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Graveyard Fields

4.8 (13 reviews)

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Second Falls
Jacqueline T.

This trail is located right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We did the loop hike that started at the parking lot, went to second falls (lower falls), then upper falls, and took the loop back. The trail is pretty moderate. It's not very steep overall, just a few minor hills. It was very muddy when we were there. There's one turn off at the end where I think the trail could have been better marked. Luckily another hiker told us the trail on the right was a spur and the falls was to the left. Second falls was really pretty. Upper falls was nice, but kind of hard to get a good view of with the trees around it. You'll get better mountain views on the parkway on your way to and from the hike than on the trail. I think it was supposed to be about a 3 mile round trip hike but we added on a mile or two attempting to find another waterfall unsuccessfully. I think there are better hikes along the parkway, but this one is still worth doing.

Informational Sign
Ward D.

A very cool stop along the parkway with a hike down to the river and falls The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 470-mile-long roadway that meanders through the mountains and connects the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The parkway boasts about 170 official stops along the path. This site is one of these many stops. The parking lot is not just a pull-off, there are parking spaces, a set of restrooms, and a trail from this stop. There is a large informational display that shows the various sites that can be accessed from this location. There is a set of stairs that leads down to a winding and fairly steep asphalt trail. This trail ends up at the river and a "bridge" that looks questionable but will allow you access to the other side of the river. Hiking up (to the west) will bring you to a set of falls (lower and then upper falls). The trail by the river is not very well marked and is often across rocks in and along the river. Overall, it is a good place to stop, see the river, do some hikes, or just relax. Enjoy.

Katelin K.

This was a fairly easy hike for my Father in his 60s and I. The drive in is absolutely gorgeous and the parking lot was pretty busy. Once you are on the trail you do not see many people, everyone we saw was friendly. We couldn't figure out where the big falls were but had a great time while looking for them. There are also restrooms in the parking lot and I love that it is dog friendly!

Tracie P.

This is a fairly easy hike right off the Blue Ridge parkway. It's a loop trail that goes to two waterfalls -- a smaller lower falls (accessible via a paved path) and a larger upper falls (requires a moderate hike). It can get crowded, so be sure you go early or are ready to wait a bit for a parking spot. I greatly enjoyed this hike and the drive to and from the trailhead on the parkway is beautiful.

Lower waterfalls
Sweetpea ..

Stunning hike. Definitely take a picture of the map before you go. Trail is labeled well enough. Hiked the loop counter clockwise and appeared to be easier. hiked to the lower waterfall had stairs. Beautiful waterfall. Found some blackberries up higher on the trail and found lots of blueberries down below. Delicious hike

Bathroom art. By Soph.
Amy S.

" 'Come down now', but we'll stay..." -The Postal Service Let me take you down, cos I'm going to Graveyard Fields. Might sound depressing, but it is the exact opposite. Life and its force are teeming here. On a beautiful day, it will be packed. Parking seems tough, but someone is always leaving as you are arriving. Do not illegally park. You will get ticketed. Grab your jacket and your water and go. The bathrooms are Porta-Potties with sanitizer. It is the only time I have ever used my on-the-go Clorox wipes. On my first reconnoiter, someone opened the door while I was staring at the toilet. I told them it was O.K.; I could not use it. A bit later, I loosened up as my bladder tightened. The point- make sure someone guards your bathroom door, as some locks do not work. There is a map there. Take a photo of it. There are three falls. The Upper Falls are upper; the Lower Falls are lower. The lower ones are also called "Second Falls" on some maps. Yellowstone is dangerous and just for experts. Be careful of exposed metal rods that once held trail boards in place. Do not trip and impale yourself. The Upper Falls trail takes you through all kinds of landscape. I swear, we became primal. We were on a movement quest. It felt right. Archetypical migration memories and fears arose from deep within me. I felt primed. If danger came at me I would quell it. Yet, I was still having a good time. I had found a balance. When we got to a perpendicular creek, I told Ronni, my kid, that I did not want her to decide my fate. The kid's senses were right- cross this creek. You will even see a small plank, I think. Things will get muddy. Keep going. O.K., I am guessing that you kept going. All I can say is that we did. The landscape changed, and you just know that you left a certain zone behind. We had entered Lothlórien. We left my husband, F., behind. We went higher. Some force impelled us to. We wanted to see the falls' birthplace. We went even higher, filled with exhilaration and a manic energy. Then I realized the full impact of the laws of gravity with gravity. Fear of Ronni doing something reckless at the almost-top of a powerful waterfall made me stock-still. Negative scenarios crossed my mind. I had to stop ascending because an eight-year-old made me. I am still bitter about this, because I was bonding with Sophie, age twelve, and could also feel victory close at hand. Close at foot? I did allow them a quick close-up of the water's powerful grace. That's when F. showed up. I was scared, because he is grizzly-sized, and I could not figure out how he got up there. He also dashed my dreams (re: Ronni). Then he and I got more familiar with the laws of gravity. The path that looked hobbity while going up became a mud chute when you had to descend. F. got a back boo-boo, and my arms almost got wrenched from their sockets. The kids were fine. Everyone was muddy. But our souls were cleaner than they had been in the parking lot. Do not forget- no overnight camping due to bears. AT&T goes kaput the farther you go; Verizon doesn't. Oh, and of course, we had our daily portion of weirdness from strangers- yes, even on a hike- an impatient woman asking for directions chided us because we did not notice her child that was only one hundred feet behind everyone. Moral- kids under twelve are a hiking-at-heights hassle. Graveyard Fields forever!

Ryan C.

Everybody has to have a favorite place, where they feel completely relaxed and at home. Graveyard fields is that place for me. I've been hiking, camping, and swimming here for over 30 years and have watched its popularity and foot traffic soar every year. The trails are easy and you get to spend more time looking at the scenery than staring at your feet. There are three sets of waterfalls (two of them easy access). There is a great spot to swim in a refreshingly cool pool under lower falls. The trails are lined with blackberries and mountain blueberries so you can snack as you go. There is a bathroom available at the parking lot if needed. The Blue Ridge Parkway is packed full of memorable places, but this is the one I can't wait to get back to.

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Review Highlights - Graveyard Fields

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Purchase Knob - Trail signs

Purchase Knob

(2 reviews)

This has been our favourite walk forever. Do not let the couple of bad characters hinder you from…read morethis beautiful hike, because getting to the top is its own reward with sheer beauty. This property was donated to the state park and open to all. Very clean and well-kept trails, dog friendly, and a nice place to rest and relax, including restrooms at the science centre.

I discovered this place through my daughter. She has gone here twice- once through her middle…read moreschool, and once through a local camp. She raved about it, and we finally got a chance to check it out. So happy we did! Purchase Knob was generously donated by the McNeil-Gilmore family to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is 535 acres of land that rises ultimately to 5,086 feet at the knob. In the meadow below the knob, at 4,850 feet, there are two buildings housing offices, a lab, a classroom for fifty students, and housing for up to eight scientists. Views are 180 degrees. You can hit the Cataloochee Divide Trail here, too. A refurbished cabin originally from the 1870s is nearby, which I will get to in a bit. When you get to the park, you will be blocked by a gate with a sign to the left identifying the park. It is open once in a while for scheduled visits/field trip students. It is easy to get your vehicle locked within the park. (People cannot get locked in.) Park your car on the sides of the road. Just walk around the gate if it is locked. Bring water, and a jacket in the spring or fall. The 2.5 mile round trip trail is basically a wide, dirt road that will eventually lead up to the main buildings. It is well maintained. When you get a glimpse of the building at the top, you will also see a grass trail leading upwards. I would take that trail. It is a shortcut. If you like to walk, just keep going, and the road will eventually lead to the building as well. On the way up, you will see many types of wildflowers. We heard (up) and spotted a hawk (down). I got a photo of nightshade, all the while with my body centimeters from a hidden cliff edge. Be careful on grassy edges! The open areas and tree-filled areas were of equal beauty. In early September I saw purples, greens, grays, and yellows, all framed by a clear blue sky graced by fluffy clouds. Your soul will take this in, and it will hold on to it. When we got to the top, we relaxed. We did not go to the knob proper. We used the very clean bathrooms, and laid down in the field right in front of the buildings. There is a water fountain. You are allowed on the deck, but not in the buildings unless you are with a scheduled group. There are picnic tables grouped close together, and bear-proof trashcans and recycling bins. You can check out the outside of the weather station that is a bit away. I would not traipse around the adjacent fields. I saw tagged plants and left that area so that we would not screw up any data. If you decide to go to the actual knob, you have to blaze your own trail. As of two days ago, the footbridge leading to Cataloochee was out. There is a sign warning of that; be careful crossing creeks. Anyway, that trail is easy to find; just look for signs. Check out the bulletin board for lists of the types of birds and butterflies that you can see there. I saw (possibly) a Cloudless skipper. It was fluorescent yellow! My first. To get down to the restored Ferguson cabin, just leave via the "grass carpet" trail. Make an obvious right and hitch your horse, or kids. This right will lead you to the cabin. The Fergusons were the first farmers to have an elevated farm. Their apples are still there. Do not pick anything. Do not get in the boar trap. Do not get near bears. Do not bother the cow spirits. Call to make sure horses are indeed still allowed. Bears and boars can hurt you. We leave all snacks in the car. You never know. Call the general number to see if bear activity is intense before going to this park. Middle school and up teachers, call this number to schedule a visit: 828-926-6251. This park welcomes wimpy and tough hikers mid-March through November. Call if you have a desire to hike in the deep winter. Remember to check out the Purchase Knob WebCam online for weather and views. To get to this park, take Exit 20, stay on 276 South for five miles. Get on Hemphill Road and stay on Hemphill Road for four miles. This review is dedicated to my daughter Sophie, a quick, beautiful trailblazer.

Graveyard Fields - hiking - Updated May 2026

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