Explore the eerie side of Utah this fall.
Utah may be famous for its red rock arches, alpine trails and endless stars, but when the days grow shorter and the air chills, the Beehive State reveals a darker side. From canyons surrounded by whispered rumors of curses to mining towns that never quite died, these haunted places in Utah mix history, legend and a dash of mystery.
Haunted hikes in Utah
Rock Canyon Trail, Provo
By day, Rock Canyon looks like a peaceful escape for students and families from nearby BYU. As night falls, something mysteriously unnatural will send shivers up your spine. Hikers report hearing footsteps echoing behind them, only to find no one there.
The canyon's eerie reputation comes from decades of strange disappearances, unexplained lights and whispers said to belong to early settlers who never made it out. Visitors have reported seeing the ghostly figure of a man in 1970s clothing on a rock peak who quickly runs down the mountain. Others say they have seen the apparition of a young girl singing a haunting melody by the creek.
The trail is about 5.6 miles round trip and family-friendly by day. If you go at dusk, keep an ear out for what lurks beyond the trees.
Peekaboo and spooky slot canyons, Escalante
Don't be fooled by the playful name. Peekaboo and Spooky Gulch are no joke once you're inside. These twisting slot canyons in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument grow so narrow that you'll have to turn sideways to pass through some spots. Legend says that the canyon walls echo with ghostly laughter when the wind blows just right.
The loop connecting both canyons is about 3.5 miles and moderately challenging, requiring some scrambling and a good sense of adventure. The otherworldly curves and silence make it beautiful by daylight but haunting after dark.
Dead Horse Point, Moab
Few places in Utah feel more eerily beautiful than Dead Horse Point. Perched high above the Colorado River near Moab, this overlook offers jaw-dropping views — and a legend that will make your skin crawl. According to local lore, 19th-century cowboys once used the narrow neck of the mesa to corral wild mustangs. One tragic day, a group of horses was left behind and perished in the heat, their spirits said to roam the rim in search of escape.
Visitors sometimes report hearing distant galloping hooves or spotting phantom silhouettes against the crimson horizon as the sun dips low. You can take a short walk from the parking area to the main overlook, or follow the 5-mile Rim Loop Trail that circles the mesa for breathtaking views, and if you're lucky (or unlucky), a few ghostly encounters.
Haunted caves in Utah
Wind Cave, Logan Canyon
Nicknamed the Witch's Castle, the Wind Cave in Logan Canyon is one of northern Utah's most unsettling natural wonders. The cave's ghostly moans, often dismissed as the whistling winds, have long fueled stories of witches, curses and lost souls. Some visitors swear they've seen flickering lights within the cave walls.
The 4-mile round-trip hike to get to the cave is moderately steep but rewards brave hikers with canyon views — if you can handle the hair-raising soundtrack.
Timpanogos Cave, American Fork Canyon
You may have heard of this famous cave system tucked high in the Wasatch Mountains. Timpanogos Cave is known for its stunning limestone formations and a bit of chilling folklore. Park rangers and hikers have reported strange sounds coming from the mountain at night, echoing through the narrow tunnels.
One enduring story tells of a Native American princess who entered the mountain in search of her lost love and never returned. Some say her spirit still wanders the caverns, her cries carried by the wind. During the cave tour, when they turn out all the lights, you might even feel her presence brush up against you.
The hike to the cave entrance is steep but short (about 3 miles round trip), and rewards visitors with both incredible geology and a hint of the supernatural.
Note: Access to the cave requires a ranger-guided tour. The trail is open mid-May to mid-October, but gated and locked about a quarter mile up from about 6:45 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Haunted ghost towns in Utah
Sego Ghost Town, near Thompson Springs
Hidden in the Book Cliffs off I-70, Sego was once a booming coal-mining town. The town emptied when the mine dried up, leaving behind rusted cars, collapsing structures and plenty of ghost stories.
Locals say the spirits of miners still roam the hills, especially near the old cemetery. Visitors today can explore the remnants by dirt road, though it's best to visit in the daylight unless you're ready for a true ghostly encounter.
Helper, Carbon County
This once rowdy railroad town was filled with saloons, miners and fortune seekers. Now, Helper is known as both a thriving art community and a haunted spot surrounded by many Utah ghost towns.
The Helper Hotel and old mines are rumored to host restless spirits of railroad workers and travelers who met untimely deaths. If you stroll down Main Street after dark, you might feel a chill that has nothing to do with the mountain air.
Enjoy your spooky Utah adventure
You don't have to believe in ghosts to enjoy a little thrill. From eerie ghost towns to creepy caves, Utah's haunted places are the perfect excuse to get outside and learn some history, but maybe keep the flashlight handy, just in case.
