Cascade Falls at F.D. Roosevelt State Park
On November 8, 2025, I went hiking with my sister Maddie at F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain. Maddie lives in LaGrange (she’s a LaGrange College student) and wanted to go hiking, so why not hop on over to Pine Mountain?
Cascade Falls and Wolfden Loop at F.D. Roosevelt State Park
The last time Jesse and I visited F.D. Roosevelt and hiked the Pine Mountain Trail, we got lost! So, this time I was prepared to take several clear photos of the map at the visitor’s center. Once we got to the visitor center and started looking at the map, a pair of men walked up to us. One of them asked what trail we were going to go on. We had a feeling we wanted to go see Cascade Falls, but the trail was somewhat hard to find on the map.
The ironic part is one of them was the cartographer that made the map!
The men showed us how to get there and were very helpful. The ironic part is one of them was the cartographer that made the map! If you have been to F.D. Roosevelt, you know that the map is a nice one – very detailed and spans a large area. But you have to admit, it’s kind of overwhelming! My number one tip if you go is either buy the map or take many pictures of the map.
The trail we were directed to go to was Wolfden Loop. This trail does not start at the visitor center. You have to drive to it. The trailhead is labeled on the map and on Google maps as “WJSP-TV Tower/Mile 23 Trailhead.” The exact address will be pasted in the tips for your trip section at the very end of the article. The shortest route there is a 9-mile drive. You know you’ve made it when you see the giant WJSP-TV tower. This is where you park.
This second weekend in November was a great time to see fall color
There is only one trail to start off, but once you walk through the tree tunnel (you’ll know it when you see it) there are two signs that give many trail options. There is also a third sign that is super helpful and directed towards the waterfall chasers. It says, “Looking for CASCADE FALLS & WOLFDEN?” Read it! It lets you know that not only are you in the right place, but you will be following blue blazes for 2.1 miles. In addition, you will be passing three other waterfalls. Wolfden loop in total is 6.7 miles. Maddie and I did the shorter 2.1 miles so that we could hit all the waterfalls. The total trip was 4.2 miles for us.
This second weekend in November was a great time to see fall color. Up in North Georgia, many places are reaching their peak at this time. But the lower elevations peak at later times in November. This area had not yet reached peak, there was still some green, but plenty of gold and oranges were along the hike.
This trail is in the hilly Piedmont region of Georgia. However, F.D. Roosevelt is in the Pine Mountain area. The Pine Mountain Range is a long ridge that is about 20 miles long. No, it is not the same as going up to the Appalachians in North Georgia, but it is still just as cool! This little mountain range definitely offers variety in this area of middle Georgia.
This was one of my favorite spots along the trail
The first two waterfalls along the trail are not tall waterfalls, but rather small to medium water features. However, they are very unique. For example, Csonka Falls is a stream of water that travels over a large, flat table of rock into a large calm pool. This was one of my favorite spots along the trail.
As you hike down the trail, some places are very rocky and rooty. When we went, it had rained a few days before. The trail goes up and down a lot, and the lower areas of the trail stay wet and slick. It was actually very noticeable when you went from the higher areas to the lower areas because of the humidity. The trail follows a creek, and that also contributes to the slick areas. The trail can have challenging uphill sections, but they are fairly short.
Another spot that was very pretty was Slippery Rock Falls. This is an area where the creek tumbles downhill over tons of rock. You are also level with the water because the trail descends down with the water.
It is not a hard walk to the top and it overlooks Cascade Falls
Finally, you come to Cascade Falls. This is a larger waterfall compared to the others. There are also places to sit near the waterfall. It is a pretty waterfall and a great end to your hike. Or you can keep going on Wolfden Loop. We actually went up the trail a little more to the top of a large rocky cliff. This is worth it! It is not a hard walk to the top and it overlooks Cascade Falls. Definitely go those few extra steps for a different view of the waterfall and some extra rock formations and a cave.
As you make your way on the trail, be sure to take your time. The leaves this time of year were beautiful, especially as they fell into the creek. Slow down and explore! On our way back, we found a cute little red-bellied snake. We also found some wolfs milk, a bubblegum pink colored slime mold. The Piedmont region of Georgia is the most biologically diverse, so take the time to look around.
After we finished our hike, in the Trails and Tap tradition, we went to a brewery
After we finished our hike, in the Trails and Tap tradition, we went to a brewery. We visited Wild Leap in LaGrange. Jesse and I have visited this brewery before. You can read about it here! However, I will still do a quick update about some drinks we had. I got the Peach Please, a peach cobbler beer. It smelled like peach cobbler and was light and refreshing. I also tried the It Comes in Pints, an oatmeal cookie brown ale. That was the winner! It tasted like a frosted oatmeal cookie! It was so good and a perfect beer for a chilly November night. Maddie isn’t much of a beer drinker, but luckily Wild Leap has tons of alcohol options. Maddie got a Cinnaberry slushy, made with Wild Leap’s own vodka, white cranberry, strawberry and cinnamon. The cinnamon and cranberry were reminiscent of a Thanksgiving dinner dessert. So good!
F.D. Roosevelt State Park and Wild Leap are the perfect pair. F.D. Roosevelt is the largest state park in Georgia, with 43 miles of trails. Wild Leap has so many drink options. When we were there, there were just over 30 drinks available. There is something for everyone at these two Georgia gems!
Happy Trails!
Katie & Guest hiker Maddie
Tips for your trip to Cascade Falls
- Wolfden Loop trail head address: WJSP-TV Tower/Mile 23 Trailhead, U.S. 27 Alternate At 609 Whitehouse Parkway/WJSP tower parking lot, Warm Springs, GA 31830
- Geo Coordinates: 32.85213, -84.703390
- The Wolfden Loop is blazed blue.
- The visitor center and the trailhead parking lot have pictures of the trail map. Please take good pictures of it if you don’t buy it! I know from experience how easy it is to get lost there!
- Wear some good hiking boots or trail shoes. There were some very slick areas on the trail.
- Take your time on the trail – there is so much to look at!
- Google Map to F.D. Roosevelt State Park
- Looking for gear that reflects your outdoor lifestyle? Check out our unique trail-inspired apparel that’s created for hikers, by hikers.
Last Updated on January 10, 2026
