The Cascades is a plunge waterfall on Birch Creek, a tributary of Yellow Springs Creek, within the 1,000-acre Glen Helen Nature Preserve adjoining John Bryan State Park. The preserve has roughly 25 miles of trails through limestone cliffs and old-growth woods.
The falls are fed by Birch Creek. You'll find it in Greene, Ohio. It is protected within Glen Helen Nature Preserve (Antioch College).
This is a moderate hike waterfall: a longer day hike, roughly one to several miles each way. Plan for a moderate hike; sturdy shoes, water, and a little time on the trail are worth bringing. Base a visit out of Yellow Springs, the closest town.
When to go: Spring (after rain or snowmelt). Like most waterfalls, Cascades at Glen Helen runs highest after snowmelt or heavy rain and can thin out in late summer, so it's worth checking recent streamflow and the land manager's conditions page before a long drive.
