VIRGINIA – CLIFTON

Hidden in the quiet town of Clifton, Virginia, lies one of the most infamous urban legends of Northern Virginia—the legend of the Bunny Man Bridge. Officially known as the Colchester Overpass, this small, unassuming bridge has become the epicenter of one of the most chilling tales in local folklore. For decades, stories of a man in a rabbit costume, wielding an axe and terrorizing those who dare to visit, have captivated thrill-seekers and ghost hunters alike. The eerie setting of the overpass, combined with the persistent lore of the Bunny Man, has given this site a reputation that far exceeds its modest appearance.

But where did this legend come from? And why has it persisted for so long?

The Origins of the Bunny Man Legend

The Bunny Man legend dates back to the early 20th century, though the most popular version of the story places its origins around 1970. According to the legend, an escaped convict from a nearby insane asylum fled into the woods after a bus crash while being transported. The man, who was allegedly wearing a rabbit costume, took refuge near the Colchester Overpass. Soon after, locals began finding half-eaten rabbits, their bodies hanging from the trees surrounding the bridge.

The legend took a darker turn when, according to the tale, several teenagers who ventured to the overpass met grisly fates at the hands of the Bunny Man. It is said that their bodies were found hanging from the bridge, just like the rabbits before them. The story has since evolved, with different variations surfacing over the years, but the core of the legend—a man dressed in a rabbit costume, terrorizing anyone who dares to approach the bridge—has remained.

Documented Incidents

Though much of the Bunny Man legend has been dismissed as urban folklore, there are a few historical facts that give credence to some aspects of the story. In 1970, two documented incidents in Fairfax County involving a man dressed as a rabbit wielding an axe did occur. In one case, a couple reported being harassed by a man in a rabbit suit who threw an axe through their car window while they were parked near the bridge. In another, a security guard claimed to have seen a similar figure vandalizing property with an axe.

These real-life events, though much less violent than the legend suggests, fueled the already growing Bunny Man myth, solidifying the Colchester Overpass as a place of intrigue and fear.

Ghostly Encounters and Paranormal Folklore

While the Bunny Man legend is primarily an urban tale, the Colchester Overpass has also attracted reports of paranormal activity. Visitors to the bridge have claimed to hear the faint sound of screams in the distance, particularly late at night or in the early hours of the morning. Some report the eerie sensation of being watched from the surrounding woods, as if unseen eyes are tracking their every movement.

Locals and ghost hunters often visit the bridge on Halloween night, believing that the Bunny Man or his spirit is most active during this time. The overpass itself, dark and foreboding, with the faint light filtering through the trees, creates an atmosphere ripe for unsettling experiences.

In addition to the phantom sightings, people have reported finding strange claw marks on their cars after parking near the bridge, as well as unexplained cold spots and sudden gusts of wind. Paranormal enthusiasts speculate that the energy tied to the legend may have created a residual haunting, with the fear and intensity of the story being enough to generate strange phenomena around the area.

Bunny Man Bridge Today

Despite its terrifying reputation, the Colchester Overpass remains a popular destination for thrill-seekers. While local authorities discourage nighttime visits due to the dangers of the train tracks overhead, that doesn’t stop curious visitors from exploring the site, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Bunny Man or experience the strange phenomena reported there. Over the years, the legend has grown, with the bridge becoming one of the most well-known sites of urban legend in Virginia.

For those who seek out the Bunny Man Bridge, the experience is as much about the legend itself as it is about the eerie quiet that surrounds the place. Whether you believe in the Bunny Man or not, the chilling atmosphere of the bridge, combined with decades of terrifying stories, makes it a place that few will soon forget.

Conclusion

The legend of the Bunny Man Bridge is a fascinating blend of urban myth and paranormal folklore, deeply embedded in the local culture of Clifton. Whether it’s the result of real-life incidents, exaggerated over time, or a product of the human need to create monsters out of the unknown, the story has captured imaginations for generations. Those who dare to visit the Bunny Man Bridge will find themselves at the intersection of fear and curiosity, standing on ground where fact and fiction collide.