Everybody loves a good ghost story, and here in Idaho there are plenty of them! Although some may say the tragic stories behind these haunted places are merely folklore, there is no denying that the spooky reputations of these places exist for a reason. Whether you believe in it or not, these are the places that are most well-known in Idaho for their paranormal activity. If you’re looking for a good scare, visit one of the locations on this list!
- Pete’s Tavern, Nampa
Pete’s Tavern/Facebook Pete’s Tavern was originally opened in 1945. During the Prohibition era, it served as a speakeasy and that portion of the tavern still exists, blocked off by a large wooden door with a peephole in it. Many visitors of the tavern have reported hearing whispers, feeling light touches by an invisible hand, and unexplained cold spots. Nobody is sure who the entities roaming the tavern are, but it is believed there are four of them including two women and two men.
- Idanha Hotel, Boise
Charles Peterson/Flickr The famous Idanha Hotel was built in 1900 in downtown Boise and during its time was the most popular hotel to stay at. It housed many famous visitors, such as Theodore Roosevelt, and there are even stories of its role as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Since then, it has been converted to house long term residents and is considered one of the most sought-after rental apartment complexes in the downtown area despite its haunted reputation. People who live there report of elevators randomly stopping and starting and unknown entities roaming the hallways.
- Bates Motel, Coeur d’Alene
diaper/Flickr No, not that Bates Motel. This motel was actually built during the time of World War II, and was bought by Mr. Randy Bates. Bates named it the Bates Motel before Alfred Hitchcock’s movie “Psycho” was even released. Nonetheless, visitors report that Bates Motel is haunted. Specifically in room numbers 1 and 3, visitors report lights flickering, unexplained noises and movements, and sudden cold sensations.
- Gotts Point at Lake Lowell
Laura Gilmore/Flickr People have been repeating the story of the drowned girl at Lake Lowell for decades. The story is that during the 1970’s a girl died in the lake while water-skiing. People have reported seeing the ghost of the girl looking out at the water where she took her last breaths.
- Egyptian Theatre, Boise
Egyptian Theatre Boise/Facebook The Egyptian is one of the most beloved historical landmarks in downtown Boise. It originally opened in 1927, where it acted as the number one silent movie theater complete with a pipe organ performing live background music. It was then upgraded just a few years later when “talkies” (films with sound) came onto the scene. Today, the same old pipe organ still sits by the screen. The organ isn’t the only thing that remains from the Egyptian’s rich past. Several entities have been spotted in the theater, including a ghost named Joe who many claim to used to work at the theater for many years as a projectionist. Another common ghost sighting is of a female dressed in 1920’s garb, and who is blamed for odd, unexplained odors.
- Canyon Hill Cemetery, Caldwell
Google Maps Streetview Cemeteries are common places to go for ghost sightings, but Canyon Hill Cemetery in Caldwell is considered to be one of the spookiest grave sites in the state. There have been many sightings of a “ghost jogger” who doesn’t hesitate to approach you when you’re at the cemetery at dark. There have been other reports of an old lady who sits on one of the benches late at night. When you glance back over at her, she vanishes.
- BJ’s Bayou, Roberts
BJ’s Bayou/Facebook BJ’s Bayou is a Creole and Cajun style restaurant in Roberts, Idaho that once was a hotel in the late nineteenth century. There are almost too many ghost sightings to explain in this location, with most of them happening as reflections in one of the many mirrors behind the restaurant’s bar area.
- Power County Hospital, American Falls
Power County Hospital District/Facebook Although Power County Hospital is still a fully functioning hospital today, it still has many stories containing paranormal activity. Nurse buzzers randomly go off without anybody touching them, and there have been sightings of the ghost of a doctor who used to work there roaming the hallways, leaving nothing but the stench of cigar smoke.
Have you experienced any paranormal activity in these locations? Share your experiences with us!
Pete’s Tavern/Facebook
Pete’s Tavern was originally opened in 1945. During the Prohibition era, it served as a speakeasy and that portion of the tavern still exists, blocked off by a large wooden door with a peephole in it. Many visitors of the tavern have reported hearing whispers, feeling light touches by an invisible hand, and unexplained cold spots. Nobody is sure who the entities roaming the tavern are, but it is believed there are four of them including two women and two men.
Charles Peterson/Flickr
The famous Idanha Hotel was built in 1900 in downtown Boise and during its time was the most popular hotel to stay at. It housed many famous visitors, such as Theodore Roosevelt, and there are even stories of its role as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Since then, it has been converted to house long term residents and is considered one of the most sought-after rental apartment complexes in the downtown area despite its haunted reputation. People who live there report of elevators randomly stopping and starting and unknown entities roaming the hallways.
diaper/Flickr
No, not that Bates Motel. This motel was actually built during the time of World War II, and was bought by Mr. Randy Bates. Bates named it the Bates Motel before Alfred Hitchcock’s movie “Psycho” was even released. Nonetheless, visitors report that Bates Motel is haunted. Specifically in room numbers 1 and 3, visitors report lights flickering, unexplained noises and movements, and sudden cold sensations.
Laura Gilmore/Flickr
People have been repeating the story of the drowned girl at Lake Lowell for decades. The story is that during the 1970’s a girl died in the lake while water-skiing. People have reported seeing the ghost of the girl looking out at the water where she took her last breaths.
Egyptian Theatre Boise/Facebook
The Egyptian is one of the most beloved historical landmarks in downtown Boise. It originally opened in 1927, where it acted as the number one silent movie theater complete with a pipe organ performing live background music. It was then upgraded just a few years later when “talkies” (films with sound) came onto the scene. Today, the same old pipe organ still sits by the screen. The organ isn’t the only thing that remains from the Egyptian’s rich past. Several entities have been spotted in the theater, including a ghost named Joe who many claim to used to work at the theater for many years as a projectionist. Another common ghost sighting is of a female dressed in 1920’s garb, and who is blamed for odd, unexplained odors.
Google Maps Streetview
Cemeteries are common places to go for ghost sightings, but Canyon Hill Cemetery in Caldwell is considered to be one of the spookiest grave sites in the state. There have been many sightings of a “ghost jogger” who doesn’t hesitate to approach you when you’re at the cemetery at dark. There have been other reports of an old lady who sits on one of the benches late at night. When you glance back over at her, she vanishes.
BJ’s Bayou/Facebook
BJ’s Bayou is a Creole and Cajun style restaurant in Roberts, Idaho that once was a hotel in the late nineteenth century. There are almost too many ghost sightings to explain in this location, with most of them happening as reflections in one of the many mirrors behind the restaurant’s bar area.
Power County Hospital District/Facebook
Although Power County Hospital is still a fully functioning hospital today, it still has many stories containing paranormal activity. Nurse buzzers randomly go off without anybody touching them, and there have been sightings of the ghost of a doctor who used to work there roaming the hallways, leaving nothing but the stench of cigar smoke.
If you enjoyed this list, you’re sure to love The Haunted Road Trip To The Scariest Places In Idaho!
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