Drive-By
Haunted Road Drive
Drive the wooded Stony Hollow Road bluffs outside Burlington, the setting of the Lucinda legend.
- Duration:
- 25 min
Photo coming soon
Outdoor / Natural Site
Stony Hollow Road
A wooded bluff road outside Burlington widely called Iowa's most haunted stretch of road, tied to the long-told folk legend of a heartbroken young woman named Lucinda.
Stony Hollow Road, Burlington, IA 52601
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Public road; free to drive.
Access
Limited Access
Rural road through a wooded hollow and bluffs; narrow shoulders.
Equipment
Photos OK
Stony Hollow Road runs through a steep, wooded hollow on the edge of Burlington, a Mississippi River city in Des Moines County. The road itself is an ordinary rural route, but the bluffs it threads have made it a fixture of southeast Iowa folklore for generations.
Unlike a built landmark, Stony Hollow's significance is cultural. It is repeatedly described by Iowa media — including OnlyInYourState, multiple regional radio stations, and the Greater Burlington Partnership's own visitor materials — as the most haunted road in the state. A 2021 short film, 'Stony Hollow,' was inspired by the legend, underscoring how deeply the story is rooted in local identity.
The legend is set vaguely in the nineteenth century and centers on a young woman, usually named Lucinda (sometimes Lucy), said to have lived at a farmhouse near the bluffs. As with most folk legends, no single historical record anchors the tale; its details vary between tellings and it survives through oral tradition and modern retellings rather than documented events.
Because the location is a public road bordered by private land, visitors are encouraged to experience it respectfully as a piece of regional folklore — driving the route rather than trespassing on adjacent property or the bluffs.
Sources
- https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/trip-ideas/iowa/stony-hollow-road-haunted-ia
- https://www.greaterburlington.com/media-resources/blogs/spooky-spots-in-greater-burlington-by-addison-brown
- https://anomalien.com/lucinda-the-stony-hollow-road-ghost-story/
Sightings of a female figure along the roadCar troubles reported near the bluffsName-summoning legend (folklore)
The Lucinda legend is the heart of Stony Hollow Road's reputation. As collected by OnlyInYourState and regional outlets, the story holds that in the 1800s a young woman named Lucinda lived at a farmhouse near the bluffs and was secretly engaged against her family's wishes. She arranged to meet her love on the bluffs to elope. In the most common telling, when he failed to appear at the agreed time, she despaired and fell to her death from the cliff — and only afterward did he arrive, having been delayed when his wagon became stuck in the mud.
Since then, the road has accumulated the usual apparatus of a teen-summoning legend: drivers report glimpsing a figure along the route, and a common dare claims that calling her name three times will make her appear. Some versions add that if she offers or drops a rose, misfortune follows. These flourishes are characteristic of folk 'ritual' legends and are not tied to any documented incident.
No historical record names a specific Lucinda matching the story, and the tale is best understood as enduring regional folklore — a tragic romance grafted onto an atmospheric stretch of bluff road. Out of respect for the legend's somber core, the story is shared here as folklore rather than fact, and visitors are asked to treat the setting and its neighbors accordingly.
Notable Entities
'Lucinda' (also told as Lucy) — a folk-legend apparition; no documented historical individual
Media Appearances
- 'Stony Hollow' (2021 short film, legend-inspired)
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceSources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stony Hollow Road family-friendly?
A folklore drive on a public road. The underlying legend involves a young woman's suicide, so frame it thoughtfully for younger passengers; stay on the road and respect neighboring property. Overall family fit: Moderate.
How much does it cost to visit Stony Hollow Road?
Public road; free to drive. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Stony Hollow Road wheelchair accessible?
Stony Hollow Road has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Rural road through a wooded hollow and bluffs; narrow shoulders..