Haunted Highway: The Ghost Lights of Route 87

Introduction

Deep in the Arizona night, Route 87 stretches across a lonely desert landscape. Connecting Payson to Phoenix, this winding highway has long been the source of strange tales — flickering lights in the distance, orbs hovering near the road, headlights that vanish when approached. Local truckers call them “The Watchers.”

Are they natural phenomena, tricks of the eyes... or something more?

The History of the Lights

Reports of strange lights along Route 87 date back to the 1950s. Early travelers spoke of "phantom headlights" that would appear in the distance, drawing nearer — only to vanish in an instant.

In the 1970s, long-haul truckers began reporting glowing orbs, often yellow or bluish-white, hovering just above the asphalt. Some claimed these lights would pace their rigs, keeping speed no matter how fast they drove.

Recent Sightings

• In March 2024, an Arizona State University student driving home from Payson filed a police report after witnessing “two floating lights above my car, about 15 feet up, moving alongside me.”

• A retired highway patrol officer submitted an anonymous tip to an Arizona paranormal group in 2022, stating: “They’re real. I’ve seen them three times.”

• Multiple dashcam videos posted to Reddit’s Arizona subforum in 2023 appear to show small orbs darting across the highway late at night.

Possible Explanations

Skeptics suggest:

✅ Reflections of distant vehicle lights

✅ Atmospheric conditions (temperature inversions)

✅ Bioluminescence from rare desert insects

Believers suggest:

👻 Residual hauntings tied to fatal crashes on the highway

🛸 Surveillance drones or unknown aerial phenomena

🔮 Portals or “thin places” in the desert along the Mogollon Rim

Have You Seen Them?

The Watchers of Route 87 remain unexplained. As of this writing, no official explanation has been offered by law enforcement or scientific bodies.

If you’ve witnessed these lights — or captured video or photos — the 918 BOARD is open for your reports.

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