The Haunted Hike In Missouri That Will Send You Running For The Hills
By Liz Oliver|Published September 28, 2017
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Liz Oliver
Author
Liz is a Missouri native with a B.A. in English from Mizzou and a M.A. in Non-Profit Administration from Lindenwood University. She works for a STL metro-area community college and enjoys writing, traveling, and indoor cycling. Her true passion is forcing her encyclopedic knowledge of Missouri facts on uninterested strangers from across the globe!
Missouri has many buildings rumored to be haunted, but there are few truly haunted hikes. In Wildwood, just west of St. Louis, is Zombie Road — or what is now called Rock Hollow Trail. It is easily one of the most haunted sites in Missouri. Lawler Ford Road was constructed in the late 1860s and was built so locals could access the Meramec River. The road fell out of use as modern highways were constructed and rumors of paranormal activity increased. Now, the road has been transformed into a Great Rivers Greenway that connects St. Louis with the county via trails that follow the rivers.
Popular among cyclists, the gorgeous Rock Hollow Trail leads to the Meramec River and has a long and haunted history.
At night this 2.3-mile trail becomes much more sinister. The trail was likely built on Native American lands and many believe that evil spirits remain to punish those that venture onto the land.
In addition to the ghostly sightings, there is a story of a woman who walks the near by train tracks at night. Records do show that Celia McCullough died in 1876 when she was hit by a train in the area. She could be the woman who still visits the tracks at night.
Locals have been sharing spooky stories of Zombie Road for decades. However, what you are more likely to find at night on the trail are police officers issuing tickets for trespassing.
Take this haunted hike on Rock Hollow Trail and find out for yourself if the spooky stories are true. Just remember that entering at night can lead to a hefty fine — or worse.