippery dirt.
• Hiking boots or shoes with good traction are a must.
• Bring sun protection on a clear day. Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are key on the open sections of the hike.
• The Silver Falls trail is generally open from spring through fall, and closed during the winter. Expect open dates to vary depending on snow conditions.
• The water level of Silver Falls varies throughout the season. We visited in late summer when the water level was low.
• Always follow Leave No Trace principles.

HIGHLIGHTS

Silver Falls is delight, its waters sparkling in the sunlight as they dance over the rocky cliff. On a sunny day, rainbows shimmer in its spray. The hike itself is surprisingly varied, delving first into the forest, then through open areas scarred by forest fires that are now bursting with fresh undergrowth. In the wake of these recent fires, mountains that were once obscured by the trees are now on full view.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

The varied terrain and chance to walk under misty Silver Falls make this an engaging hike for kids. It can be tough, however, and the trail near the falls lacks guardrails, so exercise caution when visiting with young children. For older kids, the stairs are a fun challenge, and several of the creek crossings offer fallen logs and rocky streambeds to explore.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

To reach Silver Falls, follow the Entiat Valley Road from the arid banks of the Columbia River to the forested slopes of the Cascade Mountains. Several Campgrounds dot the Entiat River, including beautiful Lake Creek Campground, where we stayed. From here, it’s easy to explore numerous multi-use trails, such as the South Tommy Trail or Myrtle Lake.

For a shorter, more gentle option, try the flat, 1.2-mile Silver Falls Interpretive Trail, located within Silver Falls Campground along the river. Whatever your plans are, be sure to stop at the beautiful Box Creek Canyon viewpoint, located between the Silver Falls trailhead and Lake Creek Campground.

The Entiat River runs cold and clear, and on a hot day it’s worth seeking out a good swimming hole. In late summer, Entiat Falls is a great choice. Check conditions before jumping in, and always look before you jump. When the river is roaring, it’s best to enjoy the view of this tiny but mighty waterfall from the shore. Stormy Creek Preserve is also a great place to go for a swim or a lazy float on the river.

A relaxing stay at Lake Creek Campground was the perfect way to unwind over Labor Day Weekend. But even a relaxing camping trip needs a little hike to round it out. For us, that hike was Silver Falls.

With the trailhead located only a couple of miles from our campground, this 1.5-mile hike (or 1.6 or 1.7, depending on your sources) was the perfect choice. Short and sweet, with the promise of a beautiful waterfall along the way — even with a late morning start, we would be done before lunch.

After a quick drive to the trailhead, I looked around for the trail. Somewhat confusingly, the trailhead is located across the road from the parking area. Fortunately, it’s well signed and begins with a gorgeous stone staircase drawing hikers into a magical fairy woodland.

OK, I didn’t see any fairies. But this wooden trail bridge is almost as magical! The Silver Falls Trail has a way of capturing your attention as soon as it starts, and recent trail work, like these bridges, adds to the allure.

A short uphill walk led to a second trail bridge, as well as a small viewing area with a bench. This trail offers an abundance of benches. Considering the climb that lay ahead of us, I’m sure those benches are well appreciated by many hikers. At this point, we couldn’t yet see Silver Falls, and didn’t realize just how high the trail would take us. A jumble of fallen logs covered much of the creek, so we decided it was time to move in search of better views.

After crossing the bridge, the uphill climb began in earnest. Stone slab stairs led us up a series of switchbacks, finally leading to a stopping point with a lovely view of Silver Falls. The delicate spray of the waterfall sparkled enticingly in the sunlight.

This was not the final view of the falls, however. There were more stairs to come. At the higher viewpoint, the trail split, with one path leading to the left. Then, just around the corner, Silver Falls rained down the mountainside to meet us. Rainbows appeared in the mist as if to lure us even closer. And closer we came, all the way under the main tier of the falls, where the water provided a cool respite from the increasingly sunny trail.

At this point, I want to add a brief word of caution. As you can see from the photo above, the trail leading under the falls has no guard rail, and the edge drops off steeply. Watch your step, and keep young children close at hand.

After taking a few minutes to enjoy the waterfall, we headed back up the trail. Yes, I do mean up. The main trail continues to climb, but if you prefer a shorter hike, this is a good place to turn around and head back the way you came. I’m guessing that most visitors do just that, as we encountered few hikers on the next section.

As we continued, the trail opened up to views across the Entiat River Valley. Forest fires had burned off many of the trees in this area, and new undergrowth was beginning to reclaim the land. Instead of stairs, we followed dusty switchbacks up the hill before ducking back into the woods to cross yet another bridge, this one located above Silver Falls. The waterfall isn’t visible from here, but it was a nice spot to stop in the shade and explore the shallow creek.

My younger son determined he didn’t want to leave this lovely spot behind, but I convinced him that the others were expecting us and we had to move on. What comes up must go down, and he promptly took of down the trail, easily passing me before we met the rest of our group. They were waiting at a final viewing platform for Silver Falls, this one with a bench and a stout railing.

Our hike to Silver Falls was nearly done, and I found myself marveling at the sheer variety this short trail has to offer. Waterfalls, forest, and Cascade Mountain views — there’s something for everyone as long as you’re willing and able to put in a little effort. While only 1.5 miles, the elevation gain will get your heart pumping. It was a great way to start the day in this beautiful corner of the Cascades.