Ghost stories within 15 minutes of your RV door? Highland Road Cemetery has guarded Baton Rouge secrets since 1813, and it’s waiting just seven miles up the bluff from your camp chair at Tiger’s Trail. Whether you’re corralling curious kids, planning a sunset date, or craving hard-facts paranormal lore, this moss-draped landmark delivers goosebumps without the gimmicks.
Key Takeaways
• Highland Road Cemetery is Baton Rouge’s oldest graveyard (opened 1813) and sits only 7 miles from Tiger’s Trail RV Resort
• Open dawn to dusk; aim to arrive at least 1 hour before sunset for unhurried exploring
• Families, couples, and history buffs all have safe walking routes under big live-oak trees
• Soldiers from the War of 1812 and even the Revolution rest here—look for name markers
• Ghost signs: tiny lights, drumbeats, and fast-draining phone batteries, strongest near dusk
• What to bring: closed-toe shoes, bug spray, flashlight, extra power bank, and quiet voices
• Park along Oxford Street; short rigs can use a gravel pull-off on Stanford and walk in
• October twilight tours raise money to fix fences and stones; spots sell out fast
• Quarterly volunteer clean-ups welcome helpers—gloves in hand, stories in ear
• Great photo spots: Duplantier obelisk at golden hour, mossy arches all day—turn off flash
• Nearby haunted stops (5-mile loop): Old Arsenal Museum, LSU Memorial Tower, Magnolia Mound
Keep reading to discover:
• Daylight routes that feel safe for strollers—yet still tingle the spine
• Golden-hour photo spots couples swear by (filter optional)
• Tombstones tied to War-of-1812 legends and modern EVP hits
• Parking and rideshare tips every RV traveler needs
• October twilight tours that fund preservation—and spark campfire stories
Ready to tiptoe between history and hauntings? Let’s lift the iron latch and step inside.
Quick-Glance Essentials for Every Traveler
The cemetery sits on Oxford Street, just off Highland Road. Established in 1813, it claims the title of Baton Rouge’s oldest surviving burial ground, rising atop a bluff that once overlooked remote plantation fields. Today it’s a leafy pocket minutes from LSU’s buzzing campus, yet it feels a world apart once the gate swings shut.
Arrive between dawn and dusk—one hour before sunset if you want unhurried exploring. Street parking lines Oxford and neighboring Oklahoma; keep wheels off lawns and valuables out of sight. Compact rigs under 25 feet sometimes snag the gravel pull-off on Stanford Avenue and stroll the last quarter mile, a trick locals whisper to avoid tight turns.
Closed-toe shoes, bug spray, and a spare power bank earn MVP status here. Visitors swear batteries fade faster beneath the oldest live oaks, part of the cemetery’s “energy-drain” lore. Toss in a small flashlight for shady corners and you’re set.
From Frontier Bluff to Baton Rouge Time Capsule
George Garig, a plantation owner with foresight, set aside this land in the early 1800s; his gift became formal in 1819 when he deeded the acreage to what is now St. Joseph Cathedral, though records note it was never officially consecrated. The first documented burial, John James Neilson, was recorded on March 13, 1813, underscoring just how long the bluff has served as Baton Rouge’s memory bank. Over the decades, hurricanes, floods, and shifting city borders have all tried—and failed—to erase its importance, leaving the cemetery a stubborn sentinel atop Highland Road.
Walk a few steps farther and the city’s formative decades unfold in stone. War of 1812 veterans Jean Baptiste Kleinpeter and Charles Daniel Comeaux rest here, joined by Lafayette’s former aide-de-camp Gabriel Armand Duplantier. Even rarer Revolutionary War soldiers lie beneath weather-softened slabs, making the ground itself a syllabus on early American conflicts.
Decay followed glory. By the 1930s the Works Progress Administration hacked away vines but couldn’t halt decline. Preservationist Evelyn Thom rallied neighbors in the 1970s, spawning Historic Highland Cemetery, Inc., and its modern volunteer force. Graffiti, vandalism, and a 1927 subdivision survey that mistakenly sliced through lot lines still challenge caretakers, yet each quarterly clean-up morning proves the story isn’t finished.
Haunted Highlights You’ll Hear Before You See
Stand near the Garig family plots at dusk and a silvery silhouette may glide among the headstones, its outline dissolving into low mist. Couples swear lantern-like pinpoints hover along the old wagon path, blinking on and off as though guiding unseen travelers. Paranormal hobbyists aiming for EVPs report the clearest whispers after traffic quiets, capturing faint answers during 30-second bursts of absolute stillness.
Military energy lingers, too. Visitors have followed rhythmic drumbeats toward the bluff’s edge, certain a modern marching band was rehearsing—only to find silence and empty air. The phenomenon dovetails neatly with the resting places of War-of-1812 soldiers, feeding Baton Rouge’s most retold legend that the Tiger Band sometimes plays in spectral duet with long-gone comrades.
Respect is the unspoken entry fee. Keep voices low, avoid provoking language, and remember descendants still picnic under these oaks. If you’re live-streaming, explain the etiquette to viewers before broadcasting; responsible storytelling keeps this gateway open for the next curious traveler.
Plan Your Route and Roll In Calm
Leaving Tiger’s Trail RV Resort, follow Nicholson Drive (LA-30) north, then curve right onto Highland Road. The drive covers seven miles in roughly 15–20 minutes outside LSU game traffic. Rideshare pickups are smooth at the resort clubhouse, with drivers dropping guests at Oxford and Highland for the shortest walk.
Arrive early during October’s twilight tours—tickets vanish quicker than you can say “boo.” Daytime explorers should start no later than an hour before sunset to dodge hurried good-byes from staff locking the gate. Stick to visible paths; subsidence can hide fragile markers only inches beneath grass. Flashlights are welcome, but disable camera flash to avoid glare on marble.
Closed-toe shoes tackle uneven ground and sneaky fire-ant mounds, while insect repellent spares ankles from Louisiana’s year-round mosquito militia. If rain soaked the bluff overnight, clay soil turns slick, so swap dress shoes for trail runners and wipe lenses frequently to beat humidity.
Customize the Chill: Tips for Every Kind of Visitor
Family Adventure Planners can grab the kid-paced loop map at the gate—45 minutes covers the main highlights. Challenge younger explorers to count the live-oak circles while weaving history into science-lesson chatter. Pair the visit with the LSU Rural Life Museum a short drive away for an educational two-fer that checks homework and Halloween boxes simultaneously.
Couple Culture Seekers find romance in golden hour when Spanish moss backlights every photo. Pause at Duplantier’s obelisk right as the sky slips from amber to royal blue, a filter-free glow Instagram loves. Afterward, walk or drive five minutes to The Chimes, where servers trade stories about chairs shifting upstairs between shifts, or head to Tin Roof Brewing for a live-music nightcap.
History & Paranormal Buffs should pack an external mic and lightweight tripod; staff allow gear as long as legs stay on grass. Deep-dive sources include Historic cemetery site, WPA archives, and local EVP logs. Tripods also help with long-exposure shots of lantern lights—just remember a spare battery for that inevitable energy drain.
Digital Nomads & Solo Explorers enjoy strong cell service thanks to LSU towers nearby, perfect for real-time TikTok uploads. After your last selfie, refuel Wi-Fi—and caffeine—at Lighthouse Coffee on Nicholson or Brew Ha-Ha on Perkins. Both spots offer quiet nooks for editing footage before your next deadline.
LSU Alumni & Game-Day Travelers can squeeze a brisk 30-minute lap between tailgates. Avoid campus gridlock by taking River Road to Stanford Avenue, then walking in from the lakeside loop. Night access remains ticketed only, so grab those twilight tour passes if you want to swap stadium lights for lantern glow.
Build a Five-Mile Haunted History Loop
Begin with Highland Road Cemetery, then drive eight minutes north to the Old Arsenal Museum, where staff whisper of post-closing footsteps echoing up the spiral stair. Early risers can swing by LSU’s Memorial Tower before dawn; some claim the chimes trigger phantom responses in the pre-dawn hush. Magnolia Mound Plantation waits ten minutes west with tales of shadow figures near its detached kitchen—a day-tour that slides neatly into your route.
Continue past the Mississippi River levee to the USS Kidd for naval ghost lore, then loop back along River Road as sunset splashes gold across the water. Round off the circuit at The Chimes for jambalaya pasta and local craft beer. Sharing those fresh stories back at the RV resort’s community fire pit usually draws new legends from neighboring campers.
Seasonal Events, Volunteering, and Lens Magic
October belongs to twilight tours that raise funds for preservation; booking early not only secures a spot but funnels dollars into protective fencing and headstone repairs. Prefer giving sweat instead of cash? Friends of Historic Highland Cemetery host quarterly clean-ups—meet at 8 a.m., bring gloves, and you’ll gain daytime access to fenced sections often closed to the public.
Photographers hunting atmosphere should set alarms for dawn fog rolling off the bluff. Wide apertures and no flash capture a dreamy glow, while a microfiber cloth keeps condensation from fogging up the story you’re trying to tell. Before posting, blur surnames on legible stones unless you have family permission; the courtesy deters genealogy fraud and vandal copycats.
Quiet thunderheads sweep Louisiana in spring, so seal gear in weather-proof bags. Clay soil slicks fast—use trekking poles if carrying heavy camera rigs. These small preps beat explaining a muddy DSLR to your insurance agent.
From moonlit murmurs on Highland’s bluff to marshmallow-glow at our fire pit, Baton Rouge’s best chills are just seven miles apart. Claim your spacious, full-hookup site at Tiger’s Trail RV Resort and pair every spectral stroll with resort-style comforts—lazy river, sparkling pool, and Wi-Fi strong enough to upload all those EVP files. Ready to explore the hauntings by day and unwind in luxury by night? Reserve your getaway now and let Southern hospitality be the only spirit that follows you home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How far is Highland Road Cemetery from Tiger’s Trail RV Resort, and what’s the simplest driving route?
A: The cemetery gate on Oxford Street sits about seven miles—roughly a 15- to 20-minute drive—north of Tiger’s Trail; just follow Nicholson Drive (LA-30) toward LSU, swing right onto Highland Road, and turn onto Oxford where free street parking lines the curb.
Q: Can I park my RV at the cemetery or nearby?
A: Full-size rigs won’t fit, but compact campers under 25 feet can sometimes nose into the gravel pull-off on Stanford Avenue and walk the final quarter mile, while larger RVs are better left at your Tiger’s Trail pad with a quick rideshare or towed vehicle handling the short hop.
Q: Is the cemetery safe for families and kids during daylight hours?
A: Yes—daylight visits are calm and patrolled by volunteers and Baton Rouge police drive-bys, making it a kid-friendly outing as long as everyone sticks to visible paths, watches uneven ground, and respects posted rules about climbing on headstones.
Q: Are there guided tours, especially around Halloween?
A: Historic Highland Cemetery, Inc. hosts ticketed twilight tours on select October weekends that blend history and gentle haunt stories, and they occasionally add daytime history walks in spring; watch the nonprofit’s Facebook page for exact dates and reservation links.
Q: How long does a self-guided loop take if we’re squeezing it between tailgates or errands?
A: A brisk lap that hits the oldest plots and military markers can be done in 30 minutes, while a more relaxed wander—pausing for photos or inscription rubbings—usually runs 45 to 60 minutes.
Q: What’s the most atmospheric time for photos—golden hour or after dark?
A: Couples and photographers rave about the last hour before sunset when Spanish moss backlights every shot, but long-exposure night images are also striking during special tour nights when lanterns glow and tripods are permitted under staff supervision.
Q: Are tripods, external mics, or night-vision gear allowed for paranormal research?
A: As long as you keep tripod legs on grass, avoid blocking paths, and skip any invasive lighting, the caretakers welcome responsible equipment use during normal hours or sanctioned night events, so pack that gear and sign in at the volunteer table if asked.
Q: Have any credible paranormal investigations recorded evidence here?
A: Local groups such as Louisiana Spirits and LSU’s former Parapsychology Club have logged clear EVPs near the Garig plots and light-anomaly photos along the wagon path, and their findings are summarized in the public files at Historic cemetery site for anyone who wants to dive deeper.
Q: Which notable historical figures are buried in Highland Road Cemetery?
A: War of 1812 veterans Jean Baptiste Kleinpeter and Charles Daniel Comeaux, Lafayette aide-de-camp Gabriel Armand Duplantier, and even a handful of Revolutionary War soldiers rest here, turning a simple stroll into a condensed lesson on early American conflicts in Louisiana.
Q: Can a small group visit at night without a permit?
A: After-dark access is strictly limited to the nonprofit’s guided events or pre-arranged research appointments, so casual night visits without permission are not allowed and may be considered trespassing.
Q: Is cell reception strong enough for live-streaming or uploading stories on the go?
A: Thanks to nearby LSU towers, most carriers deliver full bars inside the gate, making it easy to stream, post reels, or call a rideshare when you’re ready to roll back to Tiger’s Trail.
Q: Are rideshare services reliable for solo explorers who don’t have a tow car?
A: Uber and Lyft drivers regularly service the LSU corridor; set your pickup pin at the corner of Oxford and Highland for the quickest match, and nighttime rides after tours usually arrive within five to ten minutes.
Q: Where can we grab food, drinks, or coffee after exploring?
A: The Chimes (five minutes north) plates Louisiana classics and boasts a rooftop perfect for post-tour storytelling, Tin Roof Brewing offers craft pints and live music on weekends, and Lighthouse Coffee on Nicholson delivers strong Wi-Fi and quiet desks for digital nomads editing fresh footage.
Q: What should I pack to keep the visit comfortable and respectful?
A: Closed-toe shoes, insect repellent, a flashlight, and a spare battery pack cover practical needs, and a little cemetery etiquette—keeping voices low, never touching fragile stones, and blurring surnames before posting photos—helps preserve this historic space for the next curious camper.