With this round-up, you can explore the eeriest corners of New Jersey—if you dare.
Autumn is the season of haunted legends and ghost stories—and New Jersey has no shortage of them. From eerie lighthouses and haunted highways to dense forests rumored to hide legendary creatures, the Garden State transforms into a paranormal playground as the leaves begin to change.
In this guide, we’re uncovering five of the most haunted places in New Jersey. They’re creepy, chilling, and packed with just enough mystery to make your next fall road trip unforgettable.
1. The Spy House – Port Monmouth, NJ
The Spy House, which dates back to the 1700s, has a chilling reputation: it’s sometimes dubbed “the most haunted house in America.” Officially known as the Seabrook–Wilson House, it allegedly served as a tavern during the Revolutionary War. The owner spied on British troops and relayed their secret information to Colonial forces.
Visitors now report ghostly apparitions of Revolutionary War soldiers, footsteps with no origin, and sounds of children crying. Investigators have also discovered paranormal evidence in the home.
The Spy House is now on the National Register of Historic Places, and it serves as the Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, hosting the park’s nature and history programs. You can tour the historic house on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays, from April 20 to October 30, during the hours of 1-4 p.m.
2. Absecon Lighthouse – Atlantic City, NJ
Absecon Lighthouse is the tallest one in New Jersey at 171 feet tall. If you climb the 228 steps, you’ll get panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean—and maybe some paranormal happenings. People claim the ghost of a lighthouse keeper haunts the building, while others say that shipwreck victims still linger around. There have been reports of disembodied footsteps, mysterious whispers, and shadowy figures. The lighthouse has even been featured on the TV show “Ghost Hunters.”
You can visit and climb Absecon Lighthouse throughout the year. During the fall, it hosts nighttime ghost tours. Make sure to stop by the Atlantic City boardwalk while you’re there!
3. Shades of Death Road – Warren County, NJ
As you might expect from its ominous name, Shades of Death Road in Warren County is one of New Jersey’s most haunted locations. Drivers along the tree-covered road have reported ghostly apparitions, unexplained lights, mysterious fog, and sudden chills. The road’s haunted reputation partly stems from stories of violent crimes and a deadly malaria outbreak that happened in the past.
Nearby Ghost Lake, located in Jenny Jump State Forest, adds to the atmosphere with its own haunted stories. If you’re feeling brave, consider a drive during the fall when the foliage is showing off—but make sure to be extra careful behind the wheel.
4. The Devil’s Tower – Alpine, NJ
This Gothic stone tower was built in the early 1900s as a monument for a sugar importer’s wife. Local legend says that she jumped off the tower after discovering her husband’s affair. Her spirit still haunts the site to this day, leading to reports of ghostly figures, unexplained screams, and eerie sensations. Some also claim that circling the tower a certain number of times at midnight, in reverse, might draw the woman’s ghost... or maybe even the devil himself.
5. The Pine Barrens – Southern NJ
The Pine Barrens are a densely forested region in southern New Jersey spanning over one million acres. It’s home to ghost towns, abandoned buildings, and the most infamous urban legend in the state: the Jersey Devil. Since the 1700s, the creature has been blamed for otherworldly howls, attacks on livestock, strange footprints, and other chilling events. Witnesses claim it has leathery wings, a horse-like head, hooves, and glowing red eyes.
The Jersey Devil has become a staple of local lore, and it’s been featured in many documentaries, podcasts, and ghost stories. It even inspired the name of the state’s NHL team—the New Jersey Devils.
If you’re planning to visit the Pine Barrens, consider hiking scenic trails like Franklin Parker Preserve and Batsto Lake Trail. You can also spend the day kayaking, mountain biking, wildlife watching, and exploring historic places like Batsto Village, a well-preserved iron-making community in Wharton State Forest.