Drive-By
Haunted-Road Drive-By
Drive the twisting stretch of RR 963 near Oakalla that locals call The Ozone, where phantom headlights are said to appear and pursue cars; the old condemned bridge is visible through the trees.
- Duration:
- 40 min
Photo coming soon
Outdoor / Natural Site
The Ozone
A winding, curve-heavy stretch of RR 963 near Oakalla in Burnet County known as 'The Ozone,' where local legend tells of phantom headlights that chase drivers and an old condemned bridge tied to a school-bus tragedy.
RR 963 west of Oakalla (along Rocky Creek), Oakalla, TX 76574
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Free public ranch-to-market road. The old bridge area is condemned/blocked; do not cross barriers or trespass.
Access
Limited Access
Winding rural road with sharp curves, hills, and creek crossings; old bridge is condemned with wood-plank decking.
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1930 · Long-standing Burnet County / Highland Lakes haunted-road legend · Site of an old condemned bridge over Rocky Creek · Documented in regional Hill Country folklore writing
Oakalla is a small unincorporated community in southeastern Burnet County, in the Texas Hill Country between Burnet and the Highland Lakes region. Just west of town, Ranch Road 963 winds along and mirrors Rocky Creek through a series of sharp curves, hills, and bridges. Locals have long called this stretch 'The Ozone,' and it carries a reputation as one of the area's most haunted drives (101 Highland Lakes; Texas Escapes).
The road's danger is real: the tight curves and creek crossings have produced genuine accidents over the years, which helped seed the supernatural stories. An older bridge along the route has been condemned and blocked, with a historical marker once posted nearby; the original span has wood-plank decking and can still be reached on foot, while a newer road and bridge carry traffic near an intersection by a white country church.
Regional accounts acknowledge that the truth has blurred into legend. It is plausible that a vehicle — possibly a bus — ran off the road into the creek in this part of Burnet County many years ago, and that over time the memory grew into the more dramatic tale told today. The Ozone is documented in regional Highland Lakes tourism writing and Texas town histories as a genuine local legend rather than a one-off internet rumor.
Sources
- https://101highlandlakes.com/haunted-highland-lakes-the-ozone-near-oakalla-a-ghostly-drive/
- https://texasescapes.com/TexasHillCountryTowns/Oakalla-Texas.htm
- https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/oakalla-tx
Phantom pursuing headlightsCrying children near the old bridgeGlowing headstone (witch's grave lore)Sense of dread on the curves
The central legend of The Ozone is the phantom vehicle. Drivers on the winding RR 963 stretch say a set of headlights — sometimes described as a truck — will suddenly appear behind them out of nowhere and pursue them aggressively down the curves until they almost crash. Many of the road's actual fatalities are folded into this tale (101 Highland Lakes; Texas Escapes).
A second strand of lore centers on the old condemned bridge. According to the legend, a school bus full of children once went off the bridge into the river below, and the children died. Visitors who walk out onto the old wood-plank span and stay quiet are said to hear the cries of screaming children rising from the creek.
Folklore also places a graveyard across the road from the bridge, rumored to hold a witch's grave whose headstone is said to glow an orange, flame-like color under a full moon. As with most haunted-road legends, the documented basis is a dangerous stretch of road with real accidents, around which the more vivid supernatural details have accumulated over generations.
Notable Entities
Phantom truck/vehicleThe drowned schoolchildrenThe 'witch's grave'
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 The Ozone family-friendly?
The legend is fine for older teens, but the road itself is dangerously curvy and unlit at night and the old bridge is condemned. Best appreciated as a daytime history drive; do not chase the legend after dark. Overall family fit: Low.
How much does it cost to visit The Ozone?
Free public ranch-to-market road. The old bridge area is condemned/blocked; do not cross barriers or trespass. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is The Ozone wheelchair accessible?
The Ozone has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Winding rural road with sharp curves, hills, and creek crossings; old bridge is condemned with wood-plank decking..