William S Flynn designed the Cascades in 1924 as part of the Homestead Resort which initially was developed in 1876.

The course's rolling fairways are lined with stands of maple, pine, oak, hemlock, and beech trees in a quiet, natural setting with Cascades Creek traversing the layout. The greens are somewhat small compared to today's standards and set in coves surrounded by trees and defended by sand bunkers. The course plays 6,566 yards from the back tees, 73.0/137, course/slope ratings with two shorter tees.

The second course at The Homestead is the Old, a Donald Ross design with updates by William Flynn and Rees Jones over the years. The routing is over hilly, tree lined fairways with small greens and a modest amount of sand bunkering. It's challenging at 6,211 yards from the tips with a par of 70, 69.7/120, course/slope ratings and two shorter tees.