1. Helltown, Ohio
If you’ve ever driven through Boston Township and sensed something strange, you’re not alone. In the 1970s, the area now known as Helltown was evacuated under vague government orders. Officially, it was due to a national park expansion. Unofficially, people talk about chemical spills, mutants, and cult activity. The roads are closed and patrolled, and locals never speak of it. A resident once told a reporter, “We just don’t go there. Nobody should.” Whether it’s fear, history, or something more, Helltown sits quiet behind the trees, waiting for curious outsiders who might not like what they find.
2. Cecil Hotel, Los Angeles, California
You’d think in a city like Los Angeles, strange stories wouldn’t stand out. But even there, the Cecil Hotel has a reputation no one wants to touch. With a past filled with suicides, murders, and the infamous Elisa Lam case, it feels like something is always off. Locals cross the street when they pass it. “I’ve worked downtown for ten years and never stepped inside,” one nearby employee told NBC News. Despite its rebranding efforts, that heavy history lingers. It’s not just a building. For many, the Cecil feels like a wound that refuses to close.
3. Portlock, Alaska
In remote southern Alaska, Portlock is a ghost town for reasons locals still won’t say aloud. Back in the 1950s, villagers fled after a string of gruesome deaths. The stories point to the Nantiinaq, a creature said to roam the forest with terrifying power. “My grandmother wouldn’t say its name,” one local said in an interview with Alaska Dispatch News. Today, the town remains abandoned. Boats pass the shore but never stop. The forest looms tall and quiet. Some legends fade with time, but this one still sits in the pit of people’s stomachs, unspoken but never forgotten.
4. Dudleytown, Connecticut
Up in the hills of Cornwall lies a place no one visits, and even fewer mention. Dudleytown, once a colonial settlement, is now fenced off and fiercely protected. Rumors say the Dudley family brought a curse with them from England, and the town suffered endless tragedy before it was abandoned. Locals tell you not to hike there, and trespassers often report a sick, uneasy feeling. “We don’t talk about it. It’s not worth the trouble,” one local shared with the Hartford Courant. In Dudleytown, even the silence feels heavy. Something lingers, and people nearby know better than to look for it.
5. Bridgewater Triangle, Massachusetts
Everyone knows about the Bermuda Triangle, but few realize Massachusetts has one of its own. The Bridgewater Triangle is filled with strange sightings. From Bigfoot to UFOs and glowing orbs, the land has a history that defies logic. The area covers over 200 square miles, yet residents rarely speak of it. “Too many stories to be random,” researcher Christopher Balzano told Boston Magazine. Locals warn hikers not to stray from the path. Some spots are fine, others make your hair stand on end. Even lifelong residents keep their distance from certain woods, letting the Triangle keep its secrets.
6. Centralia, Pennsylvania
Centralia once thrived as a coal mining town, but everything changed in 1962. An underground mine fire ignited and has burned ever since. The smoke still rises from cracked roads and broken earth. Almost all the residents were forced to leave, and the government closed the main road. “There’s something eerie about it,” one former resident told PennLive. Only a handful remain nearby, and they rarely speak to outsiders. The silence feels loud, as if the town remembers what happened. Centralia is not just abandoned. It feels like it chose to stay behind while everyone else moved on.
7. Skinwalker Ranch, Utah
In northeastern Utah, Skinwalker Ranch has become infamous for its reports of UFOs, glowing portals, mutilated animals, and creatures no one can explain. Despite years of studies and even government interest, no clear answers have surfaced. Locals live nearby but steer clear of the property. “You just don’t go near it at night,” one neighbor told Vice News. Whatever is happening there, it’s enough to keep people quiet. Those who speak up often regret it. The land feels charged, like it’s watching. For Utah locals, it’s a place better left untouched and unexplored, even when curiosity kicks in.
8. Bodie, California
Bodie might look like a well-preserved gold rush town, but locals know it’s not just a tourist stop. Visitors report feeling watched and uneasy. Those who take items from the site often return them by mail with notes about bad luck. “You wouldn’t believe the number of packages we get,” a park ranger told National Geographic. Even employees feel strange in certain buildings. The town is protected now, but the stories haven’t faded. Locals rarely mention Bodie beyond its historic label. Some places just don’t want to be remembered, and Bodie makes that feeling crystal clear.
9. Devil’s Tramping Ground, North Carolina
In Chatham County, there’s a circle in the woods where nothing grows. Locals call it the Devil’s Tramping Ground. Campers who leave objects inside the circle find them moved or missing by morning. “We tested the soil. Nothing wrong with it,” a local scientist told WRAL News. Still, the patch stays empty. Many believe it’s where the Devil walks at night, wearing down the earth with his pacing. People from nearby towns avoid the area, even for fun. The legend is old, but the feeling is fresh. No one quite knows what’s going on, and maybe that’s the point.
10. Clinton Road, New Jersey
Ask anyone from West Milford and they’ll probably pause before mentioning Clinton Road. This stretch of road is tied to ghost sightings, mysterious creatures, and reports of ritual activity. Drivers talk about a phantom truck that appears out of nowhere and tailgates them in the dark. A retired police officer once said, “People dump things there, and I don’t mean trash.” Locals don’t go near it after sunset. Some routes are known for their beauty, others for their danger. Clinton Road has earned its reputation for both, and residents won’t argue if you choose to turn around.
11. Lake Lanier, Georgia
Lake Lanier looks like any other summer escape spot, but for locals, it carries a heavy weight. Built over submerged towns and cemeteries, the lake has seen over 700 deaths since its creation. Stories of ghost sightings and mechanical malfunctions are common. “Something about it just feels off,” a nearby resident told Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Divers and boaters speak of strange currents and equipment failures. While visitors still flock there, many locals avoid the water entirely. The lake may shimmer under the sun, but beneath the surface, it holds memories and mysteries that keep even the brave on edge.
12. Bennington Triangle, Vermont
In southern Vermont, the woods of the Bennington Triangle are thick with trees and even thicker with unease. Between 1945 and 1950, five people vanished in the area without a trace. There were no clues, no remains, and no clear patterns. Locals still remember those disappearances and treat the area with caution. “The woods feel different here,” one hiker told Vermont Public. Residents advise newcomers to stick to marked trails and not wander far. It’s not that people are scared. They’re just cautious. When nature keeps secrets, sometimes it’s better to listen and leave them undisturbed.
13. Bell Witch Cave, Tennessee
In Adams, Tennessee, the legend of the Bell Witch is more than a ghost story. Locals believe the cave near the old Bell farm still holds the spirit that once tormented the family in the 1800s. Visitors report hearing voices, seeing shadows, and feeling pushed or scratched. “It’s not just folklore. It’s real,” one tour guide told Tennessean.com. The cave is open to brave tourists, but people from town rarely visit. They’ve grown up hearing the tales, and most don’t want to test them. Some stories live long after they’re told, and this one never quite ends.
This story 13 Places Locals in the U.S. Refuse to Talk About (And Tourists Shouldn’t Ask About) was first published on Daily FETCH
