Moonville Tunnel

Deep in the Zaleski State Forest, a 100-foot brick-lined railroad tunnel stands as the last remnant of Moonville, a ghost town that once served the coal mining and iron smelting industries. Built around 1857, the tunnel has a long history of fatal train accidents, and locals have reported strange lights and sounds in the tunnel for over a century.

The tunnel is part of the 10-mile Moonville Rail-Trail, a converted railroad bed that's now popular for hiking and mountain biking. The trail winds through the forest past the tunnel and other remnants of the mining era. The walk to the tunnel from the nearest parking area is about a mile, making it an easy and atmospheric outing.

In September and October, organized haunted hikes and ghost hunts draw visitors who want to experience the tunnel after dark. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, walking through a 170-year-old tunnel in a state forest at dusk is an experience you won't forget. Combine it with a visit to nearby Lake Hope State Park.