Skip to Main Content

Jackson, Michigan: The Jackson Cascades

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Cascades Falls

Address:
1992 Warren Ave., Jackson, MI
Directions:
Sparks County Park. I-94 exit 138. South on West Ave. one mile. Right on Michigan Ave. one-half mile. Left on Brown St. Brown takes you in front of the Cascades, on the right, in Sparks County Park.
Hours:
Nightly from dusk to 11 pm in summer. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
517-788-4320
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Jackson Cascades.

The Jackson Cascades

Lights! Water! Elvis! Splashy evening fun spot at 500 feet long, 64 feet high, 60 feet wide. It has six fountains, 16 falls, and 230 colored lights.

Roadsideamerica.com Report...

Visitor Tips and News About The Jackson Cascades

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

The Jackson Cascades First Lit in 1932

The Jackson Cascades First Lit in 1932

Where are the "Largest Manmade Illuminated Waterfalls in North America"?

According to a postcard, they're in Jackson, Michigan. The Jackson Cascades' nightly summer shows began on May 9, 1932 - the then-mayor's birthday - back when a misty hour or two in the viewing area was not only state-of-the-art entertainment, but a good way to cool down. 64 feet high and 60 feet wide, the Cascades has six fountains, 16 falls, and 230 colored lights. Hidden plumbing pumps 2,000 gallons a minute over its concrete precipices, while the lights and fountain patterns roughly pulse to the beat of prerecorded music.

The basic Cascades show hasn't changed in 90 years!

[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 05/09/2022]

Jackson Cascades.

The Jackson Cascades

Jackson Cascades -- still there and still beautiful. Best color watching is after sunset.

[Paula, 08/08/2011]
Jackson Cascades

Sam Butcher, founder of Precious Moments, grew up in Jackson, Michigan. I find it less than coincidental that Butcher, who must certainly have known the Cascades, would be driven to create the monumentally awful (in a garish and patriotic/preachy sort of way -- if you've seen the show, you know what I mean) Fountain of Angels at his Inspiration Park. I'd be curious to know for certain if the Cascades were his inspiration for this Loving, Caring, Sharing monstrosity. Does anybody know?

[Dawn, 01/24/2006]
Cascades - Vague Recollections

I was on a family vacation a few years ago when we had to stop in the town of Jackson. We're in the gas station and the attendant is asking us if we are from around here.... Then she tells us we have to see The Cascades while we're in town. All of a sudden, people are telling us that we just HAVE to visit this place.

So we went. We got there and hour and a half early because the townspeople had been making such a big deal of this place, we figured it would be crowded. Wrong. But we amused ourselves with the "Museum" - a hole in the wall, if you know what I mean.

So finally, 90 minutes later, we take our seats and what do we see? Well, the big waterfall that's been running the whole time and then! The lights turn on! Colors swirl around in the water! It was almost as good as watching corn grow. You must check this one out!

[Heather, 03/17/2003]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Birthplace of the Republican PartyBirthplace of the Republican Party, Jackson, MI - 1 mi.
Big Old ShoeBig Old Shoe, Jackson, MI - 1 mi.
Grave of Mr. Chicken the Plastic-Legged RoosterGrave of Mr. Chicken the Plastic-Legged Rooster, Jackson, MI - 5 mi.
In the region:
Flying Saucer and Bigfoot, Shaftsburg, MI - 39 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Save Cool Vacation Destinations! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Michigan Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings

Favorite Quirky City Sights