Night Hikes/Paranormal Investigations
Where the natural world and the supernatural world collide©
Waiver Forms. Information about the Hikes. What to Expect.
About the Night Hike/Paranormal Investigation
About the Hike/What to Expect
Night hike at Moonville Tunnel with the local ghost stories passed down, followed by a ghost hunt at the famous and haunted tunnel.
Night hikes and ghost hunts last approximately 2.5 hours. We will walk a gravel, out-and-back section of the Moonville Rail Trail, starting from the town of Moonville and heading to Ingham Station/Bear Hollow. I stop several times to tell the ghost stories passed along by the Moonville residents. They stories last about one to two minutes.
The hike is laid-back. Between the stories and while we hike the trail, people can just enjoy the cool surroundings. We hear coyotes, frogs and cross paths with owls and occasionally bears and snakes and fox. Oh, and hopefully ghosts from the old communities.
The hike is free of charge (I accept tips) and covers a little over 1.5 miles one way, totaling 3.0 miles along an easy, flat gravel railroad bed.
At a leisurely pace, it takes about 30-40 minutes to hike one way. However, we will be moving steadily and making a few short stops to hear local ghost stories, which may make it challenging for those with health issues, walking difficulties, or those who are not in good shape.
I suggest wearing protective clothing like jeans, a long-sleeved t-shirt and tennis shoes or boots and using bug spray. I will also have some insect repellent with me if you forget. Open-toed shoes or sandals are not recommended. Snakes, toads, insects, and frogs are common along the trail in spring, summer, and fall and the rail trail crushed stone tends to lodge in hikers’ sandals. It should be clear for the hike, but the trail is tree-lined, and the canopy covers much of the light, so I suggest you bring your cell phone, headlamp, or flashlight. It is almost a 1.5-mile (one-way, out and back) hike so please make sure you can hike that far at a healthy pace. I do stop to tell stories (1-2 minutes long) along the way. We will go rain or shine, barring thunderstorms. No pets. Climbing to the top of the tunnel and jump-scares are not allowed. I will be there in a gold jeep when you pull into the parking lot.
Signing Up/Registration
EVERYONE, INCLUDING THOSE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, MUST HAVE A SIGNED WAIVER TO ATTEND! There are no exceptions.
You can see a copy of the waiver here. I will bring waivers to sign at the parking lot.
After the hike, I’ll bring some equipment so you can try a little ghost-hunting in the tunnel. I videotape the investigation and show the results within a few days (we have a lot of peculiar things happen) on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LoneGhostWriter
With the natural sounds of the forest and the crowd, tools like the spirit box can be hard to hear in real time. But once I process the video afterward, we often uncover some truly astonishing results.
Please check Jannette’s Facebook page listed below before coming for weather/flooding/cancellation or other updates.
I will have some of my Ohio, West Virginia, and Appalachian hikes books available (including the Moonville books, Haunted Hocking Hills, and the Haunted Ohio books) for purchase for ten dollars a piece, but bring cash. There are no ATMs and the cell phone services are sketchy.
Under 18 must have a parent/guardian along for the hike and ghost hunt. (Parent/Legal Guardian of hikers under 18 must sign the waiver! A responsible adult/parent/guardian must hike with underage children).
How Do I SIGN UP?
Reservations are required for September and October hikes to receive a wristband as there is limited parking:
Hikes in the autumn are the most popular. I try to keep the groups small because parking is limited.
Each registered hiker will receive info about the hike including directions, what to expect, etc the day before the hike.
September Dates: 6th, 13th, 27th
October Dates: 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
I will post dates and information for hikes and ghost hunts in other areas and states, too, including King Tunnel hikes, Silver Run Tunnel, Dead Man Hollow and more!
Just click on the map or “View Larger Map”, Click on “Directions,” and then start or add a start location.
Part of the appeal of Moonville is that you never know what you will find on the far side of the tunnel where the natural world and the supernatural world collide.
Here is what you might expect at a night hike/ghost hunt. Watch while visitors use the equipment to explore the tunnel and its ghosts!
Preparing for the Hike
Please take note of the following information:
- It will be dark on the return trip. No pets are allowed (except on specifically designated pet hikes).
- You may bring a flashlight or use your cell phone for light.
- I recommend bringing bottled water/a container of water to drink.
- I sell my books at the hike. They are typically 10 dollars a piece and far less than sold by retailers. Buying the books also helps support the hikes and my ego. I inspect the trails a few times a week before the hikes to remove the manure left behind by the riding stables. It helps pay for my gas.
- I also accept tips. They are not required, just greatly appreciated.
- The area is surrounded by swamps, so it’s advisable to use insect repellent and wear light, loose-fitting long pants, and long-sleeve shirts during the spring and summer months.
- Although the trail is stone-covered, some sections have been washed out leaving deep ruts and ankle-deep mud puddles after rain, so waterproof boots or shoes are suggested. No open-toed shoes.
- Children must remain with parent or guardian. There are areas on the trail that may pass cliff areas and waterways. You are responsible for yourself and your children.
- No climbing above the tunnel. The town was never above the tunnel. There is nothing up there.
- This trail is also used by horse riders that do not remove the manure nor stay to the side of the trail as directed on most horse trails. It is not maintained for manure removal, so please wear appropriate close-toed shoes or boots. It can accumulate excessively.
- There are no restrooms available on-site. The closest facilities are a few miles away at Lake Hope State Park, just past the beach parking lot.
- I share ghost stories and folklore passed down by locals from he areas where deaths occurred. Children are welcome, but please keep in mind that ghost stories can be scary. I would not recommend this hike for under 8 to 9 years old. Even then, local folklore like the story of Bloody Bones can leave a lasting impact on children. It is dark along the trail, and if your child does NOT want to be there, they will let you know. They will also let everyone in a good mile radius know. . loudly. I have five kids. I can talk over kids. But there are those who come on the hikes who have a difficult time focusing or hearing when kids start crying or talking over me while I am speaking. You know your children best. Please keep this in mind when making a decision on bringing them to the hike. I take great pleasure in giving adults nightmares from the stories I write and tell . . .
- Moonville Rail Trail and Moonville Tunnel are part of the Vinton County Park District. For the safety of those who use it and aid in enforcement officers patrolling it, the trail and tunnel close at 11:00 p.m. as does the Zaleski State Forest surrounding the rail trail.
Moonville Tunnel Night Hikes & Ghost Hunts!
Part of the Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival –
September Dates: 6th, 13th, 27th
October Dates: 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
👣 Check out some of the Paranormal Investigations from the Hocking Hills Bigfoot Fest at Moonville Tunnel with Jannette!
Moonville Whispers: Ghosts of Moonville Tunnel in Ohio by Jannette Quackenbush
Historical profiles of ghost towns along the trail
First-hand accounts of supernatural encounters
Detailed guide to the most haunted spots along the Moonville Rail Trail
Dare to walk the line between history and legend-if you’re brave enough to listen to the whispers.
Hiking the Hocking Hills?
Coming to the Hocking Hills and looking for the best park trails, little known and well known? This is your guide!
Traditional Hocking Hills hikes and unique hikes! In color.
Detailed maps are included for each trail.
Detailed information: Provides trail difficulty and ratings along with Compass and Scale on the maps!
Includes trails from other parks including Hocking Hills State Park, Hocking Hills Nature Preserves, Hocking Hills State Forests, Clear Creek Metroparks, and county parks like Vinton and Hocking County.
Directions to Moonville via Hope-Moonville Road
- GPS for Moonville: 39.308451, -82.324552
Directions to Moonville:
From Oh-278, turn on to Wheelabout Road (you will see the Lake Hope State Park dam across from the road).
Go straight (left) on to Shea Road. (If you go past the Hope Schoolhouse, you took the wrong road). Follow the road that turns into gravel for 2.5 miles (there are no other roads) and you will cross a steel bridge and not far after, you will see a Moonville Rail Trail sign on the right.
The parking is on the left.
- Directions to Moonville: Flood Route :
From Oh-278, turn on to Wheelabout Road (you will see the Lake Hope State Park dam across from the road).
*The road makes a Y at about .2 miles, make a right to continue on Wheelabout. (Straight is the way that is sometimes flooded)
You will pass the old Hope Schoolhouse.
*After two miles, you will see a little Y where the road jogs to the left or continues rounding to the right. Take this left. It will go from asphalt to gravel.
*There will be a stop sign at Hope Moonville Road. Make a left.
The parking lot will be on the right, watch for the rail-trail sign
If you use your cellphone for directions to the hike, once you are at Moonville, you may not be able to get service until you are about 20-30 minutes from the tunnel. That said, you may have trouble setting up your return home from the parking lot after the hike, so make sure you plan your route as a round trip.