A young visitor feeds goats at Dirt & Grit Farm in Woodruff, where families can enjoy farm animals, outdoor play and seasonal fall activities. Photo courtesy of Melissa Rhine.
Fall in the Upstate means cooler temperatures, pumpkin patches and finding new ways to enjoy the outdoors. If you're looking for a family-friendly destination to add to your fall bucket list, Dirt & Grit Farm in Woodruff deserves a spot near the top.
Located at 3456 Harris Bridge Road, about 25 minutes from Spartanburg and Greenville, this family-owned flower farm offers much more than beautiful blooms. From friendly farm animals and giant jumping pads to pumpkin picking and seasonal activities, there's something for just about everyone.
I took my kids a couple of weeks ago, and they had an absolute blast! They especially loved visiting and petting the animals along the fences and jumping on the giant inflatable pads. It was one of those outings where the kids could run around, get some fresh air and enjoy themselves without needing much entertainment beyond what was right in front of them.
One of the biggest attractions is the farm's collection of animals. Visitors can meet Nigerian dwarf goats, Babydoll sheep, miniature donkeys, chickens and rabbits. The animals live in secure enclosures, allowing families to observe and interact with them from designated fence lines without entering the pastures.
Another favorite is the Play Grove, a screen-free outdoor play area nestled among century-old pecan trees. The space features two massive 20-by-25-foot jumping pads, a gravel digging area with toys, a bubble station, an interactive sound garden and traditional outdoor games such as cornhole, tetherball and frisbee golf. Best of all, access to the Play Grove is included with general admission.
Of course, the flowers are a major part of what makes Dirt & Grit Farm special. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy seasonal fields filled with tulips, sunflowers, zinnias, dahlias and other colorful blooms. The farm grows more than 150,000 flowers annually across over 50 varieties.
During the fall, visitors can explore the sunflower fields, pick seasonal flowers and enjoy pumpkin-picking opportunities. The farm's Sunflower Festival and Fall U-Pick season runs from Sept. 23 through Oct. 31, giving families plenty of opportunities to visit before Halloween.
There are also several special events scheduled for October, including pumpkin painting Oct. 16, pumpkin bingo Oct. 23, pumpkin carving Oct. 24 and a trunk-or-treat celebration Oct. 31. The trunk-or-treat event is included with admission.
For parents, there are shaded seating areas overlooking the play spaces and animal pastures. The farm also offers cold drinks, slushies and packaged snacks, while rotating food trucks and vendors may be available on select days. With plenty of picturesque scenery, it's also a wonderful place to take family photos.
Planning a visit is simple. Current fall hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7:30 p.m. Children ages 2 and younger receive free admission, and general admission tickets can be purchased at the gate without reservations. Some special activities may require advance registration or additional fees.
Visitors should wear comfortable shoes that can get dirty, especially after rain. The farm is generally stroller- and wheelchair-accessible, although some areawww.dirtandgritfarm.coms have gravel or uneven ground. Pets aren't permitted, with the exception of service animals. Cash and major credit cards are accepted, with a 2.6% processing fee on credit card purchases.
Dirt & Grit Farm is located at 3456 Harris Bridge Road in Woodruff. For admission details, seasonal updates and upcoming events, visit www.dirtandgritfarm.com or call 864-400-5242.
After seeing how much fun my own kids had, I can confidently say this is one fall outing worth making time for. Whether you're going for the flowers, the animals or simply an afternoon outside together, Dirt & Grit Farm is a wonderful reminder that some of the best family memories are made right here in the Upstate.
