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 9, and Sunday, May 10, 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, seed planting, crafts and bird observation and bee education tables and a native plant sale.

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 9

7:30 a.m. Early bird walk, a 2.6 mile Maple Ridge Loop. Meet at South Falls Stone Circle. 

10:30 a.m. Budding Birders Junior Ranger Program (Lodge patio, 45 min)

11 a.m. Wildflower walk (Stone Circle, ½ mile, 1 hour)

11 a.m. Live raptor presentation (tent near Stone Circle, no dogs allowed)

12 p.m. Wildflower walk (Stone Circle, ½ mile, 1 hour)

12:30 p.m. Budding Birders Junior Ranger Program (Lodge patio, 45 min)

1 p.m. Family birding walk (Stone Circle, ½ mile, 1 hour)

1 p.m. Live raptor presentation (tent near Stone Circle, no dogs allowed)

2 p.m. Wildflower Walk (Stone Circle, ½ mile, 1 hour)

3 p.m. Afternoon birding walk, a 1 mile walk on the Howard Creek Trail. Meet at Smith Creek Village.

Sunday, May 10

7:30 a.m. Early bird walk, a 2.2 mile North Rim walk. Meet at North Canyon Trailhead.

10:30 a.m. Budding Birders Junior Ranger Program (Lodge patio, 45 min)

11 a.m. Wildflower walk (Stone Circle, ½ mile, 1 hour)

11 a.m. Live raptor presentation (tent near Stone Circle, no dogs allowed)

12 p.m. Wildflower walk (Stone Circle, ½ mile, 1 hour)

12:30 p.m. Budding Birders Junior Ranger Program (Lodge patio, 45 min)

1 p.m. Family birding walk (Stone Circle, ½ mile, 1 hour)

1 p.m. Live raptor presentation (tent near Stone Circle, no dogs allowed)

2 p.m. Wildflower Walk (Stone Circle, ½ mile, 1 hour)

3 p.m. Afternoon birding walk, a 1 mile walk on the Nature Trail. Meet in Campground.

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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