Devil’s Tramping GroundNorth Carolina Legend and Southern Folklore
I ain't goin' to no bare circle in the woods. 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
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 Topics
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 1). Devil’s Tramping Ground
North Carolina Legend and Southern Folklore . HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/devils-tramping-ground-north-carolina - MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Devil’s Tramping Ground
North Carolina Legend and Southern Folklore ." HillbillySlang.com, 1 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/devils-tramping-ground-north-carolina. - Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Devil’s Tramping Ground
North Carolina Legend and Southern Folklore ." HillbillySlang.com. October 1, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/devils-tramping-ground-north-carolina.
Dislaimer
What you're reading here is old Southern folklore and storytelling - not medical advice, and not meant to guide health, or pregnancy decisions (especially pregnancy decisions!). These tales are part of how folks once made sense of the world, passed down from grandparents and midwives.
If you have any medical questions or concerns, talk with a qualified healthcare professional.
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