A 20-year-old hiker died Monday after plunging from a 177-foot waterfall at an Oregon state park, in an incident officials characterized as a “horrific accident.”
The man, who authorities said was visiting from outside Oregon, had been at Silver Falls State Park, a popular destination located a little more than an hour south of Portland, Central Oregon Daily reported.
Investigators said the visitor left the designated trail while apparently looking for a spot to take a photo. He crossed a barrier and moved across a creek positioned directly above the waterfall.
The fall occurred near the upper viewing area of South Falls, the tallest waterfall in Silver Falls State Park, where water drops dramatically into a wide pool below, Oregon State Police said, according to the outlet.
Autumn colors frame South Falls at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon, United States. (Craig Tuttle/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Officials said he fell into the pool beneath the falls at about 6:30 p.m.
People nearby reportedly jumped in to assist and began performing CPR while first responders made their way to the scene.
The hiker was pronounced dead at the park, KPTV reported. His name has not been released by authorities.
Hikers walk on a paved trail behind South Falls at the Silver Falls State Park in central Oregon. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
“It was a pretty horrific accident,” Silver Falls State Park regional manager Chris Gilliand said, according to Central Oregon Daily. “A very tough situation.”
The Marion County Medical Examiner reportedly released the man’s body to Marion County Search and Rescue.
Search and rescue personnel then completed the recovery from the base of the falls.
Unger Funeral Chapel later took custody, according to reports.
A hiker walks on a bridge at an Oregon state park near Portland on Aug. 17, 2025. (Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Silver Falls State Park is known for its Trail of Ten Falls, a popular hiking route featuring 10 waterfalls and attracting visitors from across Oregon and beyond.
South Falls is considered one of the park’s main attractions and features a trail that allows visitors to walk behind the waterfall. The waterfall has been described as the “crown jewel” of Oregon’s state parks.
News Outlet reached out to the Oregon State Police and Silver Falls State Park for more information.
