Haunted national parks hold more than just stunning views; they’re steeped in eerie legends perfect for Halloween chills. This year, we’re sharing spine-tingling tales from the nation’s parks, crafted by John, to celebrate the season.
Gather around the virtual campfire and delve into ghostly encounters at Indiana Dunes, Olympic, and Wrangell-St. Elias National Parks. From Diana of the Dunes’ lakeside hauntings to the mysterious Lady of the Lake, prepare for a journey through the supernatural side of these wild places. Ready to brave the stories? Listen now—if you dare!
Podcast Episode Overview
In the spirit of Halloween, we’re sharing some spooky stories written by John, inspired by the national parks!
Whether you believe in spirits or not, these tales might just send a shiver down your spine. So gather around the campfire with us and enjoy a few ghostly encounters in your favorite national parks.
Join us for stories about:
- A skinny-dipping ghost at Indiana Dunes National Park
- The Lady of the Lake at Olympic National Park
- A creepy ghost town in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
We hope you enjoy our Halloween tradition of sharing national park ghost stories! Have a great Halloween, and be sure to avoid the spirits while you’re out trick-or-treating!
Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:
Diana of the Dunes – Indiana Dunes National Park
Diana of the Dunes is a legend many have seen wandering the trails or enjoying the Lake Michigan shoreline at Indiana Dunes National Park. Her real name was Alice Gray, and she was an original proponent of the Indiana Dunes being recognized as a national treasure.
Alice grew up in Indiana and later moved to the wild shoreline of Lake Michigan after becoming disenchanted by modern life. She made her move with two pistols and a blanket on Halloween in 1915. Alice had this to say about her decision to shun society:
“I was working in Chicago, making little in the way of money, doing little of importance in the world, it seemed. I had measured myself with the world—and the results were not encouraging. I came here to measure myself with nature.”
Eventually, Alice became known as Diana of the Dunes after a news reporter compared her duck shooting skills to the Roman goddess of the hunt. The name stuck until her early death after a brief illness.
Today, visitors to Indiana Dunes report running into a woman going by Diana. She is often seen sitting by the lakeshore at West Beach or on the hiking trails, enjoying the park she worked so hard to protect. Many believe she is a benevolent spirit, returning to appreciate all the visitors flocking to the area she knew was precious enough to become a national park.
Are you brave enough to try Diana’s Dare? It’s a hiking loop where Alice is reported to show up most. You can also learn more about her life and work to protect Indiana Dunes along the trail.
Lady of the Lake – Olympic National Park
Picture it. You’re heading out for a swim in the perfect waters of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. The water is shockingly clear and cool. You can see into the depths of the lake. Before you jump, you see a woman floating in the distance, unmoving.
Is she drowning?
Is she…dead?
You frantically dive in and swim toward her but can’t find her anywhere. You can’t see her in the clear water below you. You spin and spin only to realize she may have never been there to begin with.
You’ve just seen the Lady of the Lake.
In 1940, a strangely well-preserved corpse washed up at Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. It was the body of Hallie, who went missing in 1937 after suspected foul play from her third husband. Her skin was reportedly soapy, an effect caused by cold lakes on decaying bodies.
You might encounter Hallie’s spirit if you visit Lake Crescent or Spruce Railroad Trail. We’ve never seen the Lady of the Lake, but we love swimming at Lake Crescent!
The Tombstones – Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Alaska is riddled with ghost towns, abandoned settlements, old mines, and tales of the western frontier. The largest national park in the United States, Wrangell-St. Elias, has its fair share of spooky tales that’ll make you regret being out after the sun goes down.
There are reports of tombstones suddenly appearing near the Kennecott Mines, carved with the names of miners who lost their lives in the pursuit of wealth on the frontier.
Would you dare to explore the ghost towns of Alaska? Personally, we’re fine with sticking to the main trails.
Happy Halloween, everyone! Thanks for joining us around the campfire. If you loved this episode, be sure to listen to Haunted National Parks (Vol. 1).
Until next time, keep exploring—but maybe keep an eye over your shoulder!
Links mentioned in this podcast episode:
- Indiana Dunes National Park
- Alice Gray, a.k.a Diana of the Dunes
- Diana’s Dare
- Olympic National Park
- Lady of the Lake
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
- Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark
- Specters and vanishing tombstones at Kennecott Copper Mines
Are you hoping to visit all of the national parks? Sign up for your FREE NATIONAL PARKS CHECKLIST so you can easily see where you’ve been and where you still need to go!
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