Upper Cascade Falls is a 25-foot cascade waterfall on Cascade Creek in Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, North Carolina. A short, easy trail from the park's visitor center leads to an observation deck and down wooden stairs to the pool at its foot.
The falls
Cascade Creek descends in a single steep 25-foot cascade, a height based on lidar data. Below the falls the creek continues downstream to Lower Cascades. The falls are tall and burbling, ending in a shallow catch pool.
Getting there
The Upper Cascades Trail begins at the west end of the visitor center parking lot at 1005 Visitor Center Drive in Westfield and immediately crosses Hanging Rock Park Road, so watch for cars. North Carolina State Parks rates it easy at 0.2 mile one way; it starts as asphalt and turns to gravel after the junction with the Rock Garden Trail. It is open to hikers only and is not accessible. There is no day-use fee at Hanging Rock State Park.
When to go
In September the main gate is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; winter hours are shorter, and the park is closed on Christmas Day.
On site
A wooden observation deck with seating gives a view of the falls, and wooden stairs continue down to the shallow pool at the base. In July 2018 a boy fell about 30 feet near Upper Cascades and was taken to the hospital; stay on the deck, stairs and trail. Dogs are allowed on an attended leash no longer than 6 feet.
Nearby
Hidden Falls is about 0.5 mile away and Window Falls about 0.7 mile, both on Indian Creek. Lower Cascade Falls, downstream on Cascade Creek, is about 1.3 miles away but is reached from its own lot on Hall Road. Torys Falls is about 1.8 miles away.
Distances are straight-line.