The Cascades Trail Reviews

Not a bad short hike at all. The trail is about a 1.2-mile loop. Well, it was out and back hike for us because part of the trail was closed when we visited. Overall, a nice place to spend time with the dogs.

The trail to the water fall is rather dangerous. It has not been well maintained. There are many broken steps. The waterfall is beautiful but we could not go to the bottom because the steps down had way too much space between each one.

Went in October when the leaves were changing. It was really beautiful. It is a pretty easy hike except for the stairs down to see the entire waterfall so if you have young children maybe skip this part .

We had a good time...til my wife saw a spider. ^__^ But we enjoyed it otherwise. Nice place to spend an hour or two.

We did this trail with kids. It’s about 1 mile total going and coming back. Can see the waterfall at two points along the trail. Small area of stream accessible on the way where kids enjoyed soaking feet in the water and playing for a bit. Benches at the beginning of the trail to enjoy a picnic lunch while looking at the amazing view of mountains

I am never stunned by something as ordinary as God's earth, but this time I was. An easy hike, though with some very steep steps, it ends in a breathtaking waterfall. I must have stared at it for 30 minutes before my lovely family started talking to me again. Was is the face of God? I dunno, but certainly His hand was here. 1 mile round trip.

Mile post 272. Restrooms at the parking area. The trail to the falls is a short loop but has steep steps as you descend to the falls. It's a good leg stretcher and most anyone can do this as long as they can climb stairs. These falls are worth a visit since the observation platform is right next to them. These falls are viewed from the side and are hard to capture the entire length in one photo. A fisheye lens might work better here.

Great, easy hike with a beautiful waterfall! The weather was warmer, the hike was not that steep. and the trail was fairly easy to follow. I will say you should stay right on the trail, even when you reach a sign that shows left for the return. The waterfall will be on your right.

Short, well marked trail with lots of stopping points along the way! The views are beautiful and the waterfall is different than ones we have seen before. There are some steps involved.

This is a beautiful hike to show young children the wonders of nature. The walk is a moderate hike that exposes you to a variety of flora and beautiful trees, ending at a gorgeous waterfall. The walk down is fairly easy, but a little strenuous returning. Note, that there are slippery rocks if you venture too far at the Cascades.

went to the trail beginning of Oct. nice short trail with a little wooden bridge and a few stone staircases to view the falls. There is plenty of parking, some picnic tables, and bathrooms as well. There was a little trail that went off of this one labeled MST and had white circle dots on the trees to keep you on right path. It did not circle back around however and led out to the main paved parkway, looked like it was supposed to continue across the street however a chain was up so we walked up the parkway to get back to the Jeffress Park/Cascades trail where we parked. Fun little autes signs throughout the trail as well for different trees/shrubs. Very shaded, lots of brush so don't get many 'big views' except at the parking area and one or two other spots. We only had an hour or so so this trail is a good option that isn't far from the boone area (20-30ish minutes from downtown) especially if you want a shorter (about 1 mile), easy hike with a waterfall mixed in! Saw plenty of older adults and young children so this is pretty fit for everyone.

It was a nice short hike! Very pretty and well taken care of. We went in the winter and it was great to be able to see everything so clearly.

Great place to stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Lovely walk along the brook. Hike is short and easy.

The Trailhead is located on the Blue Ridge parkway and easy to get to. The trail is not much more than a half mile in length. The first half of the trail is fairly wide with a gentle downhill slope, but it starts getting narrower and steeper for the 2nd-half.

The first viewing area is near the top of the falls, it was pretty muddy there on the day we visited. From there a steep, narrow stone stairway takes you down to another viewing area which is about halfway down the falls. There is no room for more than one or two people at a time there, so be patient.

The falls seem to drop down for quite a way further, but at this time there does not appear to be any plans to continue the trail down to the bottom as it is very steep.

My wife and I decided to take a trip "up the mountain" as we say in NC to see some waterfalls. We decided to start at E. B. Jefrees Park on the Blue ridge parkway. We were not disappointed. The trail is only about .6 tenths of a mile long and is worth the short walk to see an amazing waterfall. Take your sweetie and a camera. There are two places to see the falls and you have to walk down to both of them. After that, we went to Blowing Rock and hiked to three more waterfalls that I will write about on my next review.

We got on the Parkway at 441 and went North to the Cascades. The most direct trail is closed due to a bridge issue, so go left (MST white dot) and it takes you around to the falls. Absolutely beautiful and a good short hike.

A fabulous short walk alongside a stream that quickly turns into roaring cascades. If you like Issaqueena Falls, you'll love The Cascades! Keep your eyes peeled for wildflowers. I spotted a pink ladyslipper and jack-in-the-pulpit.

This trail is easily accessed by the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is 30 minutes round trip in lush woodlands. It is a loop. The falls are unlike most I have seen. Very beautiful!

This is a great little hike, probably no more than 30 min. to 1 hour loop to see the falls, which are beautiful. Path is marked & there are informational signs about the foliage. There are bathrooms there as well.

This short trail is in a beautiful forest, typical for the area with rhododendrons and lots of hardwood trees and some wild flowers. At the end of the trail are about 40 steps to the bottom of the waterfall which is nicely nestled. Worth the trip if you're driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway and seeing a few sights along the way. We went with our 8 and 13 year olds. Took about 45 minutes round trip.

We enjoyed the short hike to the cascades. Great views from multiple levels to experience the cascades. Great photos!

We went to E.B. Jeffress Park — Cascade Trail yesterday in Purlear, NC... The trail is not very long... Nice trail with a beautiful waterfall... Ended up hiking it in the rain, but it still was a nice walk... Be careful on the rock stairs in the rain... It was a bit slippery... After we got back to our car... In the distance we could see a beautiful rainbow.

If you are in the Boone area, I would recommend this easy hike to beautiful waterfalls. There are restrooms at the start and a large parking lot. There are steep steps to the waterfall, but you should be able to complete the entire hike in 1 hour!

This is a great little hike right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Some rock steps to maneuver but nice views all along culminating in the rushing falls at the end. Check it out!

This is a very pretty little hike. It's not very long and won't take too much time to hike. There are biology identifiers throughout the walk, showing different local flora and fauna. I've spotted a few tiny trout in the water and other wildlife. The falls are beautiful at the bottom of the hike. It's a great place to visit in the summer; in the hot weather the mist kicked off from the waterfall feels great. It's not very strenuous, but does have a downhill beginning and uphill end. Great place for a picnic (there are tables) and a great view. There's also a little historic cabin and church less than a mile or so away that has a very short walk to the historic site. Great for the whole family!

This is a beautiful, majestic falls. The short walk is worth the effort to see this water fall cascading down the side of the mountain. Take a camera! The trail to the falls is NOT wheelchair or stroller friendly and to see the best part of the lower falls, you need to go down (and back up) a fairly steep series of stairs. This is a MUST SEE if you're in the area and only takes about an hour, start-to-finish.

Very nice trail. I thought it was very beautiful.the waterfall was really cool. Lots of nice flowers.

The overall experience was wonderful! Lovely, short trail that leads to an absolutely stunning sight! Definitely a must see for anyone visiting Boone!

Yes, it's a relatively easy hike, but there are steep stairs and "easy" does not apply if you have difficulties walking on anything other than straight pavement. That's just to say that some hikers should be warned (and my 80-year-old mother sure wouldn't even consider it).

Anyway, it took us almost an hour (instead of the estimated 30 minutes), but our kids are 4 and 7 years old and we stopped for many attractions like mushrooms and ('giant') millipedes.

The cascading waterfall is beautiful. Make sure to take the path down to the closest viewpoint. It's worth the extra steps

We went to E.B. Jeffress Park and took the Cascades Trail down to the waterfall. It was so gorgeous! Fun to hike around and admire the beautiful waterfalls. We could have had lunch here, but most of the tables were packed and we wanted to get another hike in, so we left.

You have a couple of choices for your hike which make it interesting. The hard hike was a chore, because you were actually climbing rocks. But I loved it. I used the easy way back, which by no means is very easy.

Excellent short hike to a beautiful waterfall. Well maintained trail with the usual roots and rocks. The only disappointment is that you don't get to hike to the bottom of the fall.

I often have problems walking and it is a bit of a decline going down, but if you take your time it's not bad. The beauty of the place is worth the effort. About halfway down you can hear the water and the foliage is very nice. I would say carry a chair and a picnic because it's so nice when you get down to both vantage points, but there's only the wall to sit on and I wanted to stay a while. The ground was very wet, not sure how often that is the case. I was captivated by the falls, even though they are more like a tumbling river fall, not Yosemite/Amazon-esque. The walk back is not as bad as I feared if you take the return route, and there's a small river clearing you can pause at.

On our four day trip to the mountains we visited Cascade Falls three times. We love the walk to the falls and the falls are simply beautiful! The walk to the falls is fairly easy unlike some of the other falls that we have visited. We also love having a picnic lunch while there. The view from a few of the picnic tables is amazing.

A very easy hike although if you have Physical challenges, be aware there are steep steps at the end. The views were stellar and interesting plaques telling about native trees and such were placed along the trail.

The trail is beautiful, but I would not say that it is completely easy to get to the waterfall. There is a rickety looking bridge that really needs some maintenance done to it, and a lot of steep steps to conquer before getting there. I never made it to the lower end because I'm not that sure footed, and several people waiting at the first part of the falls said that it was tricky getting down to the lower part. Can't confirm any of that because I didn't try it after hearing that.

Beautiful short hike, worth the effort to see the falls! Easy enough for kids and adults and amazing views at the bottom,

Very nice short trail to lovely cascading waterfall.

It is accessible from the Jeffress Park picnic ground on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and is also a nice spur trail from the Mountains to Sea Trail.

It is self guided with educational plaques re the various trees and plants encountered on the path.

We've visited this trail several times. This trip part of the loop was closed for repair. At the falls there are a lot of stairs with very poor railing so someone who has trouble with stairs should probably avoid this one.

This is a great place for a picnic and nice hike to see beautiful waterfalls. Great outing for families.

We enjoyed the shady walk to the cascades. Not exactly the waterfall we had hoped for, but an easy enough walk !

The trail is easy to walk, and the reward is a great view of the waterfall. There are some high rocky steps that could be difficult to navigate if you have mobility limits, but we saw lots of little kids and also senior citizens tackle them without problems. The drive to the trail entrance, along the Parkway, is gorgeous.

Short, easy hike with a stunning surprise at the end! Don't miss this. Take a picnic and a good camera with video! You will not be disappointed.

Usually one has to put a lot more effort into a hike to get the payoff of a cool waterfall than the easy, short and shady stroll that is the Cascades Trail. A great one for the kids, who won't legitimately be able to ask to be carried by Mom or Dad on this one.

The view was amazing. The trail for the most part was in good shape. There are only a few places that need maintenance along the trail.

We enjoyed the hike, easy. We did not go all the way to the bottom of the falls.

We took pictures along the way, followed the return sign, and took 35min.

Bathrooms were nice at the parking lot area.

This was our first hike while in Boone for 2 days. It set high expectations for all others. The walk is not difficult but be prepared to navigate steps. You follow the creek for most of the hike and then enjoy the cascading falls before you turn around to retrace your steps.

There’s a lot to love about this nice little trail right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. 1. There are nice bathrooms at the parking area and that’s not easy to find. 2. The trail is more of a nice short walk in the woods than a “hike,” but it does have some steep steps to deal with once to the Falls, so those who would struggle with that should be advised. 3. The stone viewing platforms of the Falls are fantastic, and provide an up close view from the top and middle. 4. The Waterfall is gorgeous. Well worth the effort.

An informative and very interesting trail that was along a river bed and in numerous covered completely over "tunnels" of greenery and forest vegetation. Traquil cascades and large bolders for the girls to climb around.

I took the hike and the many rock steps despite being somewhat senior. However, this really is not for anyone who really needs a walking stick. There are tree roots and rocky paths that require a bit of agility. There are a lot of steps required to see the falls and not much to save a person who trips. It would be a long tumble. Down wasn't too hard, but consider walking up before making the descent.

The pull off for the trail had nice picnic tables but stepping over the parking lot barrier was a challenge for anyone with a cane, crutches, bad knees or hips. We never made it to the falls as the stairwell near the en had no rails to hold to and the trail was rough. Very disappointed in the choices in this area for people who have a bit of trouble walking.

Lots of interesting places to stop and explore along the stream. Exciting water chute to see at the far end of the hike but keep the kids close by. Good photo opps. Picnic tables with a view and parking area right along the Parkway at the trail head

Trail starts at a nice little park / pull off on the BRPwy. It is probably no more than 1/4 mile each way and follows a fast running stream over rocks , through the woods to the falls. the steps at the top of the falls are quite steep and a little uneven in places. the first viewpoint is right at the lip of the falls and enables you to look right down at the drop off. There is a lower viewpoint with even more uneven steps which gives you a view about 50 ft lower down the falls. worth the steps down !

Waterfall that is different than most we have seen before. Short walk with easy trail most of the way. The very end of the trail has some steep steps that might be difficult if you have knee problems but there is a railing and places to stop. Definitely worth the trip. On Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 271.

Hubby and I stopped here on our NC road trip and the Blue Ridge Parkway. We hiked the Cascades trail to the waterfall. Part of the loop was closed and we back tracked to the parking lot. Pretty trail and views.

Loved the trail not too difficult beautiful waterfall- some tricky steps but worth it went to Boone for a girls getaway- loved hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway has a bathroom which was great

This is a relatively easy hike. For someone not accustomed to hiking, take it a bit slower...it's worth it. I've been coming here for decades, and always find something new to appreciate. Terrestrial orchids in May, great foliage display in October, etc. The trail/path is generally well maintained. The lower area for viewing the falls is the best part. Don't miss it.

There are restrooms and picnic spots in the park and parking area just off the Parkway, so this is a good spot for families to stop for a meal or a break, in addition to the trail.

It's quite near the Park Vista Inn & Restaurant, should you need a great meal or nice place to stay.

This trail is so much fun! An easy walk to a beautiful falls area. A little harder coming back to your car because the return trip is up hill. We loved it!

Short hike within a park stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway, 20 mi N of Boone. Two overlooks to the Cascade Falls are so close to the rushing water, you'll think you can almost reach out and touch them! But be careful on the stairs. Probably the least maintained of any we've been to- and we visit a lot of waterfalls. The railings are falling down in several spots and stairs are very old rock with deep steps. Still, an awesome view that looks much taller than the 30'-40' described.

This is an easy trail and they have done wonderful job identifying the local plants. It's an easy hike down the falls. The picnic area is nice but note that in early spring the restrooms may be closed

Good easy walking trail at MP 271.9 on the Blue Ridge parkway. There are more challenging ones as well. Worth the stop.

its a beautiful area for hiking and an easy hike. The view when you reach the falls is well worth the walk! Wear good shoes with support, not leather bottoms, may slip. Try to go after a good rain cause the falls are even more spectacular! Water rushes really hard and loud. Some say it dumps all the way to Georgetown, SC. NOW THATS A LONG WAY!!

This is a short hike and easy. My 7 and 8 year old enjoyed it and so did my teenagers. The falls were much nicer than we expected for the short hike.

It's a great short hike for folks to see a nice waterfall from the side. Perfect for small kids and older folks. You can make it longer by walking further on the Mountain To Sea Trail (MST) after you have seen the falls. Nice spot to venture to in the fall.

A little bit of a travel to get there but the prettiest falls with a nice trail! We have small boys and they could handle the trail to the falls easily. Bathrooms were closed but it is wooded enough to take care of business. Will definitely return on next trip!

Great short hike right on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Good leg stretcher after riding. Would recommend to anyone able to take a moderate walk.

Short walk through a clear path to several viewing platforms. Some of the steps were steep, but easily accessible. There are some beautiful mountain views. People had dogs. It was quite busy.

My husband and I hiked the Cascades trail one Sunday afternoon recently! It is well maintained and easy to traverse until you get to the falls. There are steps down by the falls, some steep. Going down requires a little concentration, coming back up is a little harder, but certainly not too hard for the average hiker! So glad we did it!!

The trail is in the EB Jeffress Park. It's an easy walk in and out to a beautiful and peaceful waterfall. Unfortunately, the bottom half of the trail was under repair and we were not able to go all of the way down to enjoy the full beauty of the waterfall. What we did see was magnificent. The trail was marked with placards to identify the different plants.

Nice walk to waterfall. There is a great picnic area here with a great view of the mountains. Walk is moderate.

easy to moderate hike with nice series of falls at the bottom. there is a fair amount of stair climbing but the trail is well marked and easy to follow.

This is a very easy hike through a beautiful hardwood forest. The trail follows the stream that eventually makes the cascades. When we were there, half of the loop was closed for repair, but it was still worth it. The different viewing points gave you close ups of the cascades. This was the easiest trail we hiked while along the parkway.

It is an easy walk surrounded by trees,and the placards are nice to read. . The rhododendrons are so big with thick trunks, they must be old.
Parts of the trail,bridges ,and railings are being replaced (much needed) .
The bubbling water at the top of the cascades is whimsical.
Even in late August there was lots of water flowing. The stone steps down are good.

Along with our trusty pup, my husband and I set out on the Cascades Trail. Based on the website, it was easy enough to find and had convenient parking, picnic tables, and restrooms. The hike itself is relatively easy and nicely shaded. The trouble comes in where the trail narrows and introduces stairs. There is no warning at the start. It was challenging to manage our dog on the narrow and often steep stairs with other hikers coming the opposite direction- as it's often single file. Strollers would be impossible on the steps and I would recommend one adult per child to navigate some of the more precarious stair, railing, and bridge placement. The falls are simple but pretty. A few nice photo ops nearby. Overall, I'd look for something a bit more challenging activity wise, with a greater destination, and less complicated for passing fellow hikers.

Our family stopped here during our 4th of July vacation week. Such a lovely area on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Easy hike, beautiful cascading waters, excellent picnic area (except the port-a-potties REALLY needed emptying). We will do this again!

Although there are more impressive falls along the Blue Ridge Parkway, this one is still a nice break from driving and a short walk to and from it. There are rest rooms at the parking area. (And yes, there are stairs on the hike just to warn those who hate stairs). I loved the nature signs identifying the various bushes and trees and was sad that so many are missing but I read all the ones that were there.

Enjoyable walk in the woods . Use caution - there have been accidents and a few deaths here I believe through the years . Do not climb up on the rocks for pics. Do not walk on wet rocks . Beautiful but danger . Enjoy !

Trail is clear and easy...waterfall is very nice and u have a different angle of view than most other falls....however stay on the trail and do NOT cross barriers at the falls...deaths have occurred.

This is a great walk. It only took about 40 minutes to go all the way down to the bottom of the falls and back. Make sure that you follow the markers and bear to the right at the beginning. This will bring you back in a full loop.

Easy hike right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Trail follows creek, with placards along the way describing native trees. Path branches off to MST (mountains to sea) trail through woods, a much less traveled trail but with awesome views of valleys and mountains in distance. Stick to main trail to see Cascades waterfall and be careful on stairs to falls that can get slick when wet with rain. Recent rains had the water running fast down the rocks, making a spectacular view.

I did this hike with my five year old son on a rainy day. It was a great length for him - long enough to be satisfying but not too tiring. The payoff was huge as this waterfall is quite impressive. It was also fun to cross the bridges and go down the rock staircases. Doing this one with much smaller children like toddlers might not be a good idea. There were a few places where the trail/bridges needed some repair so caution is needed. We hiked down from the nearby parking area and it was about 45 minutes at a comfortable exploratory pace. I've heard that you can also hike in from farther away using the mountains to sea trail.

Short walk. Informative tree identification ,(12) labels along path. Doesn't inform one of drop distance of Falls. Trail does not go to the bottom

Facilities are closed but still an enjoyable walk improving trail so only one way down and back instead of a loop

End of our Western North Carolina stay, we stopped by The Cascades Trail. It was a great stop. Good path, wide and well maintained. Falls offer 3 viewing areas; top, side near top and side 1/2 way down.
25-30 stone steps to reach last view, but worth it.

Love the hike... loved the lower level view of the falls... we even greatly enjoyed a family picnic near the parking lot. This is a nice place.

I used to take my children when they were younger. It is a nice walk, peaceful, and beautiful waterfalls. Very family friendly, can be a romantic nature walk as well.

The sign in the parking lot says it's a leisurely 30 minute walk but we did it in only 70 minutes. Trail to/from the falls is generally good with a few narrow places and several steps. The view of the falls is worth the walk. It;s located about mile marker 272 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This was the first trail we visited during our trip to Boone. The scenery was great! Loved the waterfall even if getting to the overlook was a bit tough. Not a long trail but the steps can be a bit treacherous.

Great hike.Easy enough for ages ranging from seventy year old grandma to three year old dynamo. Footing is a bit tricky in spots.

Planning a trip on the blue ridge parkway? Include the cascade falls and schedule your stop at meal time. Take a picnic basket and take advantage of the picnic tables and large lawn for playing frisbee, then take a short hike to the falls before or after your meal. There are two viewing areas, with steep stone steps to get to them after a lovely but short walk through pristine blue ridge mountain forest. Nothing is finer in carolina than the blue ridge parkway and the cascades are a great short stop along the way.

We went with our 2 children (8 & 4) and were able to do the whole hike, including a lot of stops to take pictures in 45-50 minutes. The sign says 30 minute walk, but the littlest one's short legs made the stairs difficult. It was a pretty easy walk, not at all strenuous for the adults, and just the right length for my 8 year old. The stairs could be an issue for some, as they are uneven, some quite tall, and some a little slanted. Part of the path was closed when we went - it looks like they're repairing the bridge, so rather than a loop, we had to walk back the way we came, but that wasn't a problem. The trail was not at all crowded.
All in all, the falls were gorgeous and I'm so glad we stopped here! We enjoyed a nice lunch on the picnic tables and the restrooms were honestly much cleaner than I expected.

This is a lovely short hike but the views are not the best. The lookouts are crowded ( we were there on a Wednesday) and with Covi We wondered if it would be better in the winter?d - and having to wait 6 feet apart-it's not really worth the short picture moment.

Hiked this with my 3 grandsons ages 5 and 8. The younger twins handled it fine. Great time was had by all. Kids were made honary National Park rangers by a very nice park ranger we passed, which was a high point in the hike.

My husband and I walked the cascade trail today and it was delightful. It’s an easy walk and the photos we got were outstanding. The falls are beautiful and it’s well worth the trip.

Beautiful falls that are easy to get to via an easy half mile walk that is dog friendly. The stairs to about halfway down the falls are a bit steep, but negotiable for children and pets.

This is a place that you want to visit, you will be fascinated and truly enjoy it. It has beautiful views and the waterfall is breathtaking.

Very Nice easy trail and great for kids! The water fall was beautiful!!! They also have picnic tables just in case you would like to bring some lunch. It is a very nice place to enjoy a walk and eat a lunch overlooking the mountains!

Trail was nice. There are many steps once you are near the falls. Wear good shoes that you won’t mind getting dirty because it is muddy. Several picnic tables. Restrooms are back open. They were closed back at Easter. Part of the trail is still closed but, you can still get to the falls. It’s no loop, you take same trail going as coming. Nice view from a high elevation. Several other spots near there to stop and take in the mountain views.

Happened upon this great location while driving along the parkway. Completely enjoyed my time here looking at the beautiful scenery. I wish I had more time to spend here and a camera. A camera is a must!

Nice loop hike to a waterfall. Some steep rock steps at the end, but mostly a fairly easy trail. The log bridge is nice. Keep a close eye on your kids on this trail as some of the overlook rails are a bit low.

We had a blast on this hike. It’s a little under a half mile each way but not too rigorous for small children. The trail follows a beautiful rock bottom stream that has several access points to dip your feet in. The waterfall is amazing and pictures don’t do it justice. Plan on about an hour total for the hike and view.

We stopped for a picnic lunch while driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. Weren't award of the trail until we got there. It was a very enjoyable hike down to the falls. Not too long and not too strenuous.

Intro level hiking trail that is feasible for all ages. Nice waterfall at end, a good family hike. Could get slippery in spots if raining. Picnic tables great to eat at. No running water so no bathrooms (only portable, and they are disgusting). Bring your drinking water and use restroom in advance. I liked it because it was quick and easy, pretty trail and waterfall.

To best take advantage of E.B. Jeffress Park where Cascades Trail is located park at Tompkins Overlook a 1/2 south of Cascades. Head north on a connector trail that passes 2 buildings from the 1800's which are amazing. Continue through a hardwood forest trail about a 1/2 mile ending in the picnic area of Cascades. Continue onto the Cascades Trail ending at the spectacular falls then retrace your steps. Picnic at the park or consider taking the parkway to Old 421 then onto 421. Set your GPS and find Booneshine Brewery for a thoroughly lovely afternoon. 2.2 miles easy to moderate hike.

Most of the waterfall hikes in this area require a 2+ mile hike to get to the waterfalls. This trail is great because it leads to a cool waterfall, but from the parking lot to the bottom of the falls and back is only a 1.1 mile round trip. The kids loved the wood foot bridges and the falls. My 5-year old did it without any complaint. There are some rock and log steps, so those with disabilities may find it difficult. Definitely worth checking out if you are in Boone or on the BRP.

We parked at the Tomkins Knob parking lot (a 2.4 mile round trip hike to the falls) to get to the cascades waterfall. Along the way we passed the Jesse Brown Cabin (a 19th century residence) and the Cool Spring Baptist Church (a shelter used when circuit preachers were in the area). If you would like a shorter hike you could start from the Cascades parking lot and it will only be a 1.2 mile round trip.

This is a wonderful trail right in the middle of mother nature. You don't have to go to the bottom of the cascades water fall, but it's quite impressive if you do. The climb back up might be challenging for some.

This trail is beautiful, well maintained, and leads to several sites where you will be compelled to photograph the beautiful waterfalls. The trail is relatively short, a 45 minute journey at most, but can be extended if you wish, toward the historic cabins to the south/west, from the far end of the parking lot. There is a restroom and picnic facilities at the main parking lot, with a wonderful view of the valley. The park is conveniently located along the Blue Ridge, just a few miles from Rt. 421 out of Boone.

We had a lovely walk, which is very doable until you get to the steps that lead to the best views. Please do not bring your dogs. The walk is narrow, crowded, and uneven to the bottom of the falls. There are few places to step off and it’s nearly impossible to pass both a man and large dog walking down while you’re climbing up. Also, arrive before 10 am to get parking.

Walked this short trail with our dog. Goes around in a loop, and follows a lovely stream which ends up as the Cascades Fall. Some steep steps to get down to platforms to see the falls, but worth it. Very dramatic and steep falls into an abyss. Very much enjoyed the circular trail with many different trees, flowers and fauna.

We've hiked the Cascades Trail many times and it's always a little different. It's a fairly easy walk and eventual loop that leads you back to the entrance which is a rest stop which has bathrooms, picnic tables and a great view. The trail starts off flat through the forest, which contains many hardwood tree varieties. There are even labels on many of the trees which is nice if you're curious like we are. As the trail descends through the trees you hear the waterfall up ahead. There is a definite roar during the wet season, which around here has been the case this year. The waterfall drops too far for you to walk it as there is no trail further down, but it's a nice spot to rest up before you head back to the top. Take your kids and enjoy the short walk; it's not far enough to wear them out!

The trail is well maintained to the falls. A footbridge crosses the creek just above the falls and is good place to hear the water rushing on the rocks. The trail makes a loop which gives you a different view on the way back.

We did this as a late afternoon hike since we didn't have a lot of time left before meeting friends for dinner. 30 minutes is a fair estimate for a leisurely pace. It is a hike, not a walk in the park. It has rustic bridges and steps, but it would not be difficult unless you have physical problems. It follows a stream and it looked like the rhododendrons were past their peak, but some were still blooming a bit. It was quiet with little traffic or congestion when we were there. The path makes a loop, so you can't get lost. Well worth the stop, especially if you like waterfalls.

The hike to the falls is short but there are some steep steps. The viewing areas are right next to the falls, so you get a close-up view. I live in the area and go to the falls a few times a year.

Our friends are into waterfalls so when planning this trip I found one on the BRP at E.B. Jeffress Park. The Cascades Trail was an easy one mile loop to the falls and then a pleasant trek back up along the creek. I would call the trail moderate but treacherous especially when it was damp like today as there are a lot of rock steps that could become slippery. But don't let that deter you because waterfalls are better after a rain right?. I held my breath all the way down as I had seen this water in pictures as a small trickle and also as a roaring torrent. Wasn't sure what we were going to get. When we first reached the creek there was a small rapids and my heart began to sink. I was like oh no we are going to be duped. But as we continued down the steps the rushing water became evident. Yes we had a pretty full flow and it was absolutely gorgeous. Be careful on the way to the bottom some of the handrails are loose and this was one of the best waterfalls I have ever seen

This is good for people who are not into strenuous, long hikes to see falls. I did not care much for the hike and the falls were minimal in comparison to other falls in the surrounding area. The soil here is rich with nutrients, allowing for many exotic plants to grow wild. The plants are marked with signs including additional info. It would have been nice to see the flame azalea in bloom, but I am sure that was closer to spring time and we were here in late June. We did choose to do Tompkins Knob trail and then connect to the Cascades trail to lengthen the hike a bit... There is a couple of buildings left from the 1800's that were of interest. But we would have preferred a little bit more.

We found this place on a lark over the weekend. It took us a little while longer than most to do the trail, I am 8 months pregnant and we had our 2 year old who stops to look at everything! She did really well on the trail and it was not hard for her at all. The views are gorgeous and it doesn't take forever to make it to the Cascades.

Heavily shaded trail leads to upper and lower waterfalls. Be prepared for a lot of stairs. Path on the way back to the parking lot was slightly eroded. Wear stout shoes. It started to rain after we arrived at the falls and we hardly got wet at all because of the tree canopy. The shaded path also makes for a cooler walk during hot summer days. Several picnic tables (maybe 5-6?) are in the parking area as well as modern restrooms.

Nice Hike. Beautiful scenery and easy to walk trail. Only trouble I ran into was finding on map. Search for subject in my review.

This is a short, fairly easy hike. The sign says it is a 1-mile loop, but there were areas blocked off and it ended up being a 1 mile or so out and back hike. The trailhead is a short paved section to the left on the restrooms, right at the end of the parking lot and is very easy to find. The trail is well marked and well-traveled but is rough and uneven in many places, so care must be used. There is no need for hiking poles on this trail, just hike slowly and be careful of your footing. There are signs to stay on the trail, but hikers today did not follow that rule, which totally amazes me. You will follow alongside a creek then cross over it as you make your way to the small buy pretty falls. You can walk further down to see more of the same falls, but remember, when you take the steps down, you have to hike back up. Even if you take the steps all the way down, it's not that hard to get back up the steps to the main trail unless you are out of shape. This is not a hike that I would go out of the way to see, but if you are in the area, I definitely would stop in for a hike. We were there on a Sunday at around noon and there were plenty of parking spaces available, the restrooms were clean and the trail was well maintained. It's great for hikers of all ages.

We enjoyed our little walk trhough this trail. The sound of the water is music to your ears and if you are lucky you may see a deer or two! When facing the pinic tables if you follow the trail to the right you can go check out the Church.

Easy, beautiful path with steeper steps next to the falls. Public restroom in parking area. Lovely tree covered walk.

This a great falls to visit. The walk is only a mile with nice information plates about local plants found on the trail. The falls were amazing. The overlooks take you right up to the falls. The trail is done in a circle so on the way back you had a nice walk right next to the creek. They say it takes 30 minutes to walk it but to take everything in takes about an hour.

Cascade Falls is located a mile marker 271 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We hiked to the exquisite Cascade Falls - 0.5 mile one way. It is a loop trail and we strongly recommend you hike the loop, to enjoy the beauty of the scenery, waterfalls, streams, rhododendron and mountain laurel.

The trail is very well kept; signage is excellent; there are numerous signs that identify trees, bushes and other foliage as you travel the trail. The first stopping point is a wooden bridge over a very small waterfall/stream which is a predecessor to the Cascade Falls.

You will then see a wooden sign that says "Return", to the left of the bridge. Instead, continue down the trail on the right side of the bridge and continue down to the falls. You can hear the rushing of the water as you travel down the steps (handrail on the left side, albeit a bit low for someone 5'8").

There is then a level viewing area right next to the falls (with a stone wall so children are extremely safe here). The falls are gorgeous, surrounded by rhododendron and mountain laurel and beautifully maintained. Great photo opportunities - especially for your photo holiday cards or Facebook or Instagram.

At that point, the falls go steeply downhill, and you can continue to hike downhill if you have the energy and stamina.

When going back up the steps, then take the return section of the loop, and enjoy the beauty, mountain laurel, rhododendron, and other interesting plant life. There is a lovely fast running stream on the right side, some would call it very small cascading water.

Easy trail although listed as moderate - very fast hike, even stopping to take in the falls and greenery. Restrooms at the parking lot are amazingly clean for a tiny restroom off the parkway.

There are 5-6 picnic tables with an exquisite view of the mountains (framed by the white flowering dogwoods), so take your lunch or snacks. No vending machines so bring your water bottles.

Ample parking, for best experience, go when the rhododendrons and mountain laurels are blooming.

Again, when traveling northbound on Blue Ridge Parkway, there is a detour at mile marker 277 (May 2015 and longer ??). The detour takes you to 421 and then 221 and you re- enter the parkway at mile marker 269. Therefore, turn right onto the parkway and go south to 271. Follow signs to Cascade Falls and Trail.

Enjoy - we will definitely return!!!!

This is a pretty simple hike to the falls. As I remember it was about a 1/2 mile in and 1/2 mile out. The falls themselves are quite beautiful. If you're not in good physical shape you can take your time and its worth the hike.

Right off the blue ridge parkway the falls are easily accessible by stairs. At one point you are standing right beside the cascading falls, so close you can put your hand in the falls. They are beautiful and the sound of rushing water is as I said mesmerizing.

Loved hiking this trail with the kids (youngest hiker is 3). Lots of stairs down to the bottom of the fall, but just a few to the top of the fall, so if stairs are a problem could stay at the top. It's a small falls, but very pretty, and nice that the hike is a loop.

Short hike to falls.....great for families! Very easy to find. Will go again when in Boone area. Easy to find when typed on GPS.

Traveling the Blue Ridge Highway is even more fun when one decides to hike along the way. One of the very pleasant stops is E.B. Jeffres Park with Cascades Trail. Beautiful nature even in March, The trail a bit run down but easy leads to amazing unexpected cascades of Falls Creek.
There is a large overlook parking lot and trail head to your left, easy to find.

We read the reviews before going and it mentioned 1 set of steps. Wrong! There were three sets of stairs that were uneven, sharp old rocks stuck in the side of the mountain with handrails that are old and rickety. There was a wobbley, old foot bridge over the stream that I was scared was going to collapse. The waterfall isn't that spectacular either. Would definitely not go back.

Beautiful way to spend time inn nature . The beautiful colors of the leaves 🍁 and the quiet smoothing sounds of the waterfall make this a perfect place for a walk in nature

I have hiked this many times with my wife. Recently I took my 3 grand kids ages 5 - 8 on this hile by myself. The trail is very easy until you get to the cascades. There you travel down some fairly steep steps to view the cascades. Though the stairs are steep, they were handled with ease by the 5-year old twins. Once down they really enjoyed the falls. This is part of the Jeffress Park right on the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile post 272. The parking area has icnic area and restrooms. After the hike the grand kids enjoyed a picnic and even got stickers from a passing park ranger. Grand time had by all.

The trail down to the falls is an easy hike although the steps down the falls themselves can be a bit slick and are narrow. The loop around the other side of the creek is also a lovely walk. A great way to spend an hour or two.

Lovely, well-marked nature path. the trail is as nice as the falls, which can only be safely viewed from top and side angles. Definitely make the loop to pass back over the stream and around several small cove areas.

This is a short trail that leads from a Blue Ridge Parkway Overlook to two viewpoints of a long, cascading waterfall that flows over a large area of rock. While this waterfall is not spectacular, the trail itself was enjoyable: not too steep and containing several markers describing local trees. We were also thrilled to find numerous types of mushrooms that gave us plenty of photographic opportunities. This trail is suitable for all ages, but not handicap accessible.

Quick leisurely stroll to a beautiful waterfall view and well worth it too! The hike there took maybe 8-10 minutes and the descent to the lower section was very steep, so be cautious especially with the little ones or any elderly. Amazing view of an impressive natural waterfall and very close to Highway 421 North/South if you are passing through. Highly recommended.

Hiked to the waterfall with a group of about 25 people, ages 2 to 65 and we all enjoyed it! If you park at Tomkins Knob Overlook, you walk 500 feet to Jesse Brown Cabin, wide open field, great for kids to run around freely and explore an old church and springhouse, easy flat hike about 1/4 mile through trees, before you get to the E.B. Jeffres parking lot. From there we hiked the cascades trail to the waterfall. Because we had so many little ones (10 under 7 yrs old) when we got back to the parking area, a few of us walked back to get the cars while the younger kids and rest of group had snacks/drinks/used restroom.

Easily accessible by foot. Trail is clearly marked, slight inclines for a short period. Waterfall is about 1/2 mile from parking lot. Beautiful area to have a picnic too. Park is right off Blue Ridge Parkway in Deep Gap!

Great trail and you don't have to walk to far to come across the water falls. Lots of spots for great pictures. We all were able to complete trail and ages ranged from 7-72 years old.

My husband and I stopped here while driving a short section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Cascades Trail is about a 1 mile hike round trip. It can be done in 30 minutes, but it took us about an hour to enjoy the cascades and take photos. It is a relatively easy hike. Restrooms are also located here. There are picnic tables where you can take a break and enjoy some refreshments before or after the hike.

Very nice walk, once you get near the waterfall the steps and a little tricky. Also muddy area near the wall. We enjoyed it and it doesn’t take long to walk it.

Such a beautiful place. Nice and easy hike in and out, wish it were a bit longer and more views of the cascades.. Great photo ops of the mountains.

This shot trail is often overlooked but is well worth taking. It was hard to believe such a small stream could produce such an awesome sight. Breath taking overview of the cascades. I would definitely recommend to anyone!

The Cascades Trail is probably a 'hidden gem' on the Blue Ridge Parkway! Do yourself a favor and stop for a bit of a walk (about 30 minutes round trip)....very easy walk and a delightful view of the Falls at the end of the trail. We took the 'pooch' for a stroll down the trail and she too loved it. With all of the recent rain in the area...LOTS of water going over the falls. Plentiful parking and picnic tables too. Pull over, take a break and enjoy The Cascades Trail in Jeffres Park.

This trail only took us 1 hour and a half to walk. Half of it was closed so it was not a loop, you walked down to the cascade and turned around and walked back. My husband is a fast walker and did it in less than an hour and then just waited in the car for us to finish. The views down to the waterfall are worth it. Not a trail for avid hikers as it’s short and they would probably finish it in 30 minutes. I would highly recommend for children.

easy to moderate hike and a historical cabin. We had a lot of rain and there was a lot of water and well worth the slosh...

We visited on a gorgeous fall morning, it was super easy to find right off the Blue Ridge parkway- there is a large parking area, with some picnic tables facing a great mountain view. The trail wasn't very strenuous, but there are some rocky, slightly steep steps to navigate so you do need to be careful. There are 3 levels of waterfalls, the first level was very very small but cute, then you go down another level where it really opens up and you can stand right beside it, and then you can continue down further to the bottom level where it's a gorgeous view. It may not be the largest waterfall you could see, but it's a lovely trail that doesn't take too long to walk down and back so if you're looking for a moderate little hike, it's perfect.

Very smelly and really unclean lavatory. I was put off at the first smell. They should have it serviced regularly.

Don’t miss this easy access trail. Restrooms in season and picnic area. Not far from Hwy 421 on Blue Ridge Parkway.

Stopped here for a quick hike to check out the falls. Great for families and people of all ages! Highly recommend!

Quick, fun and easy hike...we hiked with our two young daughters and it was good length for them. We loved the Beautiful waterfalls and the scenery. It was nice to know they had public restrooms too.

What a great way to end our vacation to the mountains heading back east! The trail was very easy to navigate and was only about 1 mile round trip. The walk down to the falls was very beautiful and downhill. There were many plaques around describing the plants and trees but we did not have time to read them all. When we got to the falls there were 2 locations to view them. Both were amazing! The falls were flowing and made for great pictures! Make sure you visit both spots. It only took our family of 4 and small dog about 40 minutes to walk the trail and get some great pictures! A must to see!