Wisconsin Has Haunted Roads, But Iowa Has These 20 Spooky Places

When it comes to spooky roads and unexplained encounters, our neighbors to the east are getting some national attention.

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A new list from DiscoverCars.com highlights 10 of the most haunted roads in the United States, including two in Wisconsin. That’s right: the Badger State is represented twice, while Iowa doesn’t appear on the list.

Credit: Unspalsh / Andrew Griswold

Among Wisconsin’s entries is Bray Road, famous for reports of the Beast of Bray Road, a mysterious, werewolf-like creature said to have been spotted along the rural stretch of road. Sightings became particularly well known in the 1980s and 90s, helping turn the area into one of Wisconsin’s most enduring paranormal legends.

Boy Scout Lane in Linwood has a chilling local legend. A group of Boy Scouts supposedly died in a fire sometime in the 1950s or 60s. Depending on which version of the story you hear, the Scoutmaster or the bus driver was responsible for their deaths. According to the legend, the boys never truly left. Visitors have reportedly described phantom footsteps, shadowy figures moving among the trees, and an unsettling feeling of being watched.

These stories remain legends, giving both roads a lasting reputation among paranormal enthusiasts.

But does that mean Iowa is short on spooky places to explore? Not a chance.

I previously rounded up 20 Iowa locations with reported paranormal activity, from places with chilling histories to landmarks that have developed reputations for unexplained happenings.

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Take Edinburgh Manor, for example. The imposing former institution has become a favorite among paranormal enthusiasts, with reports of strange voices, footsteps and apparitions. It also holds a personal connection for me. My mother worked in the kitchens there, and I remember visiting her at work as a kid. I never experienced anything paranormal myself, but she had experiences that left her very uneasy.

Then there’s the infamous Villisca Axe Murder House, the site of the unsolved 1912 murders of eight people, including six children. The Blackhawk Hotel and other Iowa landmarks have their own stories that continue to intrigue believers and skeptics alike.

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So, while Wisconsin may have claimed two spots on this particular haunted-roads list, Iowa has no shortage of eerie destinations and local legends of its own. Take a look at our gallery of 20 Iowa locations with reported paranormal activity below. How many have you visited, and which Iowa locations deserve a spot on the list of America’s most haunted places?