September 01, 2020 - The Pine Mountain Trail Association would like me to note that the official distance to Cascade Falls is 2.1 miles, making the round trip hike 4.2 miles. My GPS recorded it as 3.8 when I was here in 2018. All GPS devices have margins of error. I recommend purchasing the detailed topographic map for $5 at the Visitor Center (2970 GA-190 Pine Mountain Valley, GA 31822, 9 miles west down GA-190/Pine Mountain Hwy from the trailhead).

Nestled in middle west Georgia, F.D. Roosevelt State Park is home to the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail. However, if you're not looking for an all day hike, several shorter hikes and loop options are available for a variety of different lengths and difficulties. At under 4 miles, the out and back Cascade Falls hike travels along a quiet creek with multiple small waterfalls making it an excellent shorter hike.

I recommend picking up a trail map for $5 from the park office before heading out. The trails are well blazed with signs at all intersections and the map is posted at the trailhead, but it's still nice to have one in your hand and it supports the park. You can park at either the Tower Parking Lot or the Rocky Point Parking Lot although this description is from the Tower lot.

Starting at the end of the blue-blazed Pine Mountain Trail, this hike has a wide variety of terrain. Walk along soft beds of pine needles, gravel and rocky pathways, small boulder fields, and multiple creek crossing where you should expect to get your feet a little wet. Immediately pass the White Candle and Beaver Pond trails, staying to the right. Following along a small creek will quickly lead to multiple creek crossings. Most can be made easily enough just take it slow on wet rocks.

Hike past 3 small waterfalls before the trail heads sharply up the hillside away from the creek. At 1.9 miles in you will come to Cascade Falls, a series of cascades ending in about a 5 foot drop into a small pond. This hike ends here, but if you want a longer loop hike, continue on for the Pine Mountain Trail Wolf Den Loop.