9 Terrifying Haunted Forests That Will Send Chills Down Your Spine

Pine Barrens, NJ, is said to be home of the Jersey Devil: a flying, hooved demon that supposedly was born near the same woods. The myth of the Jersey Devil is well-known by people in surrounding areas who steer clear of certain parts of the woods. Spooky!

The Freetown forest is supposedly haunted by the spirits of Native Americans who once inhabited the land. Rumor has it that the former inhabitants will continue to occupy the land (from beyond the beyond) until the parcel of forest is returned to the original tribe.

Dering Woods, more popularly known as the "Screaming Woods," has been reported as the site of many deaths. Nearby villagers frequently hear blood-curdling screams from the forest late at night, hence the charming nickname.

According to Travel and Leisure, the North Carolina State Department of Agriculture cannot explain why a 40-foot-ring of this forest produces no plant growth . . . but locals maintain that it's because the devil himself stomps around in circles during his Satanic nighttime rituals.

Paranormal enthusiasts have called Wychwood Forest "the World's Most Haunted Forest," and there's a good reason: there have been legends of hauntings surrounding the woods for centuries. It's said to be roamed by hobgoblins, witches, and demons aplenty, so be on your guard if you ever find yourself walking among the trees in Wychwood.

The Black Forest is so-named because the trees are so thick that light cannot penetrate the forest, and the legends of paranormal activity stem from the many Brothers Grimm stories that were inspired by the area.

The real "suicide forest" that inspired the horror movie The Forest is hauntingly beautiful, but surrounded with a troubling history of death.

La Isla de las Muñecas is a Mexican island where the trees are riddled with creepy, hanging dolls. "It is said that a girl was found drowned in mysterious circumstances many years ago on this island and that the dolls [hung to honor her memory] are possessed by her spirit," says the island's website. "Local legend says that the dolls move their heads and arms and even opened their eyes."

Locally referred to as "The Bermuda Triangle of Romania," Hoia Baciu is an ominous wood riddled with haunted legends. There have been many ghost sightings at the site, strangers randomly appear in the backgrounds of photos, and some visitors even claim to have witnessed a UFO landing!