Mother’s Day Birding and Wildflower Festival

Photo by Michael McGarry

If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate Mom while enjoying nature, attend the Mother’s Day Birding and Wildflower Festival at Silver Falls State Park.

The park is in bloom and filled with winged and four-legged creatures hiding among the beautiful plant life and waterways that make this park such a special place. 

Here’s how you can participate in this special weekend. If you’re looking for more options, check out my list of free and cheap Mother’s Day events in and around Portland.

Mother’s Day Birding and Wildflower Festival

The Mother’s Day Birding and Wildflower Festival is Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There are numerous free activities to enjoy during this event. Most take place at the South Falls Day-use area unless a different location is noted below. 

In addition to birding walks, wildflower hikes, and live raptor presentations, there are wildflower shows in the Stone Kitchen Shelter; seed planting, insect activity and bird education at the South Falls Historic District; and a native plant sale at the Nature Store. 

All events are free, but a $10 daily parking permit is required at Silver Falls State Park.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect each day: 

Saturday, May 10

7:30 a.m. Early Bird Walk at South Falls: 2.6 miles, 3 hours, meet at Stone Circle

10:30 a.m. Budding Birders Junior Ranger Program, 45 minutes, meet on back patio of South Falls Lodge

11 a.m. Wildflower Walk: ½ mile, 1 hour, meet at Stone Circle

12 p.m. Wildflower Walk: ½ mile, 1 hour, meet at Stone Circle

12 p.m. Live Raptor Presentation in the field behind the Stone Circle (no dogs please)

1 p.m. Live Raptor Presentation in the field behind the Stone Circle (no dogs please)

1 p.m. Family Birding Walk: ½ mile, 1 hour, meet at Stone Circle

2 p.m. Wildflower Walk: ½ mile, 1 hour, meet at Stone Circle

3 p.m. Afternoon Birding Walk, 1 mile, 90 minutes, *meet at Smith Creek Village parking lot, across highway 214 from the South Falls District

Sunday, May 11

7:30 a.m. Early bird walk: 2 miles, 3 hours, *Meet at North Canyon Trailhead, 3 miles north of the South Falls District

10:30 a.m. Budding Birders Junior Ranger Program, 45 minutes, meet on back patio of South Falls Lodge

11 a.m. Wildflower Walk: ½ mile, 1 hour, meet at Stone Circle

12 p.m. Wildflower Walk: ½ mile, 1 hour, meet at Stone Circle

12 p.m. Live Raptor Presentation in the field behind the Stone Circle (no dogs please)

12:30 p.m. Budding Birders Junior Ranger Program, 45 minutes, meet on back patio of South Falls Lodge

1 p.m. Live Raptor Presentation in the field behind the Stone Circle (no dogs please)

1 p.m. Family Birding Walk: ½ mile, 1 hour, meet at Stone Circle

3 p.m. Afternoon Birding Walk, 1 mile, 90 minutes, *meet at Howard Creek Trailhead, across highway 214 from the South Falls District

Silver Falls State Park is located at 20024 Silver Falls Hwy SE in Sublimity, Oregon. For more information, visit the Oregon State Parks website.

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