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The Witching Behind the Production of Practical Magic

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The cult classic Practical Magic is a movie about witches, spells and curses. But did you know that a witch actually cursed the film production when they worked on it? And did you know there is going to be a sequel about the family of witches?

The 1998 cult classic Practical Magic is not just a beloved witchy film—it also has an eerily enchanting history behind its production. Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, the film tells the story of two witch sisters navigating love, loss, and a family curse. With an all-star cast, including Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest, Practical Magic was filmed at the height of late 90s nostalgia for magical and supernatural tales. 

Read Also: Check out all haunted stories from the USA.

One of the most memorable scenes in the film features the characters enjoying “Midnight Margaritas,” a spontaneous, tequila-fueled bonding session. Behind the scenes, the cast really did get tipsy on the cheap tequila Nicole Kidman had brought on set, leading to authentic moments of tipsy joy that made it into the final cut.

Midnight Margaritas: The booze in the Margarita was real tequila. Were the curses in the movie real as well? If we are to believe the stories, the witch consultant really did leave a curse on the whole movie.

In addition to boozy fun, Practical Magic became an unexpected sisterhood for the actresses. Though the film was directed by Griffin Dunne, a man, the female cast formed a powerful, almost mystical bond. As Kidman recalled, they synced their menstrual cycles during a full moon while filming, teasing Dunne that they might soon “turn on him.”

Musically, the film drew on the talents of self-proclaimed witch and Fleetwood Mac legend, Stevie Nicks. Nicks not only contributed her song “If You Ever Did Believe” to the film but also re-recorded her classic “Crystal,” both featuring Sheryl Crow. 

Yet, what many don’t know is that the film’s making was just as otherworldly as its plot.

Was Practical Magic a Haunted Set?

Behind the camera Practical Magic was plagued by darker forces as well as in front of it is we are to believe the rumors. 

Stories about supernatural occurrences circulated during filming from both cast and crew. Cast members reported eerie noises, especially during the climactic coven scene at the film’s end, raising suspicions that the fictional witchcraft may have stirred something real.

Read Also: Check out The Haunting of Fernhills Royal Palace Hotel in India’s Hills where another movie production encountered the supernatural.

As the director said: “It’s something I will talk about now, but at the time I would sort of deny it. I didn’t want the vibe. As the line from the movie that Aidan has [goes], “I didn’t want to give the curse any strength.” Not that I believed in it. But if you believe in it, you’re giving it strength.”

So was the movie set really haunted, or was it simply the witchy vibe of the set something to the atmosphere. The scariest thing by far was when the witch consultant they had hired cursed the entire movie, as well as the director when they didn’t give into her demands. 

The Exorcism Scene: The scene where the witches gathered for a huge spell was thought to bring with it a strange atmosphere people borderline chucked up to a paranormal one.

The Witch Consultant’s Curse

Originally brought on to help ensure the accuracy of the film’s portrayal of magic, things took a sinister turn with the witch consultant they had hired. They had hired the witch through a friend of the director put them in touch with. The friend has never stopped apologizing for the introduction because of how badly it ended, according to the director. 

Read More: Check out all stories concerning Witches

The witch was, according to the director, paid very handsomely by Warner Brothers for her consulting on spells and such. The director thought it would be fun to bring her out to Los Angeles where they were filming a lot of the movie. They wanted to put her in a nice hotel as he wanted her to meet Bullock and Kidman, who were dying to meet her. 

The Owen Sisters: Nichole Kidman and Sandra Bullock played the sisters in the movie. In the plot, the sisters are cursed as well, and any man who loves them or they love will die.

This all greatly backfired though as the witch got offended. She said to the producer in a phone call: “I’m going to put a curse on you. I’m putting a curse on this movie, and I’m putting a curse on Griffin.” 

She wanted three gross points of the profit the movie would make as well as the right to publish a Practical Magic cookbook. She also left an ominous voicemail as well to Griffith: “There is a land of curses!” and started to speak in tongue on a voicemail before threatening to sue Warner Bros as well.

Griffith brought the recording to the legal department and played the curse for them. Only halfway through they stopped the tape and wrote her a check. 

A New Age Exorcism for a New Age Movie

The threat of the curse rattled the crew, especially when tragedy struck: a crew member’s father died suddenly. Though he was elderly and already ill, many on set believed it was the witch’s doing. In response, Griffin Dunne arranged a New Age exorcism to cleanse the set. 

“It was a very simple, New Agey ceremony that was about as silly as the idea that someone would curse you over the phone,” he told Vulture when he talked about the whole ordeal. “It was mostly chants and smoke and shit like that. “I just did it to cover my bases.”

Though he admitted it was “silly,” the ritual provided some comfort, and filming continued without further incident. The incident did however inspire the creator of the movie to write one of Aidens lines: “Curses only have power when you believe them.” 

Critic Reviews and the Supernatural Vibe

Despite the fun behind-the-scenes stories, Practical Magic wasn’t initially well-received. Critics like Roger Ebert and Entertainment Weekly panned the film, calling it “muddled” and “cursed,” as if the alleged witch’s hex truly took hold of the production and made it to as badly as it did on the box office. In fact, it was the last feature film the director did for ages, and he said it certainly didn’t help his career. 

However, over the years, the film gained a cult following, embraced for its charming mix of romance, sisterhood, and spooky magic. Today the movie is considered a classis by many, a thing put on every fall to get you in the spooky October mood. 

As if continuing the magic of the original, in 2024, news broke that both Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman would return for a much-anticipated sequel. The announcement reignited fan excitement and speculation that the witchy energy from the first film might soon stir again. But the question is: how would a sequel fare if there truly is something like a curse put on the production?

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References:

Practical Magic (1998) – Trivia – IMDb

Practical Magic – Wikipedia

How ‘Practical Magic’ Pissed Off a Real-Life Witch | Vanity Fair 

Prepare a Midnight Margarita and Enjoy These 25 Secrets About Practical Magic

Cool, Shocking Facts You Never Knew About Practical Magic – Business Insider

Practical Magic Got Cursed by an Actual Witch. Is That Why It Bombed? 

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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. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

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. 

Read more: Check out all ghost stories from Haunted Hotels

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. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from USA

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. 

Read Also: Check out all ghost stories from Haunted Hotels

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.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

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.  

Read More: Check out more ghost stories from Haunted Hotels

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. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from USA

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. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

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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Ghostly Whispers in the Dry Tortugas Fort Jefferson

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The old prison, Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas National Park is thought to be haunted by someone who was imprisoned there. Most fingers point to Dr. Samuel Mudd, imprisoned as a co-conspirator of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. 

In the turquoise expanse of the Gulf of Mexico, where the sun-drenched waters meet the vast sky, lies a cluster of islands known as the Dry Tortugas named after the turtles by the first European who caught turtles there when he discovered it in 1513. Dry Tortugas National Park, located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. The park, accessible only by boat or seaplane, comprises seven small islands and the surrounding coral reefs and waters. 

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While these pristine isles may boast stunning coral reefs and sun-soaked beaches, they harbor secrets that transcend the beauty of their natural surroundings. Pirates used to loom on these shores, around the island, remains of the many shipwrecks of those crossing the dangerous waters, giving the park a haunted rumor as well as for its beauty. Among the haunted stories, Fort Jefferson stands as a silent sentinel, bearing witness to a tumultuous past that echoes through the ages.

Dry Tortugas Islands: The small island is made into a national park with its old fort and prison surrounding it. It is said to be haunted by ghosts of prisoners who stayed there.

The Haunted Fort Jefferson

Its centerpiece of the Dry Tortugas is the rust red Fort Jefferson, a massive but unfinished coastal fortress constructed in 1825. Fort Jefferson was envisioned as a bastion of strength, a deterrent against the looming threat of Caribbean piracy that plagued the waters. It remained as a prison until it was abandoned in 1874.

As part of the larger Key West forts and coral reef complex, Fort Jefferson earned its place as a National Park due to its historical significance and the stories etched into its weathered walls.

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However, the ghosts that linger within Fort Jefferson’s confines are not confined to the realm of swashbuckling corsairs. Whispers of spectral apparitions traverse the corridors, evoking the haunting tales of prisoners who succumbed to the ravages of yellow fever during their incarceration. The wailing spirits of those who met a grim fate within the fortress are said to linger, their ethereal presence manifesting in chilling whispers and fleeting shadows.

Although there are not many details around the supposed haunting other than myths and hearsay, there is one person that is talked about most when discussing who could be haunting the fort. 

Fort Jefferson: The island of Dry Tortugas holds the old prison and fort, Fort Jefferson, thought to be haunted.

The Ghost of Dr. Samuel Mudd

But who is haunting the fort to this day. Among the spectral denizens of Fort Jefferson, one figure stands out—Dr. Samuel Mudd. While not a pirate by any means, Mudd was ensnared in the web of conspiracy surrounding the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and he was the doctor who treated John Wilkes Booth after he was hurt during the assassination. 

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A co-conspirator of the infamous John Wilkes Booth, Mudd found himself imprisoned within the walls of Fort Jefferson with three others said to be co-conspirators. Although what his part in the plat was, if any, is very unclear. It was here, on these remote islands, he was set to serve his time before he was pardoned after he averted a viral outbreak of yellow fever in 1869 and took over the duties of the prison doctor who succumbed to it. 

Dr. Samuel Mudd: One of the prisoners thought to be haunting the prison is Dr. Samuel Mudd who was sent to prison after being believed to be involved in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Legend has it that the ghost of Samuel Mudd roams the halls and ramparts of Fort Jefferson, a specter bound to the place of his confinement. Although he was pardoned and released from prison, his conviction was never overturned, even though he and his family tried many times. To this day, the conviction remains a controversy. 

He died in Maryland of pneumonia, and was buried on firm ground, far from the island where he was imprisoned. Still, the legend about him haunting the fort remains. Whether it be a manifestation of remorse or a yearning for justice, the ethereal presence of Mudd adds another layer to the ghostly tapestry woven into the fort’s history.

As the sun sets over the Dry Tortugas and shadows dance upon the timeworn stones of Fort Jefferson, the ghosts of the past come alive, revealing tales of intrigue, tragedy, and the enduring echoes of history. Could someone, or something be haunting the place?

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References:

Samuel Mudd – Wikipedia 

Dry Tortugas National Park – Wikipedia 

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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 

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Indiana Dunes and the Haunting of Diana of the Dunes

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The ghost of a woman on the beaches of Lake Michigan in Indiana National Park is said to disappear into the water. The ghost is believed to be the spirit of Alice Mable Gray, or as the legend dubbed her: Diana of the Dunes.

Along the southern end of Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes have long been celebrated for their natural allure, earning the prestigious designation of a U.S. National Park in 1966 with the older Indiana Dunes State Park not far from it. The primary feature of Indiana Dunes National Park is Lake Michigan that in the winter can bring ridges of ice on the beaches and in summer can create rip current sweeping swimmers out into the lake.

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Beyond the sun-kissed sands and windswept dunes lies a tapestry of haunted rumors, casting a spectral veil over the picturesque landscape that has captivated visitors since the 1910s when she packed her bags and became a legend.

Diana of the Dunes

Amidst the undulating dunes and whispering winds, one ghostly tale emerges—a narrative woven around a woman named Alice Mabel Gray. Her real life story was warped by the media even when she was alive. Testimonies from newspapers, locals have been exaggerated and at times, even contradictory. 

Many stories about where she came from circulated, many rumors about her being a socialite of a rich family. But she was really the bright daughter of a laborer, and at 16, she entered the University of Chicago and graduated with honorable mentions in astronomy, mathematics, Greek and Latin. She worked briefly  at the U.S Naval Observatory as a mathematician, but left for further studies in Germany. 

When in Germany, she discovered the Wandervogel movement, or the Birds in Passing. The movement was made up of young people giving up their possessions to live off the land in nature. 

Diana of the Dunes: Alice Gray, also known as the ‘Diana of the Dunes’. Undated photo. She was a celebrity of her time, choosing to live in the dunes at a time when the expectations of a woman’s life was much narrower. She was a legend back then, now she remain as a ghost story told.

Disenchanted with urban life in Chicago as a stenographer a few years later, Gray sought solace in the untamed beauty of the Indiana wilderness in 1915 when she was 34 years old. There were rumors about her having an affair with a professor that ended badly, but like much about her life, it remains a private and secret thing. 

Opting to abandon the trappings of city life, she chose to live off the grid, finding refuge among the dunes that would become her eternal home. She lived in a shack abandoned by fishermen she called Driftwood.

The fishermen started to talk about the young woman bathing naked and living alone by the shores of Lake Michigan. She was described as a hermit, foraging for food. Sometimes she went into the city to buy supplies and borrow books from the library. 

The reporters heard about the story and came flocking to these strange things, a woman just walking into the wild, dubbing her Diana of the Dunes from the Roman goddess of hunting and nature. If she really gave interviews to the reporters is unclear, but when they ran a story on her, they quoted her saying: “I want to live my own life – a free life,” 

Driftwood: Diana of the Dunes outside of her shack she lived in called Driftwood. The winters could be harsh, life could be harder. Nevertheless it was the life she had chosen for herself.

She met Paul, a drifter and a man with a dark past, and together they got in trouble with the police as well at times as they were suspected for stealing food. Although they never officially married, she referred to him as her husband. 

When she was diagnosed with kidney disease, she decided to not get any treatment for it, and died on February 8 of uremia poisoning. And with her death, her intentions and what about her life was true or not died with her. What drove her into the dunes? How much of what was written about her, about her skinny dipping for instance? 

The Ghost of the Dunes

Known by the evocative moniker “Diana of the Dunes,” Alice Gray’s spirit allegedly continues to roam the landscape she once called home. Most ghost stories come from the passing fishermen that have seen something strange and visitors to the beaches.

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Some claim to have witnessed her ethereal figure indulging in moonlit skinny-dipping escapades in the cool embrace of Lake Michigan. People say that they sometimes see a ghostly woman running on the shore before disappearing into the water. Abandoned homes, where Gray sought shelter during her earthly existence, serve as spectral remnants of her unconventional life.

As visitors traverse the dunes and stroll along the serene shores of Lake Michigan, the ghostly echoes of Alice Gray’s unconventional life persist. The Indiana Dunes, with its idyllic scenery, bears witness to a haunting legacy—a series of rumors, spectral sightings, and the lingering mystery of a woman who embraced the wilderness in both life and death. The winds that sweep across the dunes seem to carry with them the whispers of a bygone era and a plea to preserve the dunes as the wild place it is.

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References:

Diana of the Dunes: A National Park Ghost Story – The Daily Yonder 

Indiana Ghosts: Diana of the Dunes 

Diana of the Dunes – Wikipedia 

Indiana Dunes National Park – Wikipedia 

The True Story of Diana of the Dunes – Yesterday’s America 

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Echoes in the Abyss: The Ghostly Legacy of Stephen Bishop at Mammoth Cave

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The Mammoth Cave National Park is said to be haunted, by both the spirit of the first tour guide, the slave Stephen Bishop as well as the tuberculosis patients that were put in the caves and died in an experiment. 

Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, US stands as a colossal testament to the wonders that lie beneath the Earth’s surface. Designated as a National Park in 1941, Mammoth Cave National Park beckons adventurers to explore its intricate labyrinth of tunnels, a subterranean world that stretches over 400 miles and remains the largest cave structure ever discovered. 

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Yet, amid the awe-inspiring beauty of this geological marvel, a spectral tale lingers—one that reaches back to a time when Mammoth Cave was more than a park; it was a stage for the haunting legacy of Stephen Bishop, the slave tour guide that are said to haunt it.

Mammoth Cave: The entrance to Mammoth Cave at Mammoth Cave National Park. It doesn’t hold any mammoth remains, but according to stories, it is haunted by the past guides and patients who died.

The Mammoth Cave

But what really is the Mammoth Cave, and what can you find within? No fossils of the woolly mammoth have ever been found in Mammoth Cave, and the name of the cave has nothing to do with this extinct mammal and refer more to the sheer size of it.

Mammoth Cave National Park, located in central Kentucky, is a subterranean wonderland and the longest cave system in the world, boasting over 400 miles of explored passages. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve is renowned for its stunning underground labyrinth, featuring vast chambers, intricate formations, and unique geological features. 

Above ground, the park encompasses diverse ecosystems, including lush forests and rolling hills, providing habitats for a variety of wildlife. Visitors can embark on guided tours to explore the cave’s depths, learn about its rich history and the ancient Native American artifacts found within, and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and canoeing. 

The Cave Explorer Stephen Bishop

Long before Mammoth Cave received its National Park status, it captivated the curiosity of tourists as a privately owned attraction driven by a grim history of slave labor, the cave tours were led by individuals like Stephen Bishop, a man who transcended the shackles of slavery to become a pioneering explorer within the depths of Mammoth Cave.

Stephen Bishop: A slave who worked at the Mammoth Cave as its guide and explorer who made the basis of what we know of it today. Some people claim he is haunting the cave to this day.

Stephen Bishop (1821-1857) was brought to the caves to work when he was 17 years old by Franklin Gorin, a lawyer who wanted to turn the site into a tourist attraction. Gorin owned Mammoth Cave for just a year before selling it to John Croghan for $10,000, a price that included Bishop. He stayed on for another 19 years, exploring the cave, mapping it out and became a well known explorer and self thought geologist guiding people around the caves. He called the caves a: “A grand, gloomy, and peculiar place.”

He had initially intended to free his wife and son and move to Liberia, but never did. Stephen Bishop was freed the year before his death and was buried close to the cave. What he died of is uncertain, and is said to be of mysterious causes only 37 years old.

The Ghost of Stephen Bishop Haunting the Caves

In the modern era, those who venture into the quiet depths of Mammoth Cave claim to witness the ethereal presence of something strange, often believed to be the spirit of Stephen Bishop. Alone in the inky blackness, explorers report glimpses of his ghostly figure, a spectral guide traversing the same paths he once trod in life. 

A thing the guide does is turn the electric lights off and only speaks to the tour by a light of an oil lantern as they used to do. They call this a blackout and this is when most reports about strange things happening. 

Guides claim to have been shoved by a strange and invisible force, grabbed or touched when no one is around. They have also heard footsteps, but when turning around, there is no one there.

One time when staying in the room called the Methodist Church because the miners used to hold services there, a guide claimed to have seen an entire black family in their group, a strange thing as there were no black people joining their tour when they entered the caves. When he looked away for a second, they were gone. 

The Tuberculosis Patients

Another thing that Dr. Croghan did was to establish Dr. Croghan’s Infirmary after he purchased the caves in 1839. He thought that the cold and subterranean place would be good for the lungs, but it was actually the opposite. Several of his patients’ conditions got worse and three patients died before the experiment shut down a few months after. 

Bishop, the Bransfords , and possibly other enslaved workers built huts in the cave, two of which can still be seen today and the sick lived side by side by the tour guides, becoming a spectacle themselves. 

Tuberculosis Patients: Ten young women and a man posed at a small stone building inside Mammoth Cave where they built huts to accommodate tuberculosis patients. None of them got any better, some of them died and allegedly still haunts the caves.

Croghan died in 1849 from tuberculosis himself. The bodies were taken outside and buried on a stone slab now called Corpse Rock. 

After the infirmary closed down, visitors spoke of hearing the sound of coughing echoing through the cave in the section where the patients once were placed. 

Mammoth Cave, with its grandeur and secrets, holds within its depths the lingering spirits of those who shaped its past. The ghostly legacy of Stephen Bishop, an explorer who dared to unveil the mysteries of the abyss, continues to resonate through the cavernous chambers, where echoes of the past reverberate alongside the drip of stalactites, creating an otherworldly symphony in the subterranean darkness.

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References:

Stephen Bishop (cave explorer) – Wikipedia 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/enslaved-tour-guide-stephen-bishop-made-mammoth-cave-must-see-destination-it-today-180971424

Mammoth Cave National Park Harbors More Than A Few Ghost Stories