Reedy River widens to create the over 200-foot-wide Cedar Falls as it cascades over boulders and ledges. Cedar Falls Park offers hiking trails, historic ruins, river vistas, and a volleyball court and playground.
Landscape and History
Cherokee and Catawba tribes used the shoals to cross the river and as a hunting site. In the 1800s, early industrialists built a dam on a side channel to power a sawmill, gristmill, textile mill, and cotton gin.
In 1910, a larger dam was built across the width of the river to run electricity for Fork Shoals Mill. Though it was torn down in 1950, structures are still visible including the dam, pipe supports, and a generator pier.
Reedy River was shallow during our visit. It swirled in pools and tumbled over the rocks. Upriver the water was calm and offered mirror-like reflections of the trees.
We explored the park in late November and still enjoyed bright and colorful autumn leaves.
Hiking Trails
There are 2.2 miles of paved and dirt paths. We hiked three trails – Forest Trail, River Trail, and Nature Trail. The Forest and River Trails are paved, easy walks. With some climbs and slopes, the Nature Trail is on the easy side of moderate in my opinion. There are plenty of benches to stop, rest, and absorb your surroundings.
We combined the three trails into one large loop, starting with the half-mile Forest Trail. It was a lovely walk through the woods.
The Forest Trail ended at the 0.25-mile River Trail. It ran along the section of the river with Cedar Falls and the ruins. Wayside displays along the path explained the site’s history and how the dams were used to power the mills.
Finally, the River Trail connected to the 1.5-mile Nature Trail. It followed the bank of Reedy River before climbing back into the forest. After soaking up the sun and autumn setting, we ended back at the parking lot.
Wildlife
Among the beautiful vistas and wooded wonderlands, we found tons of wildlife. There were American crows, blue jays, Carolina wrens, downy woodpecker, hermit thrushes, northern cardinals, orange-crowned warblers, red-bellied woodpeckers, ruby-crowned kinglets, tufted titmice, white-breasted nuthatches, and white-throated sparrows.
In addition to these birds, we also observed Carolina anoles and tree squirrels.
Easy strolls through nature paired with learning opportunities about the area make Cedar Falls Park a perfect spot for families!