The Cascades
- Height
- 66 ft
- Hike
- 4 mi round trip
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
The Cascades drops about 66 ft on Little Stony Creek in Giles County, Virginia. Reaching it is a 4 mi hike round trip.
Closures and warnings
Lower trail has numerous stone steps carved into rock; rocks can be slick from spray. Hiking only; no bicycles or horses. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 66 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | 66-foot waterfall dropping into a large rocky pool on Little Stony Creek; lower trail is a National Recreation Trail. |
| Water type | Waterfall basin |
|---|
Access
| Hike | 4 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | From Pembroke, VA take Cascade Drive (SR 623) about 4 miles to the Cascades parking lot. |
| Parking | Cascades Day Use Area parking lot at the end of Cascade Drive, Pembroke VA. Open sunrise to sunset; no overnight parking. |
| Fee | $3.00 day-use fee per vehicle; annual pass $30. |
| Hours | Trail open year-round; parking sunrise to sunset. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (George Washington and Jefferson National Forests) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | Yes |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Accessible restrooms at trailhead; picnic area; water hydrant for filling bottles. |
Common questions
Common questions
Is The Cascades open?
Lower trail has numerous stone steps carved into rock; rocks can be slick from spray. Hiking only; no bicycles or horses. As of September 28, 2026. Hours: Trail open year-round; parking sunrise to sunset.
How tall is The Cascades?
The Cascades drops about 66 ft.
How long is the hike to The Cascades?
It's a 4 mi hike round trip. The road in is paved. From Pembroke, VA take Cascade Drive (SR 623) about 4 miles to the Cascades parking lot. Parking: Cascades Day Use Area parking lot at the end of Cascade Drive, Pembroke VA. Open sunrise to sunset; no overnight parking.
Do you need a reservation for The Cascades?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at The Cascades?
The fee is $3.00 day-use fee per vehicle; annual pass $30.
When is The Cascades flowing?
66-foot waterfall dropping into a large rocky pool on Little Stony Creek; lower trail is a National Recreation Trail.
What facilities are at The Cascades?
Restrooms, drinking water, and picnic sites. Accessible restrooms at trailhead; picnic area; water hydrant for filling bottles.
Nearby
Nearby
Camping nearby
Fishing nearby
Public land
The Cascades is inside George Washington and Jefferson National Forest .
Sources
2
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/gwj/recreation/trails/cascades-trail-forest-trail-70 (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / waterfall.heightFt, access.hikeDistanceBasis / access.trailhead / access.hours, access.permitRequired false / access.roadNote / swimmerNotes.waterType)
- https://visitswva.org/attractions/cascades-national-recreation-trail/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.parking / access.hours sunrise-sunset / amenities, access.amenities.drinkingWater / picnicSites / restrooms)
More: Virginia waterfalls