Okie Pinokie
Location: 510 South St, Peru, IN 46970, USA
Paranormal / Hauntings, Curses / Cursed Places
by @loremapsonline
Okie Pinokie ##
Hidden in the woods near Peru, Indiana, Okie Pinokie is one of the state's most infamous haunted locations. Tucked along River Road near the Mississinewa Reservoir, the isolated forest has been surrounded by eerie stories for decades. Locals often refer to the entrance as the Devil's Circle, a clearing where visitors once gathered before venturing deeper into the woods.
No one can say exactly how the legends began, but many claim the land was once an Indigenous burial site or that human remains were uncovered when the area was still marshland. Others believe the stories grew from the forest's isolation and unsettling atmosphere. One of the oldest legends tells of a camper named Joey Peoria, who supposedly disappeared in 1976 without a trace. Although no public records confirm the story, it remains one of the area's most enduring pieces of folklore.
Visitors have long reported hearing whistles returned from deep within the trees, unexplained screams, shadowy figures, strange lights, and the feeling of being watched. Some claim electronic equipment malfunctions while others describe sudden cold spots and eerie silence. Whether these experiences are paranormal or simply the product of a dark forest at night, they have helped cement Okie Pinokie as a favorite destination for ghost hunters across Indiana.
Unlike many haunted locations, Okie Pinokie also has a connection to real tragedy. In 2018, 22 year old Drake Smith was murdered in the woods during a violent assault, a crime that reignited public interest in the area and blurred the line between documented history and local legend. Over the years, rumors have also circulated about additional bodies being discovered in the area, though many of those claims remain unverified and have become part of the folklore itself.
Today, Okie Pinokie remains one of Indiana's most recognizable urban legends. Whether visitors come searching for ghosts, local history, or simply the thrill of exploring an infamous forest, the woods continue to inspire stories that have been passed down for generations.
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