12 Most Haunted Forests in the World to Camp

You’ll find that haunted forests have served as spiritual gateways long before modern ghost stories emerged, with ancient cultures designating certain woodlands as portals between our world and the supernatural dimension. From Native American burial grounds to medieval execution sites, these dark histories have transformed ordinary forests into paranormal hotspots. Whether you’re pitching a tent in North Carolina’s Devil’s Tramping Ground or exploring Romania’s twisted trees in Hoia-Baciu Forest, you’re walking through centuries of unexplained phenomena that continue to challenge rational explanation.

Take Aways

• Hoia-Baciu Forest in Romania stands out as the world’s most haunted forest, featuring UFO sightings and time anomalies since 1968.
• The Devil’s Tramping Ground in North Carolina contains a mysterious 40-foot clearing where nothing grows and items vanish overnight.
• Dering Woods in England, nicknamed “The Screaming Woods,” offers camping amid reported apparitions and unexplained screams.
• The Bridgewater Triangle’s 200 square miles of Massachusetts wilderness combines paranormal activity with documented cult ritual sites.
• Pocomoke Forest in Maryland provides guided ghost tours and camping experiences featuring six-fingered handprints and haunting screams.

The Devil’s Dancing Ground: North Carolina’s Cursed Circle

Nestled in the forests near Harper’s Crossroads in Bear Creek, North Carolina, the Devil’s Tramping Ground has mystified visitors and locals alike since its first documented mention in 1784.

You’ll find a perfectly circular clearing spanning 40 feet in diameter, where nothing grows despite numerous soil tests revealing no scientific abnormalities.

If you’re brave enough to visit, you’ll be walking on ground that’s sparked countless legends about the Devil pacing in circles while plotting humanity’s downfall.

Dogs won’t approach it, objects left overnight reportedly vanish, and even hardy crabgrass refuses to take root. Visitors often report hearing silent tramping sounds echoing through the clearing at night.

While some theorize it was once a Native American ceremonial site, the area’s reputation as a paranormal hotspot has drawn curious campers and investigators since John Harden’s writings popularized it in the 1950s.

Hoia-Baciu Forest: Romania’s Paranormal Gateway

Deep within northwestern Romania’s mysterious woodlands, near the unofficial capital of Transylvania, Cluj-Napoca, you’ll find the infamous Hoia-Baciu Forest – a paranormal hotspot that’s captivated investigators since 1968.

Named after a shepherd who vanished with his entire flock, this ancient forest sits atop one of Romania’s oldest Neolithic settlements dating back to 6500 BC.

You’ll encounter unexplained phenomena that have drawn paranormal researchers worldwide: time anomalies, equipment malfunctions, and temperature fluctuations. A circular clearing in the forest serves as a mysterious hub for paranormal activity.

The forest gained international attention when military photographer Emil Barnea documented unusual activities, leading to features on shows like Ghost Adventures and Destination Truth.

Emil Barnea’s haunting military photographs thrust Romania’s Hoia-Baciu Forest into worldwide spotlight, sparking investigations by major paranormal television shows.

If you’re brave enough to camp here, you’ll be surrounded by Gothic architecture and centuries of dark Transylvanian folklore, while archaeological excavations reveal ancient tombs beneath your feet.

Ghostly Echoes of War at Antietam Creek

From Romania’s haunted woodlands to America’s blood-soaked battlefields, you’ll find equally chilling encounters at Maryland’s Antietam Creek.

When you camp near these historic grounds, you’re settling into a landscape where over 22,000 soldiers lost their lives in America’s bloodiest single-day battle. Nearly sixty percent of the brave Irish Brigade volunteers perished during their valiant charge at the infamous Bloody Lane. The paranormal activity here is as abundant as its Civil War history, particularly around Bloody Lane and Burnside Bridge.

1. Listen for phantom gunfire and drums echoing through the night, often accompanied by the distinct smell of gunpowder.
2. Watch for the mysterious blue orbs that float near Burnside Bridge, where Union troops faced devastating losses.
3. Keep your ears tuned for ghostly Irish Brigade carolers singing “Deck the Halls.”
4. Be alert for the floating woman at Pry House, appearing where no floor exists.

The Bridgewater Triangle: Freetown-Fall River’s Dark Secrets

While Massachusetts conjures images of colonial history and fall foliage, the Bridgewater Triangle harbors a darker legacy spanning 200 square miles of southeastern wilderness.

At its heart lies the Freetown-Fall River State Forest, where you’ll encounter more than just hiking trails and scenic views. This notorious woodland has earned its sinister reputation through documented cases of cult rituals, animal sacrifices, and gangland murders. The area’s dark history traces back to King Philip’s War, when it became the site of one of America’s bloodiest conflicts. The Joy of Camping: Embracing Nature’s Adventure provides a stark contrast to the darkness that has enveloped this region.

Beyond peaceful trails lies a forest stained by dark rituals, gruesome sacrifices, and mafia violence in southeastern Massachusetts.

If you’re brave enough to camp here, you might witness the ghostly figure at Profile Rock, where locals report seeing an apparition sitting cross-legged with outstretched arms.

The forest serves as ground zero for paranormal activity, from UFO sightings to encounters with cryptids like Bigfoot and giant snakes. Native American legends speak of an ancient curse, perhaps explaining the concentration of supernatural phenomena in these woods.

Screams in the Night: Dering Woods of Kent

Nestled between the villages of Smarden and Pluckley in Kent, England, Dering Woods has earned its chilling nickname “The Screaming Woods” through centuries of disturbing encounters. As one of Britain’s most haunted woodlands, you’ll find yourself immersed in an ancient forest where history and horror intertwine, including one of the world’s oldest Neolithic sites. The woods gained further notoriety after the unexplained Dering Wood Massacre of 1948.

1. Listen for the echoing screams of the colonel who took his life in the 18th century, or the terrifying cries of a clay pit worker buried alive.
2. Watch for the beheaded highwayman’s spirit, pinned to a tree by vengeful villagers.
3. Keep your guard up against mysterious black shadows known to follow visitors through the dense woodland.
4. Prepare for unexplained footsteps and voices, particularly prevalent during foggy conditions.

The most commonly encountered dangers of adventure camping include navigating rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, and potentially dangerous wildlife.

Pirates and Phantoms: Old House Woods of Virginia

Located in Mathews County, Virginia, the mysterious Old House Woods calls adventurous campers with its eerie 50-acre expanse of dense coastal forest.

You’ll notice the temperature drop 10 degrees as you enter this haunted grove near the Chesapeake Bay, where centuries of ghost stories have taken root since the 1700s. Camping safety is crucial when exploring these haunted woods.

As you set up camp, you might witness the infamous green light phenomenon or spot phantom lanterns bobbing through the trees.

Local legends tell of headless pirates and British soldiers who buried treasure here, their spirits still searching the grounds. A 1926 article in The Baltimore Sun helped popularize these supernatural tales.

Restless souls of pirates and redcoats eternally roam Old House Woods, guarding long-lost treasures beneath Virginia’s haunted soil.

If you’re brave enough to stay overnight, you’ll join countless paranormal enthusiasts who’ve reported unsettling encounters with apparitions and experienced unexplained feelings of anger and unease in these historic woods.

Shadows in the Pines: The Haunted Pocomoke Forest

Deep in Maryland’s eastern shore, the Pocomoke Forest serves as the state’s most haunted woodland, where dark waters mirror centuries of chilling tales.

You’ll find this eerie swampland, named by the Algonquin Indians for its “black water,” teeming with paranormal activity and spine-tingling legends that have captivated visitors for generations.

The forest’s reputation for supernatural occurrences includes the infamous tale of a hook-handed escaped convict who terrorized young couples parking in the area.

If you’re brave enough to camp here, you’ll encounter:

1. Unexplained phenomena like six-fingered handprints mysteriously appearing on cars
2. Haunting screams echoing through the pines, attributed to a murdered wife and child
3. Ghost tours led by local experts who’ll guide you through the forest’s most active spots
4. Abundant historical connections to Algonquin Indian heritage and centuries of documented paranormal activity

Don’t be surprised if you feel unseen eyes watching you or stones mysteriously pelting your tent during your stay.

Lake Morena: Where Spirits Never Rest

While Maryland’s Pocomoke Forest chills visitors with its dark swamps, California’s Lake Morena offers its own brand of supernatural encounters at 3,000 feet above sea level.

At this remote San Diego County reservoir, you’ll find more than just well-stocked fishing and scenic hiking trails – you might encounter the unexplained. Relaxing wilderness camping can be found nearby, providing a tranquil contrast to the area’s haunted reputation.

Since 1983, visitors have reported seeing a mysterious woman in white pacing the shoreline, while campers have documented heavy footsteps that vanish into thin air.

Park volunteer Walter Stucker once awakened to find a hovering apparition outside his RV, and rangers regularly report spectral figures during night patrols. One particularly mysterious incident involved a logbook in the bathtub that inexplicably disappeared and reappeared in the ranger’s quarters.

Though the area’s affluent Native American history and local folklore add context to these encounters, Lake Morena’s supernatural reputation has earned it recognition as America’s second most haunted RV campground.

Holy Ghost Campground: The Priest’s Eternal Watch

Among New Mexico’s most enigmatic camping destinations, Holy Ghost Campground calls adventurous spirits to the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where a Spanish priest’s ghostly presence has captivated visitors for centuries.

Nestled in the Santa Fe National Forest, this remote campground sits at the edge of Pecos Wilderness, surrounded by Ponderosa-Fir and Aspen forests, with Holy Ghost Creek winding through its grounds. The area features $8 per vehicle camping fees for those seeking an affordable outdoor experience. Essential tips to prevent bugs and bites can help ensure a comfortable stay.

The narrow, winding road via NM-63 and Forest Road 122 adds to the site’s isolated allure. You can visit the nearby Tererro General Store for $5 showers. Local ghost-tour guides regularly report bizarre activity in the surrounding wilderness.

The campground’s eerie reputation stems from numerous unexplained phenomena and mysterious disappearances, making it one of America’s most haunted outdoor destinations.

Black Forest: Germany’s Gateway to the Supernatural

From New Mexico’s haunted wilderness, we turn to Europe’s most legendary supernatural forest. You’ll find the Black Forest in southwestern Germany, where dense vegetation earned its ominous name from the Romans who noticed how sunlight couldn’t penetrate its depths.

Ancient trade routes and settlements made the forest a bustling center of commerce during Roman times. As you venture into these mysterious woods, you’re walking through lands where ancient Germanic tribes once worshipped nature spirits. The Brothers Grimm drew inspiration from this mystical domain, particularly the Forbidden Woods, where twisted trees stand eerily silent without wildlife.

In Hinterzarten village, you might encounter tales of spectral figures and lost souls who still wander the paths. If you’re brave enough to camp here, you’ll be surrounded by centuries of folklore featuring witches, werewolves, and the legendary “Wild Women” who’ve been known to lure unsuspecting travelers deeper into the forest.

Time Slips and UFOs: Romania’s Triangle of Mystery

Deep in the heart of Romania’s Cluj-Napoca region lies the enigmatic Hoia-Baciu Forest, a 3-square-kilometer expanse that’s earned the haunting nickname “Romania’s Bermuda Triangle.” True campers know the importance of being prepared for the unexpected when venturing into the wilderness.

Since the 1960s, this seemingly ordinary woodland has become a focal point for extraordinary phenomena, including UFO sightings, unexplained time distortions, and ghostly apparitions. The forest’s mystique has only grown since archaeologists discovered ancient Neolithic settlements dating back to 6500 BC.

If you’re planning to camp in this mysterious forest, you’ll discover:

1. A documented history of unexplained events, including the famous 1968 UFO photograph by military technician Emil Barnea.
2. Twisted tree formations and unexplained circles where vegetation grows differently.
3. Areas where visitors report sudden disorientation, lost time, and inexplicable anxiety.
4. Guided night tours and paranormal investigation opportunities, balanced with recreational activities like biking and hiking.

Despite scientific investigations, the forest’s mysteries remain unsolved, making it a prime destination for adventurous campers.

Specters of the Silver Rush: Calico Ghost Town

Nestled in California’s Mojave Desert, the historic Calico Ghost Town serves as a haunting symbol of the boom-and-bust cycle of America’s Silver Rush era. Founded in 1881, this once-thriving mining community saw over 500 mines operate at its peak, with a population reaching up to 3,500 residents.

You’ll find yourself walking through a town that witnessed both remarkable prosperity and sudden abandonment, thanks to the devastating effects of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act. The town generated an impressive twenty million dollars in silver ore during its twelve-year peak.

Camping in natural environments can provide a unique and memorable experience, but it is important to be prepared and take appropriate safety precautions. While Walter Knott’s 1951 restoration brought new life to Calico, making it a popular tourist destination, the town’s paranormal reputation persists.

As you explore the five remaining original buildings and expertly restored structures, you might encounter unexplained phenomena that visitors frequently report – from mysterious sounds to apparitions of former miners who never left their silver-laden mountains.

The Last Word

These haunted forests aren’t just wild sanctuaries; they’re portals to history’s darkest moments. You’ll trace footsteps of lost souls through misty trails where time bends like twisted branches. Whether you’re pitching your tent in North Carolina’s cursed circle or braving Romania’s supernatural gateway, you’re stepping into nature’s most enigmatic theaters. Pack your courage—these ancient woods hold secrets that’ll challenge everything you believe about reality.