Tucked in the heart of southern New Jersey lies a forest so vast, so quiet, and so steeped in strange tales that some locals hesitate to enter after dark. It’s a place where the trees seem to whisper, the sand roads twist endlessly, and headlights have a way of catching shadows that vanish the moment you look twice. Welcome to the Pine Barrens: a million-acre wilderness of forgotten towns, unexplained lights, and something winged that’s said to scream through the treetops at night.
This eerie loop begins and ends at Batsto Village, a preserved 18th-century iron town surrounded by pines and silence. Along the way, you’ll visit crumbling ruins, isolated memorials, and places so strange they’ve spawned entire legends. Most iconic of all is the Jersey Devil—a horned, cloven-hoofed creature said to have haunted these woods for more than 250 years.
The Pine Barrens, despite their spooky reputation, are a stunning ecological preserve: home to pygmy forests, rare wildlife, and ghostly blue holes that shimmer like portals in the sand. But it’s the stories that linger—tales of cursed births, phantom riders, interdimensional experiments, and flickering lights that follow cars at night. Some claim the Jersey Devil is just folklore. Others swear they’ve seen it. Either way, keep your eyes on the treeline.
Your Haunted Pine Barrens Itinerary
Ready to drive straight into legend? Here’s your route.
Stop 1: Batsto Village
A historic ironworks and glassmaking community turned ghost town, Batsto is now a preserved village with restored buildings and spooky charm. Explore the Batsto Mansion and surrounding grounds—especially near dusk, when the woods seem to lean in close.
Stop 2: Carranza Memorial
Tucked deep into the pines, this lonely stone monument marks the crash site of Emilio Carranza, the “Lindbergh of Mexico.” It’s eerily remote, and stories abound of phantom lights and strange echoes along the sandy road leading in.
Ong’s Hat
Pemberton Township, NJ (via Ong’s Hat Road off Route 72)
There’s no ghost town left to see here—just a sandy road slicing through thick pine forest—but that’s exactly what makes Ong’s Hat so eerie. Once rumored to be a small 19th-century settlement, the town vanished long ago, leaving behind no ruins, no markers, and no answers. But in the 1980s and ‘90s, Ong’s Hat became the subject of a bizarre conspiracy theory claiming that a group of rogue scientists operated a secret commune here—and may have opened a portal to another dimension. What started as early internet fiction became urban legend, and today Ong’s Hat Road draws curious visitors chasing the mystery. Drive slowly, pull off where it’s safe, and take in the surreal stillness of the Pines—this place feels like a blank page on which anything could happen.
Stop 4: Leeds Point
Leeds Point Road, Galloway, NJ 08205
This quiet hamlet at the edge of the Great Bay is said to be the birthplace of New Jersey’s most infamous monster. According to legend, in the early 1700s, a local woman named Mother Leeds gave birth to her 13th child—who then sprouted wings, hooves, and a tail before flying up the chimney and disappearing into the Pine Barrens. That child became the Jersey Devil. Today, Leeds Point remains a sleepy, windswept community near the salt marshes, but it’s also the symbolic heart of the legend. Visitors can drive down Leeds Point Road (which dead-ends at the marsh) and imagine what these woods must have felt like by candlelight three centuries ago. There’s no visitor center or signage here—just a strange energy and the lingering echo of a tale that’s refused to die.
Stop 5: Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
Formerly Lebanon State Forest, this area is perfect for a stretch and some silent hiking. The Pine Barrens are known for their unsettling stillness—no birdsong, no breeze, just the sound of your own footsteps.
Stop 6: Route 563 After Dark
A straight stretch of road with almost no lights or houses, Route 563 is infamous for strange sightings. Drivers have reported hoofprints appearing behind them in the sand and glowing red eyes in their rearview mirrors.
Folklore to Know
The Jersey Devil has reportedly been seen for over 200 years—by farmers, policemen, and even naval officers. Said to have leathery wings, cloven hooves, and a bloodcurdling scream, it’s one of America’s oldest and most enduring cryptids. Believers claim it still roams the Barrens, especially on moonless nights.
Road Trip Tips
• Cell service is patchy—download maps ahead of time.
• Bring snacks and water; gas stations are few and far between.
• Visit in fall for peak atmosphere, but beware hunting season.
• This route is best driven during daylight—but if you’re brave, a twilight loop ups the chills.
Books to Read Before You Go
Weird NJ by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman – A cult classic covering the strangest spots in the state, including many Pine Barrens legends.
The Jersey Devil by James F. McCloy and Ray Miller Jr. – A deep dive into the beast’s history and reported sightings.
Pine Barrens by John McPhee – A more literary look at the landscape and its culture, with undertones of eerie stillness.
Snack Like a Local
Before hitting the trail, stock up on some classic Jersey snacks to keep your road trip fueled and flavorful. Whether you’re wandering ghost towns or chasing devilish legends, these local treats add the perfect bite of Garden State charm to your eerie adventure.
Saltwater Taffy – Born on the Atlantic City boardwalk, still sold all over the Shore.
Disco Fries – Jersey diner classic: French fries topped with brown gravy and melted mozzarella.
Italian Ice (Rita’s, local stands) – Particularly lemon ice from small corner shops.
Diner Pie Slices – Grabbing just a slice of classic diner pie (cherry, lemon meringue, or coconut custard).
Screech in the Pines: A Jersey Devil-Inspired Playlist
Set the mood for your haunted road trip through the Pine Barrens with this eerie, folkloric, and New Jersey-infused mix. The perfect soundtrack for creeping down forest roads, exploring ghost towns, and chasing urban legends.
- “Devil’s Spoke” – Laura Marling
- “Haunted” – Poe
- “Ghost Town” – First Aid Kit
- “Red Right Hand” – Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
- “Atlantic City” – Bruce Springsteen
- “Devil Is Fine” – Zeal & Ardor
- “Gravedigger” – Willie Watson
- “Where Did You Sleep Last Night (MTV Unplugged)” – Nirvana
- “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” – Talking Heads
- “Spirits” – The Strumbellas
- “Wolf Like Me” – TV on the Radio
- “Graveyard Whistling” – Nothing But Thieves
- “Lullaby for a Ghost” – Folklore Ensemble
- “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” – Charlie Daniels Band
- “Ain’t No Grave” – Johnny Cash
- “In the Pines” – Lead Belly
- “Bury a Friend” – Billie Eilish