Silver Falls State Park has temporarily closed its campground starting September 16 to undergo significant upgrades. The project includes repaving the campground and replacing restrooms, with work focused on the A Loop and part of the B Loop. The B Loop restroom will also receive a renovation.
The closure is set to last until June 30, 2025, although park officials hope to complete the work sooner. Cabins 1-10 will remain open, while the four at the south end of B Loop will be closed.
According to an article published by Our Town Live, Ranger Chris Gilliand emphasized that the upgrades are necessary to improve visitor experience and accessibility. The outdated B Loop restroom, originally built in the 1970s, will be replaced with a modern facility featuring individual stalls and increased ADA accessibility.
Additionally, one campsite in the B Loop will be converted for ADA use, enhancing the park’s efforts to accommodate all guests.
The project’s scope includes repaving parts of the campground’s loops to improve the overall infrastructure. Gilliand noted that the work would also enhance the connection between the campground and a paved path leading to day-use areas like South Falls and the lodge.
The park hopes these improvements will encourage more visitors to walk rather than drive to trailheads.
While the campground will be closed during construction, all other park facilities will remain open, including trails, day-use areas, and the South Falls Lodge. Visitors can still enjoy hiking and other recreational activities throughout the renovation.
In addition to the renovation work, Silver Falls is preparing for a new campground and visitor center as part of the park’s broader facility upgrades. This work, scheduled to begin next year in the North Canyon area, is part of a $50 million investment in eight Oregon state parks.
The campground renovation at Silver Falls is funded by state general obligation bonds, ensuring no additional costs will be passed on to park visitors. The work represents a significant investment in maintaining the park’s infrastructure and keeping it accessible for generations to come.
Gilliand expressed excitement about the restroom upgrade, calling it a long-overdue change. “It’s going to be great,” he said.