Golden and Silver Falls State NPS

Hidden Waterfall Gem in the Oregon Coast Range — Two Dramatic Waterfalls in Old-Growth Forest Near Coos Bay, Golden Falls Plunging 160 Feet Over a Basalt Cliff and Silver Falls Dropping 200 Feet in a Fan-Shaped Cascade, Hiking Trails Through Ancient Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar Forest, Lush Fern-Draped Canyon With Moss-Covered Trees, Day-Use Only With Picnic Tables and Restrooms, Remote Access via Gravel Road From Highway 101, Near Allegany Coos County Southern Oregon Coast Range

Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area is a state natural area in the Coast Range mountains of Coos County, southern Oregon, approximately 24 miles northeast of Coos Bay, managed by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The site features two dramatic waterfalls — Golden Falls plunging 160 feet over a basalt cliff and Silver Falls dropping approximately 200 feet in a fan-shaped cascade, hiking trails through old-growth Douglas fir, western red cedar, and bigleaf maple forest, a lush fern-draped canyon with moss-covered trees creating a rainforest atmosphere, separate short trails to each waterfall viewpoint (0.5–1 mile each), day-use facilities with picnic tables and vault toilets, and a hidden gem that sees far fewer visitors than the more famous Silver Falls State Park near Salem.

The remoteness is part of the magic — the 24-mile drive from Highway 101 on a narrow, sometimes gravel road through the Coast Range filters out casual tourists, leaving this old-growth cathedral to those willing to make the journey. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended.

The old-growth forest surrounding the falls is some of the finest remaining in the Oregon Coast Range — massive Douglas fir and western red cedar draped in epiphytic mosses and ferns create a prehistoric atmosphere that feels unchanged for centuries.

Things to Do

• Golden Falls — 160-ft basalt plunge
• Silver Falls — 200-ft fan cascade
• Old-growth hiking — Douglas fir, cedar
• Rainforest canyon — ferns, moss
• Picnicking — sheltered tables
• Photography — dramatic light in canyon

Site Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Not to be confused with Silver Falls State Park near Salem — this is a completely different and far more remote site. While Silver Falls near Salem draws over a million visitors annually, Golden and Silver Falls sees a tiny fraction of that traffic, preserving its wild, undiscovered character. The best time to visit is winter and spring when rainfall maximizes the waterfalls’ flow and the forest is dripping with emerald moss.

Last updated: May 2026

Wildlife & Nature

Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Park Service Site — tucked deep in the Coast Range above Coos Bay — features two dramatic waterfalls in an old-growth forest canyon. Golden Falls (160 feet) is a thundering cascade; Silver Falls (200 feet) is a more delicate fan-shaped veil. The canyon’s old-growth Douglas fir and western red cedar create a cathedral-like atmosphere — some trees exceed 250 feet tall and 8 feet in diameter. The forest’s structural complexity supports northern spotted owls, marbled murrelets (seabirds that nest on ancient tree limbs), and Vaux’s swifts (which roost in hollow old-growth snags). Pacific giant salamanders — reaching 14 inches — are the world’s largest terrestrial salamanders and can vocalize with a bark-like sound unique among salamanders.

Nearby Attractions

Coos Bay — Oregon’s largest coastal city — has the Coos Art Museum and Egyptian Theatre (1925). Shore Acres State Park features formal gardens on ocean cliffs. Cape Arago State Park offers marine mammal viewing. South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve protects pristine estuary. Charleston fishing village has fresh seafood and charter boats. Sunset Bay State Park provides sheltered swimming. Oregon Dunes are 20 minutes north.