The Creepiest Hike in North Dakota Takes You Through an Abandoned Bridge and Rail Tunnel

In far western North Dakota, there's a weird, short little trail that's definitely a bit on the spooky side, thanks to its unusual features and eerie presence. It lurks quietly in McKenzie County and crosses over the Yellowstone Bridge; it's been closed to traffic for a long time now, though brave explorers can approach on foot. This trek, which is easily one of the creepiest hikes in North Dakota, doesn't feature any natural wonders or anywhere particularly beautiful, but it does feature an abandoned rail bridge (and tunnel!) with some interesting—and creepy—history. Check it out… if you dare:

There isn’t a lot going on here, and it definitely has peak ‘tiny Midwestern town’ vibes. With so few residents, it’s easy to forget Cartwright exists at all. And within this tiny, forgotten little town lies an enormous, long-abandoned rail bridge, along with a tunnel.

It's pretty easy to access by hike; if you take State Route 200 to Sundheim Park, right on the west bank of the Yellowstone River, and park there, you'll see it: the Fairview Lift Bridge, in all its stunning, empty glory, looming overhead. Follow the path to the bridge. The bridge, and its corresponding railroad tunnel, were built in 1913 and in use until the 1980s.

The tunnel is particularly notable thanks to its uniqueness. Called the Cartwright Tunnel, it’s 1,458 feet long and was dug mostly by hand during its construction in the early 1900s. It’s the longest tunnel in the entire state, and it’s not without its creepy urban legends.

There have been whispers through the decades that at least one body of an old-time outlaw is here—somewhere—as his final resting place. His name was J.C. Collins, and having (allegedly) killed two lawmen during a crime spree in 1913, he was lynched and (supposedly) tossed into one of the concrete abutments of the bridge. Of course, there’s no historical evidence confirming this story, and it’s not clear exactly what was done with the body, but it was never laid to rest properly. Some say J.C.’s wayward spirit still lingers in the area.

Voices are sometimes heard in the tunnel—was that you, your friend?…what, you didn’t say anything and you’re here alone? Alright, time to go.

Either way, haunted by the victim of a lynching or not, there’s something super uneasy about an abandoned bridge and, even creepier, a long, dark rail tunnel.

Curious to see this haunted trail in action? You’ll find the Fairview Lift Bridge and Cartwright Tunnel near Sundheim Park, just off State Route 200 in Cartwright, North Dakota. The path is open year-round, and while there’s no admission fee, bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes, which I highly recommend for navigating the uneven, dimly lit tunnel. For more details, check out the official website of North DakotaTourism.

Think this might be the creepiest hike in North Dakota? Let us know through our nomination form—we’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you’re planning your own spooky road trip, don’t forget to use our itinerary planner to uncover more eerie trails, forgotten history, and hidden gems across the state.