Road trips in the U.S. are often about scenic drives, quirky stops, and local diners. But not every detour is cheerful. Some roadside attractions feel more like scenes from a horror film. If you’re into the bizarre, the ghostly, or the downright eerie, these 10 creepy roadside attractions are perfect for your next road trip.
The Fremont Troll – Seattle, Washington
Hidden beneath the Aurora Bridge, the Fremont Troll is a massive 18-foot statue gripping a real Volkswagen Beetle. Originally created to clean up the area in 1989, it turned into a local legend. One gleaming metal eye watches you as you approach. At night or in poor weather, the sight of the troll suddenly appearing from the shadows has startled many unsuspecting visitors.
Oregon Vortex – Gold Hill, Oregon
In the woods of southern Oregon lies a place where the laws of physics seem to collapse. The Oregon Vortex is known for its optical illusions and strange gravitational effects. Stories say Native Americans avoided the area long before miners arrived in 1904. Tour guides demonstrate height changes, tilted rooms, and baffling tricks that remain unexplained. Scientists have yet to agree on a solid answer.
Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo – Hot Springs, Arkansas
At first glance, it’s a family-friendly zoo filled with baby gators and native reptiles. But look closer and you’ll find jars of oddities, preserved creatures, and what appears to be a skeletal merman. Operating since 1902, this place toes the line between educational attraction and macabre curiosity cabinet. Guests often leave with more questions than when they arrived.
Oddporium – Arden, Delaware
The Oddporium is exactly what the name suggests: a shop filled with all things weird. Expect to see vintage medical tools, taxidermy, antique dolls, and strange specimens in jars. It’s part museum, part store, and all weird. They also screen horror films outside during spooky season, making it a must-stop for lovers of the strange and unusual.
Goldwell Open Air Museum – Beatty, Nevada
In the middle of the desert near Death Valley lies a surreal sight: a group of life-sized, ghostly white statues forming a replica of the Last Supper. The Goldwell Open Air Museum mixes eerie silence with odd beauty. The art installations contrast with the desolate landscape, making this one of Nevada’s eeriest detours.
Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, California
Started in 1884, this mansion was endlessly expanded by Sarah Winchester, widow of the gun magnate. The home has stairs that lead nowhere, doors that open into walls, and windows in the floor. Legend says Sarah was haunted by the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles. The creepy architecture alone makes this a chilling stop.
Mystery Hole – Fayetteville, West Virginia
Don’t let the kitschy name fool you. Mystery Hole offers an unsettling experience. Located near the New River Gorge, it’s known for disorienting gravity tricks and impossible perspectives. People stumble around as the floor appears to tilt and the rules of movement feel wrong. It’s one of the weirdest places you’ll ever walk into.
World’s Largest Elk Horn Arch – Afton, Wyoming
More impressive than spooky, this structure spans a four-lane road and is built using more than 3,000 elk antlers. The arch weighs 15 tons and is a powerful visual. But standing beneath it, surrounded by discarded bones, can leave a strange chill. It’s part tribute, part warning, and entirely unforgettable.
Doll’s Head Trail – Atlanta, Georgia
Set along a quiet walking path in Constitution Lakes Park, this eerie trail features discarded doll heads arranged as bizarre art installations. Creepy eyes peer at you from trees and broken plastic limbs decorate the trail. Created by local artists using trash found in the area, it has become a creepy yet thought-provoking attraction.
Jimmy Carter Peanut – Plains, Georgia
This smiling 13-foot peanut sculpture is less terrifying and more bizarre. Made during Carter’s presidential campaign, it features a wide, toothy grin. After being damaged by a driver in 2000, it was restored and relocated to Plains, where it continues to confuse and amuse. While not scary, the uncanny smile makes it unsettling in its own unique way.
