To Do

• Home
• Adventure
• Animals
• Arts
• Cultural
• Environmental
• Fishing
• Food
• Fun
• Hikes
• History
• Machines
• Museum
• Music/Theater
• Outdoors
• Parks
• Rec Areas
• Science
• Sports
• Tours
• Water

Spook Hill

Legend has it that Pirate Captain Sarsparilla and fellow pirate Teniente Vanilla is where this tale begins. When Vanilla died he was buried at the foot of Spook Hill, Captain Sarsparilla ended up at the bottom of Lake Wales. Centuries later, a car parked at the bottom of Spook Hill directly over Vanilla’s grave waking him from his peaceful rest. It's said that Vanilla called out to the Captain who emerged from his watery grave and help him remove the car.

Spook Hill is one of Central Florida's recommended paranormal attractions. Is it really paranormal or is it an optical illusion? Some say that when cars park at the bottom of the hill they seem to defy gravity and roll up the hill. Spook Hill is considered a ‘gravity hill’ or a ‘magnetic hill’ and while many of these can be found around the world it is the only known magnetic hill in Florida.

If the legend of Captain Sarsparilla and Teniente Vanilla doesn't intrigue you then perhaps the legend of a Native American warrior chief sent to protect his people from a monstrous alligator will. The chief was buried on the north side of Spook Hill and is said to have been awoken from his grave when pioneers crossed it.

No matter which legend you believe, Spook Hill is a fun experience. It is free to visit Spook Hill since it is a public road. Could it be an optical illusion? Go see for yourself if it is haunted by pirates or perhaps the Chief and alligator are still battling it out in the afterlife. You decide.

The below video is pulled from Youtube automagically. Please report if it's wrong or inappropriate.

Spook Hill: Central Florida’s legendary road