10 Places that Validate Your Distrust of the Outdoors
Posted on May 22, 2025
by Sam P
Do you ever wonder if you might have what it takes to survive in the wilderness after an adventure gone wrong? Instead of endangering yourself and the lives of others, might we suggest a few of these stories that might make you reconsider that decision? Or at least encourage you to check out a non-fiction book about survival skills.
yellowjackets
A dual-narrative timeline at it's best, Yellowjackets is an incredible piece of folk horror media. It follows the survivors of a girls soccer team who crash land in the wilderness as well as how those survivors are getting on 25 years later.
the troop by Nick Cutter
Scoutmaster and his troop of teens are on their annual three-day camping trip in the Canadian wilderness. Instead of worrying about wildlife, however, another force of nature is at their door.
this wretched valley by Jenny Kiefer
Kiefer's debut is a blood-soaked mystery surrounding a group of hikers gone missing will keep you on your toes. For those interested in further research, it was based off of the Dyatlov Pass Incident of 1959.
cocaine bear
Inspired by an actual bear that had fatally overdosed on cocaine back in the 80s, it's an absolutely wild horror comedy that I simply won't share more about because it's worth watching for yourself.
devolution by Max Brooks
In a catalogue where non-fiction stories about Sasquatch (aka Bigfoot) reign supreme, Devolution is a fictitious account of a monster-related massacre with a fascinating setting.
the blair witch project
Love it or hate it, the marketing for The Blair Witch Project has cemented it in film history that scared folks enough to believe they really, REALLY shouldn't step foot into the Black Hills.
eden lake
Thinking about proposing on a romantic getaway to the lake? Please-- and I cannot stress this enough-- do not.
the woodkin by Alexander James
I, too, seek peace on the trail. However, if I were to go backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail, my hope is that I do not detour into a town full of missing posters.
off season by Jack Ketchum
This outstanding contribution to wilderness horror was inspired by the legend of Sawney Bean and gave rise to The Hills Have Eyes... hopefully that tells you enough about the sort of horror contained herein.
the darkest part of the woods by Ramsey Campbell
A family curse! Hallucinogenic moss! Cults! Stay away from the ancient forest of Goodmanswood.
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