We Did the Research, This Is Officially the Strangest Hiking Trail Name in Kansas

Imagine it: the sweet, grassy aroma of a vast, open plain in Kansas. A gentle breeze carries dandelion tendrils across the horizon, and you see animals in the distance. The fuzzy outline could be a rolled hay bale, but you realize it is coming closer. What kind of animals do you imagine? Probably something akin to the majestic bison or elk like you'd find at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, right? What you probably aren't imagining is a Chupacabra.

Well, whether you imagine them or not, the infamous goat-sucking urban legend will come to mind now thanks to the strangely named Chupacabra Trail. Located in Edwardsville, a western suburb of Kansas City, this easy to moderate 4.5-mile out-and-back trail has plenty of natural sights to see—though probably not any actual Chupacabras.

Instead of the bloodthirsty, beady eyes of a Chupacabra, perhaps you'll spot a wild raccoon peeking out from its hiding place. Or a hawk watching you eagerly from above. Given the length of this pretty easy trail, you'll have plenty of time to keep an eye out. Since Chupacabra Trail is located within the 1,500 wooded acres of Wyandotte County Lake Park, numerous wildlife species call the area home. Additionally, the nearby Wyandotte County Lake offers a stunning view to look forward to.

Just don't get too distracted by the beauty around you; the trail can be rocky. As a natural footpath, you should expect the unexpected, which includes uneven terrain, especially after rain when it's muddy. Keep in mind, too, that this is one of many trails at Wyandotte County Lake Park. It's a good idea to download the trail map from AllTrails ahead of time. You're likely to lose your cellphone signal at some point along the trail. This is crucial advice for anyone not simply walking or hiking the Chupacabra Trail.

Mountain biking is also permitted on this trail if you want to add a bit of adrenaline to your adventure. Good news for bikers, although you should still be mindful of others on the trail, this isn't a heavily frequented one. It's also pretty flat, so you should have an easy time biking amongst the trees.

While you're zooming, be sure to stop along the lakeshore to check out the Wyandotte County Lake Dam. This civil engineering feat is the second dam to be built at this location. The original one, when it was almost completed, collapsed in 1937. The dam that stands today at the lake was finished in 1942.

If you look out onto the lake beyond the dam on a nice day, you'll spot lots of fishers. They're hoping to scoop up some walleye, bass, or even catfish. Should the thought of some fresh fish set your stomach to rumbling out on the trail, be sure to drop in to Grill 32 in Edwardsville on your way out of town. After all, you made it off the trail without any run-ins with the mysterious Chupacabra.