Clinton Road : West Milford, NJ

When you talk to most people about North Jersey, they will tell you that the most haunted location is Clinton Road. This road has so many tales, legends and myths that its hard to keep track of them all. One just needs to head down (or up) Route 23 into West Milford to see the road signs for the legendary road. Once making the turn, drivers will travel several miles through twists and turns of unknown forest.

The road itself is gorgeous during the day, with many locals who use the forest/ lakes for hiking, swimming, fishing, or just taking a spin in a boat. But once night falls, the darkness creeps within each tree, leaving much to the imagination. Our readers have shared many tales of albino animals, hell-hounds, big black trucks, and of course “Dead Mans Curve”, but few readers know the story behind it.

Throw a Penny

As legend has it, years ago there was once a boy who enjoyed riding his bike up and down Clinton Road for its hills, curves and amazing views. At the time, the road was seldom traveled because of its position up north. The boy would bring along his dog, a large doberman whose coat was as black as night. The two would make stops throughout the road, jumping in the lake, and playing until one day disaster struck. While he was traveling with his companion down the road he made a stop near bridge (not to be confused with what is now known as “Dead Mans Curve”). A large black truck heading west towards Route 23 reached the bridge where the boy was standing. The driver who had clearly been drinking drifted, hitting the boy, causing him to fall from his bike, and into the water where he hit his head on the rocks. The driver of the truck who panicked, drove away in a rush leaving the young boy to drown.

The dog who was very close to the boy dragged his dead body from the water and stood to cover over the remains. By the time police had found him the aggressive dog wouldn’t let anyone near the corpse. Police, unable to deal with the aggression shot the dog in head, killing it. The driver of the black vehicle was never found, and the boy never truly identified.

Paranormal activity is said to occur around the bridge where the boy was hit. It’s said that they boy will manifest if you throw a coin into the stream from the bridge. Its also been said that when you throw a coin the boy will throw it back at you.

The Hellhound

Commonly believed to be the boys dog, there have been numerous sightings of a large black beast with red eyes that has the ability to run as fast as most cars. This “Hellhound” as it is called has been known to chase cars, ram the sides, and in the blink of an eye disappear into thin air. Hellhounds are often assigned to guard the entrances to the world of the dead, such as graveyards and burial grounds, or undertake other duties related to the afterlife or the supernatural. Most believe that seeing a hellhound or hearing it howl may be an omen or even a cause of death.

The Ghost Truck

Your traveling down the road to see if anything will scare you, but so far nothing interesting as happened. Then without warning a bright light appears in your rear-view mirror. Someone is coming up close, speeding, trying to run you off the road. Your racing through the curves at superhuman speed. Your heart is literally beating out of your chest. Then without warning…..its gone. This is what we hear from thousands of our listeners. What the truck is or where it comes from nobody knows. Is it the man who hit the young boy?

The Iceman

On May 14th 1983 a bicyclist was traveling down the road when he came across the gruesome sight of a human body (confirmed later as Daniel Deppner) in the woods as a turkey vulture was eating him. After an autopsy was performed, ice crystals were found inside the body. The body had been frozen to hide the true date and cause of death. After further investigations it was discovered that Daniel was killed by Richard Kuklinski, otherwise known as the Iceman. In accordance with his later statements (Kuklinski died in 2006) he performed the act of killing, freezing and dumping the bodies hundreds of times. It leads the question of how many potential un-buried bodies could be lying in the woods.

The Castle

There are multiple hiking trails through the woods which lead to what is known as “Cross Castle”. Built over 100 years ago for unknown reasons, the building has since begun to decay with time. The building is littered with signs, symbols and proof of unknown rituals. Many users have informed us that there are people who perform either satanic rituals or witchcraft at the location. Others say that its grounds for an cannibalistic albino family who harms those who trespass.

Clinton Road has been called the most terrifying road in the US by Yahoo.com and has been featured on Travel Channels “Most terrifying places in America 2”. There are many more legends, creatures and unknown parts of the road. Oh, and don’t expect to have any cell service while traveling through.

Are you willing to travel this 10 mile stretch of road of pure blackness? Be my guest….just know…you’ve been warned.