Is swimming allowed at Silver Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Silver Falls.

Nearby gauge (Pescadero C) · 5 ft³/s · About average

Silver Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Silver Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Silver Falls. Dogs are allowed on 6-foot leashes in Big Basin's paved areas only and are prohibited from all trails and unpaved roads.

California • 60 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 16 other waterfalls also named Silver Falls, see below

Big Basin Redwoods State Park SP · SPR

Before you go

All trails to Berry Creek Falls, including the route past Silver Falls, were closed per Big Basin's May 2026 park information sheet. Check current status with the park at (831) 338-8860 before going.

Photo Credits (5)

niallkennedy CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

dmourati CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

mtnbkr1 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

navratil CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

dmourati CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

About Silver Falls

Silver Falls is a roughly 60-foot waterfall on Berry Creek in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, just below the Golden Cascade and upstream of Berry Creek Falls. It lies on the park's Berry Creek Falls loop, a long backcountry route rather than a short walk. As of the park's May 2026 information sheet, all trails to Berry Creek Falls are closed while recovery and repair work continues.

The Setting

Silver Falls sits at 676 feet within Big Basin Redwoods State Park, in the foothills of California. The falls drop 60 feet.

Height: 60 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Castle Rock Falls (80 ft) lies 9.7 miles to the east. Also nearby: Berry Creek Falls (65 ft, 0.6 mi).

Castle Rock Falls Berry Creek Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

Silver Falls is on the Berry Creek Falls loop in Big Basin's backcountry, upstream of Berry Creek Falls. These trails were closed as of May 2026.

What to Expect

The falls drop 60 feet.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and slight inclines.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Silver Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed
Dogs are allowed on 6-foot leashes in Big Basin's paved areas only and are prohibited from all trails and unpaved roads.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fees are required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Silver Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit Silver Falls is in the spring or early summer when the water flow is strongest. Fall is also a great time to visit for cooler weather and colorful foliage.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

Temperatures can top 100 degrees F on hot days, so carry plenty of water. Wet rocks near the falls are slippery.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Strong

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Pescadero C, 6.6 miles away, not on Silver Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

5 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

1 3 10 26

Based on 75 years of record

2.01 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

PESCADERO C NR PESCADERO CA

USGS 11162500

6.6 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 46 sq mi

Altitude: 67 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge PESCADERO C NR PESCADERO CA (11 km away).

Moderate confidence

Strong right now

5 cfs

↓ Falling

Today

Strong

5 cfs

10/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

5 cfs

6/10

Tue

Roaring

6 cfs

6/10

Wed

Strong

5 cfs

10/10

Thu

Roaring

6 cfs

6/10

Fri

Roaring

6 cfs

6/10

Sat

Roaring

7 cfs

6/10

Best window: Today — strong flow, partly sunny (trip score 10/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late January to mid April, peaking in March.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Loma Mar hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Silver Falls Frozen?

Updated about 17 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Silver Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 61°F to 53°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 9 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

1-meter lidar measures about 277 feet of descent through Silver Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 60 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 661 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 118 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 84 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southeast and catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Silver Falls near Loma Mar, California, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Silver Falls near Loma Mar, California, showing about 277 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing southeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 661 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 277 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southeast; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southeast).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Big Basin Redwoods State Park headquarters is in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Highway 236; the Rancho del Oso entrance is on Highway 1 near Davenport. Trails to the falls are closed, so confirm status with the park first.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Day-use parking is limited. Reservations are recommended on summer and holiday weekends and are the only way to guarantee entry.

Elevation

676 feet above sea level

Coordinates

37.177723° N, -122.270525° W

Land Management

Big Basin Redwoods State Park SP

Managed by SPR

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be muddy in some sections, especially after rain. Bring insect repellent during warmer months, and consider visiting early in the day to avoid crowds.