One Of The Most Haunted Forests In North America Is Right Here In New Jersey
Kristen
Author
The Pine Barrens of New Jersey encompasses over 1.1 million acres of preserved woodlands spanning seven counties. Though this forest is in the heart of America’s most densely populated state, situated between two major cities (New York and Philadelphia), the land is mostly rural and dotted with ruins of former mill and mining settlements. Along with an incredible assortment of ghost towns, this heavily forested stretch of the state is also known for an abundance of ghosts. Many national publications have listed this scenic spot among the most haunted places in the country. But are the Pine Barrens dangerous? No; however, according to some, they may be quite haunting. Have you ever visited this haunted forest in New Jersey?
Other industries that thrived in the Pine Barrens included glass making, paper, cotton, and clay production. However, when coal was discovered in Pennsylvania, many area residents headed west. Communities were abandoned overnight, leaving behind more ghost towns than almost any other state in the US. Along with ghost towns, the area is known to have an abundance of ghosts and other supernatural creatures.
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Reports of Jersey Devil sightings date back to 1820 when Joseph Bonaparte (brother of Napoleon) claimed to have witnessed the Jersey Devil on his Bordentown estate. The creature was blamed for livestock killings in the 1840s and again in the 1920s.
The most famous incidence of panic over the Jersey Devil occurred in 1909. In the month of January, hundreds of sightings were reported along with attacks in Haddon Heights and Camden. Newspaper coverage led to widespread hysteria. A $10,000 bounty was put on the creature's head and schools were even closed for a short time.
Another spirit said to roam the Pine Barrens is the ghost of James Still. An African American doctor during the time of slavery, legend says that he was lynched when locals found that he was practicing medicine. Some say he died of natural causes, but most believe he is a friendly ghost, assisting those lost or injured in the area.
Other ghosts include a blonde woman, white stag, black dog and the headless spirit of the infamous pirate, Captain Kidd. Of course, with the milling industry being incredibly dangerous, many spirits of maimed workers may linger on as well.
For a quick clip on the Jersey Devil from Destination America, check out the video below.
Have you ever had a Jersey Devil sighting? What other Pine Barrens ghosts do you know of? Share your experiences with us about this haunted forest in New Jersey in the comments. For more haunted places in New Jersey, check out my previous article on the Proprietary House, haunted by a young boy, a Revolutionary War soldier, and a woman in white.
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More to Explore
Haunted Forest In New Jersey
Are there any haunted hikes in New Jersey?
The Ghost Lake Trail at Jenny Jump State Forest is one of the most haunted hikes in New Jersey.
When you are looking for the best outdoor hiking spots in the state, why not level up the experience with a little bit of haunted history? There is a haunted hike in New Jersey that warrants some necessary explanation for those who are brave enough. Ghost Lake Trail at Jenny Jump State Forest is a short hike of fewer than two miles that many have claimed to be haunted. As the legend has it, the park is named after a girl who lost her life there. Not to mention, you have to drive down Shades of Death Road to even enter the park. And all of this is even before this hike!
Can I visit any abandoned places in New Jersey?
Some of the most abandoned places in New Jersey include:
- Toms River Silo Ruins
- McNeal Mansion
- Trenton Psychiatric Hospital
Naturally, as with any state, there are plenty of haunted places in New Jersey that you can actually explore. But rather than have you compile your own list, we have the ultimate list of abandoned places in New Jersey all packed into one road trip. On this trip, you’ll visit Toms River Silo Ruins, McNeal Mansion in Burlington, and the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital to name a few. The entire trip takes around seven hours of driving time, but it would be better to make a weekend adventure out of it.
What are the creepiest places in New Jersey?
The abandoned town of Ong's Hat is one of the creepiest places in New Jersey.
If you love checking out creepy places in New Jersey, then you’ll likely enjoy a trip to the abandoned town of Ong’s Hat. This unincorporated community in Pemberton Township has quite a history dating back to the 1930s. The last resident left the town in 1936, but there were still some strange occurrences and disappearances that took place before then. Have you ever heard about the creepy past of Ong’s Hat, New Jersey?