Five Haunted Campgrounds — Historically Haunted Podcast

Camping is a favorite summer activity for many people around the world. One of the most popular things to do while on a campout is gather around the campfire and tell a good old-fashioned ghost story. But has anyone ever wondered if the campsite you visited might be haunted? Here is a list of five campsites that have a haunted reputation.

1. Big Moose Lake

Big Moose Lake, nestled in New York's Adirondack Mountains, holds a haunting tale over a century old. Grace Brown, a young woman employed at the Gillette Skirt Factory in Cortland, New York, met a tragic fate in 1906. Her secret romance with Chester Gillette, the factory owner's nephew, ended in betrayal. Grace became pregnant and begged Chester to marry her. He took her to the Adirondack Mountains under the deception of marriage. While on a canoeing on Big Moose Lake, Chester struck Grace in the head, knocking her into the waters. Chester callously left Grace to drown in the lake. However, he faced justice through a sensational trial that led to his conviction for her murder. Yet, Grace's spirit lingers still, with sightings of her ghostly figure haunting the lake's shores and depths, a sad reminder of a love twisted by class and tragedy.

2. Bannack State Park

Bannack State Park is located in southwest Montana at the site where gold was discovered on July 28, 1862. It was named Bannack after the local indigenous people. The town grew into a boom town of over 3,000 just a year later. During the gold rush period, Bannack was a wild mining town with shootouts, hangings, and an allegedly corrupt sheriff. Legend has it that Sheriff Henry Plummer led a gang of outlaws who robbed and terrified the people in the area. Eventually, a group of vigilantes captured twenty-one of the bandits. They were all hung along with Plummer.

Paranormal experiences range from doors of buildings opening and shutting on their own, disembodied voices heard in many buildings, and reports of a baby crying in one of the homes. Apparitions at the Mead Hotel have been seen in several of the rooms. People have also seen faces looking out the windows. Cold spots are also felt in the hotel. The sheriff has been spotted around the old ghost town, and shadow figures have appeared near the general store. Many strange anomalies have shown up in photos taken around Bannack.

Today, Bannack State Park has two primitive campgrounds with 24 sites. The visitor center is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day where tours of the ghost town begin. If you decide to visit, keep on the lookout for residents from the past.

3. Beaver Creek Campground, Montana

Another place to check out in Montana is Beaver Creek Campground, which is located near the Madison River outside of West Yellowstone. A 7.5 earthquake struck this area in August of 1959. The large quake caused a massive landslide that sent several tons of boulders and rocks into a campground. Twent-eight campers were killed. The landslide formed Quake Lake, where the remains of the campground, including trailers and camping equipment, are still sitting at the lake’s bottom. On moonless nights, people have seen glowing orbs hovering over the water, marking where the campground one stood.

4. Holy Ghost Campground, New Mexico

Located just outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico, is the Holy Ghost Campground. The campground is in the upper part of Holy Ghost Canyon and is rather isolated. What led to the restless souls wandering this area is explained in two legends. One says a late 17th-century Catholic priest killed the indigenous people living in the village, and the other says the indigenous people killed the priest while they were defending themselves.

The priest is said to haunt the grounds, people have seen shadow figures and floating lights in the trees and heard disembodied voices chanting. Claims have been made that people have disappeared without a trace including state troopers. Some people have claimed to have encountered a ghostly trooper while visiting the area.

5. Moon Lake, Utah

Moon Lake is located in the Ashley National Forest in eastern Utah. The campground is located on the lake’s shore. When camping here you may encounter the ghost of a young girl. She appears during daylight hours and has approached people near the lake and in the woods.

She looks to be about seven or eight years old and is soaking wet as if she has fallen in the lake. She is shivering and her lips are tinged blue. People reach out to take her hand so they can help her, but she disappears right in front of them. The Moon Lake ghost has been appearing to campers for many years, always during the day.

To hear about more haunted campgrounds, check out my episode covering 10 haunted Campgrounds found in California.