Head about 30 miles northeast of Natchez and you’ll find Rodney – one of Mississippi’s most notorious ghost towns. At one time, Rodney was destined for big things; however, a series of unfortunate events completely changed its fate. Today, the eerily quiet town is home to just a few dilapidated buildings and one desolate cemetery that will chill you to the bone. Take a look:

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Rodney Presbyterian Church is one of the few buildings still standing in the deserted town.

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi

While the church is a well-known landmark, many are unaware there is a cemetery located in the woods behind it.

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi

Reaching the cemetery requires a bit of a hike up a steep, heavily-rutted path.

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi

Follow the path, and you’ll eventually stumble upon the graveyard.

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi

Deep in the woods, it’s filled with crumbling headstones, which are nearly camouflaged by overgrown trees and greenery.

Michael McCarthy/Flickr

Desolate (and a tad creepy), it’s estimated that there are hundreds of forgotten graves in Rodney.

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi

Several of the graves are unmarked and sporadically scattered throughout the woods.

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi

While others are situated behind wrought iron fences in family graveyards.

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi

Many of the headstones feature inscriptions that tell the story of the grave’s occupant.

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi

The one pictured below belongs to the cemetery’s oldest inhabitant, Maggie Welch Burkley, who lived to be 92.

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi

According to the inscription on this one, the woman buried was born in Germany in 1820 and passed away in Rodney 81 years later.

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi

Throughout the years, the cemetery has flooded numerous times, only adding to the deterioration caused by the passing of time and neglect.

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi

Situated in the middle of the woods and completely isolated, this abandoned cemetery is practically guaranteed to chill you to the bone.

Michael McCarthy/Flickr

Brave enough to explore this cemetery? Below are directions to Rodney as posted on the Historic Rodney, Ms. Facebook Page:

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi

Michael McCarthy/Flickr

“From Hwy 61, take the Alcorn State University exit to hwy 552 West. Go about 3 miles until you see a turning lane to turn left. Take that turn, then the next left on Firetower Rd. There will be a water tank at the turn. When that road ends, take a right. Travel about 6 miles and it will bring you into Rodney. The road will turn to gravel before you get there. Don’t give up though! It will go back to pavement at the top of the hill leading into the old town!”

If you enjoyed this, check out “Visiting This Haunted Mississippi Cemetery Will Give You Goosebumps.“

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.