This Small Nevada Community’s Golf Course Just Ranked No. 2 Among The Best Public Courses In The State
A waterfall pours right through the clubhouse at this Nevada golf course. Outside, a stream winds across fairways carved into desert rock.
The club name even means waterfall in Italian. Could any name fit better?
Golfweek ranked it the second-best public course in the state. That puts it near the top of a crowded field.
Rees Jones shaped the layout in rugged foothills high above a desert valley. Holes climb and drop with views in every direction.
Forecaddies come along to help with tricky carries. Who would turn down a local guide?
Bighorn sheep and roadrunners sometimes wander past too.
It began as an exclusive private club, but Nevada golfers can now book a tee time. So what makes one round here so memorable?
The Waterfall Steals The Show
Cascata Golf Club is known for a waterfall that once stretched 418 feet down a mountainside. The name Cascata is Italian for waterfall, so the club never hid its star attraction.
The water doesn’t just fall and stop. Today it pours through a glass atrium inside the clubhouse.
Then it becomes a stream that winds through the course.
Think about that setting in the Nevada desert. Red rock mountains rise in the background, and green fairways sit below them.
Water in a place this dry feels like a magic trick.
The contrast is a big reason the course gets so much attention. Rugged rock and bright green turf sit side by side.
Even a golfer who has a rough day will have something amazing to look at.
The waterfall also shows how much thought went into the design. Reports say the course cost around 70 million dollars to build.
That kind of investment shows in the scenery.
For visitors, the waterfall makes a perfect photo stop. It also gives the club its identity.
Many golf courses have a nice view, but Cascata has a whole waterfall as its welcome mat. That is hard to beat, even in a state known for big spectacles.
A No. 2 Ranking Worth Bragging About
Golfweek ranks Cascata Golf Club as the second-best public course in Nevada for 2026. That’s the headline, and it’s a big one.
In a state packed with famous courses, second place is a serious honor.
Other lists agree that the course is special. Golf Digest placed it eighth among all Nevada courses in 2025.
Golf Digest also placed it 74th among public courses in America.
Golf Magazine ranked it fifth in Nevada in 2024. GolfPass Golfers’ Choice listed it third among Nevada public courses in both 2023 and 2024.
That’s a lot of respect from many different directions.
Rankings don’t tell the whole story, of course. They do show that Cascata keeps landing near the top year after year.
Consistency like that is rare.
The course sits in Boulder City, a small community in Nevada. A small town with a top-tier course is a fun surprise.
It gives the town a spotlight that many bigger cities would envy.
If you like bragging rights, this is a place to know. You can tell friends you played one of the best public courses in the state.
Few golfers get to say that.
Rees Jones Drew The Map
Rees Jones, a well-known golf course architect, designed this course. His name carries weight in the golf world.
At Cascata, he shaped a par 72 layout with 18 holes.
From the longest tees, the course measures 7,137 yards. That’s a true championship length.
Strong players will feel tested, and everyone else will feel the scale.
The land adds its own challenge. There are big elevation changes, forced carries, and carefully placed hazards.
Every shot asks you to think.
Many people call it a desert links style course because of its dramatic rock outcrops. Lush fairways and pristine greens run through rough desert terrain.
It looks like someone painted green ribbons across the rocks.
The course opened around 2000 or 2001, depending on the source. It has stayed in the conversation ever since.
Good design ages well.
Bring patience and a sense of humor. A forced carry can humble anyone.
But a hard hole with a view like this is a trade most golfers will gladly take.
Up In The Foothills Above The Valley
The course sits at 3,200 feet above the Las Vegas desert valley. It rests in the foothills of the River Mountain Range.
That height gives golfers wide, open views in every direction.
You can find Cascata Golf Club at 1 Cascata Drive, Boulder City, NV 89005. It’s about 30 minutes southeast of the Las Vegas Strip.
That’s close enough for an easy trip and far enough to feel like an escape.
The setting brings a sense of seclusion. Players can feel miles away from anything.
After the noise of the Strip, that quiet is a big relief.
Boulder City is a small community in southern Nevada. It isn’t a resort mega-city, and that’s part of the charm.
The course gives the town a famous neighbor.
Elevation changes also shape the game. Shots can feel different when the land rises and falls so much.
Club choice matters more than it might on a flat course.
Plan your drive with a little extra time. You will want to arrive relaxed, not rushed.
A calm start sets up a better round.
A Clubhouse With Tuscan Style
The clubhouse covers 37,000 square feet and follows a Tuscan style. That’s a lot of space for a golf stop.
Italian flavor fits the course name nicely.
Inside, you’ll find a pro shop and a restaurant. There is also plenty of space to relax after a round.
The men’s and women’s locker rooms are described as luxurious, with flat-screen TVs.
The building also works as an event venue. It can host gala dinners, business meetings, and weddings.
That makes it more than a place to change shoes.
Remember that waterfall? It flows through the clubhouse area, so the building shares the spotlight with the water.
Few clubhouses can say that.
One unusual detail stands out. Golf carts are stored inside the clubhouse.
Players board them indoors before heading out.
That small touch says a lot about the experience. It feels polished from the first minute.
You start your round in style, not in a parking lot.
Forecaddies Come Along For The Ride
Forecaddies are mandatory at Cascata, and they’re included with many rounds. That means you won’t be reading this tricky course alone.
Someone who knows the land is there to help.
This setup adds a personal touch. The course is meant to feel high-end and exclusive.
Service is part of the plan.
With forced carries and strategic hazards, local knowledge helps. A forecaddie can point you toward smart lines.
That could save a ball or two.
The course has a past tied to luxury. It opened in 2000 as an ultra-private club.
Service like this fits that history.
Today the course is managed by Cabot, with the land held by VICI Properties. It is open to the public, so more golfers can enjoy that treatment.
Tee times can be booked, and the course is open.
Treat your forecaddie as a teammate. Listen, ask questions, and enjoy the help.
It’s a nice change from carrying every decision yourself.
Practice Time Before The Big Round
Cascata has world-class practice facilities. That includes a driving range and putting greens.
Warming up here comes with a scenic bonus.
The practice area sits in a setting that feels like a desert oasis. Imagine hitting range balls with mountains all around.
It beats a plain parking lot range.
Putting greens matter on a course known for pristine greens. A few practice strokes can help you read the speed.
Take that time before you tee off.
The course is a par 72 and runs over 7,000 yards from the back tees. It asks for a full game.
Warming up gives you a better chance.
Arrive early so you aren’t rushed. The clubhouse and practice area are part of the experience.
Soak in the setting before the round starts.
A calm warm-up also helps with nerves. Elevation changes and forced carries can feel big at first.
A good session on the range makes the first tee less scary.
Lunch With A Menu To Match
After the round, the on-site restaurant is ready. The menu offers creative takes on international and familiar dishes.
You’ll also find classic entrees, decadent sandwiches, and desserts.
That variety is handy after a long walk through the desert. Some golfers want a big meal.
Others just want a good sandwich and a sweet finish.
The restaurant sits inside the 37,000-square-foot clubhouse. That keeps everything in one place.
You can talk over your scorecard without going far.
The Tuscan-style setting adds a relaxed feel. The waterfall connection makes the whole area memorable.
It’s a nice spot to slow down.
Menus can change, so check the club for current options. That’s smart for any dining plan.
Fresh details always beat old assumptions.
Dessert deserves a mention too. A round at Cascata is worth celebrating.
Ending with something sweet seems fitting.
Wildlife Might Join Your Foursome
Golfers at Cascata may spot bighorn sheep. They may also see coyotes, roadrunners, and chuckwallas.
Rattlesnakes live in the area too, so stay alert.
That’s what happens when a course is carved into real desert. The wildlife was here first.
You’re just visiting.
Keep your eyes open and your distance wide. Let the animals go about their day.
Respect makes the round safer for everyone.
A roadrunner sighting would be a fun bonus. Bighorn sheep would be even better.
Your forecaddie may know where to look.
Cascata Golf Club has a history of big events too. It has hosted charity events, including Tiger Jam, a Tiger Woods Foundation event.
The course has seen stars, but the desert animals are the local celebrities.
Bring a camera, but keep your phone ready for scorecards too. You may want photos of the rocks, the water, and maybe a surprise guest.
Few golf rounds come with a nature show.