11 Haunted Roads In Texas Locals Avoid After Dark
Texas has a reputation for big skies, barbecue, and some seriously spooky stories. Scattered across the Lone Star State are roads where strange lights flicker, phantom figures appear, and unexplained sounds echo through the night.
Locals who know the legends often take the long way home once the sun sets, avoiding these eerie stretches of pavement where the paranormal seems all too real.
1. Bigfoot Road – Bigfoot
Named after the tiny town it runs through, this road has nothing to do with the legendary creature—or does it? Strange sightings and unexplained noises have been reported here for generations.
Drivers describe feeling an overwhelming sense of dread as they pass through certain sections. Some claim to have seen shadowy figures darting between the trees alongside the road.
Whether it’s paranormal or just your imagination, this road definitely gives off unsettling vibes.
2. Hamblen Drive – Palo Duro Canyon
Palo Duro Canyon is stunning during the day, but Hamblen Drive takes on a completely different character once darkness falls. Visitors describe hearing disembodied voices echoing off the canyon walls.
Some have seen mysterious lights moving through the canyon that don’t match any known source. Native American legends speak of spirits that guard this sacred land.
Park rangers recommend staying on designated paths, especially after sunset when the canyon becomes truly otherworldly.
3. Old Stagecoach Road – Marshall
This historic route once carried travelers and mail across East Texas. Now it carries something far more sinister, according to longtime Marshall residents.
The ghost of a stagecoach driver reportedly appears on foggy nights, frantically whipping invisible horses. Witnesses describe hearing hoofbeats and creaking wheels when no vehicles are present.
The road’s violent past includes robberies and murders, leaving behind restless spirits who refuse to move on.
4. Donkey Lady Bridge – San Antonio
San Antonio’s creepiest bridge comes with a legend that’ll make your skin crawl. According to local stories, a woman with a disfigured face and donkey-like features haunts this crossing.
The tale says she was horribly burned in a fire decades ago. Teenagers who dare to visit at night often report hearing strange braying sounds and seeing a figure lurking near the water.
Most San Antonio residents won’t go near it after dark, and for good reason.
5. Devil’s Backbone – Hill Country
Have you ever driven a road so twisty it feels like you’re riding a roller coaster? This narrow ridge runs through the Hill Country, and locals claim ghostly riders on horseback appear without warning.
Some drivers report seeing phantom headlights that vanish into thin air. The area’s history includes tragic accidents and old settlements, which might explain why so many people feel watched here.
If you find yourself on this road after sunset, keep your eyes peeled and your doors locked.
6. Bragg Road – Saratoga
Known for the famous Saratoga Light, this road attracts paranormal enthusiasts from across the country. The mysterious glowing orb has been documented for over a century.
Legends say it’s the lantern of a railroad worker who lost his head in a tragic accident. Scientists have tried explaining it away, but the light continues to appear unpredictably.
I’ve heard from people who’ve seen it firsthand—they all describe the same bone-chilling experience.
7. Elm Creek Road – Abilene
Abilene locals whisper about strange occurrences on this seemingly ordinary road. Cars mysteriously stall without mechanical explanation, and cell phones lose signal in specific spots.
Several drivers have reported seeing a young girl standing on the roadside, only to have her vanish when they stop to help. The area has a tragic history involving a fatal car accident.
Most people who’ve experienced something strange here refuse to travel it alone after dark.
8. Witch’s Castle Road – Cameron Park, Waco
Cameron Park’s ruins have sparked countless ghost stories over the years. The crumbling stone structure locals call the Witch’s Castle isn’t actually a castle, but that hasn’t stopped the legends.
People claim to hear chanting and see strange figures moving through the trees. The road leading to it becomes pitch black at night, with branches creating creepy shadows.
Urban explorers brave enough to visit often leave feeling like they weren’t alone.
9. Old Alton Bridge – Denton
Better known as Goatman’s Bridge, this historic iron structure has the most terrifying legend in Texas. Built in 1884, it’s tied to the tragic lynching of Oscar Washburn in the 1930s.
Visitors report hearing unearthly bleating sounds and seeing glowing red eyes peering from the darkness. Some have been physically touched or pushed by invisible forces.
Paranormal investigators consistently record unexplained voices and temperature drops here.
10. Bowden Road – Huntsville
Huntsville’s most notorious stretch of asphalt earned the nickname Demon’s Road for good reason. Hitchhikers appear out of nowhere, only to disappear from moving vehicles.
Drivers describe seeing a small figure standing in the middle of the road that vanishes upon approach. Mechanical problems occur frequently without explanation, stranding travelers in isolated darkness.
Local mechanics joke about the road’s curse, but nobody finds it funny when it happens to them.
11. Farm to Market Road 666 – South Texas
With a number like 666, this road was practically destined for ghost stories. The Devil’s Highway lives up to its ominous nickname with reports of phantom vehicles and mysterious figures.
Travelers have experienced unexplained accidents and seen apparitions that cause them to swerve. The road’s tragic history includes multiple fatal crashes that some believe left lingering energy.
Even skeptics admit feeling uneasy when driving this stretch after midnight.
