The Cascades: a glowing waterfall built by one man's dream
Jackson's Cascades is a man-made illuminated waterfall in Sparks Foundation County Park, built from William Sparks's hometown dream.
The Cascades looks like a waterfall, but every drop is engineered. Water travels down a 500-foot hillside through 16 falls, 11 of them illuminated, while pumps carry it back to the top. Seasonal evening displays add music and changing light.
It was William Sparks’s hometown project. After seeing a fountain in Barcelona, the Jackson industrialist set out to build a public attraction of his own. The Cascades opened in 1932 in what is now Sparks Foundation County Park on the south side of town.
The part to check before you go is the schedule. Jackson County runs the attraction seasonally and posts the current display calendar and admission rates on its Cascades page. The park and the illuminated show are not the same thing, so do not assume the water, lights, or music will be running whenever the surrounding park is open.
Where to see it
The Cascades is in Sparks Foundation County Park. Displays are seasonal, and dates and admission rates can change, so check Jackson County's current calendar first.
Sources
Last reviewed against the listed sources: July 15, 2026.