North Carolina Urban Legends

1. The Devil’s Tramping Ground (Chatham County)

Located in Bear Creek, North Carolina, The Devil’s Tramping Ground is a mysterious, barren circle shrouded in legend. Folklore claims the Devil paces the clearing at night, contemplating the world’s evils, and that objects left there disappear by morning. Visitors report eerie sensations, while animals refuse to enter. Some believe the site is an alien landing zone, has unusually salty soil, or was once sacred to Indigenous people. Camping is allowed with reservations, but tents must be set up outside the circle, and fires are prohibited.

Location: 3229-4026 State Rd 1100, Bennett, NC 27208

2. The Beast of Bladenboro

In 1953–54, the small town of Bladenboro, North Carolina, was terrorized by a mysterious, blood-draining creature. Described as a large, dark-furred feline with piercing eyes, the Beast allegedly killed livestock and even attacked a woman, though she escaped unharmed. Witnesses reported hearing eerie, human-like screams before the creature suddenly vanished. Theories ranged from a wildcat or panther to a rabid dog, but its true identity was never confirmed. Today, the legend lives on through Bladenboro’s annual Beast of Bladenboro Festival.

3. The Brown Mountain Lights (Burke County)

For centuries, mysterious lights have appeared near Brown Mountain in Burke County, North Carolina. Described as glowing orbs or fiery streaks, the lights have been witnessed by Native Americans, settlers, and even Civil War soldiers. Theories range from ball lightning and ghost lights to UFOs, but no definitive explanation exists. Scientists have studied the phenomenon, with early surveys attributing the lights to train or car headlights. The best viewing spots include Brown Mountain Overlook and Wisemans View, where they are most visible on clear nights.

4. The Maco Light (Brunswick County)

From the late 1800s until 1977, a mysterious light resembling a railroad lantern appeared along the tracks in Brunswick County, North Carolina. According to legend, it was the ghost of Joe Baldwin, a brakeman who was decapitated in a train accident in 1867 and forever roamed the tracks searching for his head. Explanations ranged from marsh gas and light refraction to ball lightning, but no definitive cause was found. The phenomenon gained national attention, even appearing in a 1957 Life magazine article, and remains a well-known ghost story today.

5. Lydia’s Bridge (Jamestown)

According to legend, Lydia was a young woman returning from a dance when her date lost control of their car, crashing into a bridge. She died in the accident, but her spirit is said to linger. Travelers near the bridge in Jamestown, North Carolina, have reported seeing a woman in a white dress hitchhiking, only for her to vanish when they stopped. Though the true story remains a mystery, Lydia’s Bridge endures as one of North Carolina’s most famous ghost tales.

6. The Phantom Choir of Roan Mountain

For centuries, hikers and locals near Roan Mountain, on the North Carolina-Tennessee border, have reported hearing eerie, disembodied voices drifting through the mist. Described as a ghostly choir singing in unearthly harmony, the sounds have no known source. Some believe they are the voices of long-lost spirits, while others suggest wind patterns or natural acoustics as an explanation. Despite scientific skepticism, the Phantom Choir of Roan Mountain remains one of the region’s most haunting mysteries.

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North Carolina’s Weirdest Roadside Attractions

BEEP

Shangri-La Stone Village

This miniature village began as a hobby for retired farmer Henry Warren, and decades later, it still charms visitors along N.C. Highway 86. Constructed with stone, concrete, and quartz sourced from a nearby quarry, the site features 27 small buildings, each about five feet tall, including a library, theater, church, and schoolhouse.

As you explore, look closely for hidden trinkets scattered throughout the village, placed by Warren and past visitors, adding a touch of mystery to this unique roadside attraction.

The World’s Largest Chest of Drawers is Here

In High Point, the “Furniture Capital of the World,” you’ll find a massive 38-foot-tall chest of drawers complete with dangling socks to honor the region’s hosiery industry.

Known as the Bureau of Information, the 19th-century dresser dates back to 1926. The dresser had a complete makeover and transformation in 1996 by Sid Lenger. After Sid Lenger died in 2003, a real estate developer had the socks repainted neon green and orange. The elegant wood finish was also repainted with a coat of gray. This caused a stir with locals who considered it disrespectful to Sid Lenger’s work.

The chest was eventually sold to High Point University in 2018 and Brian Davis, an artist and designer, jumped at the opportunity to restore Lenger’s original vision. The socks were repainted with purple and yellow on one and pink and blue on the other; a nod at the city’s University and minor league baseball team. 

Lazy 5 Ranch

For a family-friendly adventure in Mooresville, North Carolina, head to Lazy 5 Ranch, where you’ll encounter giraffes, antelopes, zebras, red kangaroos, camels, lemurs, and more fascinating animals.

Enhance the experience by purchasing a feed bucket, perfect for creating unforgettable memories. Keep your camera ready to capture the joy of hand-feeding these exotic creatures right through your car window!

Metal Zoo

Get ready for a zoo like no other in Greenville, North Carolina. Local sculptor Jonathan Bowling transforms salvaged scrap metal into intricate masterpieces, and you can admire many of them at the “Metal Zoo.”

Just down the street from Bowling’s studio on Dickinson Avenue, the sculpture park is filled with whimsical animals frozen in motion: a horse galloping across the field, pigs sharing a meal, tails, and ears swaying in the breeze—each crafted from golf clubs, saucepans, tire chains, nuts and bolts, old car parts, and other repurposed materials.

Croatan National Forest

Take a scenic drive through the East’s only true coastal forest in Havelock, North Carolina, where you’ll pass bogs, raised swamps, tidal rivers, and the Bogue Sound.

From your car window, you can observe a wide variety of wildlife, including alligators, otters, and waterfowl, as well as land animals like black bears and deer. The full loop around the forest takes about two hours, leaving you plenty of time to explore other nearby attractions.

Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and Museum- Wilson, NC

The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Historic Downtown Wilson is a one-of-a-kind destination, born from a community-driven effort. It features the whimsical, recycled sculptures crafted by Vollis Simpson. These vibrant pieces come to life, spinning in the wind and spreading joy to everyone who visits.