Post Summary: The Most Haunted Places in Idaho
Potatoes and sapphires are what Idaho state is known for most. But little do most people know, there have been hundreds of hauntings in Idaho that make for exciting and spine chilling thrills.
Yes, these places are popular to visit in the autumn season, but we’re here to help you celebrate with the most haunted places in Idaho year round!
Keep reading if you’re hyped for the spooky season, fall adventures, and some seriously scary stories!
The Most Haunted Places In Idaho
Just remember, if you want to explore abandoned buildings in Idaho state, make sure to not trespass. We DO NOT condone breaking and entering, or going where you aren’t legally supposed to be. Be safe!
1. Old Idaho Penitentiary
Since its establishment in 1870, the Old Idaho Penitentiary has had over 10,000 convicts live in its walls…and not all have left.
There have been over 100 deaths on the premises of the Old Idaho Penitentiary, including 10 executions, and 110 deaths due to old age, illness, or murder (not including undocumented deaths due to poor conditions)!
No wonder it’s on the list of most haunted places in Idaho!
The Old Idaho Penitentiary is no stranger to paranormal activity. The most haunted area being House 5 where Idaho’s “Jack the Ripper,” or Raymond Allen Snowden, was executed in 1957.
It is said that his ghost haunts the Old Idaho Penitentiary, even after its closing in the 1970s!
Visitors also testify hearing phantom footsteps and disembodied voices, feelings of ghost’s hands on them as they walk around the cells, and seeing shadowy figures around the jail.
Plan a trip here: 23 Incredible Things to Do In Boise, Idaho
2. Haunted Mansions of Albion
The Haunted Mansions of Albion in Albion, Idaho is the largest indoor/outdoor haunted production in the Pacific Northwest. It’s also one of the most haunted houses in Idaho!
As you make your way through the Haunted Mansions of Albion, you can expect tons of jump-scares, freaky creatures, and possibly some supernatural occurrences as well.
Be sure to get your ticket to the Haunted Mansions of Albion soon, as they do sell out!
3. Spirit Lake
Found among the dense forests of North Idaho, Spirit Lake is known for its numerous bike trails, serene views, and vibrant deciduous trees.
However, concealed within its deep waters, Spirit Lake holds secrets of its eerie past.
Spirit Lake is one of two lakes in the world that have a completely sealed bottom, meaning no water escapes, making it the perfect location to trap souls and spirits!
Local legend has it that two people of the Kootenai tribe were trapped in a case of forbidden love.
Because of this, the couple vowed eternal love, drowned themselves in the lake, dying together rather than living a life apart.
The Kootenai tribe renamed the lake from “Clear Lake” to “Tesemini,” or “Lake of Spirits” after this event.
Nobody found the lovers among the lake. People say their phantoms can be seen on moonlit nights, drifting across the misty lake in a canoe.
Plan your next trip: The Ultimate 1 Week North Idaho Road Trip
4. Idaho Hotel
During Idaho’s gold rush in the 1800s, tons of transient guests stayed at the Idaho Hotel in Silver City, Idaho and it is now the oldest running hotel in Idaho!
From the testimonies of the thousands of guests that stayed in the Idaho Hotel, it is no secret that it is one of the most haunted hotels in Idaho.
Since the time when many people were coming through the mining town to strike it rich, there have been tons of eerie sightings and happenings at the Idaho Hotel.
Many guests of the Idaho Hotel have felt unexplainable sensations in Room 27 where a past owner committed suicide, seen an old man in a duster coat wandering around the stairwell and young children in old-fashioned clothing playing in the street, and experienced the mysterious flickering of lights throughout the hotel!
There was even a shootout between two men in front of the Idaho Hotel! Some people say their spirits still roam the building!
Want to test your luck at this haunted hotel in Idaho? Make a reservation here.
5. Owyhee Mountains
Located near Murphy, Idaho, the Owyhee Mountains are one of the most remote and isolated places in Idaho.
As we all know, paranormal activity flourishes in these kinds of places, and the Owyhee Mountains are no exception.
Many who visit the Owyhee Mountains (especially at night) experience strange happenings among the volcanic terrain!
According to Shoshone and Bannock legend, the Owyhee Mountains were home to strong and vicious cannibalistic dwarves that stand at two feet tall with long tails that wrap around their bodies to hide their appearance!
Since Idaho was booming with mining operations in the 1800s, many settlers did not heed the Native peoples warning to avoid areas within the Owyhee Mountains and their children frequently went missing when the dwarves would lure them into the woods.
Plan a trip nearby: How To Reach Leslie Gulch in Eastern Oregon
6. Haunted Walking Tours
Sometimes ghosts don’t just appear for you, but must be found. Which is why Haunted Walking Tours in Idaho Falls are a popular activity during the time of Halloween!
Ghost Walk provides you with opportunities to experience hauntings yourself. Walk through Ghost Alley and other haunted locations located in Idaho Falls!
October sells fast, so be sure to get your $15 ticket for your ghost tour soon (wheelchair friendly)!
7. Stricker Ranch / Rock Creek Station
In 1865, the Stricker Ranch (aka Rock Creek Station) was a common stop for weary Oregon trail travelers.
Since the Oregon Trail wasn’t an easy journey, many people died along the way. (Remember, “You have died of dysentery!”?)
The Stricker Family Ranch was the host for a lot of last-minute burials of those unlucky travelers!
The spirits of those who died in this area now haunt the location and become especially agitated at night.
Today, the Idaho State Historic Society preserves remnants of the Stricker Ranch.
8. Scarywood Haunt (Silverwood)
If you’re a fan of the thrill of haunted houses, take that experience and multiply it by ten. What do you get? Scarywood.
During the entire month of October, North Idaho’s Silverwood turns into the haunted theme park, Scarywood, and it is one of the biggest attractions in the PNW during the spooky season.
When roaming through the dark park, you can expect nine different scare zones and tons of freaky creatures, so you must never let your guard down!
Get your limited-supply tickets here ($48-68, depending on day of visit) and plan to visit Scarywood this October from 7PM-12AM, Thursday through Saturday!
9. Mesa Falls
Mesa Falls near Ashton, Idaho is a beautiful waterfall and river. It was created by volcanic activity long ago.
Locals say there is a spirit of an Indigenous Shoshone girl that haunts the Lower Mesa Falls ever since she accidentally drowned herself when she was trying to save someone from the river.
People sometimes say they can hear beating drums around Mesa Falls. Others have even seen her spirit dressed in white!
Love history? Read more fun facts about Idaho here!
10. Idaho State Tuberculosis Hospital
The Idaho State Tuberculosis Hospital (now known as the Gooding University Inn and Resort) is a haven for paranormal activity.
The building was originally a hospital specifically for patients suffering or dying from tuberculosis. Though, many locals suspected that it became a mental institution when the hospital closed its doors.
Among many other supernatural experiences in the building, visitors and staff of the Idaho State Tuberculosis Hospital have seen full bodied apparitions, shadowy figures, voices in rooms with nobody in them, doors banging, and random knocking!
If you’re brave enough to visit this haunted hospital in Idaho, you can go on a ghost hunt and even stay overnight!
Don’t have the guts to check it out yourself? Here’s a documentary about ghost hunters who were.
11. Shoshone Ice Caves
The Shoshone Ice Caves are a 1,000-foot deep lava tube that holds a temperature between 24-32 degrees all year long.
For years, people have claimed hearing heavy footsteps and voices inside the Shoshone Ice Caves.
Is it a cave bear? Or the buried Native American princess, Princess Edahow? Nobody seems to know much about these haunted places in Idaho…
Take a tour of the Shoshone Ice Caves and make your own guesses to what makes these haunted places in Idaho so eerie.
While you’re here, we recommend taking a side trip to Craters of the Moon too. They have another cave to explore!
Even more nearby caves to explore: Tea Kettle Cave near Twin Falls, Idaho
12. The Brig at Farragut State Park
Made of concrete blocks, the Brig at Farragut State Park was an old military jail building and naval center that once was booming in operation.
During World War II in 1945, the Brig was used as a prisoner of war camp. It held over 900 Germans who were often made to shovel snow in the deep winter.
Many visitors of the Brig at Farragut State Park testify seeing apparitions of a balding man in prisoner’s garb near the building and objects moving for no reason.
Today, you can camp at the sight and it’s a popular location for sledding and skiing during the cold months.
Little do visitors know, they might be in the midst of much more frightening things at work than just visiting a historic sight…
13. The Haunted Mill
Located in Teton, Idaho, The Haunted Mill gives off super chilling vibes.
Originally in the early 1900s, The Haunted Mill was a flour mill and culinary water supply for the nearby town of Teton.
Since it became open to the public in the late 90s, it has been a haunted touring location that is extremely popular in Eastern Idaho in October. (Tickets are $15-25 on weekends, starting at 7:30PM)!
During your tour, expect to see the original mill grounds, including the original log granary, an underground mine, a maze, waterfall, and suspension bridge!
Don’t be shocked if you see monsters or creatures during the tour or experience any of the terrifying beings from the many legends of the area.
14. Lake Coeur d’Alene
Many visitors and local Idahoans adore the beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene, which is the second largest lake in Idaho!
Many people go to Lake Coeur d’Alene for boating, swimming, or hiking and biking on popular trails. However, the lake is supposedly haunted by a fish-woman who churns up water and scares visitors.
Local residents and visitors of Lake Coeur d’Alene share experiences of unexplainable noises and the figure of the fish-woman emerging near a large, pointed rock in the lake.
Turbulent winds sometimes agitate the usually calm waters and a huge horned creature appears, occasionally lifting boats out of the water!
Is this Idaho myth true? We’ll leave that up to you to decide.
Learn more about this local Idaho legend and other haunted places in Idaho here!
15. Idanha Hotel
The historic Idanha Hotel in Boise, Idaho was built in 1900 to accommodate the booming town. It was originally used to house the state’s influential people and other important travelers.
The Idanha Hotel symbolized westward expansion and was frequented by those traveling by the Transcontinental Railroad.
Despite its hopeful beginnings, the Idanha Hotel has had a mysterious story since the start.Especially during its construction when workers reported strange activity.
Specifically, the Idanha Hotel’s bellman was gunned down at the hotel. It is said that his ghost moves the elevator up and down by itself!
Residents of the Idanha Hotel have also mentioned spotting the bellman’s ghost around the building and eerie instances of lights turning off and on by themselves.
Even freakier, a spirit of a woman who was murdered and buried in the Idanha Hotel’s basement supposedly lingers in the lower levels of the building.
If you’ve got the guts to stay at the Idanha Hotel (which is now an apartment building), be prepared for some strange encounters!
Plan a trip here: 23 Incredible things to do in Boise, Idaho or discover 10 epic day trips from Boise!
16. The Bates Motel
Located in Coeur d’Alene, The Bates Motel is known for inspiring the popular horror movie, Psycho. It is rumored that the author of Psycho, Robert Bloch, stayed in the hotel in the 50s!
People often associate the name of the hotel with the stabbing of Norman Bates in Psycho. However the real Bates Motel is not as scary as the film.
However, it is recognized as one of the most haunted hotels in Idaho!
The Bates Motel was originally made for officer barracks in the before and after World War II. Randy Bates bought it after the war.
People say Rooms 1 and 3 are the most haunted. Sand staff and guests alike frequently complain about feelings of being watched, flickering lights, items moving on their own, and suddenly feeling extremely cold!
17. List of Ghost Towns In Idaho
If you’re up for more unique adventures around the state of Idaho, ghost towns are the way to go!
Here’s a list of some of the most popular ghost towns in Idaho:
- Bayhorse Ghost Town, nearby Challis, Idaho
- Silver City Ghost Town, nearby Bodfish, Idaho
- Burke Ghost Town, nearby Wallace, Idaho
- Rocky Bar Ghost Town, nearby Featherville, Idaho
Do you know of other haunted places in Idaho that aren’t on this list? Share them with us in the comments!
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