1. Emily’s Bridge, Vermont
In Stowe, Vermont, Gold Brook Covered Bridge is rarely called by its official name. Locals know it as Emily’s Bridge, thanks to a tragic legend about a young woman who died there in the 1800s. Some say she was jilted at the altar and hanged herself from the rafters, while others claim she drowned beneath the bridge. No matter which version you hear, the outcome is the same—her restless spirit lingers, and visitors report scratches on their cars and the sound of sobbing when the bridge is quiet.
It’s become a favorite stop for ghost hunters who claim they’ve captured strange voices on tape. Even skeptics say the energy feels heavy, as though the air itself thickens as you step onto the wooden planks. Emily’s story has become part of Stowe’s folklore, and teenagers especially love to test their bravery here after dark. Whether you believe in spirits or not, it’s hard to deny the unnerving chill of standing alone in the dark, knowing her legend looms over you.
2. Sachs Covered Bridge, Pennsylvania
Nestled in Gettysburg, the Sachs Covered Bridge has stood since the mid-1800s and carries the weight of one of America’s bloodiest battles. Used by both Union and Confederate troops, it became a silent witness to the carnage of the Civil War. According to stories, three Confederate soldiers were hanged from its beams, and some claim their spirits still guard the crossing. Visitors often report hearing phantom footsteps, muffled cries, and the feeling of being watched as they pass through.
The history of Gettysburg already sets the stage for haunting tales, and this bridge feels like a natural extension of that sorrow. Paranormal enthusiasts bring their equipment hoping to catch the voices of long-dead soldiers. The combination of its rustic design and the lingering war energy makes it both beautiful and unsettling. Even during daylight, you might catch yourself glancing over your shoulder, half-expecting to see ghostly uniforms in the shadows.
3. Goatman’s Bridge, Texas
Old Alton Bridge in Denton, Texas, has earned the bone-chilling nickname Goatman’s Bridge. The legend says a Black goat farmer was lynched here by the Ku Klux Klan in the 1930s, and his spirit returned as a half-man, half-goat creature. Travelers report glowing red eyes in the woods and strange growling sounds that follow them across the bridge. The story is so well known that ghost-hunting shows and curious teens flock here hoping for a brush with the supernatural.
There’s a sense of heaviness that clings to the air as soon as you step onto the creaky planks. People have claimed their cars stall when parked nearby, as if something doesn’t want them to leave. Some have even felt hot breath on their necks with no one behind them. It’s become one of the most infamous paranormal hotspots in Texas, where the line between legend and reality feels razor thin.
4. Hell’s Bridge, Michigan
Deep in the woods outside Rockford, Michigan, sits a small footbridge with a horrifying tale. According to local legend, a man named Elias Friske lured children to this spot in the 1800s, killed them, and dumped their bodies into the river. The story says the Devil himself forced Elias to commit the crimes, and his soul was damned to the bridge forever. Now, visitors claim they can hear the screams of children and see shadowy figures darting just out of sight.
Even the setting feels unnerving. To get there, you hike through dense woods, and the closer you get, the quieter the world becomes. Paranormal thrill-seekers swear that if you call out to the spirits, something will answer back. Others have returned with scratches on their bodies or recordings filled with static and faint voices. It’s one of those places where the legend lingers in the silence as much as the sounds.
5. Crybaby Bridge, Maryland
Many states claim to have a “Crybaby Bridge,” but the one near Laurel, Maryland, might be the most famous. The story tells of a distraught mother who threw her baby into the water, and now the cries of the child echo under the bridge at night. Some visitors say if you leave your car in neutral on the bridge, unseen hands will push it forward. Others insist they’ve seen ghostly figures standing in the mist, watching them.
The bridge has become a rite of passage for local teens looking for a scare. Parents warn their kids to stay away, but of course, that only makes it more tempting. Even those who laugh off the tale admit that the sound of rushing water under the bridge feels eerily like wailing if you’re already on edge. The story has been retold so many times that it’s hard to separate fact from folklore, but that’s what keeps it alive.
6. Screaming Bridge, Ohio
The Screaming Bridge of Liberty Township, Ohio, is wrapped in tales of tragedy. One version claims a young woman threw herself off the bridge after heartbreak, and her screams still echo in the night. Another story blames a horrific car accident where teens were killed, their cries lingering in the air. Whatever the true cause, countless people claim to hear shrieks and moans when they stand in the dark.
The bridge itself feels unnerving even without the stories. It’s narrow, worn, and surrounded by dense trees that block out much of the light. Drivers who dare to cross at midnight report strange malfunctions with their cars, or the feeling of being followed. It’s not just the screams that get to people—it’s the overwhelming sense that someone is watching from just beyond the tree line.
7. Bunny Man Bridge, Virginia
Fairfax County, Virginia, is home to a legend that’s as bizarre as it is terrifying: the Bunny Man. According to local lore, an escaped convict dressed in a rabbit suit lurks under Colchester Overpass, wielding an axe. The story has grown over the years, with sightings of a man in bunny ears terrorizing couples parked nearby. While the origins are murky, the bridge has become infamous among ghost hunters and thrill-seekers.
At night, the concrete tunnel takes on a life of its own. Strange noises bounce off the walls, and some visitors swear they’ve seen claw marks or bloodstains appear on the surface. Police reports from the 1970s even back up part of the legend, with people reporting a man in a rabbit costume threatening them. Whether it’s a ghost, a killer, or just folklore gone wild, the Bunny Man Bridge has cemented its place in urban legend history.
8. Seven Gates of Hell Bridge, Pennsylvania
Near York, Pennsylvania, there’s a bridge tied to one of the darker legends in the state. The tale speaks of an insane asylum that once stood nearby, with seven gates leading out. Anyone who passed through all seven would supposedly find themselves dragged to Hell. While the asylum itself has no historical proof, the bridge and its surrounding woods have long been associated with sinister sightings.
Locals whisper about strange lights flickering in the trees and shadowy figures moving along the path. Some say they’ve felt a hand brush against them with no one there. The story has turned the spot into a gathering place for curious visitors, though many refuse to go after dark. Even without the asylum, the bridge feels like the kind of place where legends take root because the atmosphere already feels otherworldly.
9. Haunted Bridge, Indiana
Greencastle, Indiana, has its own Haunted Bridge with a story of heartbreak and tragedy. Built in the late 1800s, it’s said a young woman was killed there in a carriage accident. Her spirit never left, and locals say her ghost wanders the bridge searching for peace. Travelers often hear footsteps behind them or catch a glimpse of a pale figure moving in the shadows.
The bridge has been standing for well over a century, and its weathered wood and iron only add to the creepiness. Some claim the woman’s cries can be heard on quiet nights, blending with the sound of the wind. Others insist they’ve seen strange mist rising only on the bridge itself. It’s become part of Greencastle’s folklore, drawing in anyone with a taste for haunted history.
10. Overtoun Bridge, Scotland
Overtoun Bridge in Scotland has one of the most unsettling reputations of all. For decades, dogs have mysteriously leapt from the bridge into the gorge below, often to their deaths. No one has been able to fully explain why, though some suggest the scent of mink attracts them. Locals, however, believe the area is cursed and that unseen spirits lure the animals over the edge.
The stories of tragedy don’t stop with the animals. Some accounts say people have felt compelled to jump as well, as if the bridge exerts a dark pull. Visitors report an eerie heaviness when crossing, and some refuse to bring their pets anywhere near it. The unsettling combination of unexplained deaths and local belief has made Overtoun Bridge one of the most infamous haunted crossings in the world.
11. Clinton Road Bridge, New Jersey
Clinton Road in New Jersey has long been called one of the most haunted roads in America, and its bridge adds to the reputation. Legend says a ghostly boy haunts the spot where he drowned. If you toss a coin into the water, the boy’s ghost will toss it back. Many visitors swear they’ve seen ripples appear with no one around, or even felt a hand brush theirs when leaning over the rail.
The entire stretch of Clinton Road is packed with eerie stories, from phantom trucks to cult gatherings, but the bridge stands out as the centerpiece. Locals tell tales of headlights appearing behind you only to vanish seconds later. Paranormal thrill-seekers come from all over to test the coin legend. Even skeptics admit the road feels wrong at night, and the bridge is where the atmosphere is at its thickest.
12. Egypt Road Crybaby Bridge, Ohio
Salem, Ohio, is home to another bridge wrapped in tragedy and mystery. The legend says a baby was thrown from the bridge, and its cries can still be heard if you stop and listen closely. Paranormal investigators have reported cold spots, sudden gusts of wind, and eerie wails echoing through the trees. Some even claim to have seen shadowy figures walking the bridge late at night.
The bridge is in a fairly isolated area, which only adds to the fear factor. Teenagers often dare each other to visit, but many leave shaken, convinced they heard the cries for themselves. Even during daylight, the place feels strange, with a stillness that makes every sound echo. It’s a reminder of how folklore can transform an ordinary spot into something unforgettable.