I'll be honest, I was on the look out for the most haunted hiking trails around Louisiana, but was completely surprised that, in a state known for being spooky, not a lot of info on scary trails for hikers here in the Bayou State. Whaaaaat? You can pretty much hike anywhere around Louisiana that you can find a trail at, I mean, we are the Sportsman's Paradise, after all. Most of these locations wouldn't be considered traditional hiking spots, but are still destinations for folks who love the outdoors. And love to be terrified.

backpackerverse.com has a complete list of haunted trails around the USA, if you're up for a road trip, to be scared. Their info is based on documented experiences, and maybe just a little bit of fun thrown in for good measure. Sounds pretty cool!

So, here is my own personal list for Louisiana, and places that I would definitely be scared to wander into without a guide, or someone else who knows more than me about backpacker life. Traditional hiking spots or not, I'm a huge scaredy cat, so it would take a lot for me to even visit these places!

  • Atchafalaya Basin - this place is beautiful and scary at the same time. I can't think of anything more terrifying than getting stuck in the Basin after dark. This is my #1 scary hike location, y'all!
  • Myrtles Plantation - the area around one of America's most haunted houses is lush and green, and beautiful. But let's be honest, it's not one of the scariest places around for nothin'. Apparitions of long dead slaves have been spotted around this St Francisville site for a very long time.
  • The Maurepas Swamp Nature Trail / Manchac Swamp - according to the folks at Only in Louisiana, Voodoo Priestess Julia Brown predicted a huge storm in this swamp outside of New Orleans in the early 20th century, was one of the only survivors, and still haunts the area with her presence. This place is super creepy
  • Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Site - Gibsland - surely the ghosts of the legendary bank robbers are still around to haunt this north Louisiana area. Some say you can still hear gunshots on the rural road where they met their end during a full moon. I wouldn't go on a run by myself, sha!
  • Bayou Sale Road - Paranormal activity in this rural area between Dulac and Cocodrie has been whispered about for years. If you out wandering around, you just might see the ghost of a hitchhiker who is looking to occupy the soul of a kind hearted person willing to pick him up. And you don't have to be in a car to encounter this spooky phenomenon.
  • Old State Capitol Building - Baton Rouge - if you are hiking along the Mississippi River, on the levee, just look to the beautiful old white building at 100 North Blvd. This Gothic structure, which was constructed in the 1880's, has a long history of paranormal occurrences, mostly in the basement. Just looking at it makes me shudder.
  • St Louis Cemetery #1 - New Orleans - lots of people wander through this unique above ground cemetery in New Orleans, and I personally have family members who do all of their recreational walking amongst the dead in this historic place. Home to Marie Laveau's (supposed) final resting place. Super scary.

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