South Falls Day Use Area — Attraction in Stayton

The Waterfall: One of the most beautiful places in Oregon. $5 for a day pass, they did away with the booth but they have auto machines that accept credit cards at the south falls. We took a nice walk down to the viewpoint above the falls and breathed in the negative ions. I am so lucky to live withing 50mins of this magical place. "Science suggests that the sound of running water can affect the rhythm of the neuronal “waves” in our brain, encouraging a more peaceful pace of thought. There’s more to being happy and full of energy than we realize. Negative ions are molecules that cause the feeling of well-being and they are plentiful around waterfalls! Inhaling negative ions delivers them into our bloodstream where they cause biochemical reactions that increase serotonin levels. Serotonin is a natural mood-influencing chemical that helps reduce the effects of depression, relieves stress, and boosts energy. Nature creates ions by breaking apart air molecules as air and water move around. A waterfall has plenty of both and fills the atmosphere with negative ions that are just waiting for you to come and breathe them in." Parking: Lots of parking, it's best to visit midweek as it's always busy on weekends. The cafe: We grabbed a couple of hot chocolates from the cafe, the employee there looked board, granted it was a Wednesday and there were very few people there but a bit of customer service goes a long way. There was a friendly staff member at the information booth who smiled and us, made eye contact and was available. We were excited to sit by the lit fire and drink our hot chocolates only to turn the corner to find another employee standing in front of it, not working, and warming themselves by the fire while watching videos loudly on her phone. Not at all a welcoming atmosphere and we decided to leave and grab a bite to eat in Silverton instead on the way home. We noticed the only other group of people there chose to sit outside in the cold rather than also be subjected to listening to the employees loud obnoxious videos too. Overall this place is worth the trip and we had a good date day. Maybe next time we will bring a picnic and some hot chocolate and...

I don't have the right words to express how I love this place.

I have held onto memories of its serene beauty in some of my darkest and most painful moments to help me cope and survive.

I don't know if other people who visit will be able to pause at an especially beautiful location; tell themselves that they will always come back to this place; then look, listen, feel, smell, taste, and overload themselves with the sensations and imprint the place in their mind. And then they will always return when they can't cope.

Maybe others will. There are places here for that. Every one of your senses will have plenty to take in. The falls put so much into the air that scent, vibration, and taste is readily available without doing anything in particular other than standing still with a toothy grin letting air in between your teeth.

Come when there is plenty of snow melting and when the air is hot. If the sun is angling in at the right angle to where you plan to be, you can control how blinding or how soft the light might be. Hopefully the weather cooperates. How far or how close you are to the mist or the water or to a grassy hillside or to green leaves and many other things will matter.

One of my memories includes the family that was passing by with their small children chattering, the young bright-green leaf canopy overhead, the anticipation of not having seen the water yet but the scent of the mist wafting up the hillside over the nearby crest of the hill.

There is too much. I don't have the right words. How do I say what this place is to me? It is in me. Come put put some of it in you and then we will see if we have language in common to understand each other.

To a first time visitor, don't set your expectations to be on par with Crater Lake; these are waterfalls along a creek. But for a simple place it is wonderful. Please visit and experience it...

3 letters WOW this was of the most beautiful hiking trail I've ever been on for sure! We hiked the whole trail which was about 10miles total and it was so worth it! Be Prepared this is a outdoor HIKING trail in the elements rain, mud, bugs, heat! Wear waterproof Boots NOT Sneakers ware hiking clothes not street clothes. These trails OUR MUDDY it's a hiking trail. There our plenty of parking areas that allow you to take a quick hike to see some of the falls. But even then the are either up hill or up stairs and it will be muddy with rocks and tree roots all over the path. This is not a paved trail dogs our not allowed on most trails but there our a few that allow them. Make sure to bring plenty of water and trekking poles as these come in handy! Stay on the Trail especially in the rainy season as everything is extremely slippery! Ignore the reviews regarding the Mud, YES THERE'S BIG mud puddles some block the Trail. But what do you expect when your in nature. If you prepare it will be the most beautiful experience you can ever imagine. I'm so happy we did the whole loop, Go...