Devil’s Tramping GroundNorth Carolina Legend and Southern Folklore

A Southern legend and North Carolina mystery: the Devil’s Tramping Ground is a barren circle of ground near Bear Creek, North Carolina, where nothing will grow. Locals say the Devil paces the circle at night, planning his mischief.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

I ain't goin' to no bare circle in the woods.

Origin

Stories of the Devil’s Tramping Ground go back at least to the early 1800s in Chatham County, North Carolina. The site is a roughly 40-foot circle where grass and plants refuse to grow, despite the fertile woods surrounding it. Folklore says the Devil himself uses the spot as a nightly meeting ground, walking in circles until dawn.

Over the years, people have tested the legend by leaving objects in the circle overnight - from chairs to personal belongings - only to find them thrown outside the barren ring by morning. Whether told as ghost story, campfire tale, or cautionary warning, the circle became one of North Carolina’s most famous pieces of folklore.

Notes

The Devil’s Tramping Ground has long been a favorite stop for curious travelers and a story passed from one generation to the next. Some explain it away as poor soil or chemicals in the ground; others insist the mystery has no natural cause. Either way, the site is still talked about as proof that the South’s woods hold secrets beyond our understanding.

Legacy

Today, the Devil’s Tramping Ground remains a popular spot for ghost-hunters, campers, and storytellers. It appears in local histories, books of folklore, and TV specials about the unexplained. Whether seen as a natural oddity or a supernatural sign, it stands as one of the most enduring legends of Southern folklore.

Kin Words, Stories and More

Dislaimer

All folklore shared here is part of Southern tradition and storytelling. It's not medical, legal, or practical advice - just the way our grandparents told it. Believe it or not, that's up to you.Learn more on the Folklore hub page.

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