Rad Dad Atlas

Trip S1 · Point Pleasant, WV (border run)

The Mothman Pilgrimage

~165 min out at backroad pace · Stretch — consider the overnight · ~330-mile loop · Windows-Down Score ●●●●○

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In 1966–67, dozens of Point Pleasant residents reported a red-eyed, winged something; from that mystery grew America's best small-town legend economy — a gleaming 12-foot chrome statue, a Main Street museum, and abandoned munitions bunkers in the woods where it all began.

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The route

US 68 to Maysville → OH 52 river road through Portsmouth and Gallipolis → Point Pleasant, WV

Stops

  1. The Mothman Statue

    Twelve feet of polished menace, permanently mid-swoop. The selfie is the toll.

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  2. Mothman Museum

    Witness accounts, press clippings, movie props, and the whole strange, sad, fascinating story — including the Silver Bridge disaster that ended the sightings era.

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  3. The TNT Area

    The abandoned WWII munitions bunkers north of town where the first sightings happened. A wildlife area now — obey every posted sign.

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If the day runs long: The Mothman Festival takes over Main Street Sept 19–20, 2026 (verified) — free admission, hayrides, bunker tours, cosplay moths of every wingspan.

File a field report

Found a new dairy bar? Bridge out? Dog mayor re-elected? Email a field report and the best dispatches get published (first names only) on the Field Notes page.