Tucked away in the far western corner of North Carolina, right where the trees get thick and the air feels a bit heavier, there’s this place called Fields of the Wood. It’s weird. It’s massive. Honestly, if you’re driving through Murphy and you miss the turn-off, you’re missing one of the most singular examples of "religious roadside Americana" left in the country. This isn't your typical church or a standard nature hike. It’s a 200-acre biblical theme park—though "park" feels like the wrong word because there are no rides, just a lot of stone, concrete, and some very steep stairs.
I’ve seen people call it a hidden gem, but let’s be real: when you’ve got the Ten Commandments spelled out in five-foot-tall white letters across the side of a mountain, you aren't exactly hiding.
The whole thing started back in the 1940s. A guy named A.J. Tomlinson, who was a big deal in the Church of God of Prophecy, basically decided this specific patch of dirt was significant. He believed it was where the "Church of God" was essentially revealed or "found" again in the modern era. He didn't just want a chapel; he wanted a monument that shouted. So, they started building. They used local stone. They poured a lot of concrete. They didn't really have a master architect in the modern sense—they had a vision and a lot of manual labor.
The Mountain That Talks Back
The centerpiece of Fields of the Wood is, without a question, the Ten Commandments mountain. You see it the second you pull into the gravel lot. It’s intimidating. There are something like 300 steps leading from the bottom to the top. If you have bad knees, don't even try the stairs; there’s a road that winds up the back, which is a lifesaver.
Walking up those steps is a workout. You'll see families huffing and puffing, stopping halfway to pretend they’re "taking in the view" when they’re actually just trying not to pass out. But once you get to the top, the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains is genuinely spectacular. You’re looking out over Cherokee County, and it’s just layers of blue and green fading into the horizon.
What’s fascinating is the sheer scale. The letters are made of concrete, painted bright white, and they’ve been there for decades. They have to repaint them constantly because the North Carolina humidity and the mountain moss try to reclaim the stone every single year. It’s a constant battle between man’s monument and nature’s appetite.
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It’s Not Just One Hill
While the Commandments get the Instagram shots, the rest of the property is a maze of various markers and "biblical" recreations. You’ve got the All Nations Cross, which is supposedly the largest Christian cross in the world—or at least it was at some point. It’s laid out on the ground, filled with flags from every country where the church has a presence.
Then there’s the "Golgotha" hill. It’s a bit macabre, honestly. They’ve got three wooden crosses standing on a mound, meant to represent the crucifixion. Just a short walk away, there’s a tomb with a circular stone rolled to the side. It’s all very literal. If you’re looking for subtle symbolism, you’ve come to the wrong zip code. This place is about as literal as it gets.
Why People Actually Go (It’s Not Just for the Pious)
You might think a place like Fields of the Wood only attracts the hardcore religious crowd. That’s a mistake. Sure, you’ll see church vans from Tennessee and Georgia parked there every weekend, but you also see a lot of hikers, curious road-trippers, and people who just like weird landmarks.
- The Price Tag: It’s free. In a world where a burger costs $18, a free 200-acre park is a miracle in itself. They take donations, and there’s a gift shop, but nobody is at the gate checking your wallet.
- The Quiet: Despite being a "tourist" spot, it’s remarkably quiet. Most people are respectful. You’ll find folks sitting on the stone benches just staring at the trees.
- The Hike: As mentioned, those stairs are no joke. It’s a legitimate glute workout.
- The History: Whether you buy into the theology or not, the sheer grit it took to build this in the middle of nowhere in the 1940s is impressive.
There’s also a café. It’s basic—think hot dogs, sandwiches, and ice cream. It feels like a time capsule from 1985. There's something comforting about that. You won't find an oat milk latte or a quinoa bowl here. It’s purely "picnic at Grandma’s house" vibes.
Dealing With the "Creepy" Factor
Look, I’ve heard people say the place feels a bit "eerie" or "cult-y." If you aren't used to Southern Appalachian religious fervor, the massive concrete monuments and the specific prophetic language on the plaques can feel a little intense.
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The Church of God of Prophecy has deep roots here. To them, this isn't a theme park; it’s holy ground. They believe A.J. Tomlinson was led here by divine intervention. If you go in with a cynical mindset, you’re going to find plenty to roll your eyes at. But if you look at it as a piece of folk art—like a religious version of the Watts Towers—it becomes a lot more interesting. It’s a physical manifestation of someone’s absolute, unwavering belief. That’s rare these days.
The markers are everywhere. You’ll be walking through a wooded path and suddenly stumble upon a stone carved with a specific verse or a tribute to a church leader from 1952. It’s a very dense experience. There isn't much "empty" space in the developed parts of the park.
Logistics: What You Need to Know Before Heading to Murphy
Murphy, NC, is the closest town. It’s a cool little spot with some decent breweries and shops, but Fields of the Wood is about 20 minutes outside of the main town area.
- Phone Service: It’s spotty. Don't rely on your GPS to work perfectly once you get deep into the woods. Download your maps before you leave the hotel.
- Weather: It rains a lot in Western NC. Those stone steps get incredibly slick when they’re wet. If it’s drizzling, stick to the paved roads or just stay on the lower levels.
- Timing: Go in the morning. The sun hits the Ten Commandments mountain directly in the AM, which makes for the best photos. By mid-afternoon, the shadows start getting long and the "mood" changes.
- Dogs: They are generally allowed on leashes, but please, pick up after them. The park is maintained by volunteers and donations.
The park isn't just the mountain, either. There’s a "Hidden Treasure" trail and several smaller monuments scattered in the woods. You could easily spend three hours here if you actually stop to read the plaques. Most people just do the stairs and leave, which is a waste.
The Gift Shop and the Museum
Underneath the main office, there’s a small museum area. It’s mostly photos of the construction and old outfits worn by Tomlinson. It’s quirky. You get a sense of how difficult it was to move those stones before modern machinery was readily available in rural Appalachia. The gift shop sells exactly what you’d expect: Bibles, wooden crosses, "I climbed the mountain" t-shirts, and local honey.
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Is It Worth the Drive?
If you’re already in Asheville or Blue Ridge, Georgia, it’s a solid day trip. If you’re coming from Atlanta, it’s a bit of a haul, but the drive through the mountains is gorgeous regardless of the destination.
What most people get wrong about Fields of the Wood is expecting a polished, Disney-fied experience. This is rugged. It’s homemade. It’s a bit rough around the edges. The concrete is cracking in places. Some of the flags are faded. But that’s exactly what makes it "real." It’s a testament to a very specific moment in American religious history that is slowly fading away.
In a world where everything is digital and fleeting, there’s something grounding about seeing 150-pound concrete letters bolted into a hillside. It’s permanent. Or as permanent as anything can be in the rainy mountains of North Carolina.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
- Start at the Top: Drive to the top of the mountain first. Get the panoramic views. Then, drive back down and walk the grounds. It saves your energy for the exploration.
- Check the Calendar: They sometimes hold large church rallies. If you want peace and quiet, avoid holiday weekends like Easter or Pentecost. It gets crowded and loud.
- Bring Water: There are fountains, but mountain water (even filtered) can taste a bit "mineral-y" to city folks.
- Explore the Prayer Mountain: On the opposite side of the road from the Ten Commandments is "Prayer Mountain." It’s a series of small "closets" or cubby-like structures where people go to pray in silence. Even if you aren't praying, the architecture of these little stone huts is fascinating.
The reality of Fields of the Wood is that it’s a labor of love. It doesn't charge admission because the people who run it believe the message is more important than the profit. That’s a rare sentiment in 2026. Whether you go for the spiritual experience, the history, or just to say you saw a mountain with giant letters on it, it’s a trip you won’t forget anytime soon.
Pack a pair of sturdy shoes. Leave your expectations at the gate. Just walk. You’ll find something that surprises you, whether it’s a quiet corner of the woods or the sheer audacity of a man who decided to write on a mountain.
To get there, take Highway 294 out of Murphy. Look for the signs—they’re old-school and easy to miss if you’re speeding. Once you see the giant globe near the entrance, you’ve made it. Take your time, breathe the mountain air, and maybe don't try to run up those 300 steps on your first go. Trust me on that one.