Located in Haughton on Lisa Smith’s 40-acre childhood home and property sits a family-run haunted trail called The Devil’s Knot. Lisa, a COVID nurse by trade and Halloween enthusiast, and her son Cameron, a full-time fireman and reserve deputy but a true jack of all trades, make it happen. 

“We started eight years ago, we had my middle son, his birthday is in October, so we always had a party and a hayride,” Lisa said. “There’s a real graveyard right in the back over there and so we would take the kids on a hayride and would go right by it and then we kept having parents say ‘You should do parties.’”

That led the kids to taking machetes and hand cutting the first trail that was almost a mile long. The first year they opened they didn’t charge an entry fee but collected donations for the local Veterans Home. The first year about thirty people came to venture on the trail and spread the word for the following year. It grew to somewhere between 3,000-4,000 people showing up to take a walk through the trail. 

“We got started small and it was almost overnight, we started a Facebook and I’m telling you within 24 to 48 hours the Facebook blew up and we had 17,000 likes,” Cameron said.

It was a surprise for the Smiths because they didn’t expect the interest to grow so quickly. 

“We were shocked and got shut down,” Lisa said.

Now, the operation is carefully curated and preparations typically begin in June with the exception of this year. This year they’ve relocated the trail further back on the property making it larger in size measuring at a mile in length. 

When you think of haunted houses and trails some of the classic scares that get your heart racing might be clowns and chainsaws. The Devil’s Knot has those typical terrors but every year they add things as well as make changes to ensure the trail is a different experience for returners. 

“I don’t get scared really easily like on haunted stuff, but I love Halloween and I’ve always been intrigued by it so I think of what would freak me out,” Lisa said. “Some of the stuff this year that I’ve come up with is probably pushing the limit. We’re not your normal brick-and-mortar haunted house. We have the freedom to move about.” 

This year’s theme is “Hillbilly Hell,” where you’ll come across 24 live actors prepared to take on the challenge of frightening those brave enough to take a walk in the woods. 

“We are geared towards adults and teenagers. We don’t have an age limit and we have people who bring their kids but we don’t have a kids ticket because we don’t want to lie to anybody because we are scary,” Lisa said. “We don’t touch but we do test the limit on certain things.” 

If you’re brave enough and think you can handle the haunt, make sure you are prepared for what to expect during your visit to The Devil’s Knot. 

“You’re walking on a trail and it’s a good trek in the woods. We’re not an in-and-out trail,” Lisa said. “Just walking is a 20-minute walk.” 

One of the most recommended things to wear are closed toe shoes. Although they won’t turn anyone away for not wearing them, it is a wooded trail on uneven terrain so closed toe shoes are beneficial. Pants can also help with reducing the likelihood of bug bites.

There are also rules when it comes to visiting the trail to make sure you and the other guests have the best experience.

“We kind of mirror the state fair in a way of rules and stuff because it’s a big event with a lot of people from the public,” Cameron said. “Safety is our number thing around here. We don’t want anybody getting hurt but to have a good time. That’s all we want.” 

Do not touch the actors and keep your phone away as filming and picture taking on the trail is not allowed. However, you’re able to video and take pictures in the arena area which is the waiting zone before you enter the trail. As it gets closer to Halloween, be prepared for longer wait times. 

What to bring:

• Money for vendors if you want to get food.
• Waiver for the trail (this can be found on their website and Facebook page and bringing it yourself can reduce your check-in time).
• As it gets cooler, bring a jacket for while you wait. 
• Bug spray if you’re one that wants to avoid possible mosquito bites.
• A brave face and good attitude! 

The Devil’s Knot opens October 11 at 8 p.m. and the price is $30/person for general admission or $55/person for a VIP ticket that allows you to skip the line. 

The trail’s busiest nights are Saturdays and during the season they’ll have special events like their “Blood Bath Night” where if you wear a white shirt, or buy one there, you can get drenched in fake blood. 

They also plan to host a Blackout Night on Halloween where the entire trail will be blacked out and walkers go through the trail by flashlight. 

October 25 will be their Fire/Police/EMS Night where those in that line of duty can get $5 off of their admission price. That same evening, LifeShare Blood Center will be there for those interested in donating blood. If you donate on site, you can receive $5 off a VIP ticket cost. 

The waiver can be found on their website and Facebook page and you can sign digitally before you arrive or you can print it out to bring with you. You can also sign it whenever you arrive. Tickets can be purchased online ahead of time making your phone your ticket or there will be a cash line to buy tickets upon arrival. 

The Smiths have a lot of favorite parts when it comes to owning the Devil’s Knot. From the creation of the trail and planning of each detail that goes into providing the overall experience but the best part is seeing their hard work pay off to provide a fun opportunity for the community to come together during the Halloween season.

“My favorite part is when it’s the night of when I’m out in that front parking lot and I see a line of a hundred cars coming down that road, I’m excited and scared at the same time,” Cameron said. “It’s neat having this happening out here. It’s interesting seeing it all come together and it all work and you get all of these people from everywhere that show up and they are excited to be here and you’re excited to have them and you get to show them an experience that they can’t get anywhere else.” 

You’ll have until November 3 to encounter something unlike anything else we have in the Bossier Parish area. Follow The Devil’s Knot on Facebook to keep up with what is happening at the trail during this season and for the seasons to come.