When you think of ghosts, you probably think of cemeteries or old buildings. Did you know that some people believe that several outdoor spots in Utah are haunted? This list doesn’t include cemeteries, which I’ve covered in this previous article: 10 disturbing Cemeteries in Utah.
- Canyonlands National Park
John Fowler/flickr There’s a legend that cowboys once trapped hundreds of wild mustangs on land that is now part of the park, then left them to die of hunger and thirst. The ghosts of those mustangs are reportedly seen in the evening and visitors report hoof beats and the whinnies of horses.
- Mountain Meadow Massacre Site, Washington County
Ken Lund/flickr In September, 1857, a party of pioneers passing through Utah were brutally murdered by Mormon militiamen and some Native Americans. Approximately 120 people died, including women and children; only 17 children under the age of six were spared. Some people believe that the area is haunted. They claim to hear wailing and crying, and the voices of women and children. Some see lights bobbing out in the sagebrush.
- Timpanogos Cave
Andres Rodrigues/flickr Staff and visitors report seeing strange shadows inside the cave. Staff reports hearing moaning and whispering in the cave after it’s closed for the night.
- Lake Powell
El Paso ESQ/flickr Hundreds of years before the Glen Canyon Dam was built, creating Lake Powell, the area was inhabited by native people. Legend says that Indian burial grounds are located under the lake. People report hearing chanting, flute and drum music and whispers.
- Dove Creek Camp, near Golden Spike National Monument
Jim Bowen/flickr Chinese railroad workers lived at Dove Creek Camp while working on the railroad in 1869. Many reportedly died during that time, and were buried in unmarked graves near the camp. Visitors to the area claim to hear footsteps, whispering and voices speaking Chinese. Some hear or see lights from a steam locomotive.
- Big Cottonwood Canyon
Jeff Harmon/flickr A ghostly woman walking alongside the road in Big Cottonwood Canyon is thought to have drowned in the river years ago. She disappears in a mist as your car approaches.
- Kay’s Cross, Kaysville
“Kay’s Cross” by Rslnerd. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikipedia A legend states that the cross was erected many decades ago by a man whose family was murdered. The cross has been knocked down and partially destroyed now, but visitors to this private property report phantoms chasing them away, voices and mist.
- American Fork Canyon
jewcano/flickr Drive up this canyon at night, and you may encounter a ghostly hitchhiker who disappears when you stop to pick him up.
- Zion National Park
Mitzi Young/flickr Zion National Park is another place where native people once lived and died. Tourists have reported seeing ghostly apparitions, hearing voices or footsteps and seeing strange lights.
- Hovenweep National Monument, Blanding
Ken Lund/flickr The ruins at Hovenweep were occupied by native people between 1200 A.D. and 1300 A.D.. Visitors to the area report hearing voices and music, and occasionally seeing light that looks like campfires or torches at night.
- Memory Grove, Salt Lake City
Jere Keys/flickr Memory Grove’s most famous ghost is a woman wearing a wedding dress. Rumors about the cause of her death vary, but it’s generally agreed that she died prior to her wedding. She’s been seen in several areas of the park and in City Creek Canyon.
- Park City Silver Mines
Steve Jurvetson/flickr Though defunct for years, several of the mines near Park City are apparently haunted by miners who died there.
- Rock Canyon, Provo
Tristan Higbee/flickr Several rock climbers have fallen to their deaths in Rock Canyon over the years. Reports of hauntings include a man who appears on a ledge above, then runs straight down the steep face of the mountain toward people before vanishing.
- Bridal Veil Falls, Provo Canyon
arbyreed/flickr Another ghostly hitchhiker is occasionally seen near Bridal Veil Falls. The same ghost was often spotted at the restaurant at the top of the tram. The restaurant is gone, but evening hikers report hearing voices.
Can you think of any other haunted spots in nature? Let me know in the comments.
John Fowler/flickr
There’s a legend that cowboys once trapped hundreds of wild mustangs on land that is now part of the park, then left them to die of hunger and thirst. The ghosts of those mustangs are reportedly seen in the evening and visitors report hoof beats and the whinnies of horses.
Ken Lund/flickr
In September, 1857, a party of pioneers passing through Utah were brutally murdered by Mormon militiamen and some Native Americans. Approximately 120 people died, including women and children; only 17 children under the age of six were spared. Some people believe that the area is haunted. They claim to hear wailing and crying, and the voices of women and children. Some see lights bobbing out in the sagebrush.
Andres Rodrigues/flickr
Staff and visitors report seeing strange shadows inside the cave. Staff reports hearing moaning and whispering in the cave after it’s closed for the night.
El Paso ESQ/flickr
Hundreds of years before the Glen Canyon Dam was built, creating Lake Powell, the area was inhabited by native people. Legend says that Indian burial grounds are located under the lake. People report hearing chanting, flute and drum music and whispers.
Jim Bowen/flickr
Chinese railroad workers lived at Dove Creek Camp while working on the railroad in 1869. Many reportedly died during that time, and were buried in unmarked graves near the camp. Visitors to the area claim to hear footsteps, whispering and voices speaking Chinese. Some hear or see lights from a steam locomotive.
Jeff Harmon/flickr
A ghostly woman walking alongside the road in Big Cottonwood Canyon is thought to have drowned in the river years ago. She disappears in a mist as your car approaches.
“Kay’s Cross” by Rslnerd. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikipedia
A legend states that the cross was erected many decades ago by a man whose family was murdered. The cross has been knocked down and partially destroyed now, but visitors to this private property report phantoms chasing them away, voices and mist.
jewcano/flickr
Drive up this canyon at night, and you may encounter a ghostly hitchhiker who disappears when you stop to pick him up.
Mitzi Young/flickr
Zion National Park is another place where native people once lived and died. Tourists have reported seeing ghostly apparitions, hearing voices or footsteps and seeing strange lights.
The ruins at Hovenweep were occupied by native people between 1200 A.D. and 1300 A.D.. Visitors to the area report hearing voices and music, and occasionally seeing light that looks like campfires or torches at night.
Jere Keys/flickr
Memory Grove’s most famous ghost is a woman wearing a wedding dress. Rumors about the cause of her death vary, but it’s generally agreed that she died prior to her wedding. She’s been seen in several areas of the park and in City Creek Canyon.
Steve Jurvetson/flickr
Though defunct for years, several of the mines near Park City are apparently haunted by miners who died there.
Tristan Higbee/flickr
Several rock climbers have fallen to their deaths in Rock Canyon over the years. Reports of hauntings include a man who appears on a ledge above, then runs straight down the steep face of the mountain toward people before vanishing.
arbyreed/flickr
Another ghostly hitchhiker is occasionally seen near Bridal Veil Falls. The same ghost was often spotted at the restaurant at the top of the tram. The restaurant is gone, but evening hikers report hearing voices.
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