Have you heard about a swimming hole called Graveyard Fields? Admittedly I wasn’t terribly excited about heading to a place called Graveyard Fields, even it was to check out a supposedly awesome waterfall and swimming hole. I’m glad I shoved those feelings to the wayside and chose the more adventurous path because the waterfall we found and the time I spent traversing swimming holes at Graveyard Fields was amazing. This popular swimming hole is the perfect way to cool down after a hike!
Check out these 20+ amazing swimming holes near Greenville, SC that are perfect to cool off in this summer.
How to Get to Graveyard Fields
Graveyard Fields is right off the Blue Ridge Parkway and part of the Pisgah National Forest. You can find it at mile marker 418.8, and it’s easy to spot since it has a big parking area with bathhouses. This area is known for blooming rhododendrons in the spring, which I imagine were pretty spectacular.
The trail down to the falls starts through a tunnel of rhododendrons – after the sign that says the area has high bear activity. We didn’t see any bears but were certainly on the lookout. Once you get out of the tunnel, you’ll cross a bridge and can stop here to play in the water if you like. There are several shallow pools to splash around in and flat rocks to sunbathe and relax.
To get to the Lower Falls (or Second Falls, which it says on the trail map), continue straight on the man-made bridge over Yellowstone Prong up to the right. You come to a huge staircase that leads down from the upper falls, which you will go all the way down to the beautiful waterfalls. They are gorgeous and there are plenty of fun places to cool off at the base of the falls.
Things to Do at Graveyard Fields
We climbed all over the rocks and jumped in the shallow pools before making our way to the waterfall, where you can swim. A group of guys was jumping into the waterfall pool, which looked somewhat safe.
I’m not a fan of jumping off big rocks into the water where I don’t know how deep it is, but it did look fun. I prefer to take a more cautious approach, especially with my kids around and being the adult and all. There is lots of natural foliage to admire, including wild blueberries and lots of native plants.
The hike to the Lower Falls is pretty easy and short, maybe just a third of a mile. Getting back up those stairs isn’t terribly fun but you have to work for something, right?
There are tons of big rocks to sit on while you watch people jump into the waterfalls and have a snack or just rest and enjoy the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. My kids really loved this place, as did I. It’s perfect for smaller kids to play in the shallow pools but also fun for adults and older kids to swim if they like.
The Graveyard Ridge Trail and Mountains to Sea Trail is a longer hike you can do – around 4 miles – to see other waterfalls in the area. There is also an easier hike, the Graveyard Fields Loop Trail, that is very popular. The parking lot is great because there are bathrooms, which are few and far between on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This hike is about 45 minutes from Brevard. Plus, Black Balsam Knob is right around the corner with epic views!
Fun fact: The area may get it’s name because of a historical storm that left behind uprooted tree stumps, resembling an earthen graveyard! (Hopefully, this is the true meaning behind the name and not logging which has a controversial history in Western North Carolina).
Have you been to Graveyard Fields?
