Graveyard Fields is a very popular stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Whether it's the spring wildflowers, the pleasant summer temperatures, or the colors of fall, the parking lot at milepost 418 usually fills up by late morning on weekends. In the winter, if the parkway is open, those willing to brave the cold temperatures will be rewarded by ice sculptures and clear blue skies.

People return again and again to this beautiful area along the Yellowstone Prong to admire the falls. But what's with the name? How did it become Graveyard Fields? There's certainly no cemetery here.

There are a couple of theories. The most common is posted on a sign at the parking area. Hundreds of years ago, a tremendous "wind-blow" toppled and uprooted what was then a spruce forest. Over the years, the trees and stumps rotted, creating a field of dirt mounds that resembled grave stones.

This unique landscape is recovering from a couple of fires in the first half of the 20th century that scorched the land, rendering it sterile. The area is void of the large trees and heavy forest that is common to western North Carolina. What does exist are shorter trees, shrubs, and wildflowers, with a picturesque stream running through.













For most visitors, the main attractions at Graveyard Fields are the waterfalls. Graveyard Fields Loop Trail follows the river, allowing access to the different waterfalls while viewing many wildflowers. Second Falls is the easiest to get to. From the north end of the parking lot it's only about a 0.3 mile (0.5 km) hike. Descend the stairs and take the paved path to Yellowstone Prong.

During late spring, this trail is a tunnel of blooming rhododendrons and mountain laurels. Once, you reach the stream, one option is to scramble across the rocks, downstream, to the top of the falls. Your other option is to cross the footbridge, turn right, and take the trail and stairs to the base of the 60 feet (18 meters) high Second Falls.

From here, only a few hearty souls venture 0.2 miles (0.3 km) further downstream to the 100 foot (30 meters) Yellowstone Falls. It's a difficult, hard to follow path over rugged terrain.

Most people skip Yellowstone Falls and head for Upper Falls. To do this, backtrack to the bridge, but don't make the left turn to cross it. Keep going straight and follow Graveyard Fields Loop Trail about 1.4 miles (2.3 km). Before reaching Upper Falls, the loop circles back across a wooden bridge over the stream. Don't go there yet. You want keep right and follow the trail the rest of the way to the falls.

Upper Falls is a beautiful 40 foot (12 meters) cascade over the colorful rocks. It's a great place to sit and eat before returning. Backtrack to where the loop crosses the stream. The next section of the loop trail has many many mountain laurels, before ending at the south end of the parking lot.

For the more serious hiker, Graveyard Ridge Trail is a handy trail to know about. This trail connects Graveyard Fields with nearby Black Balsam Knob. It crosses the Mountains to Sea Trail and ends in 3.5 miles at the intersection with Art Loeb Trail and Ivestor Gap Trail. It provides access to/from Shining Rock Wilderness from Graveyard Fields on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Backcountry camping is common in this area. There are several campsites along the loop trail for backpackers to camp out overnight. And with trails to Black Balsam Knob and Shining Rock Wilderness, there seems to be endless opportunities for backpacking.

With an elevation of over 5000 feet, visitors love the mild summer temperatures at Graveyard Fields NC. The National Park Service and Pisgah National Forest do a great job at maintaining the trails and bridges. Bring the family and discover one more reason why the Blue Ridge Parkway, especially MP 418, is an awesome destination.