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Activities
Silver Falls Information
Silver Falls is just upstream from Berry Creek Falls. However, the stream that feeds Silver Falls is much smaller, so be sure to visit in the winter or spring after a good rainstorm.
Watch for:
Huckleberry bushes and ancient, old-growth redwoods as well as redwood seedlings in the understory.
Hiking Details for Silver Falls
Distance: 10 miles
Elevation change: 2100′ elevation gain
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Trail surface: mixed
Best Season: Winter, spring (to see the waterfalls)
Managing agency: California Department of Parks and Recreation
Parking lot location: Click here for directions
Overview: From the park headquarters, follow the Sunset Trail to the Berry Creek Falls Trail to Silver Falls. Then retrace your steps.
The trail begins among dense huckleberry along Opal Creek, and then climbs out of the basin and winds through old-growth redwood and tanoak forest. Due to a fire in 2008 which burned a large portion of the understory, you’ll notice many redwood seedlings and a more open feeling than you’ll find in other parts of the forest.
Continue uphill past the beautiful Golden Cascade falls, following the Berry Creek Falls Trail. Watch your step at the top of Silver Creek falls; there is a chain to hold onto as you climb the rustic steps that have been carved into the rock.
Silver Falls Photo Gallery
More about Big Basin State Park
Founded in 1902, Big Basin Redwoods State Park is the oldest state park in California. In May of 1900, a meeting was held at Stanford University to discuss the land, which was threatened by logging. As a result of that meeting, a group of businessmen, journalists, environmentalists, and politicians founded the Sempervirons Club (now known as the Sempervirons Fund). The club worked with the state legislature to approve a bill to purchase the land, which became known as California Redwood Park (the name changed to Big Basin Redwoods State Park in 1927). Over the years, the Sempirvirens Fund has continued to push for conservation and land aquisition in the area, and has worked to develop the park and its trails, campsites and picnic areas.