The Spookiest Urban Legend in Every State
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Every town has its own spooky urban legend. We've all heard at least a few.
We're talking about the nightmarish tales with a local twist that get passed down from one generation to the next—serving as the perfect stories to share at slumber parties and campfires. Whether it be a creepy ghost story in the form of a haunted road or vengeful spirit, or something a little harder to explain, like an extraterrestrial hotbed or a beastly Sasquatch, urban legends are everywhere you look.
But when it comes to some of the more popular legends, questions surrounding the local lore tend to come up. Like, which state has had the most Bigfoot sightings? And in what town is the Lady in White story the most chilling? Some of these eerie legends stem from real-life tragedies, while others were born to be fictional creepy campfire tales. However, regardless of a story's origin, these 50 urban legends will send shivers down your spine.
So if you've already visited some of America's creepiest ghost towns or have even taken a ghost tour (or two... or three), then perhaps it's time to seek out the spookiest urban legend in your state. What are you waiting for?
Alabama: Dead Children's Playground
Inside Maple Hill Cemetery, one of Alabama's oldest and largest burial sites, there lies a playground that is popular for both the living and the dead. According to Huntsville locals, swings are often swaying by themselves and apparitions of little children have been spotted on the playground late at night.
Alaska: Haunted Igloo Hotel
The abandoned Igloo Hotel near Cantwell, Alaska, never actually opened for business, as various code violations and structural problems plagued the hotel from ever welcoming a single guest.
The building has sat empty for over half a century, but some that travel to Alaska's no-man's land to see the unique hotel claim to catch a glimpse of the woman in white who supposedly haunts the desolate ruin.
Arizona: Mogollon Monster
Arizona's own version of Bigfoot supposedly lives in the heavily wooded, rocky-scape known as Mogollon Rim. Alleged sightings of the cryptid, which is said to be 7-feet tall and covered in long black hair, date back to the early 1900s.
Arkansas: Shadow People
Legend has it that shadow people lurk the halls at MacArthur Museum of Military History in Little Rock. The museum is housed in a former arsenal tower and is reportedly a paranormal hotspot. In addition to spotting unexplained shadows, visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices and music coming from nowhere.
California: Fresno Nightwalker
Just over a decade ago, video surveillance footage recorded by a resident in Fresno, California, captured a mysterious creature with long white legs and a small head. Locals speculated as to what exactly the creature was. Extraterrestrial? Cyptid? Or a teenage prank? It's not known for certain, but the legend of the Fresno Nightcrawler lives on.
Colorado: Denver Airport Portal to Hell
The portal to hell is believed to be at *drumroll please* the Denver International Airport. Conspiracy theorists and select locals share the belief that the Denver International Airport might provide a direct connection to the underworld.
Several bizarre accidents have occurred on the property, fueling the legend. Not to mention, mysterious architectural details, such as gargoyle statues and murals depicting fires, add to the theory.
But it's the statue of a demonic red-eyed horse that features one of the most disturbing stories of all. While crafting the statue, a piece fell on its maker, severing an artery and ultimately killing him. The statue was completed by the artist's estate and it currently greets travelers as they land on the airstrip.
Connecticut: Melon Heads
This chilling legend doesn't just take place in one part of the state, but in several regions—making it all the more terrifying.
According to the Connecticut Post, "Melon Heads are said to be either a band of deranged escapees of an asylum or a group of remote settlers who have suffered facial abnormalities due to inbreeding. Melon Head 'roads' exist notably in Shelton, Milford and Trumbull, in which people claim that the Melon Heads will attack their car with rocks in order to deter them from coming back on their land. If you're feeling adventurous, Saw Mill City Road in Shelton is known to be their primary stomping ground, so be sure to visit at night."
Delaware: Haunted Fort Delaware
Given the history of Fort Delaware, located in Delaware River's Pear Patch Island, it's no surprise to see that it's stuffed to the brim with paranormal legends. The now-abandoned fort was once a prison during the Civil War, and roughly 2,700 prisoners were said to have died on the property.
Florida: Devil's Chair
Roughly 40 minutes north of Orlando rests the small town of Cassadaga—a hotbed for mediums and spiritualist camps. And it's in one of the local cemeteries that you'll find what is known as the "Devil's Chair."
Anyone who sits in the brick chair at the stroke of midnight is rumored to receive direct orders from the devil in the form of whispers, but he doesn't just show up for free. Legend has it that if you leave a can of unopened beer on the chair overnight, it will be completely empty by the next morning... because not even the devil himself can turn down a nice cold offering.
Georgia: Ghost Car
The case of the phantom car dates back to 2002 when police were chasing down a vehicle in Garden City, Georgia. The hot pursuit came to a screeching halt when the car seemingly vanished through a chain link fence. The incident was caught on a police dash cam, so you can see for yourself.
Hawaii: Green Lady Snatcher
Kids beware of the Green Lady Snatcher—a childless woman with slimy green skin and sharp teeth who kidnaps unsupervised children that dare enter Wahiawa Gulch on the island of Oahu.
Idaho: Lake Pend Oreille Paddler
Beneath the surface of Idaho's Lake Pend Oreille lives the infamous Paddler—a serpent-like sea creature that might make you think twice before jumping into the water. Sightings of the creature date back to the 1940s, but no photographs have ever been captured.
Illinois: Resurrection Mary
The state's most infamous ghost is that of Resurrection Mary. Stories about Mary are aplenty, and she is a well-known spirit that haunts much of the Archer region.
According to Chicago Reader, "just southwest of Chicago, on Archer Avenue in Justice, Illinois, across the street from Resurrection Cemetery, is a bar called Chet's Melody Lounge. Chet's is a classic roadside tavern, with a pool table, a jukebox, a popcorn machine, and a large clientele of bikers. But Chet's has an unusual tradition: every Sunday, the staff leaves a Bloody Mary at the end of the bar for a ghost."
New Mexico: Roswell UFO Crash Site
Roswell, New Mexico is considered by many to be the mecca of all things UFO-related. In July 1947, something crashed in a rural region of Roswell. Shortly thereafter, the public information officer Lt. Walter Haut immediately issued a press release stating that it was indeed a flying saucer that had crashed.
The information was immediately redacted, and the story quickly changed to it being a weather balloon. Over the years, new information has been unearthed regarding what is known as The Roswell Incident, and it is widely believed to be a well-documented UFO coverup.
Maryland: Goatman
Deep in the woods near Bowie, Maryland, there is believed to be a creature—half-human, half-goat—by the name of Goatman.
It is said that the cryptid is part of a failed science experiment that was conducted at the nearby Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. The legendary slayer is rumored to lurk the woods and backroads of Maryland with an axe in hand, ready to torment any teen or dog that crosses its path.
Massachusetts: Hoosac Tunnel
In the mid-19th century, over 200 people died during the construction of the railroad tunnel between the Massachusetts towns of North Adams and Florida.
The tunnel is now of the stuff of local folklore. Nicknamed "The Bloody Pit," tales of the paranormal phenomena surround the infamous locale.
Indiana: Devil's Road
According to legend, sometime in the 1960s, a school bus in Dubois County suddenly stopped on the railroad tracks, and a train barreled right through it, killing all the children inside.
Those who are brave enough to visit the scene of the supposed accident, which has since been dubbed "Devil's Road," are allegedly visited by the spirits of the dead children. Some even put baby powder on their cars and claim that handprints suddenly appear.
Iowa: Stony Hollow Spirit
The cliff near Stony Hollow road in Burlington, Iowa, is supposedly haunted by the spirit of a young woman named Lucinda. According to legend, she jumped off the cliff after suffering a heartbreak. Those who climb to the top of the cliff and say her name three times will suddenly see her shadow appear alongside them.
Kansas: Haunted Water Tower
The Bel Aire Water Tower in Wichita, Kansas, is the subject of many haunting accounts. The story goes that during the construction of the tower, a daredevil climbed to the top, then tragically slipped and fell to his death. Rumor has it that the workers didn't realize someone had fallen, and construction continued as the rest of the tower was built atop his dead body. According to legend, you can hear the sound of the dead man tapping on the bottom of the water tower, hoping that someone will set him free.
Kentucky: Hot Rod Haven Ghost
The ghostly story of Hot Rod Haven dates back to the 1950s when a young couple were driving to a school dance. As they sped down the curvy Mitchell Hill Road, they crashed the car and died on the scene. Since then, nearly 25 lives have been claimed on the dangerous road. It's believed that you can spot the spirit of the young girl who was killed on the road many decades ago—just be sure to keep your eyes on the road, so you too don't become part of the legend.
Louisiana: The Grunch
According to local legend, The Grunch is a ragtag family of inbred people who live in the woods near New Orleans, eating any human or animal that crosses their path.
Maine: The Ghost Bride
The Haynesville Woods is home to the legend of The Ghost Bride. The story goes that late one winter night, a newlywed couple were traveling, and the groom, who was kind of drunk, lost control of the car. The vehicle swerved off the road, hit a pole, and he died instantly. The bride survived the crash and crawled from the wreckage only to get lost in the isolated, snowy woods. She never made it out alive.
She is said to still haunt the very woods where she supposedly lost her life. Some even say they've spoken to her, but she vanishes shortly thereafter.
Michigan: Old Presque Isle Lighthouse
Even thought the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse hasn't been a functioning lighthouse for decades, locals still claim to see a yellow glow beaming from the tower's bulb. It's a curious, unexplainable (and kinda spooky) story that has puzzled even the Coast Guard.
Minnesota: The Hairy Man of Vergas Trails
According to legend, there is an 8-feet tall humanoid that lurks among the Vergas trails of Minnesota's western region. Legend has it that he aggressively feeds on small animals, and reported sightings date back to the 1960s. The case has attracted many paranormal enthusiasts and was even featured on an episode of Haunted Highways for the Syfy Channel.
Mississippi: Singing River
It's believed that the Pascagoula River is the site where the members of the Pascagoula Indian tribe took their own lives.
In order to avoid a brutal battle with the Biloxi tribe, the Pascagoulans committed mass suicide by drowning in the river. It has since been dubbed "singing river," as some say you can still hear the tribe's death chant ringing in the distance.
Missouri: Momo
The Missouri version of Bigfoot goes by the name Momo. The cryptid monster is apparently 7-feet tall, covered in hair, and has a pumpkin-shaped head with glowing orange eyes. The creature reportedly lurks along the edges of the Mississippi River.
Montana: Black Horse Lake Phantom
The stretch of highway leading toward Fort Benton is home to the eerie legend of the Black Horse Lake Phantom.
It's said that if you're traveling the lonely highway at night, a hitchhiker dressed in all denim standing on the side of the road might suddenly appear in the distance. The hooded figure will then roll over the hood of the car, as if he's been hit. But when the driver gets out of the car to check, the hitchhiker will suddenly be gone.
Nebraska: Seven Sisters Road
According to local legend, L Street, also known as Seven Sisters Road, just south of Nebraska City, is the site where seven sisters were hung by an enraged family member in the early 1900s. Each sister was hung a separate tree and the line of trees were chopped down when the road was built.
Many people who travel the road late at night report hearing screams in the distance and some also say that their car lights dim when on the road.
Nevada: Area 51
The most secretive and mysterious region in the United States, and perhaps even the world, is Area 51 in the Nevada Desert, approximately 85 miles north of Las Vegas. Officially labeled as an Air Force base, the heavily surveilled region stretches across 2.9 million acres of land. Due to its highly secretive nature, some believe the base to be home to extraterrestrial research.
New Hampshire: Curse of Chocorua
It has long been rumored that a powerful ancient curse was placed on the mountain, now known as Chocorua, by an Indian Chief Chocorua seeking revenge for the death of his son. Many strange occurrences have happened on the land, and some say the curse is to blame.
New Jersey: Jersey Devil
Perhaps the most famous urban legend to grace the New Jersey planes is that of the Jersey Devil. The mythical winged beast has terrorized residents for centuries, with sightings of the creature tracing back to 1735.
New York: Spook Hill
Some legends, like this supposedly haunted hill in New York's Finger Lakes wine region (Middlesex to be exact), just have to be experienced in order to be believed.
According to legend, if you throw your car into neutral near the top of the rural hill (just after the slope begins to decline), then the car will naturally roll uphill instead of downhill. The gravity-defying spot is one of many gravity hills in the United States, wherein magnetic pulls work in mysterious ways.
However, some locals believe that a nearby Native American burial site might have something to do with the strange phenomenon. Rumor also has it that if you sprinkle baking powder on the windshield, handprints will suddenly appear.
North Carolina: The Ghost Ship
On January 31, 1921, a large commercial ship, Carol A. Deering, was found wrecked off the coast of the Outer Banks. When the Coast Guard boarded the ship, they found not a single person. It had been completely abandoned. To this day, the legend remains a deep-sea mystery.
North Dakota: Lady in White
It seems that every state has a lady in white legend, but the one in Walhalla, North Dakota is perhaps one of the most chilling. The legend goes that the lady in white was murdered by a man who wanted to marry her. When her family rejected the marriage, he shot and killed the woman out of anger. She is rumored to walk along the road where her life was taken, wearing the white nightgown that she had on at the time of her death.
Ohio: Gore Orphanage
If you go searching for Gore Orphanage in northern Ohio, you won't find it. But you will find a number of chilling legends connected to its former site. Behind the legend is a story of tragedy. Around the turn of the century, Gore Orphanage mysteriously burned to the ground, but none of the orphans were able to escape the blaze. Unfortunately, many perished in the supposed accident, and all that remains today are the ruins of what once was.
Many claim that the area where the orphanage once stood is now very haunted. One of the most common stories is that visitors who drive to the isolated haunted site return to their cars only to find them covered in tiny handprints.
Oklahoma: Cry Baby Bridge
The tragic story of Cry Baby Bridge near Fremont, Oklahoma stems back to a story of a mother who threw her unwanted baby off the side of a bridge. It is said that late night visitors can hear a baby crying and some even say they've seen the ghost of the mourning mother.
Oregon: McMinnville UFO Sighting
In 1950, a couple in McMinnville, Oregon captured a photograph of what appears to be a flying saucer. The image sent shockwaves across the nation and it was published in numerous news outlets.
To this day, the UFO photograph remains a legendary piece of photographic evidence. The town where the photograph was taken has since embraced the sighting by holding an annual UFO Festival for roughly 20 years now.
Pennsylvania: Charlie No-Face
Pittsburgh's most infamous legend, Charlie No-Face is also known as the Green Man. The name here says it all. Stories say that a man with a terribly deformed face, emitting a green glow, can be seen creeping along the roads at night.
Rumor has it that it could actually be the spirit of a man by the name of Raymond Robinson - who was deformed after an accident and would often walk the roads at night for exercise.
Rhode Island: Foster Witch
The northern town of Foster is said to be cursed by a vengeful woman, Dolly Cole, who lived in the area in the 1800s. It's rumored that she was accused of witchcraft, so the townies set her home ablaze. She wasn't home at the time, however, her daughter was, and she tragically died in the fire. At the bereavement of her daughter, Cole placed a curse on the town, and sightings of her spirit are reported all over town.
South Carolina: Lizard Man
Since the 1980s, locals have occasionally spotted a lizard-like man lurking around the swampy region of Lee County, South Carolina. His origin is unknown, but the creature has been heavily reported in the local newspapers.
South Dakota: Sica Hollow
Sica Hollow state park is so haunted that not even the state government tries to hide it. According to the official parks page, "legends of Sica Hollow (pronounced SHE-cha) recall mysterious happenings, and you can still feel the eerie spell today. Along the Trail of the Spirits, you’ll see gurgling reddish bogs, which Indians saw as the blood and flesh of their ancestors."
Tennessee: Bell Witch Cave
The legend of the Bell Witch is one of Tennessee's most infamous horror stories. In the early 19th century, John Bell and his family were tormented by a malicious spirit. It started out small, hearing chains and knocking all around the house, but eventually, the horror escalated. The mounting paranormal activity got so bad that it eventually took the life of Bell himself. To this day, the Bell Witch legend is tied to many bizarre and unexplainable occurrences in the region.
Texas: Camp Lulu Sams
The story goes that just outside Brownsville, Texas, there is an abandoned girls camp that was the site of a brutal mass murder. One of the camp counselors allegedly went insane, killing several of the campers. The camp was shut down and those who visit say they hear the ghostly sounds of children crying late at night.
Utah: Bear Lake Monster
There's apparently a scary monster living in the depth of Utah's Bear Lake, and stories of the famed aquatic creature date back to the mid-1800s. Described by locals as a serpent-like creature, the legend seemingly appears to be America's very own Loch Ness monster. Would rumors of the supposed monster stop you from swimming in the lake?
Vermont: Emily's Bridge
The exact stories of Gold Brook Bridge, also known as Emily's Bridge, near Stowe, Vermont, all vary, but they all center around a heartbroken woman who took her life near the bridge. Her spirit is said to haunt the locale, and she is known to be particularly hostile toward males that cross the bridge.
Virginia: The Bunny Man
The legend of Bunny Man is ripe for a horror movie retelling. There are a few different stories that surround the Bunny Man lore, but they all have one thing in common: Bunny Man is out for blood.
Whether he's an escaped lunatic dressed in a bunny costume or he's a vengeful ghost, the story of the murderous Bunny Man is equally as creepy. The Bunny Man Bridge, located in the woods of Fairfax County, is where the infamous killer supposedly hunts. The site has been featured in several shows, including Scariest Places on Earth on Fox.
Washington: Bigfoot
No conversation about urban legends is complete without discussing the king of all urban legends: Bigfoot. The infamous Sasquatch cryptid has been allegedly spotted all over the county, but most of the sightings hail from Washington state.
Photos and videos allegedly capturing the mythical creature on camera have fueled the Bigfoot legacy for decades but solidified evidence of the creature's actual existence has never been secured.
West Virginia: Mothman
The enduring story of Mothman is the stuff of West Virginian legend. The red-eyed creature was reportedly first spotted in the winter of 1966, and the folklore has lived on thanks to books and movies based on the infamous creature. Continued sightings of the winged beast, which is said to be a bad omen, keep the legend alive and well.
Wisconsin: Phantom Hitchhiker on Highway 12
Highway 12 near Baraboo, Wisconsin, is supposedly haunted by a phantom hitchhiker. The figure appears to be dressed in attire from the 1960s, and people claim that after they pass him by, he reappears a mile down the road. Those who are brave enough to give him a ride say that after a bit of driving, the hitchhiker disappears into thin air.
Wyoming: The Devil's Tower
The unique national monument is connected to many different legends. Some say that the impressive geological wonder, which stands at over 5,000 feet tall in the Black Hills, was forged by a great spirit looking to protect a group of young girls that were being chased by giant bears.
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