NORTH DAKOTA — If your idea of sightseeing includes the spooky, haunted, and downright bizarre, then North Dakota has more to offer than just wide-open plains and scenic byways. From ghost towns to haunted bridges, the Peace Garden State boasts a number of creepy attractions perfect for thrill-seekers and fans of the paranormal.
According to River City Omaha, here are ten of the most spine-chilling destinations you can explore across North Dakota:
1. San Haven Sanatorium – Dunseith
Abandoned since the 1980s, this former tuberculosis hospital is rumored to be haunted by former patients. Visitors report disembodied voices and mysterious footsteps echoing through the crumbling halls.
2. The Witch’s Grave – Lidgerwood Cemetery
Local legend claims a woman buried here was a witch — and that grass refuses to grow over her grave. People have reported sudden cold spots and camera malfunctions when visiting the site.
3. Fort Abraham Lincoln – Mandan
Once a military post commanded by Lt. Col. George Custer, the reconstructed fort is said to host the spirits of soldiers and Native Americans who lost their lives on this land.
4. Ghost Town of Tagus
With only a few crumbling buildings remaining, Tagus is one of North Dakota’s most famous ghost towns. Legend says satanic rituals were once performed here, and visitors speak of eerie silence and shadowy figures.
5. North Dakota State Penitentiary – Bismarck
Though still operational, the prison’s oldest wings are closed and considered haunted by former inmates. Paranormal investigators have captured voices and EVPs in unused sections.
6. White Lady Lane – Walhalla
A rural road where many say the ghost of a woman in white wanders aimlessly at night. The story claims she was left at the altar and died by suicide in the woods nearby.
7. Sims Cemetery and Church – Almont
The church is still used today, but many report strange occurrences like moving shadows and sudden chills in the nearby graveyard, especially after dusk.
8. The Totten Trail Inn – Fort Totten
Formerly an officers’ quarters, this historic inn is reportedly haunted by several ghosts including a woman in period dress and a crying child.
9. Liberty Memorial Building – Bismarck
Home to North Dakota’s state archives, employees say elevators operate on their own, and books fall off shelves without explanation.
10. The Haunted Tunnel – Stutsman County
Located near a train bridge, the tunnel is a popular spot for ghost hunters. Screams and metallic banging noises are often reported with no logical source.
Whether you’re into ghost stories, historical mysteries, or just want an eerie road trip, these locations offer plenty of chilling atmosphere.
Have you visited any of these spooky North Dakota locations. Share your experiences or tell us your favorite local haunt at newyorkdailygazette.com — we’d love to hear your stories.
