The Creepiest Hike in Tennessee Takes You Through the Ruins of an Abandoned Cemetery

If you’re looking for a creepy hike in Tennessee, then you need to wander through Big Ridge State Park. Located roughly 15 miles from Norris Lake State Park, Big Ridge is just under 4,000 acres and is tucked away in the Appalachian Ridge and Valley range. The park may be one of Tennessee’s smallest, but it also boasts a big history by way of the Indian Rock and Big Ridge Trails. Hike them both and you will have the chance to experience a little spine-tingling local history.

You will find Indian Rock and Big Ridge trails in Maynardville, Tennessee, a small town tucked away by both Norris and Big Ridge Lakes. Located due north of Knoxville, you can expect beautiful East Tennessee weather and scenery. The trails can be hiked together or separately, but if you link the two, you will be able to wander an abandoned cemetery and bear witness to a historic murder site.

Expect to gain roughly 1,300 feet in elevation and be prepared for muddy conditions if there have been recent rains. The loop trails are well-maintained, but the rural location means that mud and rocky stretches are likely. Hikers are welcome throughout the year, so just make sure to prepare for the weather and conditions.

There is a dark story to Indian Rock Trail, however. The area was once the site of a deadly ambush, and there is a plaque that honors the pioneer settler who was killed. Peter Graves, a pioneer settler, lost his life between these two boulders.

When you begin the Indian Rock Loop, you can choose to go to the left, which will take you down Big Ridge to Norris Lake, or you can turn to the right and follow the ridgetop to Indian Rock and eventually to the Langley Cemetery.

If you connect the Indian Rock Trail to the Big Valley Trail, an easy addition, then you will also have the chance to visit the Langley Cemetery. Tucked away in the woods, you will see the graves of the area’s earliest settlers.

The Langley Cemetery was established in September 1926 with the burial of Edward P. Loy. Though it’s an eerie thing to see a cemetery tucked away off the main path, this particular graveyard is considered young in comparison to the state’s history.

Big Ridge State Park has over 15 miles of hiking trails that take you through the rural beauty of the area. Free trail maps are available for whoever visits the park office, and you can also inquire about overnight camping if daytime fun simply isn’t enough.

What a wild place to hike! Did you know that Big Ridge State Park had such an interesting history? Have you hiked through Big Ridge State Park? Will you be taking a historic hike sometime soon? Check out the info about the Big Valley Trail to Indian Rock Trail for everything you need while out adventuring on this creepy trail. You can learn more about the state park and its creepy hiking trails on its official Big Ridge State Park website.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.