Haunted New Jersey: Happy Halloween!

You didn't know Cady Heron (Mean Girls) originally got her Halloween costume idea from 7 years old me, huh? Now you know. And yes, the unibrow is real...

This past weekend the family went to check out 13th Hour Haunted House in Wharton, NJ! It's really a well done haunted house for those of you who are into it! The costumes, the displays, the rooms, were all done in a cinematic quality. Highly recommended. 

With that said, Halloween is the perfect time to explore the eerie side of the Garden State and New Jersey has no shortage of ghost stories, haunted roads, and towns that seem stuck between the living and the dead. From centuries-old legends to modern-day mysteries, here are a few of the state’s most chilling (and fascinating) spots.

I always say there is a ghost living in my attic and I've heard a lot of stories recently of the same. When most of the homes around here were built in the early 1900s, it kind of makes sense there are some old souls out there still lingering, no? 

Here is a list of some allegedly haunted NJ spots!

• Clinton Road (West Milford)

No list of haunted places in New Jersey is complete without Clinton Road, often called the most haunted road in America. Stretching through dense forest, this winding, desolate road has been the source of ghostly tales for decades. Locals speak of phantom headlights that appear out of nowhere, mysterious figures in the woods, and even a ghost boy who supposedly returns coins tossed into the bridge’s water. Drive it after dark… if you dare.

• The Devil’s Tree (Bernards Township)

On a lonely field outside of Bernards Township stands an ancient oak known as the Devil’s Tree. Legend says it’s cursed, those who disrespect it supposedly meet an untimely fate. Some claim the tree was a meeting place for sinister rituals, and even on the hottest summer day, the ground beneath it remains cold. It’s fenced off now, but many say the eerie energy is still palpable from the road.

• Cape May: America’s Most Haunted Seaside Town

Cape May isn’t just charming, it’s chilling. Said to be one of the most haunted towns in NJ by Cape May residents! The entire Victorian town seems to hum with ghostly presence. The Emlen Physick Estate, once home to a reclusive doctor, is said to host his restless spirit. Guests at the Hotel Macomber and Congress Hall have reported mysterious footsteps and flickering lights for decades. But Cape May embraces its haunted history, ghost tours run year-round, letting you sip wine and stroll with the spirits.

• Wharton State Forest and the Jersey Devil

No discussion of New Jersey’s haunted folklore is complete without the infamous Jersey Devil. Said to have been born in the Pine Barrens in 1735, this winged creature has terrorized residents ever since, screeching through the woods and frightening anyone who dares wander too far from the trail. The Pine Barrens themselves feel otherworldly: vast, silent, and filled with stories that linger in the air like mist.

Why We Love the Weird

Part of New Jersey’s charm lies in its oddities, its haunted houses, mysterious creatures, and roads where reality blurs just a little. These stories remind us that even in our busy, modern lives, there’s still room for wonder… and for the thrill of a good scare.

So this Halloween, take a drive, a walk, or a tour, and maybe if you're lucky, spot a ghost!

Happy Halloween Weekend!! Stay safe.