Cascade Falls is aptly named – cascades tumble the length of Little Stony Creek. The 66-foot waterfall is in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of southwestern Virginia. It is part of the Mountain Lake Wilderness Cluster.
Cascades Day Use Area
2022 Price: $3 per vehicle
There is a self-pay station at the parking lot entrance – place the cash fee into an envelope, deposit it into the repository, and keep the receipt in your car. If you have an America the Beautiful pass, you can write the number on the envelope in lieu of cash. During peak visit times, there may be a long wait to pay and park.
The Hike
Two trails will get you to the waterfall – the Lower Trail and the Upper Trail. Both are 4 miles roundtrip. Lower Trail ambles next to the creek while Upper Trail is a continuous climb straight to the overlook and waterfall. I would consider both moderately difficult. There are several benches on both trails. I would recommend the route I took which is hiking the Lower Trail to Cascade Falls and taking the Upper Trail back to the lot.
The trailhead is at the back of the parking lot near the restrooms. Both trails start at the same point and follow the creek. There is a short spur trail down some stairs toward the creek with signs about fishing in the native trout stream. At the top of some short steps is a beautiful view of the creek.
You will cross four bridges on the Lower Trail. Just after the spur trail is the first bridge. Lower Trail splits off to the right and crosses the bridge. Upper Trail continues straight.
Lower Trail
The trail is not well defined or blazed but it is not hard to find the path. Half a mile into the hike, you can get up close and personal with an old boiler. In the 1920s and 30s it powered a sawmill.
Lower Trail has dozens of stone steps and stepping stones. Spur trails take you to the water’s edge to view the creek and cascades. Many of the cascades face Lower Trail but there are still several viewable from Upper Trail.
A little over a mile into the route you will cross the second bridge back over the creek. Turn right for the waterfall. This second bridge is the halfway point for the trail and has a connector to Upper Trail. Here and at a couple other points on the trail are large rocks carved with directions.
Another quarter mile and you will cross a small bridge. Some sections of Lower Trail have you practically hugging boulders where the trail almost kisses the water.
Just after the 1.5-mile mark, you will cross the last bridge followed by a section of large flat rocks. An enormous boulder partially hides the waterfall from view.
The photo below was taken from just behind the boulder. Along the cliff wall near the waterfall there was a sheet of ice that looked like a second falls!
Cascade Falls
Two miles into the hike you arrive at Cascade Falls. There are boulders and logs to relax on and enjoy the scenery.
It was 40 degrees outside when I visited in mid-February. Ice and frost surrounded Cascade Falls, creating an ice arch behind the waterfall.
To the left of Cascade Falls are stairs to an upper viewing platform. From here you can see the water pour over the edge and crash on the rocks below. You also get fantastic views of the surrounding landscape!
Upper Trail
From the upper viewing platform, follow Upper Trail away from Cascade Falls. At the first post sign, take the trail to the left to head back to the parking lot. I prefer returning on this route since it is much easier to head downhill rather than climb it.
While less scenic than the Lower Trail, Upper Trail grants you lofty views of Little Stony Creek. Along the trail there are areas where you can look across the water and see the other path.
I even spotted an eastern chipmunk on my hike! It was my only sighting of the day although I heard several birds as well.
This was an amazing trip – the hike was as beautiful as the waterfall! Avoiding the warmer months gives you an opportunity to enjoy the area without being surrounded by hundreds of visitors.
It’s a must! Thanks for sharing.
A definite must! Loved it 🙂