1. Clinton Road Bridge, New Jersey
Clinton Road in West Milford is often called the most haunted road in America, and its small bridge over Dead Man’s Curve adds to the legend. Travelers say if you toss a coin into the water at midnight, a ghostly boy will throw it back. Some even claim to see him standing on the bridge, silently watching. The air is said to grow icy cold when he appears, as if the boy wants to warn you away.
Locals have told the story for decades, saying the boy may have drowned there long ago. Whether it’s his spirit or just a scary tale to keep kids away, many drivers refuse to stop at that bridge after dark. It has become a rite of passage for daring teens to test the legend. But even those who laugh about it admit they feel uneasy the moment they cross.
2. Goatman’s Bridge, Texas
Known officially as Old Alton Bridge, this Denton County landmark has a chilling backstory. Legend says a black goat farmer was lynched here in the 1930s by angry locals, and his spirit still haunts the bridge. People call him the Goatman, and visitors have reported glowing eyes, strange growls, and even being touched by invisible hands.
The bridge itself is abandoned now, but thrill-seekers still flock there at night. Many say they smell sulfur or see shadowy figures darting across the rusted frame. Some claim if you park nearby and turn off your headlights, something will approach your car. Even hardened paranormal investigators have admitted this bridge gives them the creeps.
3. Crybaby Bridge, Maryland
Maryland has its own “Crybaby Bridge” legend, and it’s one of the eeriest. The story says a distraught mother once threw her baby off the bridge, and you can still hear the infant’s cries at night. Some claim if you park your car there, ghostly handprints appear on the windows as if the child is trying to get in.
Locals warn not to linger too long, as strange accidents seem to happen around the site. It’s become a popular dare for teenagers, but many leave shaken after just a few minutes. The crying is said to grow louder if you honk your horn or call out to the child. Whether it’s folklore or something darker, this bridge has terrified generations.
4. Hell’s Bridge, Michigan
Hidden deep in the woods near Rockford, Michigan, this narrow footbridge has a sinister legend. It’s said that a man named Elias Friske lured children there in the 1800s and murdered them, tossing their bodies into the river below. Locals claim his spirit still haunts the bridge, and the cries of children can sometimes be heard on the water.
Visitors report hearing heavy footsteps when no one is there. Some say a sulfuric smell fills the air, while others swear they’ve seen a shadowy figure with glowing eyes. The path leading to the bridge is just as eerie, with sudden drops in temperature. For many, the scariest part isn’t the legend, but the way the forest feels like it’s closing in around you.
5. Sachs Covered Bridge, Pennsylvania
This historic bridge in Gettysburg played a role during the Civil War. Some say Confederate soldiers were hanged from its beams, and their spirits remain. Visitors have reported seeing ghostly apparitions in uniform and hearing disembodied voices calling out. The bridge is now pedestrian-only, but that hasn’t stopped ghost hunters from investigating.
At night, people say shadows move across the wooden planks even when no one is there. Cold spots seem to hover in random areas, and some visitors swear they’ve been touched. Its connection to Gettysburg, one of the most haunted places in America, makes it even more chilling. Standing inside, you can almost feel the weight of its past pressing down.
6. Emily’s Bridge, Vermont
Officially called Gold Brook Bridge, this Stowe landmark is better known by its ghostly nickname. According to legend, a young woman named Emily died there in the 1800s, either from heartbreak or by suicide. Her spirit is said to linger, scratching cars and tugging at people who dare to cross.
Some visitors hear a woman’s voice sobbing in the dark. Others claim to see a white apparition floating above the wooden beams. Even during the day, there’s a sense of unease under its roof. Paranormal groups frequently investigate, and most agree something about Emily’s Bridge doesn’t feel right.
7. Colville Covered Bridge, Kentucky
Built in the 1870s, this bridge near Paris, Kentucky, is said to carry more than just history. Locals whisper about strange sounds echoing from inside and figures that appear in photographs but weren’t seen at the time. The most common report is hearing horses’ hooves clattering when no horses are around.
Some believe it’s tied to a tragic accident long ago, while others say it’s simply the spirit of travelers passing through. At night, headlights seem to flicker when crossing. Many drivers say they speed up without meaning to, just to get off the bridge. Even during the day, its dark interior feels unsettling.
8. Screaming Bridge, Ohio
Liberty Township’s infamous Screaming Bridge has frightened locals for decades. Legend says a school bus full of children plunged off it long ago, and their screams can still be heard. Other tales claim a tragic train accident nearby fuels the paranormal activity.
Today, the bridge is closed to cars, but thrill-seekers still sneak across on foot. They report hearing wails in the night and seeing misty figures appear out of nowhere. Some even say they’ve been pushed by unseen hands. No matter which story you believe, the screams are what keep people coming back.
9. Colossus Bridge, Tennessee
Also known as the Overtoun Bridge, this one near Chattanooga has earned a reputation for its strange energy. Travelers say dogs refuse to cross it, barking wildly or trying to leap away. Some humans report sudden feelings of dread, as if the bridge itself wants to push them off.
Legends swirl that it’s cursed, possibly tied to accidents in its history. Locals claim ghostly figures have been spotted at dusk. Others say electronic devices malfunction when crossing. Even skeptics admit there’s something off about the atmosphere, making it one of Tennessee’s most unsettling landmarks.
10. Bunny Man Bridge, Virginia
This Fairfax County site is tied to one of the strangest urban legends in America. The story tells of an escaped convict dressed in a bunny costume who attacked people near the bridge. Over time, it evolved into tales of murders, ghostly figures, and eerie noises under its overpass.
Each Halloween, crowds gather hoping to glimpse the so-called Bunny Man. Police often have to patrol the area because of the attention it draws. Visitors report hearing footsteps, scratching sounds, and even screams. Whether born from fact or fiction, this bridge has terrified locals for generations.
11. Donkey Lady Bridge, Texas
San Antonio is home to another chilling tale. The Donkey Lady legend tells of a woman horribly burned in a fire, who now roams near the bridge appearing with donkey-like features. Locals say if you honk your horn three times, she will appear and attack your car.
Many drivers report scratches on their vehicles after such dares. Others say they’ve heard animal-like braying in the distance. Some even claim to see glowing eyes staring back from the brush. The story is so ingrained in the area that even skeptics think twice about testing the legend.
12. Seven Gates Bridge, Pennsylvania
Located near Hellam Township, this old iron bridge is tied to one of Pennsylvania’s darkest legends. The story claims a series of gates in the woods, with the bridge acting as one of them, can lead you straight to hell. Only those who pass through all seven gates, the legend says, will never return.
Visitors often report glowing lights and strange shapes hovering near the bridge. Some claim their cars stall when crossing, as if an unseen force is holding them back. Even locals admit they avoid the area after dark. The haunting reputation of Seven Gates Bridge has only grown stronger over time.