This one, as my coworker put it, is a deep cut. Anywhere you go in this world, you’ll find a haunted location or urban legend that only locals know about. Usually, it’s a place frequented by high school students trying to scare each other and prove something to their friends. That’s exactly what Third Bridge in Bennett, Colorado is.
Bennett, Colorado is about a 45-minute drive directly east of Denver. It’s not really a place to visit; super rural, very few streetlights, and basically no amenities. I’d say it’s the kind of place where residents don’t take too kindly to outsiders. So be discreet. A lot of the surrounding area is private property, and again, locals don’t take too kindly.
Third Bridge Colorado History
At its core, Third Bridge is simply a bridge over Kiowa Creek. It’s maybe 100 feet across, and because it’s over a creek, you might not even realize it’s a bridge at all. The guardrails are really the only thing that give it away.
The Hungate Family Murders and the Origins of the Legend
The legend begins in 1864 with the Hungate Family murders. A family of four was brutally murdered, and their home was burned to the ground. Settlers blamed local tribes, which may have led to attacks on Native Americans in the Bennett area. This incident was also used as propaganda to justify the Sand Creek Massacre.
There is no documented evidence of tribal members being murdered in Bennett specifically as a result of the Hungate murders. However, given the attitudes of the time, it wouldn’t be surprising if violence occurred.
Phantom Drums and Native American Spirits
These alleged attacks are said to have sparked rumors of phantom drums heard near Third Bridge at night. The sounds are believed to be echoes of war drums from Arapaho or Cheyenne tribes said to have been killed after the Hungate Family murders.
While I was investigating, I did hear a rhythmic, percussive sound. I can’t say for certain that it was drums—it could have been machinery or someone playing music—but I did hear a steady, pounding rhythm.
Tragic Teen Deaths and Modern Hauntings
Fast forward about 130 years to the 1990s, and tragic events involving local teens added another layer to the lore. In 1997, a group of teens veered off the road into the creek, killing two girls. Then again in 2016, five more teens were killed in a car accident near the bridge.
These tragedies have fueled reports of hauntings in the area.
Handprints on Windshields
The most common phenomenon is handprints appearing on car windshields, usually the rear window. Depending on who you ask, they belong either to the teens killed in the crashes or to tribal members said to have been murdered by settlers.
Phantom Vehicles and the One-Eyed Truck
Phantom vehicles are also frequently reported. The most well-known is a truck with only one working headlight. It will tailgate drivers for several miles before disappearing without a trace.
This could easily be explained as a local messing with visitors, trying to scare them off. Or maybe it’s a ghostly vehicle carrying the souls of teens lost in one of the fatal crashes. Either way, it sounds like they don’t take too kindly.
The Man on the Horse
Then there’s the man on the horse. Some say he rises from beneath the bridge. He appears to be wearing traditional Native American clothing and riding a dark horse. He emerges onto the road before vanishing into the shadows.
This specter is often linked to the tribes said to have been killed by settlers in the area.
The Lady in White of Third Bridge
And of course, no ghost story would be complete without a Lady in White. Third Bridge has one too. An apparition of a woman in a white dress has been seen along the roadside near the bridge.
Some report hearing screaming or crying before or after she appears. Many believe she is the spirit of a mother mourning one of the teens killed in the car accidents.
Lastly, some people report encountering a tall, dark figure with glowing red eyes. These are believed to be shadow people. Witnesses describe an impossibly dark figure watching them before vanishing into thin air or moving away at an unnatural speed without making a sound.
This isn’t a common experience, but if you do encounter it, be careful. I doubt it takes too kindly.
Why Third Bridge Attracts Ghost Hunters
The point of this blog is simple. Like many of you, I love watching paranormal and ghost-hunting shows and wanted to try it myself. The problem is that those shows have budgets, producers, and access. They can contact the owners of abandoned asylums and use money and connections to investigate.
Most of us can’t do that. So we look for places regular people can explore. Third Bridge is said to be one of the most active paranormal hotspots in the state, which makes it appealing—but there are caveats.
First, it’s sketchy. It’s just a road in the middle of nowhere with very few places to pull off. There are no sidewalks, and it’s not pedestrian-friendly at all. The bridge itself dips lower than the rest of the road, giving you very little time to react if a car comes through.
I had to jump into my running car more than once to get out of traffic’s way. Honestly, the scariest part was the potential of dealing with locals who wouldn’t take too kindly.
My Paranormal Investigation at Third Bridge
As for my experience, it was definitely unnerving. I went late at night, and there were very few cars out. It’s one of those liminal places I enjoy—spaces that feel like they exist between worlds. Third Bridge has that exact vibe. It reminded me of how I imagine Pope Lick Bridge feels.
That said, it was difficult to investigate. I spent most of my time watching for traffic, which made focusing on EMF readings or the spirit box tricky. There’s also no good place to park, so I couldn’t safely explore under the bridge.
If you decide to go, bring a crew so someone can focus on traffic and safety. This is a popular spot for ghost hunters, so if you’re in the area, it’s worth checking out—carefully.
Happy hunting.
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