Oregon’s beautiful waterfall hikes have just one problem: They’re so popular! If you hike on the weekends near Portland, OR, you’re bound to run into about a bajillion of your neighbors. Of course I can’t blame them—I’m out for the same reason—but recently we wanted a more low-key, kid-friendly hike. That’s why we tried Shellburg Falls, an easy hike near Salem, Oregon!
2020 edit: The trail to Shellburg Falls was burned in the 2020 Labor Day wildfires. Access to the waterfall is currently closed.
This 3-mile out-and-back hike takes you to gorgeous Shellburg Falls. What’s more, you can hike under the waterfall like at Silver Falls State Park, but without the hundreds of other visitors. (For details about visiting Silver Falls as well as other breathtaking spots in Oregon, see my post on the best day trips from Portland.)
This kid-friendly hike near Salem, Oregon was the perfect length for Max (4) and Edie (6). They had plenty of energy on the way up, and I only had to bribe them with M&Ms a few times on the gradual downhill to the Shellburg Falls trailhead. (M&Ms are my go-to treat to “entice” them to walk just a little farther. I dole them out individually and say the candy gives them energy!)
No matter how you bribe your little hikers (or encourage yourself to trek one more mile), you’ll love this waterfall hike near Salem, Oregon.
If you want even more hikes in this area, check out William Sullivan’s 100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades (affiliate link). This book is pretty much a must-read for any Oregon hiker. We refer to it often!
Hiking through pasturelands
The beginning of the Shellburg Falls trail is unmistakable: From the parking lot at the trailhead, simply walk past the yellow gate blocking the road to vehicle traffic.
The Shellburg Falls hike begins on a gently sloping unpaved road. Keep an eye out for wildflowers here, including foxglove, buttercup and stinking chamomile (which Edie has called “daisy funk” since she could talk).
This wide path crosses several cattle guards. (Maxine spotted a garter snake in one!) It’s clear why this path needs the grates: Cattle graze on the grasses along either side of the path. This is private land, which the owners have graciously allowed hikers to use.
The cattle are friendly but are still large animals. Keep dogs on a very short leash here, and don’t make sudden movements—especially around a calf. Mother cows can get defensive.
(Fun trivia facts to impress your fellow hikers: A female cow is called a cow, unless it hasn’t yet had its first calf, in which case it’s called a heifer. Male cows are bulls, unless they’ve been castrated, in which case they’re called steer.)
A little farther along the trail, you’ll pass a tree farm on your right and enter a forested area.
Hiking in the Santiam State Forest
A mile in, you’ll enter the Santiam State Forest. Here, the trees grow more tightly together and sunlight doesn’t reach the trail easily. (That’s a welcome relief on a hot day!) Keep an eye out for Rocky Mountain irises growing here.
A few side paths spur off from the main trail in this section. Just be careful you do not worsen erosion, which you’ll see along the hike. The exposed roots and tumble of dirt and rock offered a clear example to teach my kids about erosion.
About a quarter-mile past the Santiam State Forest sign, you’ll reach a small bridge that crosses Lower Shellburg Falls. A few brave/reckless hikers crawled out onto a boulder overlooking the falls, and experienced hikers can bushwhack down to the base of the 40-foot falls from the far side of the bridge.
I, though, have a paralyzing fear of heights and kept my kids far from the edge. We opted instead to hike the short remainder of the hike to the dramatic Shellburg Falls.
Hike to Shellburg Falls
At the bridge over Lower Shellburg Falls, take a left up the stairs to hike to the real star of the show: Shellburg Falls. Here, the path becomes significantly more narrow. It was also a bit muddy and slippery in parts, so I held Maxine’s hand as we walked the quarter-mile to the waterfall.
You’ll hear the falls before you see it. The roar of water tumbling 100 feet over a cliff alerts you that you’re close!
A very short path spurs on your left that gives you an unobstructed view of the falls from below. We held off on this path until our hike back down the trail. After all, we wanted to hike behind the waterfall as soon as possible.
Just up the trail, the path curves under a natural overhang. Above the path, basalt—a hard, volcanic rock—withstands the power of rushing water. Time and water has carved out the softer rock below, leaving a natural grotto. This cave allows you to hike behind the waterfall without getting wet (though don’t be surprised if you feel a few drops).
The grotto has two layers. In theory, you can easily climb up to the waist-high tier, but I didn’t let my kids walk up there. It’s not reinforced, and even little feet add to the erosion.
Max and Edie saw the names of people who had carved in the soft rock. They wondered if this was cave art left behind “ancient people,” as they said. Whether you consider yourself ancient or not, please don’t add to the carved names. Remember, leave no trace.
At about the halfway point behind the falls, take a rest on a wooden bench. This is a good place to turn back, especially if you have kids: The trail tends to be muddier and more slippery past the bench.
As this is an out-and-back hike, simply turn around and head back the way you came. If you haven’t paused at the viewpoint yet, don’t miss it on the hike back.
Maxine wanted to be in the picture and also didn’t want to be in the picture. Hard choices for a 4-year-old
Kid-friendly hike near Salem, Oregon
Many Oregon waterfall hikes aren’t, in fact, kid-friendly. I don’t take my children on many of the hikes in the Columbia River Gorge because the drop-offs are simply too steep and too close to the trail.
That’s one reason why I was so thrilled to find Shellburg Falls.
The paths are easy for little legs to walk. The entire hike gains only 410 feet in elevation—not a problem for my 4- and 6-year olds.
Plus, not many Oregon waterfall hikes also give you up close and personal introductions to cows! Max and Edie are city kids so were beyond thrilled to meet this docile calf. I had to remind them several times to walk calmly around the cows, as I’m pretty sure the bovines didn’t appreciate Edie’s bubbly enthusiasm.
Finally, pretty much every kid will be thrilled to see the waterfall from behind.
Details to hike Shellburg Falls, Oregon
Shellburg Falls is conveniently located near many of Oregon’s cities. This waterfall hike is about an hour from Portland, 45 minutes from downtown Salem, just over an hour from Corvallis and an hour and a half from Eugene.
The Shellburg Falls trailhead has a small parking lot, but it fills up quickly, especially on weekends. But the shoulders of the roads are easy to park on—just be careful when crossing the road.
Make sure to use the facilities elsewhere, as this trailhead does not include a toilet.
This trail is open to mountain bikes, so be aware and give bikes plenty of room to pass.
Small, seven-site Shellburg Falls Campground is accessible by the trailhead. The campground has a vault toilet and potable water. I haven’t yet camped here but it would be lovely to camp in such a secluded spot that still has amenities.
There is no fee at the Shellburg Falls trailhead.
Hike under a waterfall in Oregon
Chances are, you’re now more than a little excited to hike Shellburg Falls for yourself. I don’t blame you! This kid-friendly hike near Salem, Oregon is close enough to Portland to feel like an easy day trip but far enough that you leave big crowds behind.
Plus, the payoff—a hike behind the waterfall—is just one more example of gorgeous Oregon waterfall hikes.
A final safety reminder: Keep dogs on leash (the forest trails are narrow, and there are cows on the lower part of the trail). Keep kids very close, as the drop-offs near the waterfall are steep. And observe social distancing while you hike. That way, everyone can enjoy the outdoors while remaining safe and healthy.
See you on the trail!
PS – If you’re looking for more Oregon hikes, click over to my post on exploring Lost Lake. This picturesque Mt. Hood lake is ringed by a kid-friendly trail that’s easy even for the littlest hikers.
Great photos and love the blog. Such a great place if I ever get up that way!
Thank you Ilene, glad you enjoy the blog!
Silver Falls State Park is one of my favourite places on the planet! The waterfalls are gorgeous! We enjoyed hiking there!
I love it too! Silver Falls State Park gets so crowded, though, which is why I like finding nearby waterfall hikes as alternatives.