The Most Terrifying Urban Legends Across All 50 States

Most people are familiar with at least one urban legend, whether passed down through word of mouth, spotted on social platforms, or encountered in the iconic 1998 movie Urban Legend and its 2000 follow-up, Urban Legends: Final Cut. As Merriam-Webster explains, an urban legend is “a sensational story or anecdote, often based on hearsay, that spreads widely as truth.” This is why similar tales emerge in various locations, each with unique regional twists. 

Folklorist Jan Harold Brunvand, in his book The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings, describes urban legends as modern folklore—realistic accounts of recent (or supposedly recent) events with a supernatural or ironic twist. They reflect the prevailing concerns of the societies in which they circulate and are disseminated not only through oral tradition but also via media channels. 

From eerie cryptids and phantom vehicles to fatal curses and viral stories you’ve likely scrolled past on Facebook, here’s a curated collection of one urban legend from each of the 50 states, inspired by an episode of The List Show on YouTube. (Be sure to subscribe for fresh content every week!)

1. Alabama

In 1833, Charles R. S. Boyington, originally from Connecticut, relocated to Mobile, Alabama, and shared a room at a boarding house. Shortly after, his roommate was found stabbed to death in a nearby cemetery, making Boyington the main suspect. Despite minimal evidence and his consistent claims of innocence, he was convicted and sentenced to death. Before his execution, Boyington declared that an oak tree would sprout from his heart to prove his innocence. Remarkably, an oak tree grew over his grave. Years later, two individuals confessed to the murder. The tree still stands today, with reports of eerie whispers and cries emanating from its vicinity.

Another notable legend is Huggin’ Molly, a towering 7-foot-tall woman dressed in black who allegedly appears in Abbeville, Alabama, after sunset. She hugs children tightly and screams directly into their ears, serving as a chilling reminder to heed parental advice.

2. Alaska

In 1938, residents of Fairbanks began stealing mammoth tusks collected by Otto Geist during his expeditions for the University of Alaska Fairbanks. To protect the remaining tusks, Geist and his students buried around 30 of them in an undisclosed location. Some versions of the story suggest Geist was testing preservation methods for the tusks. Regardless, he failed to document the burial site, and with all involved parties now deceased, the tusks' location remains a mystery. Despite numerous searches over the years, both in archives and on-site, only intriguing hints have surfaced—no tusks have been found. If discovered, they could be valued at up to $1 million, depending on their state. 

 3. Arizona

In 1891, Jacob Waltz, known as “The Dutchman,” passed away in his eighties, leaving behind tales of a treasure-filled mine hidden in Arizona’s Superstition Mountains. The presence of high-quality gold under his bed seemed to support the legend, and he allegedly shared a map to the treasure with neighbors. Despite countless treasure hunters searching for it, the Lost Dutchman Mine remains undiscovered. Many have lost their lives in the attempt due to the treacherous terrain, extreme temperature shifts, and lack of cell service. In 2009, a 35-year-old Denver man obsessed with finding the mine disappeared during his search. His remains were discovered in 2012 at the base of a cliff.

4. Arkansas

According to legend, drivers on Highway 365 in central Arkansas around Halloween may encounter a young girl in a tattered white dress. When they offer her a ride, the situation quickly takes a strange turn.

Once the young girl enters the car, the driver covers her trembling shoulders with their coat and drives to the address she provides. Upon arrival, she mysteriously disappears. Confused, the driver approaches the house and speaks to a woman who reveals, “That girl is my daughter, who passed away years ago. She returns home this way every year.” Intrigued, the driver visits the cemetery and discovers their coat resting on the girl’s grave.

The vanishing hitchhiker legend has many variations across different regions. In Hawaii, the hitchhiker is said to be Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes, appearing as an elderly woman who accepts a ride before vanishing. In Pennsylvania, it’s a man in white who disappears upon reaching his destination, sometimes leaving a prophetic message. In some versions, the tale merges with La Llorona, the weeping woman who drowned her children, while in Utah, it intertwines with the Mormon “Three Nephites.” Stories of vanishing hitchhikers involving cars date back to the 1930s, but earlier accounts involving carriages, horses, or even pedestrians trace back to 1876 and span locations as diverse as Russia and Korea.

5. California

John Steinbeck’s 1938 tale “Flight” includes the haunting line, “When thou comest to the high mountains, if thou seest any of the dark watching men, go not near to them nor try to speak to them.” These mysterious figures, referred to as “the dark watchers” by the author of Grapes of Wrath, have become a chilling legend in California’s Santa Lucia Mountains. Travelers hiking at dusk have described encountering towering, shadowy figures cloaked in long capes and tall hats, seemingly observing them. Some accounts, with varying credibility, suggest that local Indigenous tribes and Spanish settlers spoke of these beings, calling them los Vigilantes Oscuros. Theories about their origins range from hallucinogens to pareidolia or even hikers’ own shadows. Regardless, Steinbeck’s warning remains relevant: “No one knew who the watchers were, nor where they lived, but it was better to ignore them and never to show interest in them.”

6. Colorado

Colorado’s Riverdale Road is notorious for its eerie legends, including a ghostly jogger who taps on car windows, demon dogs, and even spectral children. Adding to the terror is a phantom Camaro with a broken headlight, said to challenge drivers to deadly races, and rumors of the gates of hell lurking nearby. The road is also linked to a tragic 1975 incident where a mansion was burned down by a deranged man, allegedly with his family trapped inside. The man supposedly vanished, and visitors claim to hear the screams of his family near the ruins. While historical records question whether anyone was actually inside during the fire, it’s still a route best avoided on Google Maps—just to be safe.

7. Connecticut

You might have come across tales of the Melon Heads, small, humanoid beings with oversized heads rumored to be cannibalistic, wandering remote roads in Ohio, Michigan, and Connecticut. But Connecticut’s cryptid lore doesn’t end there. The Winsted Wildman, the state’s version of Bigfoot, first appeared in newspaper stories in the early 1890s. Reports describe him harassing a berry picker, napping on a resident’s porch, and startling passengers of a coach who saw him on the road. One eyewitness claimed that “the man’s hair was black and hung down long on his shoulders, and … his body was thickly covered with black hair. The man was remarkably agile, and to all appearance was a muscular, brawny man, a man against whom any ordinary man would stand little chance.” Explanations for the sightings range from an escaped circus gorilla to a hoax orchestrated by a local editor who needed to sell newspapers. The Winsted Wildman was reportedly seen as recently as the 1970s.

8. Delaware

While boating at night near Delaware’s Cape Henlopen State Park, you might mistake a blinking light for a lighthouse—but there’s no lighthouse there. Instead, it’s believed to be a ghostly corpse light, said to guide British ships to their destruction. Legend has it that centuries ago, British soldiers attacked an Indigenous wedding, slaughtering most of the tribe. The survivors cursed the land, giving rise to the Corpse Light. The first ship claimed as a victim was supposedly the Devonshireman in 1655 (though no records confirm its sinking), followed by the De Braak in 1798 (which definitely did sink there).

A nod to the Catman of Long Cemetery: This spectral figure, once the caretaker of the graveyard, had feline features in life and continues to guard the grounds in death. Stories say he scares off unruly teenagers and, if you knock three times on the cemetery’s back wall, he’ll tamper with your car, leaving you unable to leave.

9. Florida

You might have encountered the myth that after Walt Disney passed away in December 1966, his body was cryogenically preserved and hidden somewhere within Disney World, possibly beneath the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. This tale is so widespread that it even sparked another rumor: In 2021, Facebook was abuzz with claims that Disney’s body would be thawed that December in an effort to bring him back to life. Both stories are false, as Disney was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. However, these aren’t the only Disney-related myths. Shortly after Space Mountain debuted in 1975, stories began circulating about the ride. Some were vague, hinting at a mysterious disaster, while others claimed a rider stood up and was decapitated. Disney officials investigated but couldn’t trace the rumor’s origin. There was a minor incident early on where cars bumped, causing a temporary shutdown, but no decapitations occurred. Officials confirmed it’s impossible to stand up during the ride.

10. Georgia

For years, residents of Augusta, Georgia, avoided a 10-foot-tall pillar at 5th and Broad Street, believing it to be cursed. According to legend, after an evangelist was barred from preaching there, he declared that a great wind would destroy the area, leaving only one pillar standing. He warned that anyone attempting to remove it would perish. Soon after, a storm or tornado (accounts differ) struck, leaving the pillar intact. Allegedly, multiple attempts to remove it resulted in tragic deaths, and it was said that even touching the pillar would lead to a grim fate. In 2016, the pillar was destroyed for the third time in a vehicle collision and hasn’t been rebuilt, though a stump remains—and locals still avoid it.

11. Hawaii

Morgan’s Corner on Nu’uanu Pali Drive in Oahu is rumored to be haunted—and it was indeed the location of a real murder. In 1948, two escaped prisoners killed a widow in her home. The area is also linked to a well-known urban legend that many might find familiar.

The tale typically unfolds like this: A couple is parked under a tree at Morgan’s Corner late at night. When they try to leave, the car won’t start, so the boy goes for help, ignoring the girl’s pleas not to leave her alone. She hears eerie sounds like thuds and scratches on the roof, terrifying her so much she hides on the car floor until dawn. When the police arrive, they warn her not to look back. She does anyway and sees her boyfriend hanging from the tree, his toes brushing the car’s roof.

In The Vanishing Hitchhiker, Brunvand notes that this story, popular among teenagers, was first documented in 1964 from a University of Kansas student. Some versions describe the boyfriend being decapitated and hanging upside down, with the girl hearing the drip of his blood on the roof all night. When she looks back and sees his body, her hair turns white. This tale is connected to another older legend, “The Hook.”

12. Idaho

Idaho’s Payette Lake is rumored to house Sharlie, a Nessie-like water creature, but that legend pales in comparison to the chilling tale of the water babies at Massacre Rocks near Pocatello. As the story goes, during a severe famine, some members of local Native American tribes chose to drown their infants rather than watch them starve. In the milder version of the tale, you can hear the babies’ cries near the water. In darker versions, the infants survived by growing gills and now lure unsuspecting victims to their doom.

13. Illinois

You might recall Homey the Clown from In Living Color, but for Chicago kids in the 1990s, he was a real-life nightmare. In 1991, children across the city reported a man dressed as Homey attempting to lure them into a van—described as red, white, brown, or blue, with ha-ha written on the side—using candy and money. Police took the claims seriously, with one officer stating, “If you’re a clown going to work, you’re gonna get stopped.” The Chicago Tribune observed that the reports, mostly from children, were “tumbling out from different parts of the city like clowns falling out of a Volkswagen.” Due to inconsistencies, police speculated there might have been “one or more fake Homeys roaming the streets,” according to the Tribune. No actual Homey was ever caught.

14. Indiana

Not every urban legend is dark and ominous—consider the tales tied to Indiana’s famous Indy 500 race. One story claims a tourist, stuck in race traffic, accidentally ended up in the infield. Another suggests that spotting a rabbit on the track brings good luck to the drivers.

If you’re after something spookier, delve into the legend of The House of the Blue Lights, where millionaire Skiles Edward Test allegedly kept his deceased wife in a glass coffin illuminated by blue lights. (The catch? All three of Test’s wives survived him.)

15. Iowa

In 2016, emails and Facebook posts began circulating in Ames, Iowa, cautioning women drivers not to stop if they encountered what looked like a body on the road. The posts went something like this, complete with odd punctuation and original spelling errors:

“~~WARNING: WOMEN!!!!!!!!!! A coworker driving back from Ames spotted something on the road near Jefferson. As she approached, she realized it was a body. She drove on and called 911. Later, an officer informed her she was fortunate not to stop, as two men were hiding in the ditch, waiting to attack her. I also had a man try to flag me down between Boone and Ogden... So if this happens to you, DON’T STOP, and call 911. They’re even using dolls in car seats to lure women. Repost this to warn others. THIS IS REAL, Iowa! Shared from a friend—watch KCCI news tonight!!~~”

The Ames Police Department addressed the issue on Facebook, clarifying that this “warning” was an urban legend, possibly originating in South Africa during the 1990s. “We encourage reporting suspicious activity and using common sense when something seems off,” the post stated, “but this is just an urban legend.”

16. Kansas

Stull Cemetery in Stull, Kansas, is infamous for its so-called Gateway to Hell, but the state has other eerie tales, like the Hamburger Man of Hutchinson. Stories about the Hamburger Man emerged in the 1950s when hikers began disappearing near a place locals call “Hamburger Hill.” Legend has it that the Hamburger Man, a disfigured farmer turned serial killer, haunts the area. Now a half-ghost, half-monster, he allegedly captures victims, drags them to his secluded cabin, and turns them into hamburger meat.

17. Kentucky

Kentucky’s Sleepy Hollow Road, a two-mile stretch, is rumored to be haunted by a ghostly hearse that appears suddenly and aggressively follows drivers, attempting to push them off the road into a ravine.

18. Louisiana

The Rougarou isn’t the only mysterious creature lurking in Louisiana’s swamps; the state is also home to the Grunch. The exact nature of the Grunch is uncertain: Some describe it as a goat-like monster, while others believe it’s a group of half-human beings. The name originates from Grunch Road, a former swamp road now paved over. The Grunch, whatever it may be, is said to prey on those who park near its namesake road. If you spot an injured goat in the bayou, avoid stopping—it’s a trap set by the Grunch to lure victims.

19. Maine

A monument honoring Colonel Jonathan Buck, the founder of Bucksport, Maine, bears a mysterious stain. Legend has it that the mark is linked to a woman he condemned to death. Some versions of the story claim she was a witch, while others say she was carrying his child. Regardless, Buck ordered her execution. In some accounts, the woman lost her leg before dying, and a leg-shaped stain now permanently mars the town’s tribute to its founder.

20. Maryland

The winter of 1697 was harsh in Maryland. Crops failed, livestock perished, and flu claimed many lives. Instead of attributing the hardships to weather or bad luck, the townspeople blamed Moll Dyer, a former indentured servant. She was an elderly woman often seen begging and scavenging on the outskirts of society. Accused of witchcraft, she was driven out of town. Shortly after, her frozen body was discovered clinging to a boulder. It’s said her handprint remained on the rock long after her death, and those who touch it fall ill. Some have suggested that Dyer inspired The Blair Witch Project.

21. Massachusetts

In the early 2000s, a tale circulated about a young boy with autism stealing a penguin from Boston’s New England Aquarium. The story claimed the boy sneaked into the penguin exhibit, hid the bird in his backpack or under his jacket, and took it home, where his mother found him playing with it in the bathtub. However, no such incident occurred. No penguin was ever stolen from the aquarium. Interestingly, similar stories of a boy or man with disabilities taking a penguin from an aquarium have emerged in other places over the years.

22. Michigan

In 1679, a ship called Le Griffon embarked on its maiden voyage across the Great Lakes. It paused during its journey to allow its crew to trade with Native American tribes on a Lake Michigan island. The ship was then supposed to head to a French military fort, but it never arrived. It is believed to be the first of many ships lost in the Great Lakes. While some have claimed to discover its wreckage, the ship’s fate remains a mystery. Theories range from piracy and mutiny to storms, but some attribute its disappearance to a local prophet’s curse.

23. Minnesota

In 1898, Olof Öhman, a Swedish immigrant, discovered a stone slab in Minnesota covered in runes. Initially, he and his son thought it might be a Native American artifact. However, they later concluded it was left by 14th-century Scandinavian explorers. The inscription stated, “We are 8 Goths [Swedes] and 22 Norwegians on an exploration journey from Vinland through the West. We had camp by a lake with 2 skerries [small rocky islands] one day’s journey north from this stone. We were out and fished one day. After we came home we found 10 of our men red with blood and dead. AVM [Ave Virgo Maria, or Hail, Virgin Mary] save us from evil. We have 10 of our party by the sea to look after our ships, 14 days’ journey from this island. Year 1362.” While we now know Scandinavians reached North America before the 14th century, the runestone is a fake. Multiple tests over the past century have proven it to be a hoax, likely created by Öhman himself. Despite this, some still believe the Kensington runestone is genuine.

24. Mississippi

In Mississippi, one of the most famous urban legends has become a staple of American folklore. Robert Johnson, a blues musician from the 1930s, gained local fame and was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 for his influence on music. While his career is legendary, the story of how he gained his talent is pure urban legend: It’s said Johnson met the devil at a crossroads and traded his soul for unmatched guitar skills.

25. Missouri

An abandoned water treatment facility in St. Charles County, Missouri, had a sinister reputation before its demolition. Legends claimed a Satanic cult gathered there on weekends to perform rituals involving decapitated chickens. While police did find Satanic symbols on the property, they attributed them to local teens mimicking the alleged rituals rather than actual cult activity.

26. Montana

You won’t locate Langville, Montana, on any map—because it never existed. Since the early 2000s, however, people have been convinced the town was real before it mysteriously vanished overnight, leaving no trace of its history. Some even claim the town and its residents were turned “inside out,” though the meaning of this remains unclear.

27. Nebraska

In 2013, an article on a website claimed that deadly hornets were roaming Nebraska. The story suggested these hornets had been mutated by radioactive debris from the 2011 Fukushima disaster, growing enormous, aggressive, and producing venom 2000 times more potent than normal. However, no such hornets existed. The article was published by the National Report, a site known for fictional news, and the rumor quickly spread.

28. Nevada

The exact number of deaths during the construction of the Hoover Dam remains unclear, with estimates ranging from 96 to 112. However, one thing is certain: zero bodies are buried within it. Despite claims of corpses hidden in the concrete, the meticulous process of pouring concrete made it impossible to conceal a body unnoticed. Yet, this urban legend continues to spread throughout Nevada.

29. New Hampshire

An abandoned factory near Franklin, New Hampshire, known as the “Cataclysmic Domes,” was rumored to be a gathering place for Satanists. The graffiti covering its walls was seen as evidence of occult activity. However, much of the artwork—and the site’s foreboding name—came from a local band called the Cataclysmic Domestics, who spray-painted the area in the late 1960s while shooting photos for their album cover.

30. New Jersey

You’ve likely heard of the Jersey Devil, but what about the Spook Rabbits of Harmony Township? These creatures are more akin to the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog than a gentle bunny. In the late 1800s, locals were horrified when their hunting dogs returned home bloodied and scratched. They blamed elusive killer rabbits, despite a rational explanation suggesting thorny bushes caused the injuries. Yet, many insisted the vicious Spook Rabbits were responsible.

31. New Mexico

Roswell isn’t the only New Mexico location linked to extraterrestrial activity. On the surface, Dulce, New Mexico, appears to be an ordinary small town. However, many believe something extraordinary lies beneath it. According to the urban legend, the area is adjacent to a massive underground facility housing advanced alien technology. The facility is rumored to host experiments, including those involving human-alien genetics. Reports of strange human-animal hybrids and claims of cows being used to incubate alien offspring have surfaced. One conspiracy theorist even alleges an ongoing human-alien war beneath Dulce. Locals have also reported numerous UFO sightings.

32. New York

New York City is notorious for its rats, but according to urban legend, it’s also home to giant albino alligators. For years, people have reported sightings of these reptiles lurking in the sewers. They’re described as ferocious creatures that prey on rodents and attack sewer workers, who allegedly carry guns for protection. While it’s true that alligators have been found in the city—like the one rescued from a lake in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park in early 2023—they’re typically abandoned pets, not sewer dwellers. The cold, toxic sewer environment and a diet of rats and sewage would be deadly for them.

However, Brunvand notes one credible account of a full-grown alligator being pulled from a New York City sewer. This happened in February 1935 when teens shoveling snow into a manhole on East 123rd Street spotted the gator. After dragging it out, the alligator became aggressive and snapped at them, leading the teens to kill it. “Reptile slain by rescuers when it gets vicious,” the Times reported. “Whence it came is a mystery.”

33. North Carolina

When the Carroll A. Deering ran aground off the Outer Banks in the winter of 1921, the ship was eerily abandoned. The fate of its crew remains a mystery. Theories ranged from mutiny to a collision with another vessel. That spring, a message in a bottle surfaced, claiming the crew had been captured by pirates. Later, rumors spread that Bolsheviks were responsible, accusing them of hijacking ships and smuggling them to Russia. However, this theory was disproven, and the message’s author admitted to fabricating it to secure a job at the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. To this day, the disappearance of the Carroll A. Deering crew remains unsolved. And if you’re skeptical, consider this: the ship allegedly passed through the Bermuda Triangle.

34. North Dakota

When imagining a mythical stairway to hell, North Dakota might not come to mind. Yet, according to urban legend, such a stairway exists in Tagus, near the ruins of an old Lutheran church.

The church burned down in 2001, but it was rumored to be a hub for satanic rituals, including cannibalism and human sacrifice. Its infamy was such that Charles Manson allegedly said he would go there if he ever escaped prison. As for the stairway, it was said to lie beneath the church. Though only a memorial stands there now, some claim you can still hear the screams of the damned descending into hell.

The story is chilling, but Tagus itself is intriguing: Founded in the early 1900s, it’s now a ghost town. Visitors report a sense of “simmering dread” as they pass abandoned homes and rusted cars. Be cautious, though—legend has it that hellhounds roam the empty streets, growling at anyone who lingers too long.

35. Ohio

You didn’t need to travel to London to encounter a werewolf—in the summer of 1972, Defiance, Ohio, was the place to be.

Beginning in late July that year, police received numerous reports of a “large beast” resembling a werewolf roaming the area. One witness, a train crewman who allegedly saw the creature with a coworker near the railroad tracks, described it as having fangs, hairy feet, and a peculiar gait, “running side-to-side like a caveman in the movies.”

Other early-morning sightings included a driver who claimed the creature darted in front of his car before vanishing. Some even reported seeing it carrying a 2-by-4. Police took the reports seriously but suggested it might be a local in a costume or mask. The creature was never found, and after that summer, sightings ceased. Still, if you’re in the area during a full moon, you might want to avoid midnight walks.

36. Oklahoma

You’ve likely heard of the Bermuda Triangle, but did you know there’s another mysterious zone in Oklahoma? Strange occurrences in Beaver Dunes Park date back to the 16th century, when three Spanish conquistadors allegedly vanished in a flash of green light while searching for gold in the dunes.

Over the years, there have been other unexplained disappearances. Some believe people slip into another dimension, while others think a UFO crash might be responsible, as military personnel have reportedly been seen excavating the dunes. Native Americans allegedly avoided the area, calling it the Shaman’s portal. Yet, no definitive explanation exists for the odd events rumored to occur in the 520-acre park.

37. Oregon

Could a video game drive you to insanity—and if so, would you still play it? Legend has it that Polybius appeared in Portland, Oregon, arcades in the fall of 1981, and its all-black cabinet quickly became the talk of the town.

Rumors claim that two teenagers vanished after playing the game, while others became addicted, experiencing trance-like states, nightmares, seizures, amnesia, and hallucinations. Some players believed the game sent subliminal messages, and to add to the mystery, they reported seeing men in black suits collecting data from the machines instead of coins.

Polybius allegedly vanished from arcades a month later and was never seen again. While many think the game never existed, others speculate it was linked to MKUltra, the CIA’s Cold War-era mind-control program.

38. Pennsylvania

In Philadelphia, a one-way ticket to nowhere might be closer than you think. According to legend, a mysterious bus roams the city, unlisted on any transit maps, appearing only to those at their lowest, offering an escape.

You must flag the bus down to board, and if you miss it, it’s gone forever. The journey can last hours, days, months, or even years. Passengers reportedly fall into deep introspection, confronting their struggles until they resolve them, at which point they pull the cord to exit.

The bus, known locally as Zero, then returns them to where they were picked up, hopefully leaving them in a better place.

39. Rhode Island

If you’re visiting Providence, Rhode Island, and feel parched, you might be tempted to drink from the fountain outside the Providence Athenaeum, inscribed with the words: “Come hither every one that thirsteth.”

But before you do, consider the curse tied to it. The nearly 200-year-old Athenaeum was a favorite spot for famous writers, including Edgar Allan Poe, who visited in 1848. Legend says Poe cursed the fountain before leaving. Depending on the tale, drinking from it either ensures you’ll return to the city or never leave it.

However, the story is likely false, as the Gothic Revival-style fountain wasn’t constructed until 1873, 24 years after Poe’s death.

40. South Carolina

In the summer of 1988, a 17-year-old from Lee County, South Carolina, told local police he’d witnessed something extraordinary after stopping near a swamp to fix a flat tire. He described a 7-foot-tall creature with “glowing red eyes, three-clawed fingers, and snake-like scales,” which allegedly chased him and attacked his car.

The Lizard Man quickly became a media sensation. As reporters descended on the area and local shops sold t-shirts, bumper stickers, and inflatable dolls inspired by the creature, more sightings emerged. Additional witnesses claimed they, too, had been chased by the creature and had their vehicles damaged.

Though the Lizard Man was never caught, the legend persists, inspiring festivals, books, and ongoing fascination. Many locals still insist that something menacing lurks in the swamp.

41. South Dakota

Hikers seeking a thrilling climb in South Dakota have long visited Garretson, where the cliffs above Split Rock Creek provide stunning views. Known as the Devil’s Gulch, this 18-foot-wide canyon with a 60-foot drop is where outlaw Jesse James allegedly made one of his most daring escapes.

After trying to rob the First National Bank in Northfield, Minnesota, in 1876—reportedly the largest bank west of the Mississippi—James and his gang fled. Pursued for weeks, James supposedly found himself cornered at the Devil’s Gulch. Rather than surrender, he and his horse leaped across the 18-foot chasm and miraculously landed on the other side.

While such a leap seems improbable, many locals believe it could have happened with the right horse. This tale has cemented the Devil’s Gulch as a key part of the lore surrounding Jesse James and the infamous Northfield Raid.

42. Tennessee

Few things scream “love” like a 1920s urban legend about a man skinned alive for falling for another man’s wife. According to the Skinned Tom tale, after Tom had his skin removed at a local Lovers Lane by his lover’s enraged husband, he transformed into something far less romantic.

While details vary, police allegedly never found Tom’s body, only discovering his skin hanging from a tree after following a blood trail into the woods. Now a skeleton, Skinned Tom is said to haunt Lovers Lanes along the Tennessee-Kentucky border, wielding the same hunting knife used to flay him. But don’t worry—he only targets cheaters. Most witnesses claim he simply glares at their cars.

43. Texas

As the saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas, including its urban legends. While the Lone Star State has many well-known myths, La Lechuza might be one you haven’t heard of—and it’s as mysterious as it sounds.

La Lechuza, or the Witch-Owl, originates from Mexican and Tejano folklore. It’s said to be a woman who transforms into a massive 7-foot-tall white owl with a 15-foot wingspan and glowing red eyes. The creature roams the Rio Grande Valley at night—sometimes depicted as a witch killed by villagers for practicing black magic, other times as a mother seeking revenge for her son’s death. Some believe multiple La Lechuzas exist, with real owls trained by witches to carry out their dark deeds.

In most versions of the tale, La Lechuza lures victims by mimicking a crying baby, then attacks. It’s powerful enough to abduct grown men and vanish into the night. To survive, praying might help, or simply staying indoors until dawn, when La Lechuza returns to human form.

44. Utah

If you’re visiting Utah’s Escalante Petrified Forest, beware: a curse is said to afflict those who steal from the park. Visitors who’ve taken souvenirs report a string of misfortunes, from accidents and breakups to terminal illnesses, and that’s just the start.

The curse is so notorious that the park receives dozens of letters yearly from regretful visitors returning stolen items, hoping to break the curse. Some claim this works, but it’s unclear if it’s coincidence or not. Still, why take the risk?

45. Vermont

Vermont is famous for its harsh winters. In the past, brutal snowstorms allegedly drove people to extreme measures. Enter the legend of the Frozen Hill People.

As the story goes, Vermonters struggling financially in the late 1800s would drug their elderly or sick relatives and leave them outside in the snow to freeze. Come spring, they’d thaw them out, supposedly bringing them back to life.

The tale gained attention after an 1887 article published on the front page of the Montpelier Argus and Patriot newspaper. A reporter claimed to have found an account of this grim practice in his uncle’s diary. However, there’s no evidence it ever happened.

46. Virginia

Tales of a vampire in Richmond, Virginia’s Hollywood Cemetery date back to the 1920s, but this creature isn’t your typical Bela Lugosi-style vampire.

The so-called Richmond Vampire is rumored to reside in one of the cemetery’s hillside mausoleums. The legend may stem from a 1925 tragedy when the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad’s Church Hill tunnel collapsed, trapping several workers. One survivor, fireman Benjamin Mosby, reportedly escaped but suffered severe injuries, including broken teeth and burns so severe his skin hung in flaps. He later died at a nearby hospital.

Here’s where the story takes a bizarre turn. Locals claim the Richmond Vampire emerged from the wreckage with fang-like broken teeth and bloody, hanging skin. He was allegedly chased by rescuers to the cemetery, where he cursed at them, driving them away.

This isn’t the typical behavior you’d expect from a vampire, leading some Virginians to believe the creature wasn’t undead but rather a distorted account of Mosby’s escape from the tunnel. Given that Mosby was buried in Hollywood Cemetery and the creature’s description aligns with his injuries, they might be right.

47. Washington

If you’ve ever dined at KFC, you’re likely familiar with Colonel Sanders and his famous “secret recipe.” We’re not talking about the urban legend of people biting into fried rats or claims of genetically engineered mutant chickens with extra legs and no beaks. We’re referring to Sanders’s secret blend of 11 herbs and spices.

While many assume Colonel Sanders created his famous recipe in Kentucky, some believe he developed it while living and working at a Seattle roadside restaurant in the early 1940s. Though there’s no evidence to support this, the legend would be a significant blow to Kentucky’s pride if true.

Back then, Harland Sanders (not yet a colonel) lived in Seattle for about 10 months. His coworkers reportedly disliked him, claiming he was more interested in perfecting his “finger lickin’ good” fried chicken recipe than in his actual job. (Though locals did praise his spaghetti.)

Eventually, he returned home, adopted the title of colonel, and the rest is fast-food history. Admittedly, “Washington Fried Chicken” doesn’t have quite the same appeal.

48. West Virginia

The Mothman isn’t West Virginia’s only urban legend. Screaming Jenny is another eerie tale, reportedly originating in the mid-1800s. The story goes that a young woman with no family lived in an old storage shed near the Harpers Ferry railroad depot.

One chilly autumn night, she lit a fire inside the shed to stay warm but accidentally set herself on fire. In a panic, she ran outside, screaming, and headed for the railroad tracks, hoping someone would see her and extinguish the flames. However, as she was essentially a ball of fire, she didn’t notice an approaching train until it was too late.

About a month after Jenny’s tragic death, another train operator reported seeing a massive “ball of fire” on the tracks. He also failed to stop in time, but upon investigating, found nothing—no fire, no bodies. To this day, Harpers Ferry residents claim you can still see Screaming Jenny on the anniversary of her death, engulfed in flames and seeking help.

49. Wisconsin

In March 1985, a tragic accident occurred on a bridge near Siren, Wisconsin. Richard and Rose Kringle, along with their 8-year-old daughter Jodee, were driving their pickup truck when they hit a patch of black ice, causing the vehicle to crash through the guardrail and plunge into a swampy creek below.

All three tragically lost their lives in the accident, but the story doesn’t end there. Locals have since reported eerie occurrences when crossing the same bridge. Beyond feeling uneasy, many claim their car radios cut out, replaced by a young girl’s voice screaming, “Help me, Mommy, I can’t get out!”

Many believe it’s the ghost of Jodee Kringle breaking through the radio waves. If that doesn’t send chills down your spine, nothing will.

50. Wyoming

Why explore a ghost town when you can sail on a ghost ship? In Wyoming, tales speak of a haunted vessel that glides along the North Platte River.

Known as the “Ship of Death,” it emerges from a dense, eerie mist, with both the ship and its crew frost-covered. Legend says spotting it foretells the death of someone you love that same day. The crew gathers on deck around a body draped in canvas, slowly revealing the identity of the doomed individual.

The ship was first reportedly seen in 1862 by a trapper whose wife or fiancée died soon after. Sightings of this spectral vessel continued into the 20th century, with appearances said to occur roughly every 25 years.