The U.S. National Parks are famous for their breathtaking scenery and rich history. But beyond their stunning landscapes, some parks have a dark side that makes them a little eerie. Here’s a look at seven of the creepiest places in America’s national parks and forests.
1. Massacre Falls, Tonto National Forest, Arizona
Massacre Falls in Arizona’s Superstition Mountains might seem like a picturesque waterfall, but it hides a grim past. Back in the 1840s, Mexican miners searching for gold crossed into land sacred to the Apache, leading to a bloody massacre with few survivors.
Legend has it that the miners’ lost gold is still hidden somewhere in these mountains, and some visitors report seeing treasure hunters with metal detectors combing the area.
- Open to Visitors? Yes
- Cost: $8 for a day pass
- Creepy Factor: Site of a historical massacre
2. Star Dune, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Colorado
Star Dune, one of the tallest sand dunes in North America, is known for more than just its impressive height. In 1967, the mysterious death of an Appaloosa horse named Snippy led to wild theories about alien involvement.
Since then, the area has become a hotspot for UFO enthusiasts, and there’s even a watchtower where visitors can keep an eye out for extraterrestrial activity.
- Open to Visitors? Yes
- Cost: $15 to $25 for entry
- Creepy Factor: Reports of alien encounters
3. La Brea Tar Pits, California
In the heart of Los Angeles, the La Brea Tar Pits are famous for their Ice Age fossils. However, the discovery of a human skeleton from around 8,000 BCE adds a chilling twist. The remains of a young woman, possibly killed by a blow to the head, hint at a mysterious and unsettling past among the trapped megafauna.
- Open to Visitors? Yes
- Cost: $15 per person
- Creepy Factor: Ice Age mass grave with a mysterious human skeleton
4. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Mammoth Cave holds the title of the world’s longest cave system and is also known for its ghostly legends. Spanning over 426 miles, the cave has been the site of eerie occurrences and ghost sightings. It was once used as a tuberculosis ward in the 1840s, and the ghost of a former guide named Stephan Bishop is said to still roam the caves.
- Open to Visitors? Yes
- Cost: Free
- Creepy Factor: Haunted caves with prehistoric mummies
5. Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg National Military Park, the site of the Civil War’s bloodiest battle, is steeped in haunting stories. The park, where around 50,000 soldiers were killed or wounded, is rumored to still echo with the sounds of battle—cries, shouts, and gunfire—making it one of the most haunted battlefields in America.
- Open to Visitors? Yes
- Cost: Free
- Creepy Factor: Haunted battlefield with lingering sounds of war
6. Crater Lake, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Crater Lake was formed by the eruption of Mount Mazama about 7,700 years ago, and it has a story that’s as dramatic as its landscape.
Klamath Native American lore describes the eruption as a violent clash between deities. The trauma from the eruption was so significant that local shamans forbade looking at the lake, believing it would bring death.
- Open to Visitors? Yes
- Cost: $15 to $30
- Creepy Factor: Ancient volcanic eruption with cultural trauma
7. Lake Superior, Superior National Forest, Minnesota
Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, is infamous for its treacherous maritime history. The lake’s icy waters preserve shipwrecks and their occupants exceptionally well. Divers have reported spotting bodies still clothed and preserved decades after sinking, giving Lake Superior a chilling reputation for never “giving up her dead.”
- Open to Visitors? Yes
- Cost: Free
- Creepy Factor: Preserved shipwrecks and frozen bodies
While these national parks are renowned for their natural beauty and historical importance, they also offer a glimpse into the darker, more mysterious side of nature and history. From haunted caves to eerie shipwrecks, these sites provide a spine-tingling addition to your outdoor adventures.