The 5 weirdest places in New Jersey that you’ve never seen

Listen, there’s a whole magazine and a website devoted to it: Weird New Jersey. And people can’t get enough of it.

One of the greatest things about our state is that we do have some sites worth visiting that are creepy, weird or have some sort of unusual aspect to them.

And people flock to these places, dying to get a taste of all that is weird and wonderful in the garden state.

There are many places in New Jersey that some people might consider "weird" due to their history, appearance, or reputation.

But sometimes you hear about the same ones over and over. This haunted hotel, this road that people were murdered on, this place where Big Foot was sighted. But here are five weird places in NJ you may not now about.

The Devil's Tree

Google Maps

Located in Bernards Township, this gnarled, black oak tree is said to be cursed and is rumored to be the site of satanic rituals and other dark happenings. Some believe that the tree has a malevolent presence and that it is responsible for the strange occurrences that have been reported in the area.

The Clinton Road Bridge

Via Metrorails on Facebook

This long, abandoned bridge in West Milford is known for its eerie atmosphere and paranormal activity. Legend has it that a ghostly truck driver haunts the bridge, and that if you stop your car and put it in neutral, the truck will push you across. Other strange occurrences, such as unexplained lights and sounds, have also been reported.

The Proprietary House

Via Google Maps

This stately mansion in Perth Amboy was once the home of New Jersey's last royal governor, but it is now said to be haunted by the ghost of a former servant. Visitors have reported seeing the ghostly figure moving through the halls and hearing strange noises.

The Essex County Hospital Center

This abandoned asylum in Cedar Grove was once home to thousands of mentally ill patients, and it is said to be haunted by their spirits. Visitors have reported seeing ghostly figures in the windows and hearing screams and moans coming from within the building.

The Abandoned Dover Air Force Base

A U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker with the 108th Wing, and F-16C Fighting Falcons with the 177th Fighter Wing, both units with the New Jersey Air National Guard, performs a flyover during the 2019 New Jersey National Guard Military Review (Mark C. Olsen, NJ National Guard)

This sprawling complex in Dover was once an active military base, but it has been abandoned for decades. It is now a popular destination for urban explorers and ghost hunters, who claim to have encountered strange sounds and apparitions on the property.

An important word of caution ☠️

These are just a few of the many "weird" places in New Jersey that have gained a reputation for being spooky or mysterious.

While some people may find these places intriguing, it is important to remember that they may also be unsafe or illegal to visit.

Always be respectful of private property and follow local laws and regulations when exploring any new location.

And then enjoy the weirdness.

EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this report included a photo incorrectly labeled as the Cedar Grove asylum.

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Judi Franco only.

You can now listen to Dennis & Judi — On Demand! Hear New Jersey’s favorite best friends anytime, anywhere and any day of the week. Download the Dennis & Judi show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now.

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

25 True Crime Locations: What Do They Look Like Today?

Below, find out where 25 of the most infamous crimes in history took place — and what the locations are used for today. (If they've been left standing.)

LOOK: See how much gasoline cost the year you started driving

To find out more about how has the price of gas changed throughout the years, Stacker ran the numbers on the cost of a gallon of gasoline for each of the last 84 years. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (released in April 2020), we analyzed the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline from 1976 to 2020 along with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for unleaded regular gasoline from 1937 to 1976, including the absolute and inflation-adjusted prices for each year.

Read on to explore the cost of gas over time and rediscover just how much a gallon was when you first started driving.

States with the most registered hunters

Stacker analyzed data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine which states have the most registered hunters. Read on to see how your state ranks on Stacker’s list.