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Cascade is situated at the northern end of the valley. Cascade is a great example of a small Western town that developed as a center of logging and ranching, adapted to the times as those activities diminished, and yet managed to maintain its identity. It is still a working community for the 
surrounding area of ranches, but the town has also found a way to welcome and accommodate the increasing number of people who come to the area for sport, recreation, adventure, fabulous views and a relaxed lifestyle.
Cascade's location at the southern end of Lake Cascade has made it a destination for hunters and fishermen for many years. This has helped the community make a transition to have more of a tourism-based economy. The lake is approximately 20 miles long and 5 miles wide with 110 miles of shoreline. Its size and the relative ease of access to most of the shoreline make Lake Cascade a tremendous resource for all kinds of recreation and in addition the surrounding mountains offer a myriad of possibilities.
The community has embraced its role as the starting point for many of the activities that draw people to the Heartland region. As with the entire area, Cascade offers year-round attractions and activities. In general, residents of the Heartland make the most of all four seasons and plan activities and celebrations that highlight the best features of each. Cascade's extensive events calendar provides plenty of proof of the community's appeal. The town has a variety of housing accommodations and an array of services designed to assist visitors to make the most of the area's attractions.
In immediate proximity to town, Lake Cascade offers great fishing and all types of boating, including sailing and windsurfing. There are hundreds of well-maintained campsites surrounding the lake as well as a large number of private residences and home sites available.
It can't be overstated that one of the most significant characteristics of Idaho’s Heartland is its year-round appeal. Cascade and the surrounding area offer an abundance of activities any time of the year. The summer activities are numerous, as mentioned above, and things definitely do not slow down in the winter. Alpine and Nordic skiing are plentiful, along with hundreds of miles of trails for snowmobiling, ice fishing on Lake Cascade or, given the relatively mild winters with abundant snowfall, just enjoying the winter landscape and playing in the snow. Both spring and fall have their own attractions, especially for hunters and fishermen.
All of these activities are easily accessible from Cascade. You can enjoy the variety of accommodations in town with the assurance that almost any activity you plan is located within a short distance.
For those who want to travel farther afield, there are a great many possibilities. Warm Lake, just 25 miles east of the city, is a deep natural lake with a lodge, accommodations for camping and private summer homes. The lake offers good fishing and there are numerous hiking trails throughout the area, which is renowned for wildlife viewing, especially moose.
There are several other campgrounds scattered throughout the area and well-maintained roads that lead further into the backcountry or to the small communities of Yellow Pine and Big Creek. These communities were originally the sites of logging and mining operations and have historical as well as recreational interest. They are accessible for much of the year, but they are most active and enjoyable in the summer months.