Tree Climbers Rendezvous 2025
Silver Falls State Park, Oregon USA
Rendezvous Dates
August 21-25, 2025 (Thu-Mon)
We are hoping to open sign-up in November 2024. Stay tuned!
Location
Silver Falls State Park, Oregon, USA
Hosted by Tree Climbing at Silver Falls
The venue for the 2025 Oregon International Tree Climbers Rendezvous is at the famous Oregon State Park, Silver Falls State Park. Known as the crown jewel of the Oregon State Park system, it is one of the most popular parks in Oregon, famous for its “Trail of Ten Falls” which includes ten huge waterfalls in a 7 mile hike.
A Forest Opportunity That Stands Apart
Few experiences are more connected to nature than climbing trees. Spending time high up in the canopy of a unique ancient forest like Silver Falls State Park is a wonderful rare opportunity. It allows a certain level of mindfulness in nature only experienced when climbing old-growth trees.
History of the Park
Ancestors of the Kalapuya and Molalla, the first people in the Willamette Valley area, arrived about 14,000 years ago. Before the first European Americans settled and began logging in the Willamette Valley in the 1800s, there were about 15,000 Native Americans in the area. All native people remaining in the area around Silver Falls State Park were forced by the U.S. government into the nearby reservation now known as the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in 1854. Until 1929, the area was mainly used for lumber. In 1933, the land around the waterfalls was dedicated as a state park.
When the park was created in 1933, it bore little resemblance to the lush playground you enjoy today. In the years that followed the park’s creation, members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a federal program that sought to promote the U.S. economy after the Great Depression, worked to repair and beautify the forest, which had been horribly damaged in recent decades by relentless logging. The CCC built park structures (including the famous lodge), created trails to the park’s waterfalls, installed bridges, replanted trees, rehabbed the scarred landscape, and more.
Pricing
All prices listed for the full event include:
- giant beautiful trees 200-300ft/60-90meters high, in ancient forest
- pre-set climbing trees
- workshops, seminars, community dinner, networking
- community dinners
- meals included: dinner on Thursday until breakfast on Monday
- silent auction
- optional classes
- games
- optional beginner courses ahead of the Rendezvous
- guided tours
Age & Requirements
You should be 7 years or older to climb during the Rendezvous, but everyone is welcome be a non-climbing participant.
No experience necessary, but there is a basic SRS climbing test at Check-In. If you do not have any experience, you will need to sing up for one of the two day training courses before the event. Tree Climbing at Silver Falls will offer special two-day trainings before the Rendezvous starts against extra special pricing ($300, which is normally valued at $600). The student must be a full Rendevous participant to be able to participate in these classes.
If you already know how to climb using a Single Rope System, but you want a refresher you can sign up for a full-day refresher to take place on August 22 ($150).
Lodging Types
More information to follow soon, but various types of lodging will be available at Smith Creek Village at Silver Falls State Park, Silver Falls Hwy SE, Sublimity, Oregon 97385, USA
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- ranch bed: bunk beds in large open ranches
- ranch tent site: tent site outside the ranch
- various cabin types:
- Tiny cabins for 2-3 people: half bath, no shower – access to shared shower block
- Duplex cabins for 4 people: full bath
- Lodge cabins for ~12 people: 6 separate rooms for 1-2 people, shared communal area and shared bathrooms
We are working on ensuring the ranch bed option will be affordable to members of the Tree Climbing Community.
Tree camping (fully guided or unguided; equipment available against a fee) by Tree Climbing at Silver Falls will also be available.
We’ll also offer an ‘offsite’ Rendezvous participant option for those Vous-goers who want to park their RV or tent at a campsite owned by Silver Falls State Park. For others, a more luxurious lodging option in the neighborhood may be preferred: The Oregon Garden Resort, located about 30 minutes from Silver Falls State Park in Silverton.
Pre-Vous
International Rose Gardens + more
Post-Vous
Smith Rock State Park + more
Additional Add-Ons
Tree Climbing at Silver Falls will offer additional add-ons beyond the courses and tree camping, e.g.:
- Drone videos and photos: $125. This is the best way to capture your moment in the trees.
- Climbing equipment rental for the whole event: $75. Hand ascenders, foot loops, Petzl ID descender, helmet, harness.
- Climbing rope rental for the whole event: $75. The rope is 200 ft.
For questions contact: rendezvous@gotreeclimbing.org
We are seeking Silent Auction donation items, workshop organizers, and presenters.
Email rendezvous@gotreeclimbing.org