A lush retreat tucked inside southwest Atlanta, Cascade Springs Nature Preserve is a 120-acre sanctuary of winding trails, trickling waterfalls, and Civil War history. This unexpected wilderness, once a popular resort in the early 1900s, now offers a quiet escape where nature and history intertwine.

The Cascade Falls steal the show—a series of small, cascading waterfalls flowing over moss-covered rocks, framed by towering hardwoods. Nearby, the remains of stone springhouses and abandoned infrastructure hint at the land’s past as a sought-after healing spring. Further along the trails, you’ll find Civil War trenches, remnants of the Battle of Utoy Creek, where Union and Confederate forces clashed in 1864.

Wildlife thrives in the dense forest, with deer, turtles, and migratory birds making their home among the trees and creeks. The preserve’s shaded trails and wooden boardwalks provide a peaceful break from the city, leading visitors through wetlands, meadows, and fern-filled ravines.

From its tumbling falls to its forgotten ruins, Cascade Springs is a rare blend of natural beauty and deep history