Golden and Silver Falls is a 4.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near North Bend, Oregon that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
hiking
forest
river
waterfall
muddy
washed out
The last 10+ miles drive in to the trailhead you will need to drive slowly, maybe 20 mph with a regular car, since there is a gravel road with many potholes, some pretty deep. A pickup or SUV would be recommended.
Lovely little hikes. Not too difficult or taxing. Perfect place to get out of the summer coastal fog and enjoy a bit of warmer weather.
The hike to Silver falls (left from trailhead) was great! Short and relatively easy hike once you make the windy drive. I kept our two year old in the pack with all of the climbing over boulders and slippery rock once you get to the falls. Beautiful!
Road out to the hike gets to one lane and is gravel and dusty, have to watch out for other drivers. Parking lot fits maybe 10 cars and there are picnic benches and toilets (though when we went the bathrooms were beyond filthy and doors didn't lock). Going right as you enter the upper falls hike (after the bridge) will take you to the base of the upper falls after a short easy walk, but you have to cross/climb some rocks and the stream to get a good look. Going left at the trail head is the longer actual hike to see the other falls that you can get right next too, thing it heads back to the top of the other falls. Beware this one takes you on a very high cliff face by these falls. I'd be questionable on that part being kid friendly. But the falls were worth it!
Glad the road is open again to the trail head. Golden Fall (to the right as entering) is very easy, flat, and not long. Small kids and your grand parents will like this one. Silver Falls to the left is longer and trail is steeper. All the right time of year, the water volume is very impressive and exciting. These are our "go to" hikes for out of down visitors in the Coos Bay vicinity.
Fun hike with my nine-year-old.
You no longer have to hike the road--it's a V-shaped hike instead of a Y
We hiked the upper Golden Falls trail. This is by far the best hike. It continues well past the top of the falls, though the trail peters out occasionally. Looks like
It follows a pioneer road after a while.
Anyone know?
The road is now open all the way to the trailhead. Spectacular views of two large waterfalls. There is a lot to see along the trail--native plants, small wildlife, creek views, etc. With several trail options of varying lengths a picnic area and a vault toilet at the trailhead, I felt this was a great family outing for all ages.
Parents with young children should be aware there are cliffs at the end of the upper trail. The trail itself is relatively wide at that point so you should be fine if they stay close. Our little ones (5 and 3) did well and enjoyed the view immensely but I would not recommend attempting that portion of the trail with unruly young daredevils.
UPDATE FROM PREVIOUS POSTS --- the road is now open all the way to the trailhead. The concrete barriers 1.5 miles from trailhead are gone. The potholes in the road are fixed and it takes you to Golden and Silver State Park very near the falls. Picnic tables, fairly clean outhouse, and plenty of parking. This is no longer a 4.2 mile out and back, unless you want to walk on a gravel road instead of drive. At trailhead, about half mile or less to Silver Falls (the more spectacular of the two), and about one third mile to Golden Falls. Very easy hike suitable for kids and elder. Great scenery including old growth trees.
Beautiful scenery and well worth the trip. Easy to hike even with higher altitude.
Lovely hike! And laughing at Bill Jones who turned around because he misread the 1.5 mile sign for 15 miles...
Beautiful, easy hike in, great for a picnic with the family!
We went in late March. It's has been a wet winter, so the trails were pretty muddy, wear shoes/boots that can get wet.
Two separate trails lead out from the small parking lot. The one on the left goes to Silver Falls, and the right side leads over a small bridge and goes to Golden Falls.
We only went to the bottom of both, but a separate trails leads to the top of Golden. To get to the top, take the left fork after you cross the footbridge near the parking lot.
Both Golden and Silver Falls trails are very easy and pretty short. For Golden Falls the trail ends at boulders that you can crawl over to get a better view. I liked the view towards the right, nearer the creek.
Silver Falls trail is more up hill, but nothing too hard. There was so much water coming over the Falls that we couldn't get all the way to the bottom without getting soaked, but the view is still spectacular.
Having seen photos of what the Falls look like in the summer, I'd highly recommend going in Spring. No comparison. The roar from the huge amount of water cascading over the top is amazing in itself. Golden Falls, along with the beautiful stream rushing by you at the bottom, is truly breathtaking.
Well worth the trip out of Coos Bay to see them. The only bad thing I can think of is the toilets near the parking lot. VERY poorly maintained. Broken seats, filthy, and the doors won't even close. Gross to even go in them.
Sharon D.
Amazing beautiful hike! Well worth the drive!
The All Trail App is WRONG on where the trail starts. The sign says to drive another 15 MILES & that's down a 1 lane pothole riddled road. Since I was in an RV, I had to turn around.