Home » Pittsburgh and its Suburbs

Pennsylvania Waterfalls: How to Get to Big Run Falls in New Castle’s Cascade Park

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. We will make a small commission from these links if you order something at no additional cost to you.

I’ve been to well over 100 waterfalls in Pennsylvania, but I’ve come across very few that combine the unique history, beauty, and accessibility of Big Run Falls in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania (not to be confused with Big Run Falls in Sullivan County, PA).

Big Run Falls is located in the center of Cascade Park on the outskirts of downtown New Castle. Cascade Park is a former amusement park that ran from 1897 until the early 1980s. The park was home to rollercoasters, many amusement rides, and what at one time was the largest dance hall in Pennsylvania.

Connected to the city of New Castle by both train and trolley, over 7,000 people a day would visit the park during its heyday.

Carousel at Cascade Park in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
The former carousel building from Cascade Park still stands near Big Run Falls.

With attendance declining in the 1970s and the park needing major upkeep, local residents stepped in to try to save parts of the park. Over the course of the seventies and eighties, the park was cleaned up and many of the rides were removed, creating the beautiful park that you can visit today.

At the center of this park is Big Run Falls. The 20-25 foot tall waterfall is located along the edge of a very large hollow. This circular-shaped area makes it difficult to get close to Big Run Falls, but also offers a great vantage point from which to view the waterfall. This viewing area is located adjacent to the roadway through the park and close to a parking area, making this a very easy waterfall to visit.

Big Run Falls is just one waterfalls in this itinerary of waterfalls in northwestern Pennsylvania
Big Run Falls in New Castle’s Cascade Park.

If you want a closer look at the waterfall, I’ve heard that you can walk up the creek from the bottom of the hill below the waterfall, but I didn’t have a chance to do that during my visit, so I can’t comment on the ease of the route.

While the waterfall is very cool and definitely worth seeing, don’t leave the park without taking a few minutes to check out the bits and pieces that are left from the amusement park.

Just downstream of the waterfall, you can see supports that used to be part of The Comet, a rollercoaster that was built in 1955 and used to dive into the valley near the waterfall. Also in the park are the remains of several buildings that used to house amusement park rides and concession stands. Even the original dance hall is still standing within the park.

Cascade Park rollercoaster in New Castle, Pennsylvania
Supports once used for a rollercoaster can still be seen near Big Run Falls.

To give visitors an idea of what the park used to be like, there are historical signposts scattered throughout Cascade Park. These signs tell the story of the park and show historical photos so that visitors can get a better feel for what the park looked like during its heyday.

This unique combination of history, beauty, and accessibility makes Big Run Falls and Cascade Park a must-visit destination for any history or nature lover visiting the New Castle area.

How to Get to Big Run Falls

Big Run Falls in Cascade Park in New Castle, PA
Big Run Falls during a snowstorm.

Big Run Falls is located within Cascade Park in the southeastern corner of New Castle, Pennsylvania. The park is located along Route 65, just a mile off of the main route between New Castle and McConnells Mill State Park.

Cascade Park in New Castle, PA
Concession stands and the dance hall still stand from the days of Cascade Park.

While it’s worth spending time exploring the park, the parking area for Big Run Falls can be found at the following coordinates: 40.976503, -80.320562. From here, simply cross the road to the waterfall viewing area.

If you are visiting during the month of December, make sure to also check out the park’s evening light show, Cascade of Lights.

If you’re looking for other waterfalls in the area, check out the falls in McConnells Mill State Park including Breakneck Falls and Hell’s Hollow Falls, as well as Quaker Falls. Other spots worth checking out in the area include the Lawrence County Historical Society Museum and the county’s covered bridges.

[Click here for information on how to use the coordinates in this article to find your destination.]

See map below for other area attractions.


Click the map to see more nearby things to do

Pittsburgh travel map"

More nearby places worth exploring

Find more things to do in the Pittsburgh region

4 thoughts on “Pennsylvania Waterfalls: How to Get to Big Run Falls in New Castle’s Cascade Park”

  1. Thanks, for all the time you put in to this Newsletter…!!
    We are not far from New Castle…..so , got to check that out….been to the McConnells Mill State Park..but not the water fall…
    Thanks again..

    Reply
  2. I have been away from New Castle for more than 30 years. Glad to hear that Cascade Park has been salvaged/saved in some respects and can be used and appreciated for its natural beauty. I remember as a kid walking down to the “lake” with my parents to ride the boat to watch the fireworks. Then, it was that steep walk back up the hill and home to the East Side. Is the swimming pool still there? It’s a shame that my hometown is just a shell of what it once was. New Castle was a nice place to grow up.

    Reply
  3. really like your posts. this latest one reminds me of Conneaught Lake Park and the recent demise of the Blue Streak. Such a shame.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Waterfalls of Pennsylvania Book by Jim Cheney

"Waterfalls of Pennsylvania" by Jim Cheney

If you love PA waterfalls, you won't want to miss this waterfall book from Jim Cheney, author of Uncovering PA, featuring more than 180 great waterfalls. Order it now on Bookshop.org or Amazon.


Item added to cart.
0 items - $0.00

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!