Waterfall Hero Hikes: Cascades Day Use Area (Jefferson)

Cascades Day Use Area is a recreation area in the Eastern Divide Ranger District of Jefferson National Forest located in Giles County, Virginia. The highlight of the area is the Cascades or Cascade Falls, a beautiful 66-foot waterfall on Little Stony Creek. A moderate 4-mile loop, the Cascades National Recreation Trail accesses the waterfall. The parking area provides trail access as well as a picnic area and restrooms. A small day-use fee is charged for access.

Directions:

From Blacksburg, take US-460 west for 13 miles to Pembroke and turn right on Cascades Drive (SR 623) and follow to the parking area at the end. There is a small day-use fee per vehicle to access the area, payable at a self-serve kiosk at the parking area.

Map:

Trails:

Cascades Trail (#70):

The Cascades Trail, designated a National Recreation Trail, is a four-mile loop leading from the parking area to the Cascades and back. The trail is broken into an upper and lower section. The upper section follows an old roadbed up to the falls. The lower section follows Little Stony Creek much more closely, with several footbridges crossing the creek. There is a connector trail approximately half-way through, at the largest footbridge over the creek, that links the two trails in the middle.

Points of Interest:

Cascade Falls:

Cascade Falls, or the Cascades, is a beautiful 66-foot waterfall along Little Stony Creek.

Although gorgeous any time or year, the waterfall is particularly scenic in the winter after a sustained period of very low temperatures, when it can freeze.

Upper Cascades:

The Upper Cascades is a smaller waterfall, about a half-mile upstream of Cascade Falls. Despite the Cascades popularity, this waterfall is not well known and after battling the crowds at the Cascades, you may find solitude the Upper Cascades.