Silver Falls State Park
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Silver Falls State Park is the largest state park in Oregon with an area of more than 9,000 acres, and it includes more than 24 miles of walking trails, 14 miles of horse trails, and a 4-mile bike path.
To reach the park from Salem, follow SR 22 east 5 miles to the Silver Falls exit, then follow SR 214 about 20 miles to the park. From Silverton, follow SR 214 southeast about 13 miles to the park.
DirectionsHabitat and Birds
While most of the park is woodlands and forest, there are plenty of open areas, which results in a wide variety of birds to be found. In spring it’s a great place to find warblers, vireos and woodpeckers, and it’s a reliable spot for Pacific Slope Flycatcher, Band-tailed Pigeon, American Dipper, and several species of owls. Spotted, Barred, Great Gray, Great Horned and Northern Saw-whet Owl, Western Screech-Owl and Northern Pygmy-Owl have all been recorded here. The Dipper often nests under the SR 214 bridge over Silver Creek just south of the visitor center.
At the south entrance to the park follow Silver Ridge Rd north along the eastern border of the park. Hermit and Townsend’s Warbler, Great Gray Owl, and Sooty and Ruffed Grouse can sometimes be found in the forest, and look for Western Bluebird and MacGillivray’s Warbler in the clear-cut areas.
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