Lower Cascades (Hanging Rock)


Lower Cascades is a waterfall in North Central North Carolina, located in Hanging Rock State Park in Stokes County.

History

The falls was first seen by Europeans when German naturalist Lewis David von Schweinitz discovered it, and was originally named Schweinitz Falls.

Geology

The waterway is Cascades Creek, which flows through Hanging Rock State Park. The falls has an overhanging bluff and a large plunge pool at the base.

Visiting the Falls

The falls are open to the public and are accessible beginning at a parking area on the side of Hall Road. Visitors may take a moderate-difficulty 0.3-mile trail to the falls. The trail used to be extremely difficult at the end with a dangerous cliff scramble, but has been made much easier by the addition of a set of stairs to the plunge pool.

Nearby Falls

Hanging Rock State Park hosts 4 other waterfalls: