Is swimming allowed at Silver Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Silver Falls.

Nearby gauge (Chiwawa River) · 114 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Silver Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Silver Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Silver Falls. Leashed dogs are allowed on the Silver Falls trail.

Washington

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

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

Wenatchee National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

thepnw4life CC BY-ND 2.0 · Flickr

JusDaFax CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

FlyingColors (i) Contact CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

W. Tipton CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

jb10okie CC BY-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Moderate

Trail Length

1.7 miles

Trail Type

Loop

Elevation Gain

600 ft

About Silver Falls

Silver Falls is a wide, curtain-like waterfall over sheer rock slabs on Silver Creek in the Entiat River valley, in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The Silver Falls National Recreation Trail makes a 1.7-mile loop with about 600 feet of gain, reaching the main falls after about 300 feet of climbing. The trailhead is across Entiat River Road from Silver Falls Campground.

The Setting

Silver Falls sits at 2,982 feet within Wenatchee National Forest, in the hills of Washington.

Trail & Hike Details

1.7 mi distance 600 ft climbed

The Approach

The moderate hike follows Silver Fall Nat'l Recreation (#1442), a 1.7-mile loop trail over n/a. Expect 600 feet of elevation gain with grades of N/A.

USFS Trail

SILVER FALL NAT'L RECREATION #1442

Surface

N/A

Avg Grade

N/A

USFS Segment

1.22 mi

Trail Description

The loop starts at a junction about 0.1 mile from the trailhead. The right-hand branch is shadier and more popular and climbs to the main falls; the left-hand branch gets more sun. The full loop is about 1.7 miles with roughly 600 feet of gain and a high point near 3,050 feet. A fence behind the falls keeps hikers off the loose, sloping ground.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Silver Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Leashed dogs are allowed on the Silver Falls trail.

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

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall is most impressive with higher water flow. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while winter may bring snow-covered scenery but could limit access.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Wenatchee National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Stay behind the fence near the falls; the ground there is loose and sloped. Rocks near the water are slippery.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Strong

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Chiwawa River, 10.5 miles away, not on Silver Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

114 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

91 123 266 439

Based on 54 years of record

4.01 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

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

CHIWAWA RIVER NEAR PLAIN, WA

USGS 12456500

10.5 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 170 sq mi

Altitude: 2,097 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge CHIWAWA RIVER NEAR PLAIN, WA (17 km away).

Moderate confidence

Strong right now

111 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Strong

120 cfs

8/10

Tomorrow

Strong

121 cfs

9/10

Thu

Strong

119 cfs

9/10

Fri

Strong

137 cfs

8/10

Sat

Strong

142 cfs

8/10

Sun

Strong

138 cfs

8/10

Mon

Strong

134 cfs

7/10

Best window: Tomorrow — strong flow, mostly cloudy (trip score 9/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid April to mid July, peaking in June.

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 Manson hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Silver Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Silver Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 44°F to 35°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 109 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. See every frozen waterfall in Washington.

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.

The ground through the falls loses about 271 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 3,008 feet above sea level.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 102 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 369 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing southwest, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Silver Falls near Manson, Washington, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Silver Falls near Manson, Washington, showing about 271 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing southwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 3,008 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 271 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southwest; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

From Entiat on US 97A (15 miles north of Wenatchee), turn west onto Entiat River Road and drive about 29.5 miles; the road becomes Forest Road 5100 at about mile 27. The large parking lot is on the left just east of Silver Falls Campground, with the trailhead across the road.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Large lot with a privy just east of Silver Falls Campground. A Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful pass is required.

Hours

Elevation

2,982 feet above sea level

Coordinates

47.961697° N, -120.532610° W

Land Management

Wenatchee National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Paved access a few feet up the road bypasses the stairs at the start. The nearby Silver Falls Interpretive Trail is a flatter option.

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With 1.7 miles and 600 ft of elevation gain, sturdy boots and trekking poles will help on this moderate trail. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag

Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.

Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)

Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.

Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof

Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.

TrailBuddy Trekking Poles

Lightweight aluminum, cork grips, and flip-locks that actually hold — a best-seller for good reason.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

SILVER FALLS GROUP SITE

0.3 miles away · 1 sites

Walking distance Reservable

Overview Silver Falls Group Campground sits in forested, mountain terrain on the banks of the Entiat River in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in the Entiat Ranger District. The cascading water of Silver Falls is a draw for many visitors to this particular area, which is especially refreshing in the summer heat. The Silver Falls National Recreation Trail is an exceptional family hike taking you up, around and down the falls. Panoramic views of the surrounding mountains await you on the hike

Book on Recreation.gov