Freetown-Fall River State Forest – Haunted Forest in Assonet, Massachusetts

Tucked away in southeastern Massachusetts, Freetown-Fall River State Forest is a sprawling, 5,000-acre expanse of wilderness with a chilling reputation. Part of the infamous Bridgewater Triangle, this forest has become synonymous with eerie legends, paranormal sightings, and tales of sinister rituals. With a dark history of unsolved crimes, ghostly apparitions, and supernatural events, it’s considered one of the most haunted forests in New England.

Historical Background

• Year Established: 1916
• Original Purpose: Public forest land for recreation and conservation
• Significant Events:
  • Linked to the Bridgewater Triangle, a hotspot for paranormal phenomena.
  • Site of ritualistic murders and reported cult activity, especially during the 1970s and 1980s.
  • Area tied to indigenous Wampanoag history, including land disputes and reported curses.
  • Numerous disappearances, suspicious deaths, and bodies discovered within the forest over the decades.

Paranormal Activity Summary

• Common Occurrences:
  • Visitors frequently report hearing disembodied screams, whispers, and chanting echoing through the trees.
  • Shadow figures have been seen darting between the trees, especially at dusk.
  • Sudden cold spots, even in the height of summer, are a regular phenomenon.
• Patterns:
  • Some visitors experience a sensation of being followed or watched.
  • Wildlife behaving erratically or fleeing invisible threats is also documented.
• Notable Ghostly Figures:
  • The spirit of a young girl reportedly seen wandering near the ledges.
  • Ghostly phantom fires appearing in the distance, only to vanish upon approach.
  • Mysterious figures cloaked in black robes, speculated to be spirits tied to alleged cult sacrifices.

Ghost Stories & Reports

• Who are the ghosts?
  • Some believe the spirits belong to indigenous tribespeople whose land was taken, their restless souls haunting the forest.
  • Others claim the forest is haunted by the victims of murders committed here — their spirits forever bound to the place where they met their fate.
  • Phantom cultists, connected to alleged satanic rituals, are also whispered about in local lore.
• What do visitors report?
  • Hikers report hearing chanting in languages they can’t understand, especially near nightfall.
  • Strange blue orbs of light are seen floating between trees.
  • Some visitors feel paralyzed by fear, overcome by an unshakable sense of dread.
• Local Folklore:
  • Stories circulate of a pukwudgie, a mischievous spirit from Wampanoag folklore, appearing to lure visitors off marked trails.
  • Legends also tell of ghostly hands reaching out from the swamp to pull people under.
• Urban Legends:
  • One of the forest’s most chilling urban legends involves the Cult of the Freetown Forest — a group allegedly responsible for animal mutilations and human sacrifices, leaving behind a lasting supernatural stain.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

• The Assonet Ledge is considered the forest’s most haunted location.
• Visitors report a strong sense of dread near the ledge, with some feeling an urge to jump — believed to be the influence of spirits who died there.

Can You Visit?

• Open to the Public? Yes
• Entry Fee: None
• Tour Availability: Occasional guided hikes, but no official paranormal tours offered by the state.
• Photography Allowed? Yes
• Visiting Hours: Sunrise to sunset (though many paranormal encounters occur after dark, some visitors enter illegally at night)

Best Time to Visit

• Fall months, especially October, see the highest reports of ghostly encounters.
• Nighttime visits, though risky and often illegal, are rumored to yield the most chilling experiences.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

• Paranormal investigator Christopher Balzano documented numerous reports from hikers and investigators who experienced ghostly apparitions, mysterious voices, and even physical contact, such as being pushed or scratched by unseen hands.
• Local residents have shared stories of seeing robed figures performing strange ceremonies deep in the woods as recently as the early 2000s.
• One hiker described being led off-trail by an unseen force, only to find themselves standing at the edge of a cliff with no memory of how they got there.

Local Legends & Myths

• According to Wampanoag legend, the forest is home to pukwudgies — small, mischievous spirits known for playing tricks on humans, sometimes pushing them off ledges or leading them astray.
• There’s also a tale of the Cursed Tree, where anyone who touches its bark after midnight is said to die within a year.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

• Freetown-Fall River State Forest has been featured on shows like “America’s Most Haunted Forests” and covered extensively in paranormal podcasts like Lore and Bridgewater Triangle Files.
• Investigators have captured EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) with unintelligible chanting and pleas for help.
• Thermal imaging has revealed shadowy figures moving through areas where no one was present.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

• Trespassing after dark is strictly prohibited. Rangers frequently patrol the area, and violators can face fines or arrest.
• Visitors are warned to stay on marked trails, as the forest has hidden sinkholes and sudden drops.
• Due to its dark reputation, some cult-like activity may still occur in isolated parts, making venturing alone especially dangerous.