The waterfalls are spectacular year round with all the rain we get in Oregon. You will not be disappointed! Cheers!

Have been to this place a few times and have never seen any pets along the hiking trails. Perhaps the park office could give you more useful information regarding the pet policy when visiting the park.

Definitely the North Falls. Simply because you can actually get started hiking earlier as that parking lot will be open at sunrise. The South Falls parking lot is closed (gated) overnight, so you'll have to get started hiking ~1 hour later at the earliest...with everyone else. We really liked hiking the entire hike counterclockwise (first doing the short spur to Upper North Falls) as we spent a good chunk of the day not running into any other hikers until we came closer to South Falls. If we'd started at South Falls, that would not have been the case.

Packing snacks and taking time for photo ops I'd plan on 3-4 hours so you don't feel rushed

Normally the waterfalls have lots of water this time of year. This year we had quite a drought so they have been a little lower than normal. Even with this the waterfalls are still beautiful minus Winter Falls which generally doesn't flow much this time of year anyway. Walking around Silver Creek Falls in the Fall is quite enchanting though. The Autumn leaves of the maple trees really lighten up the forest and provide lovely reflections in Silver Creek as well as beautiful framing to the waterfalls. A few berries may linger for a tasty treat in late summer to early fall. Higher water flows are in late Fall into Winter. In the Fall, the maple leaves are fun to walk on, through in the air, and gather to admire as each is quite unique with different coloration. Each season has its own charm. Plus there are usually less people in Fall and Winter on the trails so more solitude especially on weekdays.

The answer is probably yes as there is a lot of parking in the lot. Overnight: The main campground has tent sites, RV spots and cabins. Bring your horse and stay in the horse campground. If you need an area for many people, the park also has group tent and RV camps, dormitory-style bunkhouses (each Ranch sleeps 75) and the historic Youth Camp for up to 250 campers.

Did not see anything specific, but there was ample parking if you arrive early. You have to pay for parking so you might want to check out their website just in case for info. about RV parking. Enjoy the park...very pretty.

It depends on where you park. Technically it generally is open from daybreak to dusk daily if you don't park at South Falls. Winter Falls parking lot has no gates. North Falls didn't have gates but it might now. I have walked there in the dark before by moonlight but that was thirty years ago. You must have a parking pass which you get by machine at either South or North Falls parking lots. South Falls parking lot may close there gates at nightfall. The cafe and lodge have more limited hours.