Shades Of Death Road, or just “Shades” to locals, is a 7-mile stretch that’s the subject of myriad local legends. In fact, it’s said that so many paranormal enthusiasts try to steal the street signs that residents have gone as far as to smear grease on the poles to try to deter them. The road’s southern end is at CR 611 (Hope Road) in Liberty Township, a mile north of the junction with CR 617 (Mountain Lake Road). It winds between the base of Jenny Jump ridge and the Pequest River valley eventually ending at Long Bridge Road. Among its legends are ghostly victims of highwayman robberies, or the criminals themselves who were allegedly hanged from the road’s very trees. Bear Swamp (or Cat Hollow or Cat Swamp) is said to be infested with wild cats who attack travelers, and in 1850, malaria-carrying insects were said to teem here. At Ghost Lake, in the state forest south of the I-80 overpass, got its name from wraithlike formations that rise off of it in the mornings. The Fairy Hole, a cave to the right of Ghost lake, was once used by Lenape Indians but is now reportedly covered in graffiti. A cross street called Lenape Lane, a one-lane dead end just north of I-80, reportedly has an abandoned stable where apparitions and white orbs are seen. Look out–they say if the orb chases you and turns red, you will die. Many more legends abound about this road, including one that if you honk the horn three times, you’ll see 2 ghost children who were run over while playing on the road.
If you've had a paranormal experience here, or have any additional information about this location, please let us know!
Rate this Haunted Place
What do you think? Is this place really haunted? Voice your opinion here! Click "thumbs up" if you think its haunted, or "thumbs down" if you think its all just a tall tale.
Geographic Information
- Address:
- Shades Of Death Road
Allamuchy, NJ
United States
Get Directions » - GPS:
- 40.9189, -74.89380499999999
- County:
- Warren County, New Jersey
- Nearest Towns:
- Shiloh, NJ (1.9 mi.)
Johnsonburg, NJ (3.3 mi.)
Great Meadows, NJ (3.4 mi.)
Vienna, NJ (3.5 mi.)
Hope, NJ (3.9 mi.)
Allamuchy, NJ (4.4 mi.)
Marksboro, NJ (4.9 mi.)
Mount Hermon, NJ (5.2 mi.)
Hackettstown, NJ (5.6 mi.)
Blairstown, NJ (5.6 mi.)
Please note: It is your responsibility to acquire appropriate permissions before investigating any location listed on this site. Private property should be respected at all times, as should all posted signs concerning trespassing, hours of operation and other local regulations. Many "ghost hunters" have been arrested because they failed to contact property owners and/or local authorities ahead of time.
Share Your Experiences
Comments (8)
Share Your Comments
Disclaimer: The stories posted here are user-submitted and are, in the nature of "ghost stories," largely unverifiable. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. The vast majority of information provided on this web site is anecdotal, and as such, should be viewed in the same light as local folklore and urban legends.
I grew up in the area, and spent many a midnight driving down SOD Rd and parking near Ghost Lake.. the legends changed yearly, but it was always a spooky ride…Electronics do seem to act wonky there ( when I was a teen driving through, there was no such thing as cel phones or ipods yet to report on) but lately they behave strangely when passing through…
I have driven down this road many times. Often late at night as in past midnight. I had subwoofers and one time the one blew out. Other than that notheing. I get an eerie feeling by ghost lake when we stop in the parking lot. But one evening around 9pm I was driving home from Great Meadows and as soon as I made the turn fog from nowhere covered about 100ft of the road. It was low to the ground and only happened to me the one time I wasn’t seeking adventure. Its a nice drive with a nice straight away that goes under an overpass for rt80
A red orb chased us and my friend died 3 days later
Are you serious?
Question, I’m only just a teenager and I was wondering if it’s safe for my family and I to come here one day to visit here for a story to tell to my friends? I want to experience this and remember a thrilling memory.
**CALL FOR INFORMATION**
Hey all, looking for people with who have experienced paranormal activity at Shades of Death Road (Warren County, NJ) and are interested on being on a Travel Channel TV show. Please reach out and I will send you a more detailed message. Thanks!
I will call.
I took this road one time on my way to a sod farm,and nothing weird happend. My electronics worked fine. It is a very nice ride i must say.