1. Emily’s Bridge, Stowe, Vermont
Locals swear that Emily’s Bridge has a way of getting under your skin, especially on a quiet night when the whole place feels like it’s holding its breath. People who drive across after dark often report the same unnerving sound, something like slow, steady footsteps pacing along the wooden boards. Some even say they’ve felt a sudden scrape along their car or heard someone whisper right near their ear. The story goes that a young woman named Emily died here, and ever since, the bridge has never truly felt empty.
Visitors who walk it on foot sometimes claim the boards shift behind them as if someone is following just a few steps back. A few have even turned around, sure they’d see a person standing there, only to find nothing but shadows. Whether it’s legend or lingering heartbreak, the bridge seems to invite curiosity from those who love a good scare. And once you’ve crossed it, you can see why the tale has stuck around so long.
2. Sachs Covered Bridge, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Sachs Covered Bridge sits near one of the most significant battlefields in American history, and the stories here tend to reflect that somber past. Visitors often describe the sound of boots marching in unison across the bridge, echoing like a ghostly formation still on duty. Some believe the spirits of Civil War soldiers continue to guard the area, unwilling or unable to move on. The atmosphere here can shift quickly, going from serene to heavy in an instant.
People who come at dusk sometimes report hearing footsteps approach them even when the bridge is completely empty. Others claim to feel a sudden cold spot rush past like someone brushed by. Whether you’re into history or hauntings, this bridge offers a little of both. And if you stand quietly long enough, you might hear more than just the wind.
3. Goatman’s Bridge (Old Alton Bridge), Denton, Texas
Goatman’s Bridge is practically a rite of passage for anyone who grew up in the area, and the stories here get wilder the deeper you dig. Many visitors say they hear heavy, deliberate footsteps approaching from behind, even when there’s no one else around. Some swear the footsteps are accompanied by a loud snort or the feeling of being watched. The bridge has become so legendary that ghost hunters and thrill-seekers show up year-round.
If you walk it late at night, you might hear something pacing around the edges of the metal beams. Other people say they’ve had rocks tossed at them from the darkness or heard footsteps running across the top of the bridge. Whatever is happening here, the energy feels charged. It’s the kind of place that sticks with you long after you leave.
4. Crybaby Bridge, Columbus, Ohio
Crybaby Bridge stories vary from town to town, but the Columbus version is especially eerie. Locals say that if you go at night, you might hear the soft patter of tiny footsteps on the planks, almost like a child running. Some people claim the sounds circle them, getting louder as if something is trying to get their attention. Others insist they’ve heard a faint cry right after the footsteps stop.
Even people who don’t believe in ghosts admit this bridge feels unsettling. The air hangs heavy, and the silence almost buzzes. Some visitors have reported feeling a tug on their clothing or seeing a quick flash of movement just out of reach. Whether you believe the stories or not, the walk across definitely raises the hairs on the back of your neck.
5. Hell’s Bridge, Rockford, Michigan
Hell’s Bridge is tucked away in the woods, which already gives it that classic “do I really want to be here?” vibe. People who’ve visited say they’ve heard fast, angry footsteps running across the narrow structure, almost like someone is chasing them. Some believe the spirit belongs to a man from local legend who supposedly met a grim fate here. Even the river below seems to add to the tension with its constant low rumble.
Those who linger claim the footsteps sometimes stop abruptly right next to them. A few visitors insist they’ve heard a voice whisper their name just after the steps go silent. Whether there’s truth to the legend or just a perfect mix of sound and imagination, the place leaves an impression. And most people don’t stay long enough to figure out which it is.
6. Seven Gates Bridge, West Virginia
Seven Gates Bridge already sounds like it belongs in a ghost story, and the experiences people report only add to its reputation. Visitors often describe hearing slow, deliberate footsteps behind them, as if someone is trailing just a little too close. Some say the steps speed up suddenly, sending them hurrying off the bridge. Others report a strange heaviness in the air that makes the whole place feel unsettled.
A few brave souls who visit at night claim the footsteps echo in a way that doesn’t match the length of the bridge. Some even insist they’ve seen a shadow figure crossing behind them. Whether it’s folklore or something lingering from long ago, it’s not a bridge you forget easily. And it’s definitely one that gets your mind racing.
7. Airtight Bridge, Coles County, Illinois
Airtight Bridge is known for its quiet, rural setting, which makes the unexplained noises even more startling. People who visit after dark often claim to hear footsteps approach from the far end, growing louder even though no one ever appears. Some say they feel a sudden surge of cold air right when the steps get close. The bridge has a chilling history tied to a mysterious case from the 1980s, which only adds to the eerie atmosphere.
Walkers who stand in the center report the distinct sound of someone pacing, almost like they’re trying to decide whether to walk closer. A few have mentioned the uncomfortable feeling of being watched from the tree line. Even in broad daylight, the place has a strange, unsettled energy. And if the wind picks up, the footsteps seem to blend right into it.
8. Suicide Bridge, Pasadena, California
Colorado Street Bridge, often called Suicide Bridge, has a long and tragic history that makes its hauntings feel especially heavy. People who walk across at night sometimes say they hear footsteps following them, steady and rhythmic, as if someone is matching their pace. Others describe the sensation of someone brushing past even when the walkway is empty. The stories here tend to be quieter but no less disturbing.
Some visitors claim they’ve heard footsteps directly behind them only to find no one there when they turn around. A few nighttime walkers say the sounds seem to come from multiple directions at once. The whole area has a melancholic feeling that’s hard to shake. And many leave believing that whatever lingers here isn’t ready to let go.
9. Sachs Bridge, South Dakota (Sica Hollow Footbridge)
Sica Hollow already has a long reputation for strange lights and eerie legends, and the footbridge here fits right in. People claim to hear light footsteps following them, keeping pace no matter how fast or slow they move. Some swear the footsteps stop every time they do. The hollow’s unique red-tinged soil and dense woods only make the setting feel more otherworldly.
Visitors say the bridge sometimes seems to amplify sounds in unexpected ways. A few claim they’ve heard footsteps approach from both ends at once. Others insist they’ve seen a shadow dart across the bridge just as they arrive. Whether it’s the terrain or something else, it’s a place where you’re constantly glancing over your shoulder.
10. Old Town Bridge, Franklin, Tennessee
Old Town Bridge is a popular spot for ghost tours, and once you visit, it’s easy to understand why. People often describe hearing slow, pressure-filled footsteps crossing the old wood, echoing a little too loudly for comfort. Some connect the sounds to Civil War history in the area. Others believe it’s tied to older local legends about travelers who met unfortunate fates nearby.
Those who linger sometimes report the footsteps creeping closer, as if someone is approaching but never arriving. A few have even felt a tap on their shoulder when no one is around. Whether you chalk it up to the bridge’s age or something supernatural, the mystery keeps people coming back. And everyone seems to leave with their own version of the story.
11. Van Sant Covered Bridge, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Nicknamed “Crybaby Bridge” by locals, Van Sant Covered Bridge has its own set of eerie tales. Visitors often report hearing soft footsteps on the wooden boards, almost too light to belong to an adult. Some say the steps follow them the entire way across, stopping only when they reach the end. The bridge’s dimly lit interior only adds to the suspense.
A few people claim they’ve heard a sudden, heavier set of steps start behind the lighter ones, almost like two entities are crossing at once. Others swear they’ve heard the rustle of clothing right beside them even when they’re alone. Whether you think it’s haunted or just atmospheric, the stories from this bridge can give anyone chills. And once you hear the footsteps, it’s hard to un-hear them.
12. Old Hanging Bridge, Mississippi
Old Hanging Bridge sits hidden beneath layers of local folklore, and the stories here lean into its unsettling past. People who walk across claim they hear footsteps trailing just a few beats behind their own, steady and intentional. Some say the sounds come with a sudden drop in temperature that makes the moment feel even more surreal. Others describe hearing a creak above them as if something is shifting on the beams.
Visitors who return at night say the footsteps echo louder, almost amplified by the stillness of the surroundings. A few even claim to hear faint murmurs or whispers mixed in with the steps. The place feels frozen in time, carrying stories that have been passed down for generations. And for many, one visit is more than enough.