We Explored One of the Most Haunted Places in Pittsburgh…and Stumbled Upon Crumbling Ruins

Dropping temperatures, a gray sky with clouds threatening rain, and the sun fighting to break through, gave our journey through Dead Man’s Hollow in McKeesport a bit of a spooky aura. That’s not surprising, though, as this secluded nature spot is known as one of the most haunted places in Pittsburgh. As we set off on our hike, my daughter and I wondered what kind of adventure was ahead of us. Would we experience the paranormal?

Local legend says that Dead Man’s Hollow is haunted by a man named Ward McConkey, who shot and killed George McClure in the hollow in 1880. Despite declaring his innocence, McConkey was eventually executed and his spirit is said to have returned to roam the conservation area. Several years before McClure’s murder, a body was found hanging from a tree in the hollow. While little is known about the victim, his spirit is also said to remain.

Getting to Dead Man’s Hollow is a bit tricky, especially if it’s your first visit as it was ours. The conservation area has three entrances, so decide before you go where you’re going to park. We had gone the week before, only for it to pour when we arrived, and put the Scene Ridge Road address we found on the conservation area’s website. Don’t do that. We found it was just a cluster of homes and realized we had to put Calhoun Road, a few miles away, into our GPS instead. That took us down a long, winding road, past homes, and to a dead end. At the end of the road, on the right side, is a small lot that fits around five cars. A sign sits next to the trailhead that leads into the woods.

If you want to see the ruins for which Dead Man’s Hollow is known, park at the Boston Ballfield in Boston, the largest parking lot for the conservation area. When you’re facing the baseball field, go left past the boxcar and the bathrooms and to a gate with a sign that says no vehicles allowed. Going right will take you onto the continuation of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), which runs from Cumberland, Maryland, to Pittsburgh.

The path to Dead Man’s Hollow follows the GAP, a wide gravel path that’s popular with hikers, bikers, and dog walkers, for nearly a mile. Bundle up if it’s cold and windy as you’ll walk along the Youghiogheny River. The water was moving fast with the wind on this late fall afternoon, making it feel a lot colder than the mid-40s.

Benches sit along the path, so we stopped a few times to sit down and soak up the views. A pile of dirt above the river signals the beginning of now-defunct railroad tracks that stretch down the path. While a few bikers and runners passed us, the trail was quiet except for the sound of squirrels running up the nearby trees, some of which still boasted golden leaves. When you come to a sign with a map for Dead Man’s Hollow, you’ll go off the GAP and onto a dirt path that leads straight to the abandoned ruins.

The dirt path is thinner and a little bumpier, but it's still relatively easy to walk. Before the ruins, you'll come to a bench near a placard with information about the area’s history, including the abandoned ruins of the Union Sewer Pipe Company, which caught fire in the 1920s. The damage was so devastating that the company closed the site. A few steps from the placard you’ll see the ruins, now covered in colorful graffiti. (Some have rough language.)

Look on the ground as you’re walking and you might spot some pretty interesting things. We saw what looked like massive old sewer pipes, black tree stubs, and a tilted bench that sat on a hillside as we strolled toward a footbridge and deeper into the woods. While Dead Man’s Hollow might be considered one of the most haunted places in Pittsburgh (there's even a placard with its haunted tales), we didn’t experience anything spooky or concerning. It was exactly the opposite. Except for the occasional train horn in the distance, the hollow was quiet and peaceful, the kind of place I could sit and enjoy for hours on a warm day.

Do you have a favorite haunted place in Pittsburgh? How about in Pennsylvania? Tell us about it by filling out this nomination form. If you believe in the paranormal, consider driving down Blue Mist Road in Irwin, arguably one of the most haunted roads in Pennsylvania. That will give you more time to explore the best trails in Western Pennsylvania. Find them on AllTrails+.