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The Ghostly Presence at El Tovar Hotel in the Grand Canyon

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On the southern rim of the Grand Canyon, the El Tovar Hotel is right on the edge. There are many haunted rumors about the hotel, many claiming that the founder of the hotel, Fred Harvey as well as some of those working there must linger as ghosts. 

On the edge of the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon South Rim stands the historic El Tovar Hotel, a timeless gem that not only boasts breathtaking views but also carries with it the whispers of a spectral past. The tale that lingers within its halls tells of a distinguished visitor, none other than Fred Harvey, the visionary founder of the Harvey Company and the mastermind behind the hotel’s elegant design.

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Perched majestically on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the El Tovar Hotel is a testament to early 20th-century elegance and a beacon of historic charm. Opened in 1905, this luxurious hotel was designed to provide an opulent retreat for travelers exploring the natural wonder of the Grand Canyon. Its rustic architecture, inspired by European hunting lodges, blends seamlessly with the rugged landscape. Over the years, El Tovar has hosted numerous dignitaries, celebrities, and adventurers, making it an integral part of the canyon’s rich history. Guests are captivated by the panoramic views, the hotel’s storied past, and whispers of ghostly apparitions said to wander its hallways, adding a touch of intrigue to this iconic landmark.

The Grand Canyon: The National park of the Canyon encompasses over 1.2 million acres of rugged landscape, with the Colorado River carving a mile-deep gorge that stretches 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide around 5 or 6 million years ago. The park’s striking geological formations, vibrant hues, and dramatic vistas attract millions of visitors each year, offering opportunities for hiking, rafting, and exploring the highs and lows of the Canyon. It is also said to have several haunted places.

The Guest that Never Checked Out

Several years ago, an unsuspecting guest approached the front desk in search of a holiday celebration. “Where is the holiday party?” inquired the puzzled guest, their anticipation evident. The front desk clerk, equally perplexed, responded with genuine confusion, unaware of any festive gathering. The guest insisted, recounting an encounter with an employee in the hallway who had extended a gracious invitation to a grand holiday ball, adorned in fashion reminiscent of the early 1900s.

“I’m sorry,” the clerk admitted, “There is no holiday party, nor is there a gentleman dressed in period clothes working here.” The mystery deepened as the guest described the well-dressed man who bore a striking resemblance to none other than Fred Harvey himself. Could it be that he is haunting his hotel?

This encounter was not an isolated incident; it marked the beginning of a series of ghostly sightings that have left both guests and employees in awe. Mr. Harvey who died in 1901, four years before the hotel opened to the public, it seems, has not departed from the corridors of El Tovar. 

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Instead, he frequently graces the hallways, the third floor, perpetually adorned in the attire of a bygone era, wearing a very long coat and a prominent black hat, often observed gazing thoughtfully at the expansive beauty of the Grand Canyon from the front stairs of the hotel.

Fred Harvey: Born in England in 1835, he emigrated to the United States and eventually founded the Harvey House chain of restaurants, hotels, and dining cars along the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Harvey’s establishments set new standards for quality and service in a time when travel accommodations were notoriously poor. He is believed to still be haunting his hotel according to stories.

Legends of the El Tovar and the Ghost Residing there

There is also the legend about the hotel staff seeing a painting followed the guest with its eyes wherever they went. They also claimed to have seen a wandering ghost in front of the stairs before disappearing into thin air. 

There have also been watchmen working nights that have seen the body and left immediately, never returning to the job because of the paranormal fright they experience working the night shift. 

There has also been a female spirit, appearing to be from the 1930s as well as strange silhouettes seen by various guests and staff that have no way of explaining the strange things that seemingly happen in the hotel. 

The Haunted Hotel: El Tovar Hotel is believed to be haunted by more than one ghosts. Here from the front from around 1905 as it was when it opened.

On the premise it is a mysterious grave in the parking lot, only marked “Pirl A. Ward: 1879-1934.”. It is said to be a grave belonging to a Harvey girl, working at the hotel. This looks like it is just a rumor though as according to Find a Grave it is the grave of Mr. Ward, a construction worker at the hotel who stayed for many years and died when he was 55 years, and it is in fact a cenotaph, not a grave since no one is actually buried under it.

But who are these Harvey Girls and who could it be that are reported to haunt the strange grave?

The Harvey Girls Haunting the Hotel?

The Harvey Girls, renowned for their impeccable service and hospitality, played a pivotal role in the history of the El Tovar Hotel at the Grand Canyon. Employed by the Fred Harvey Company at his chain of hotels, these young women were recruited from across the country and brought a touch of sophistication and professionalism to the rugged wilderness. Dressed in crisp uniforms of starched white aprons over black dresses, they provided top-notch service in the hotel’s dining room, serving travelers with grace and efficiency. 

The Harvey Girls: When talking about who is haunting the hotel, people often start talking about the Harvey Girls, working at the hotel. Pictured is the Grand Canyon Harvey Girls pose for a photo in uniform. Circa 1906.

They also had to adhere to strict rules about not getting married and the likes. Although perhaps a bit strict, it really served as a chance for young women to experience an adventure and travel. Could some of them be haunting the premise?

Some claim to have seen a figure in a black cape and veil over the face, standing by the grave or disappearing behind the Hopi House right by. Perhaps a relative of the one working there coming to grieve? Perhaps one of the Harvey Girls that ended her days working in the Grand Canyon?

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References:

Pirl A. Ward (1879-1934) – Find a Grave Memorial 

The Grand Haunted History of the Canyon’s El Tovar Hotel 

Grand Canyon Ghosts! ooohhh. Ready to go Ghost Hunting? 

12 Haunted National Parks | Shaka Guide

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The Haunting Legend of the ghost in the mudflats in Kenai Fjords National Park

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It is said that you can hear the desperate screams over the mudflats in Kenai Fjords National Park after a tragic accident where the tide took the life of a woman now believed to be haunting the place.

Kenai Fjords National Park, located in south-central Alaska, is a breathtaking expanse of rugged coastal beauty where ice meets ocean. Encompassing nearly 670,000 acres, the park is renowned for its stunning fjords, dramatic glaciers, and abundant marine wildlife. The Harding Icefield, one of the park’s most prominent features, spawns around 40 glaciers, including the tidewater glaciers that calve icebergs into the sea. 

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The untamed beauty of Alaska, Kenai Fjords National Park unfolds its haunting tales amid ghostly forests and the treacherous embrace of glacial silt. Among the unsettling urban legends that echo through this icy wilderness, a tragic incident from July 1988 casts a spectral shadow over the rugged landscapes.

Kenai Fjords National Park: The park is named for its numerous fjords, which are deep, glacially carved valleys filled with seawater. Visitors to Kenai Fjords can witness the awe-inspiring sight of tidewater glaciers calving into the ocean, creating thunderous splashes. The park is also home to diverse wildlife, including humpback whales, sea otters, harbor seals, and a variety of seabirds.

The Tragic Death of Adeana Dickison

In the heart of the wilderness, where the elements hold dominion, newlyweds Adeana and Jay Dickison embarked on a fateful gold dredging expedition at the notorious Turnagain Arm mudflats on a July day in 1988. They lived in Eagle River and had only been married for a month. Jay had lived in alaska for several years and had a small portable dredge with him they were going to use to dredge for gold on his claim.

The once-promising adventure took a tragic turn when their ATV became ensnared in the unforgiving mud near Portage. When about a half mile out on the flats, the Jeep bogged down. Adeana jumped out to push on the Jeep and Jay got the Jeep out with out her help. Determined to free their vehicle, 18-year-old Adeana found herself trapped as the relentless tide crept ever closer.

The Turnagain Arm mudflats: located in the northern part of the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, are a mesmerizing yet perilous natural feature within the broader region encompassing Kenai Fjords National Park. These expansive mudflats, formed by the extreme tidal variations of Turnagain Arm, stretch along the shores of the scenic Seward Highway. At low tide, the mudflats appear deceptively solid but are actually composed of quicksand-like silt that can trap unwary visitors. The area is renowned for its dramatic tidal bores, where the incoming tide rushes in with a wave that travels up the narrow inlet.

As the cold waters rose, attempts to rescue Adeana were met with the cruel whims of the Alaskan wilderness. There was nothing the rescuers could do and they as well as her husband had to watch her drown before their eyes as she became cemented into the mud. 

They all worked furiously to free Adeana, but they could not, she was sinking deeper all the time. There were a lot experienced men there, but they could not get the girl out where even two helicopters arrived on the scene without the means to do anything but circling around, waiting.

The chilling tale recounts how the would-be saviors were forced to endure agonizing hours, waiting for the tide to recede sufficiently to reach the young woman’s lifeless form. It took six hours until she got out again.

The Haunting of the Mudflats

The haunting cries of a desperate man, the eerie echoes of an ATV stuck in the mud, and the ghostly gasps of a drowning maiden are said to linger along the edges of the same mudflats where tragedy struck.

Adeana Kay Scherer Dickison: 12 Aug 1969 to 15 Jul 1988 (aged 18). From Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Those who dare to tread upon the mudflats at Kenai Fjords National Park may find themselves enveloped in an otherworldly atmosphere, where the past merges with the present. 

The cries for help, frozen in time, weave a spectral tapestry that resonates with the haunting energies of the Alaskan wilderness. The young newlyweds were not the first ones to die, and many of those becoming trapped by the tide were never found either. It is said you can hear the cries for help at times in the dark, echoing through the Kenai Fjords National Park over the mudflats. 

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References:

The true history of Cook Inlet’s deadly mud flats – Anchorage Daily News 

Scary Stories from National Parks 

Rescuers try, but rising tide claims woman – Anchorage Daily News 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83363890/adeana_kay-dickison

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Ship Harbor Trail and the Shipwrecked Ghosts

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It has long been said that there are ghosts haunting the Ship Harbor Trail on the Mount Desert Island in Maine from the victims from a shipwreck in the winter months that left few survivors. We will have a closer look as to why this is most likely wrong. 

There are not only ghost roaming the Southwest side of the Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park, but there is also a part of the park that are thought to be possible cursed after a shipwreck in 1739 with over 200 people, costing the life of most of the crew.

Ship Harbor Trail is today seen as a family friendly hike forming a figure-8 loop through thick spruce woods and rocky headland in the Maine park, but once it was a death sentence, especially during the winter months. 

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Along the Main coastline the unruly waters caused many lives and wrecked a lot of ships, and although we don’t really know why it is called Ship Harbor as it is a very misleading name in this story, it could be that it used to be place for small ships to seek shelter in the cove. Or it could be in reference to the very shipwreck the story is about. 

Ship Harbor Trail: The trail in Acadia National Park is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the passengers that got shipwrecked on the island. But how true is the story? // Source: Flickr

The Shipwrecked Grand Design

The most circulated story about the Ship Harbor Trail goes like this:

In 1739 there was a ship that wrecked and the surviving sailors sought refuge in the area now called Ship Harbor. The ship was an English vessel called Grand Design that was carrying Irish Immigrants to Pennsylvania that October month everything went wrong. 

They reached the mainland swimming through the frigid water, but saw the area was uninhabited. Their supplies ran low and food was scarce and sickness spread among the crew. Half of the original group perished because of this before finally a ship from the English settlement in Thomaston in Maine came and rescued the few survivors. 

The bodies of those that perished were buried in unmarked graves around the area, although exactly where? Who knows, although the hiking trails probably goes right over them. What happened to the ones seeking help remains a mystery, perhaps even a haunted one. 

Historical Inaccuracies of the Shipwreck

How much of this story is true though? It happened so far ago in such a remote area, and there is not much that we really know about it except from hearsay. Despite of this, the legend is retold in many haunted legends from the area. 

In 2008 a maritime study even put forth a theory and a debate among historians about whether or not the Grand Design disaster even happened in this area. This legend is based on the research of historian Cyrus Eaton. 

The Grand Design was actually the program of relocating Scots-Irish people prosecuted by the Church of England, luring them away from their land in hopes of a new place with religious freedom. 

One of the reasons there is not much written record about it is the war between England and France at the time, and to go discreetly, they sailed off record under the corrupt Captain Rowen. A man despite being the direct cause of so many deaths became the governor of North Carolina in 1758.

The Real Story of the Shipwrecked

Turns out though this story is mostly connected to the ship Martha & Eliza that wrecked at Grand Manan in the Bay of Fundy, today a part of New Brunswick in Canada. It was a 90 foot, two misted bark, often used to transport passengers and goods from Ireland to the colonies. It set out from Londonderry in Northern Ireland July in 1741, going to Newcastle in Pennsylvania. 

The ship had perhaps 200 paying passengers, a heavy overload for the ship, and four weeks into the journey, the ship caught caught up in a hurricane and drifted in the North Atlantic for weeks overcome with starvation, fever and death. 28th of October they drifted ashore on one of the islands around Grand Manan that has over 250 shipwrecks there according to local lore. 

Read More: There are plenty of stories of haunted ships. Have a look at our archive of tales of them around the world.

The captain and his crew left the passengers there and left to drink at Fort Frederick at Pemaquid. 35 of the men tried to get to the mainland in search of help, but never returned. 

The captain together with his crew returned a month later to loot the ship, and when the survivors asked for rescue, they only took 48 of them to Cushing where they stripped them for whatever possession they had as payment for their rescue. 

The people of Cushing, many of them Irish themselves welcomed them though and rescued the almost the rest of remaining wrecked in late December after one group complained to the Governor in Boston. 

Grand Manan Island: The real ship actually wrecked on one of the islands around Grand Manan in Canada.

The Native American Rescue on Holy Land

The last few dropped off another place on the island were found in April by the Native Americans, Passamaquoddy and arranged their rescue as they risked their own life crossing 100 miles on open boats. 

Among the last survivors were nine women as well as a mother and her infant child that had survived on shellfish and dulce. 

The island was sacred to them as they worshiped Dawn, the daughter of sea and sky deities. She had been chased by a pack of wolves and ran into the sea before transforming to the island where the shipwrecked spent the cold winter on. 

Perhaps it was this that made them rescue them instead of selling them to the French, believing that Dawn herself had protected the women through the winter. 

The Haunted Rumors on Ship Harbor Trail

Today the place is not so remote and it is said that as many as 300 to 400 hike the Ship Harbor Trail every day. Historical accuracy or not, the legends about the ghosts are still alive and well. Some of them claim to have seen or heard something that they reckon must be the ghost of the shipwrecked people that didn’t make it out alive. 

Read More: Check out ghost stories like Haunted Trails and Tales of Ballyboley Forest, The Ghost of Bicycle Larry on Old Narrow Gauge Volunteer Trail in Randolph Forest and The Evil Spirit Po-ho-no of Bridal Veil Falls in Yosemite National Park for alleged haunted trails. 

The ghost left behind by the rest of the crew is said to haunt the park and people hiking the trail claim to have heard ghostly howling, desperate, cold and hungry still.

But the question remains. If there were no shipwrecked that ended up on the island, what is it that people claim to see haunting the Ship Harbor Trail?

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References:

The Grand Design, a Shipwreck, Betrayal and Rescue by Indians 

Castlebay – The Grand Design 

“Grand Design” lured 18th century immigrants to a tragic end – The Working Waterfront Archives 

Acadia’s Ship Harbor ideal for hiking Maine coast year-round 

Acadia National Park – Ship Harbor Trail – Maine Trail Finder 

Hike Ship Harbor Trail (U.S. National Park Service) 

The Ship Harbor Nature Trail In Maine Said To Be Haunted By The Ghosts Of Those Who Perished Here

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Lucy of Roaring Fork: The Vanishing Hitchhiker of Smoky Mountains

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On the scenic route in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the ghost of Lucy of Roaring Fork is said to roam the road of Roaring Fork Motor Trail through the historic part of early settlers as a vanishing hitchhiker. 

On the outskirts of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail winds its way through the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering a scenic journey by car through the remnants of early settlers’ homesteads of cabins, mills and historic buildings along the way. 

Named after the fast-moving mountain stream it parallels, the trail offers a captivating drive through lush forests, vibrant wildflower meadows, and historical log cabins that paint a picture of early Appalachian life. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely drive while making stops at various points of interest, including cascading waterfalls, like the popular Grotto Falls, and old-growth forests teeming with wildlife. 

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Amidst the beauty of this historic trail, a haunting legend unfolds – a tale that has earned Roaring Fork a reputation as one of the most haunted roads in America. At the center of this spectral narrative is the enigmatic figure known as Lucy of Roaring Fork.

Roaring Fork Motor Trail: In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park the Roaring Fork Motor Trail by Gatlinburg will take you through the historic parts of the mountains where the early settlers lived and the ghost of Lucy remained.

Lucy the Ghost of a Girl

But who is Lucy of Roaring Fork? There are many legends, but some say she was a young girl or woman who died when her family cabin burned down and is now haunting the surrounding roads and forest. Exactly when this was supposed to happen is uncertain, but it is mostly said to be around the turn of the century or early 1900s.  

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The story of Lucy of Roaring Fork is told as a vanishing hitchhiker story, an urban legend that spread in the latter part of the 20th century, but if there was any tales about her haunting the area before turning into an urban legend, is uncertain. 

The Cabin: In the story, Lucy died in a fire Roaring Fork Motor Trail is filled with little cabins as pictured along the way.

Lucy as the Vanishing Hitchhiker

As the legend goes, at the turn of the twentieth century, a young man, sometimes given the name Foster, traveled the trail on a chilly autumn evening. To his surprise, he encountered a young woman clad in rags, wandering barefoot through the ancient forest. Driven by kindness, he extended an offer to drive her home, a gesture she graciously accepted. After safely depositing the mysterious woman at her doorstep, the young man continued on his journey. Yet, the memory of the beautiful hitchhiker lingered, a ghost in his thoughts.

Unable to shake the enchantment, the man returned to her home the next day, seeking to reunite with the captivating Lucy. When he inquired about her with Lucy’s mother, he received a chilling revelation that sent shivers down his spine.

“I gave Lucy a ride home last night, and I would very much like to see her again,” the young man explained.

“That’s impossible!” exclaimed the mother. “Lucy passed away many years ago.”

The Tale of Lucy of Roaring Fork

The tale of Lucy, the vanishing hitchhiker, echoes through the decades, a classic tale heard many places in the world with its own local twists and lore being added to this phenomenon known as the vanishing hitchhiker. 

Read More: The Vanishing Hitchhiker

Lucy of Roaring Fork’s ghostly presence lingers, weaving through the mist-laden trees, eternally hoping for a journey home that transcends the realms of both the living and the departed.

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The Ghost of Lucy on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail 

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The Ghost of Rees Griffiths Haunting the North Kaibab Trail

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A former worker on the North Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon died when a boulder fell over him. Ever since, strange lights and apparitions close to his grave on the trail as well as the Phantom Ranch on the bottom of the Canyon are said to haunt the park. 

In the vast expanse of the Grand Canyon, nestled near the iconic Phantom Ranch, lies the North Kaibab Trail—a path steeped in history and tragedy. It is a two day rim to rim trek of the Grand Canyon, but the area you are hiking is thought to be haunted by a former park employee. 

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The North Kaibab Trail is the least visited and most difficult trail of the inner canyon in the park. It starts at 305 meters and is challenging with a steep trail carved out bit by bit by those said to be haunting it. 

The Grand Canyon: The National park of the Canyon encompasses over 1.2 million acres of rugged landscape, with the Colorado River carving a mile-deep gorge that stretches 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide around 5 or 6 million years ago. The park’s striking geological formations, vibrant hues, and dramatic vistas attract millions of visitors each year, offering opportunities for hiking, rafting, and exploring the highs and lows of the Canyon. It is also said to have several haunted places.

The Haunted story of Rees Griffith

Rees Griffith: The man from Pennsylvania was a trail forman working on building the North Kaibab Trail

In February of 1922, Rees B. Griffiths, the 48 year old foreman of a construction crew tasked with blasting out a section of the Grand Canyon, met a grisly end on the North Kaibab Trail. As he was working on a building on the southern part of the trail, a boulder crushed him, ending his life abruptly when it tumbled down the slope. 

He survived the initial crush but died later in the camp on the trail. Griffiths, who had a profound connection to the canyon and loved the outdoors, had expressed a wish to be buried there upon his death. 

Honoring this wish, his grave was situated between Black Bridge and Phantom Ranch, directly across from the Pueblo Ruins on the North Kaibab Trail. His coffin was made from materials they had around the camp and a pile of rocks marked his grave. His burial site remains a poignant reminder of his untimely demise.

Haunted Legends of the Strange Lights

Since Griffiths’ tragic death, the area around his grave has become a focal point for ghostly legends and eerie encounters. Many visitors and hikers have reported seeing the ghost of Rees Griffiths wandering the North Kaibab Trail. 

These apparitions are often described as a solitary figure, appearing just as the light begins to fade. Some witnesses have reported seeing a small, mysterious light hovering above Griffiths’ burial site, which many believe to be his restless spirit. The spectral sightings are not limited to the trails alone; campers in the vicinity of the North Kaibab Trail have also recounted chilling experiences, including unexplained noises and a pervasive sense of being watched.

The Haunted Phantom Ranch

Many of those spotting him are people staying at the Phantom Ranch, east of the Bright Angel Creek, with its eerie name can only be reached on foot or by boat. The little ranch opened in 1922 at the bottom of the Canyon and there are also mules taking hikers out in the wilderness for people that have won the lottery of staying there as they don’t take any reservations. 

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The ghostly presence of Rees Griffiths is not merely a tale for the campfire. Numerous hikers and visitors have experienced signs of paranormal activity in the area. The ghostly figure is often seen at dusk or dawn, silently walking the trails, but is he haunting the place alone?

According to some sources, another name is said to be haunting the place in a very similar manner and the reason why it got its name. The Phantom Ranch is found in the Phantom Canyon, a side canyon off Bright Angel Canyon. It is said it got its name after John Shane, a prospector died years before the ranch. A stone fell off the wall and killed him at the mouth of a side canyon close to the creek. Hunters and prospectors alike claimed to have seen strange storms and nights. 

Phantom Ranch: Further along the North Kaibab Trail you will find the Phantom Ranch. This place is said to have a haunted atmosphere and is what gave it its name. Overview of phantom ranch swimming pool with entry ladder and waterfall water inlet. Guest cabins behind. Circa 1965.

Caretaker of the Phantom Ranch in the early years, Noah Kelley knew Shane well and after him and others saw strange things, they named it Phantom Canyon. : “I saw what looked just like someone was carrying a lantern going from place to place. Then it would go out and in a minute would come again. It sure would, and sometimes it was just awful dim like and then it would brighten up and the thunder kept on rolling. I just laid in bed and covered up my head. I sure did.” (Source)

The Allure of the Haunted Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon, with its majestic beauty and profound silence, has always held an air of mystery. The haunted legends of the North Kaibab Trail add a layer of intrigue to the natural wonder, drawing both paranormal enthusiasts and curious visitors. The tale of Rees Griffiths and the other ghosts possibly haunting the North Kaibab Trail as well as the Phantom Ranch serves as a stark reminder of the canyon’s dangerous history and the lives that have been lost amidst its rugged landscape in search of adventure and wilderness. 

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References:

History of Phantom Ranch in Grand Canyon- 1922-1934 

Grand Canyon – Phantom Ranch Information 

Signs of Paranormal Activity in the National Grand Canyon – Part 1 

GRIFFITHS, Rees B. – Ariizona Pioneer & Cemetery Research Project 

Rees Bladen Griffiths (1873-1922) – Find a Grave Memorial 

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The Ghostly of Gram Parsons at the Joshua Tree Inn

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Haunting music is said to linger in the Joshua Tree Inn, said to be the ghost of the musician Gram Parsons, who died tragically in one of the rooms of the Inn. Now, musicians from all over the world come to the desert in search of inspiration as well as his ghost. 

In the vast expanse of the Californian desert lies a haven for artists, musicians, and free spirits alike – Joshua Tree National Park. Established on the hauntingly fitting date of October 31, 1994, this arid landscape draws thousands seeking inspiration from its mesmerizing rock formations. 

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Yet, amid the stark beauty of the desert on a seemingly simple roadside motel, a ghostly legend resonates – the spirit of the legendary musician, Gram Parsons. He is said to haunt the motel Joshua Tree Inn, the place he always stayed in for inspiration as well as the place he died. 

Joshua Tree State Park: There are many ghost stories connected to the desert landscape of the Joshua Tree State Park. The most well known is perhaps the ghost of that of Gram Parson who is said to haunt the Joshua Tree Inn.

Country Music Legend Gram Parson

Gram Parsons, left an indelible mark on the industry through collaborations with iconic bands like the Rolling Stones and Emmylou Harris, found solace and creativity in the desert’s embrace. The Joshua Tree Inn became a sanctuary for Parsons and his musical companions, where drug-fueled nights were spent jamming, creating, and forging memories that would echo through time. Tripping on acid, he also claimed to have seen UFOs there. 

He was raised in Georgia and Florida, and was heir to an orange farming empire with plenty of money, but he was drawn to the mostly penniless musical career. His brief career in bands like the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers as well as trailblazing writing some kind of country with a bit of hippie, he wanted to create a type of Cosmic Country genre. Perhaps this was not commercially successful then, but inspired people like Keith Richard with the Rolling Stones and discovering Emmylou Harris is also attributed to him.

Gram Parsons: The musician who died September 19, 1973 is one of the most well known ghost stories in Joshua Tree National Park. //Source: GAB ARCHIVE/REDFERNS

The career was filled with alcohol, drugs, fighting and at least one arrest. Some performances he was almost unable to stay on his feet, some shows were like magic where everything was right and the music was flowing. 

Tragically, the music came to an abrupt halt on the fateful morning of September 19, 1973, when Gram Parsons succumbed to a drug overdose aged only 26, right before his rise to fame. 

He had checked into room 8 at the Joshua Tree Inn in the Morongo Valley in San Bernardino. A highway motel on the side of the road that attracted musicians, poets, photographers and the like, already before he made the place infamous. He had lost his home and belongings in a fire and was planning to go on another tour in October.

After six double tequilas at the bar with friends, he bought morphine from a woman staying at the hotel who injected him. They tried to revive him, but to no end.

Joshua Tree Inn: Found at 61259 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, the Inn is believed to be haunted, most notably by the musician, Gram Parsons.

In a surreal turn of events, his friends, in adherence to his wishes, “kidnapped” his body before his stepfather could intervene. Friend and road manager, Phil Kaufman remembered a promise they had made to each other drunk: Whichever one of us goes first, we’ll cremate the other’s body in Joshua Tree Park.

Chaos ensued when the stepfather wanted to send his body east, something his friends felt it was the last he would have wanted. They stole his casket and brought it into the desert to Cap Rock. There they put on a big fire of the casket, turning the landscape into a final canvas for the artist’s unconventional farewell in a funeral pyre.

The friends were found, charged with grand theft larceny of the coffin and what remained of Gram were sent back east to his family. 

The Haunted Joshua Tree Inn

Guests, unsuspecting visitors to a musical sanctuary, have reported ethereal encounters – the faint strains of singing in the wind, the lingering aroma of cigarette smoke, and even companionship with the ghostly figure of Gram Parsons himself. 

It is especially the Room 8 that people claim strange things happen, like opening and closing of doors, a mirror on the wall rattling and a nightstand that seems to move. 

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Outside the room, a small memorial of guitar shaped stones, beer bottles, candles and guitar picks, vinyl records and cowboy boots in honor of the late musician. A note reads: “It’s good to be back in room 8. Five years ago I almost died here. You kept me company in the early morning hours while I recovered and watched the sunrise & listened to the morning doves.”

Room 8: The Joshua Tree Inn is said to be haunted by the ghost of Gram Parson who died in the room after giving his all to country music. // Source: Wikimedia

Another note hinting to the haunted rumors: “Gram, it was a little trippy when you locked me in here,” 

The motel has leaned into the haunted stories and dark tourism, charging well over 100 dollars for a night at the haunted room. According to the man standing behind the desk at the motel, he says it “It’s definitely our most popular room,”  

Musicians in Search for Ghosts

The place has become a cult place, especially for musicians, wanting to make their tribute to his spirit, some park rangers and hikers call them the Grampires. Kacey Musgrave for example told about her encounter with his spirit when staying at the Inn, filming her Follow Your Arrow music video. 

It is also said that his only child, Polly Parsons sometimes takes the trip anc checks into the room to stay and tries to communicate with his spirit.

Other Haunted Rooms

But could it be that Gram is not the only ghost haunting the Inn, and that there are more haunted rooms? According to people working there, some believe there is. There has been a voice of a woman from Room 6 when there was no one there. There have also been said to be some sort of energy and presence in other places of the motel as well. 

In the realm of ghosts, Gram Parsons emerges as a benevolent spirit, offering a hauntingly beautiful connection to the creative energies that flow through the desert landscape. For those who dare to venture into the mystic realm of Joshua Tree National Park, Gram Parsons’ ethereal melodies and timeless presence await in the starlit nights of the Californian desert.

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References:

A Joshua Tree Motel Room, Haunted by the Ghost of a Country Legend – The New York Times 

 12 Haunted National Parks | Shaka Guide 

Gram Parsons Room 8 

How a beloved L.A. record store unearthed a long-lost Gram Parsons recording 

An evening at the Joshua Tree Inn and the Spirit of Gram Parsons 

Enough About Gram Parsons’s Death. It’s Time to Celebrate His Music. 

Gram Parsons’ Joshua Tree legacy endures 50 years after he died – Los Angeles Times 

https://eu.desertsun.com/story/desert-magazine/2015/12/09/haunting-allure/76982908

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The Wailing Woman in the Grand Canyon wearing White and Blue

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A grieving wife and mother took her life when her husband and son lost theirs to the Canyon. Now The Wailing Woman is said to haunt the Transept Trail as well as the Grand Canyon Lodge in the northern rim of the park.

As the second most-visited National Park in the vast expanse of the United States, the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona stands as a geological marvel, carved by the hands of time into the rugged landscapes of Arizona. From the depths of its chasms to the heights of its cliffs, the Grand Canyon is a testament to the raw power of nature and the rich tapestry of history woven into its very rocks.

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Preserved for posterity in 1919, thanks to the visionary efforts of President Theodore Roosevelt, the Grand Canyon National Park has since become a haven for adventurers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking the untamed beauty of the American Southwest. Yet, beneath the sun-drenched vistas and the majestic canyon walls, a ghostly legend lingers—a tale that whispers through the ages, haunting the Transept Trail.

The Grand Canyon: The National park of the Canyon encompasses over 1.2 million acres of rugged landscape, with the Colorado River carving a mile-deep gorge that stretches 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide around 5 or 6 million years ago. The park’s striking geological formations, vibrant hues, and dramatic vistas attract millions of visitors each year, offering opportunities for hiking, rafting, and exploring the highs and lows of the Canyon. It is also said to have several haunted places.

The Wailing Woman Haunting

In the late 1800s or in some versions, in the 1920s, tragedy unfolded on the precipice of the Transept Trail on the North Rim of the park, one of around 50 hiking trails through the canyon. 

Hundreds upon hundreds of people have died in the park, slipping on rocks, exposure, drowning. At least one of these is said to be haunting the park. It started with a father and son, caught unaware by a sudden rainstorm, plummeting to their deaths on the trail. 

Left behind in the wake of this fateful event, the grieving wife succumbed to the depths of despair and took her own life in a lodge.

Legend has it that this sorrowful woman, draped in a white dress, adorned with a blue scarf, and a garland of blue flowers around her neck, now roams the Transept Trail in a translucent form, still looking for her child and husband.

The Transept Trail: The view from the Transept trail on the Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon where the Wailing Woman is said to roam. // Source: Daniel Schwen

The ethereal entity, known as the Wailing Woman or the Wandering Woman, casts a haunting silhouette against the crimson hues of the canyon rocks. Hikers and explorers who venture along the Transept Trail speak of encounters with this spectral figure, recounting eerie sightings that blur the lines between the living and the departed. 

The Wailing Woman, true to her name, is often heard crying out in a disembodied voice, her mournful wails echoing through the canyon’s vast emptiness.

The Grand Canyon Lodge

The Wailing Woman is also said to be haunting the very popular Grand Canyon Lodge 8000 feet above water with a good view of the Canyon, and it is said that this is where she took her life. The lodge was first built in 1927, so this version pushed the story to have happened much later than the other versions.  

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As with the trail she is said to be haunting, The Wailing Woman is often said to wear blue flowers and a scarf over her head when spotted here as well. Either it is a white dress with blue flowers, blue scarfs or blue flowers around her neck. She is not only seen outside though and it is said that if you leave the door open to this day, it will most likely slam shut. 

Grand Canyon Lodge: Cabins by the Grand Canyon Lodge on the Northern Rim of the National Park.

According to the stories, many witnesses saw The Wailing Woman when the lodge burned down on the 1st of September, 1932, as a reminder that she never left, and perhaps never will.

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References:

Grand Canyon Lodge (U.S. National Park Service) 

Signs of Paranormal Activity in the National Grand Canyon – Part 1 

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Haunted Wonderland Ranch and Wall Street Mill in Joshua Tree National Park

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Once a prosperous mill, now the ruins of the Wonderland Ranch and Wall Street Mill in Joshua Tree National Park are said to be haunted by the former workers who died in their search for gold. 

Deep within the rugged terrain of Joshua Tree National Park lies the eerie remnants of the Wonderland Ranch and the Wall Street Mill, both steeped in haunting legends and tales of ghostly apparitions of those who were once lured west in search of gold. 

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Joshua Tree National Park, located in southeastern California, is a vast desert landscape known for its rugged rock formations and iconic Joshua trees. Spanning nearly 800,000 acres, the park encompasses two distinct desert ecosystems: the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. Rich in cultural history, Joshua Tree also preserves evidence of past civilizations, including Native American petroglyphs and remnants of 19th-century gold mining.

The Wall Street Mill

The Wall Street Mill, once a bustling site where gold ore was processed, was abandoned in the 1940s, yet the spirits of its former workers are said to still linger in the area, forever tied to the labor and lives they lost there.

The mill was built by the miner, Bill Keys, who also appears in the ghost story of Johnny Lang and the haunting said to happen around the Lost Horse Mine. Adjacent to the mill, the ruins of the pink walled Wonderland Ranch stands as another testament to Joshua Tree’s haunted past. The ranch, now a decaying structure, was once home to workers and their families. 

The mill was a success and in a dispute about who got to access it, Keys shot and killed his neighbor, Worth Bagley. Keys then turned himself in and was convicted of manslaughter. He was sent to San Quentin State Penitentiary for 10 years. After he got out, Keys put up a monument to the murder saying: “Here is where Worth Bagley bit the dust at the hand of W. F. Keys, May 11, 1943.”

Wall Street Mill: Remains of the Wall Street Mill in Joshua Tree National Park

Ghost of the Wall Street Mill

Visitors who dare to explore the Wall Street Mill are often met with an unsettling atmosphere, but who is the one haunting it? The mill was in operation for many years, and although Worth Bagley is the most notable person who died there, could it be more than one? 

It is a ghostly way up the trail that is said to have no shade and little to no cell service. Shadowy figures are frequently reported, flitting through the remains of the mill or standing ominously in the periphery of vision. Strange lights, which seem to have no earthly source, flicker and dance among the decaying structures, casting an otherworldly glow that defies explanation. Many hikers speak of a profound sense of unease, as if unseen eyes are watching their every move, a chilling reminder that they are not alone.

Wonderland Ranch: Just the ruins of the walls remains of the Wonderland Ranch in Joshua Tree National Park.

The sound of footsteps, echoing through the empty expanse, sends shivers down the spines of even the most seasoned adventurers. Some have even claimed to hear the distant, mournful clink of machinery, as if the mill is still in operation, grinding away in a spectral echo of its former glory.

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References:

Wall Street Mill – Wikipedia 

Wonderland Ranch and Wall Street Mill – Twentynine Palms, California – Atlas Obscura 

3 Haunted Trails To Try Inside Joshua Tree National Park — WKNDR 

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The Gold Fevered Ghost of the Lost Horse Mine in Joshua Tree National Park

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On the trails leading up to the abandoned Lost Horse Mine in Joshua Tree National Park, people talk about a ghost said to haunt the place, the spirit of a miner who died starving as he was looking for his lost gold. 

Tucked away in the rugged expanse of Joshua Tree National Park, the Lost Horse Mine stands as a relic of a bygone era of gun slinging cowboys, horse thieves, gold fever, where over 300 mining claims once dotted the landscape. 

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Joshua Tree National Park, located in southeastern California, is a vast desert landscape known for its rugged rock formations and iconic Joshua trees. Spanning nearly 800,000 acres, the park encompasses two distinct desert ecosystems: the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. Rich in cultural history, Joshua Tree also preserves evidence of past civilizations, including Native American petroglyphs and remnants of 19th-century gold mining.

Joshua Tree National Park: The desert national park in California has more than one ghost story said to haunt it. One of them is the story about an old miner said to still be looking for his lost gold.

The Lost Horse Mine

Perched on a peak of the San Bernardino Mountains among the cacti, yucca and wildflowers, this historic gold mine lies between Lost Horse Valley to the west and Pleasant Valley to the east, about 15 miles north of the City of Indio in Riverside County.

The Lost Horse Mine Trail winds through the harsh, arid terrain of the Mojave Desert, leading adventurers to the dilapidated remnants of what was once a bustling gold mine. The Lost Horse Mine was one of the few successful mines in the San Bernardino Mountains from 1894 to 1931 when it shut down for good. This was because of the climate of hot summers, lack of water and wood sources as well as being so far from everything made transportation and operating a mine challenging. 

Lost Horse Mine: One of the haunted places in the Joshua Tree National Park is by the abandoned Lost Horse Mines that ended the partnership in quarrels and eventually poverty and death.

The man who started it was a man named Johnny Lang together with his three partners. The name the Lost Horse comes from a story from 1890 when Johnny Lang met two outlaws that threatened him after stealing his horses. 

Legend of the Lost Gold

Johnny Lang: Could the old miner be the thing haunting the trails leading up tp his old Lost Horse Mine, still looking for his gold?

However, the journey is not just a step back in time but also a brush with the supernatural. According to local lore, the mine is haunted by the ghost of a miner who met a tragic end in a horrific accident. His restless spirit is said to wander the area, forever searching for his lost gold. Who was this miner? Although not all sources of the ghost story state his name, the story of Johnny Lang and his ending surely is a haunting one. 

After the Lost Horse Mine ceased operations, Johnny Lang returned to the site around 1923. According to stories, Lang had stashed away stolen amalgam at the mill site, which he couldn’t retrieve when he was driven away from the mill. When he returned, he hoped to find it but continued prospecting without much success. 

Occasionally, he sold “pure gold bullion” to local homesteader Bill Keys. Perhaps he really did find some of it? But it can’t have been much, if any at all as the state of him in his final days were dire. Bill Keys’ son, Willis, recalled seeing a malnourished Lang visit their ranch one day, running his fingers across the teeth of a meat saw, searching for any signs of fresh meat. It was also said he walked everywhere because he had eaten his horse. 

In January 1925, Lang left a note on his cabin door, stating he was going for supplies. Bill Keys found his body two months later, with only a small piece of bacon wrapped in wax paper in his possession. Lang was buried where he was found, but stories of his hidden gold persisted and he didn’t get the chance to rest in peace. Some believed a map to his stash was buried with him, leading to his body being dug up twice. On the second time his skull was stolen, but the gold is still said to be lost.

Lang’s Lost Gold Still Haunting the Lost Horse Mine

As you hike the trail, the scorching desert heat might suddenly be pierced by an inexplicable cold breeze, sending shivers down your spine. This chilling sensation is often reported by those who dare to tread this path, a stark contrast to the typical desert climate. 

Strange noises, too, plague the area. Some hikers swear they hear the unmistakable sound of pickaxes striking rock, an eerie echo of the Lost Horse Mine’s bustling past, despite the surrounding silence. Could it be the ghost of Johnny Lang looking for his gold?

Unexplained movements and shadowy figures are common sightings among those who brave the trail at dusk or dawn. It’s as if the spectral miner is not content with solitude and seeks to make his presence known to all who venture near his domain. 

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References:

Johnny Lang and the Lost Horse Mine 

3 Haunted Trails To Try Inside Joshua Tree National Park — WKNDR 

Lost Horse Mine – Joshua Tree National Park (U.S. National Park Service) 

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The Ghost Horses of the Canyonlands

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The sound of thundering hooves and whinnying of abandoned mustangs in the Canyonlands National Park and the Dead Horse Point State Park is said to haunt the canyons. Left by the cowboys trying to break them in, Ghost Horses were left to starvation and thirst. 

Canyonlands National Park in Utah, with its otherworldly rock canyons and vast landscapes, offers visitors a journey through the remnants of the Wild West. Amid the breathtaking scenery, however, whispers of an eerie tale persist—a haunting legend that brings forth the mournful echoes of ghostly mustangs.

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Dead Horse Point State Park in San Juan County offers a dramatic view over the National Park, often called Utah’s Little Grand Canyon and also where the movie, Thelma and Louise was filmed. According to legend, the park is so named because of its use as a natural corral by cowboys in the, where horses often died of exposure. Dead Horse Point has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names

The haunted Canyonlands: Dead Horse Point State Park Utah USA overlooking the Colorado River. It is said to be haunted by the horses that were left for dead there.

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park, located in southeastern Utah, is a stunning expanse of dramatic desert landscapes sculpted by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Divided into four distinct districts—Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves—the park offers a diverse array of geological features, including towering mesas, expansive canyons, unique rock formations, and ancient petroglyphs. Each district provides a unique experience, from the breathtaking panoramic vistas at Island in the Sky to the intricate sandstone spires in The Needles and the remote, rugged wilderness of The Maze. 

The Dead Horse Point State Park is much smaller and under another administration. It is located near the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park and is easily accessible from Moab, Utah. 

The Abandoned Mustangs

In the moonlit solitude of Canyonlands, the air is said to stir with the phantom clamor of hooves and the sorrowful whinnies of spectral horses among the Juniper trees. These apparitions are believed to be the lingering spirits of a once-vibrant herd of wild mustangs whose tragic fate was sealed by the negligence of heartless wranglers in the 1800s.

The tale unfolds with a group of cowboys rounding up dozens of wild mustangs in the part of the park now known as The Neck or The Gooseneck, intent on breaking them and selling them to the highest bidders. Life back then was hard back then, only people of spirit and grit survived it. This also came at the expense of the innocent animals they used. 

Ghost Horses: The thing said to be haunting the Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park are the spirits of the horses that were left for dead by the Cowboys.

Having chosen the select few that promised the greatest profits, the wranglers callously abandoned the remaining horses, or they simply forgot to release them. Left to fend for themselves in the harsh canyons, the forsaken mustangs found themselves captive without sustenance. 

They were trapped in a makeshift corral and didn’t manage to get to the Colorado River closeby. Slowly, they succumbed to starvation, many leaping to their death as they could both see and smell the river, their haunting cries filling the desolate landscape.

The Ghost Horses

Now, as the moon graces the night sky, the Ghost Horses of Canyonlands are said to gallop through the park, their ethereal forms unrestrained by the earthly confines that once betrayed them. The haunting echoes of their hoofbeats serve as a poignant reminder of the cruelty they endured, seeking solace in the afterlife with wild abandon.

People that visit the Dead Horse State Park as well as Canyonlands National Park come back with stories about hearing the mournful whinnying of horses and the thunderous hooves over the ground. Visitors are always advised to give them their space if you ever hear them coming, on their eternal path to the Colorado River to drink, to freedom.

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References:

12 Haunted National Parks | Shaka Guide 

Legends Of The National Parks: Canyonlands’ Dead Horse By Aaron Johnson, Joel Anderson, 2022 

Dead Horse Point State Park – Wikipedia 

Canyonlands National Park – Wikipedia