The Cascades is a 500-acre luxury community in west Tyler, TX, built around a championship golf course and Lake Bellwood. Homes range from approximately $400,000 to over $1.5 million, with lakefront and golf-course-frontage lots commanding premiums. The community sits about 4 miles west of downtown Tyler off Highway 64 and is part of Tyler ISD. The Cascades Country Club has hosted the Texas State Open multiple times and offers golf, tennis, dining, and a pool.
The Cascades, at a glance
| Acreage | 500 acres |
|---|---|
| Lake | Lake Bellwood (private) |
| Golf | 18-hole championship course; host of Texas State Open |
| Price range | $400,000 - $1.5M+ |
| School district | Tyler ISD |
| Distance to downtown Tyler | 4 miles east |
| Distance to UT Tyler | 7 miles |
| Distance to Tyler Rose Garden | 5 miles |
| HOA | Yes; Cascades Property Owners Association |
| Custom builder access | Yes; Kirby Custom Homes builds in The Cascades |
What homes are available in The Cascades?
The Cascades has roughly 600 home sites with a mix of completed homes, custom builds in progress, and vacant lots. Architecture spans Tuscan villas, Texas traditional, modern farmhouse, and Hill Country contemporary. Lots fall into three rough categories: lakefront, golf-course frontage, and interior wooded lots, with prices stepping up roughly in that order. Browse current Cascades listings.
How much does it cost to live in The Cascades?
Beyond the home price, monthly carrying costs include property tax (roughly 1.9% of assessed value through Smith County, Tyler ISD, and city of Tyler), Cascades POA dues (varies by lot type), and optional Country Club membership for golf, tennis, dining, and social access. POA dues plus Country Club dues for a typical resident run roughly $4,500-$8,500 per year combined. Specifics depend on lot type and membership tier.
Is The Cascades Country Club membership required?
No. POA membership is required for all Cascades homeowners. Country Club membership is optional and sold in tiers: golf, social, tennis. Many residents skip the Country Club entirely and still enjoy the community amenities, security, and Lake Bellwood access. Buyers who plan to golf weekly typically join.
What schools serve The Cascades?
The Cascades is in Tyler ISD. Elementary-age children typically attend Owens Elementary or Caldwell Arts Academy (magnet). Middle school is Hubbard Middle. High school is Tyler Legacy or Tyler High depending on attendance zones, both Tyler ISD. Several private options are within 10 minutes including All Saints Episcopal School and Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Catholic School. Compare schools across Tyler-area districts: Tyler-area school districts compared.
Can I build a custom home in The Cascades?
Yes. The Cascades has approved builders and architectural review standards. Vacant lots are available across all three categories (lakefront, golf, interior). Kirby Custom Homes, owned by Stephanie’s husband Darren Kirby, is one of the active builders in The Cascades. We can walk you through the lot-and-build process from one team. How custom builds in East Texas work.
What is Lake Bellwood like?
Lake Bellwood is a private 70-acre lake within The Cascades, primarily used for fishing, paddleboarding, and small-boat recreation. It is not a powerboat lake. Residents value it for the daily walking-distance lake access rather than as a destination water-skiing lake. For powerboat recreation, Lake Tyler is 25 minutes east and Lake Palestine is 35 minutes south.
How does The Cascades compare to Hollytree?
Both are Tyler ISD luxury country-club communities. Differences:
| Feature | The Cascades | Hollytree |
|---|---|---|
| Side of Tyler | West | South |
| On a lake? | Yes (Lake Bellwood) | No |
| Golf course | Championship; hosts Texas State Open | Championship 18-hole |
| Established | 2000s buildout, newer | 1980s, more established |
| Price range | $400K-$1.5M+ | $300K-$1M+ |
| Architectural style | Tuscan, modern, traditional mix | Traditional, Southern, transitional |
If lake access and newer construction matter, lean Cascades. If walkability to Broadway shopping and an established country club tradition matter, lean Hollytree. Read about Hollytree.
Working with Kirby & Co in The Cascades
Stephanie McLean Kirby is a Certified Luxury Agent with two decades in East Texas and a track record in The Cascades specifically. Buyers get a tour that covers lot characteristics (sun exposure, slope, treeline), POA constraints, and Country Club membership math. Sellers get marketing tuned to The Cascades buyer profile, which is rarely first-time buyers and often DFW or Houston relocations.
Contact Kirby & Co about The Cascades Get a Cascades home valuation
