Cascades Falls Trail: Hike to a 66-Foot-Tall Waterfall in Pembroke, Virginia
Cascades Falls is a 66-foot waterfall near Pembroke, Virginia, reached by a four-mile loop or out-and-back hike on the Cascades Trail in Jefferson National Forest.
The trail follows Little Stony Creek past wooden bridges, stone steps, rocky pools, and smaller cascades before reaching the main waterfall.
For the most scenic route, follow the narrower Lower Trail alongside Little Stony Creek to the waterfall, then return on the wider Upper Trail.
The waterfall is also commonly called Cascade Falls or simply the Cascades. And, let me tell you, this hike lives up to the hype.
Allow two to three hours for this waterfall hike in Southwest Virginia. Parking is available at the Cascades Day Use Area in Jefferson National Forest.
There is a $3 day-use fee per vehicle. On-site amenities include restrooms and picnic tables.
The address is 2068 Cascades Drive in Pembroke. It’s an easy 20-minute drive from Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke (aka Kellerman’s from Dirty Dancing).
| Cascades Falls Hike at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Trail Type | Out-and-back and loop options |
| Elevation Gain | 663 feet |
| Duration | 2-3 hours |
| Terrain | Dirt, rocks, and stone steps |
| Dog-Friendly | Yes |
| Fee | $3/vehicle |
| Driving Directions | Click Here |
Cascades Falls Parking
Once you reach the Cascades parking area, place your $3 into the envelope on arrival (honor system). Tear off the receipt and place it on your dashboard.
America the Beautiful passholders, your fee is covered by the annual pass. Simply write your pass number on the envelope and deposit it into the repository.
There is lots of parking at this day-use area managed by the USDA Forest Service.
Hiking the Cascades Trail
The trailhead for the Cascades Trail is located at the back of the parking area, to the right of the restrooms.
You’ll see a kiosk to the right and will quickly learn that there are two ways to Cascades Falls. There is an Upper Trail and a Lower Trail.
Snap a quick photo of the large trail map. It would be very difficult to get lost on the way to the falls, but I always like to take a photo, just in case.
The Upper Trail is described as an “uphill challenge,” while the Lower Trail is described as a “more scenic hike.” Both trails begin at the same trailhead.
It’s worth noting that there are several points along the trail where you can switch from the Lower Trail to the Upper Trail, or vice versa.
Crossing Little Stony Creek
As you begin to hike, you’ll see a short spur trail at the 0.15-mile mark where you can walk out onto the rocks for your first up-close views of Little Stony Creek.
In a few more steps, you have a choice to make. Turn right to cross a bridge over Little Stony Creek.
You’ll then see the first of several benches for a quick rest before continuing on to Cascades Falls. This is the Lower Trail.
To take the Upper Trail, continue straight ahead instead of turning right at the bridge.
On the Lower Trail, you’ll see a set of stone steps. Several sets of stone steps make the route easier to navigate than a natural rock scramble.
At the 0.35-mile mark, you’ll reach a scenic point to divert off the trail to the left. You can walk right up to the edge of a rocky pool.
An old boiler comes into view on the right side of the trail at the 0.5-mile mark. This boiler powered a sawmill that was here in the 1920s and 1930s.
Splash in Rocky Pools
Walk a flat man-made stone path alongside gently flowing Little Stony Creek. At the 0.8-mile mark, there’s a scenic view of smaller cascades.
As you proceed, there are several spots along the Lower Trail to walk right out to the water’s edge. Kids and dogs will love getting so close to Little Stony Creek.
Cross a second bridge over Little Stony Creek at the 1.1-mile mark. Once over the bridge, you will see a trail sign. Turn right for the Cascades Trail to the falls.
Near the 1.3-mile mark, a small bridge makes an otherwise difficult creek crossing straightforward.
Just before the 1.6-mile mark, cross one more bridge and climb another set of stone steps. After another 0.25 mile, you will reach a section of large, flat rocks.
Reaching Cascades Falls
At the 1.9-mile mark, you will round a corner. Then, boom: there is Cascades Falls in all its glory.
A few steps later, at the two-mile mark, you will reach the base of the falls. There is a viewing platform a few steps above the waterfall basin.
There’s also a second-level viewing area. This brings you close to the top of Cascades Falls and allows you to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
This elevated viewing area offers a dramatic perspective. From this platform, take in the best views of the water crashing down on the rocks below.
Cascades Falls drops into a large rocky pool, but posted signs warn of strong currents. Avoid entering the water near the waterfall when conditions are unsafe.
There are calmer places to cool off along Little Stony Creek, though water conditions can change quickly.
Return to the trailhead along the Upper Trail or the Lower Trail once you have enjoyed the waterfall.
How Long Does the Cascades Falls Hike Take?
From the parking area, this popular hike on the Cascades Falls Trail took me nearly two hours to complete, including time spent enjoying the falls.
There are no trail markers or blazes on this trail, but it’s well-maintained and easy to stay on track. There are also several benches for a rest along the Lower Trail.
The route does not intersect with unrelated trails, though the Upper and Lower trails connect at several points and merge before reaching the falls.
The hike is manageable for active families and dogs accustomed to rocky trails, though the Lower Trail includes uneven terrain and numerous stone steps.
Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the picnic tables adjacent to the parking lot. This is a day-use area. There is no camping allowed at or near Cascades Falls.
You cannot drive and park at the Cascades waterfall. However, this hiking trail makes for an enjoyable shaded hike.
This cascading waterfall hike in the mountains of Virginia is a 30-minute drive from Blacksburg and a one-hour drive from Roanoke.
For a longer hike, you can continue past Cascades Falls toward Barney’s Wall for scenic mountain views across Giles County. This extended route is 7.4 miles.
Erin Gifford has completed more than 300 hikes in Virginia. She is also the author of three hiking guidebooks from Falcon Guides. Need help finding a hike? Check out the Trail Finder feature or send Erin an email at [email protected].
