Explore the Chilling History of the Cave Creek Trail in Ruby Valley, Nevada

From hotels to cemeteries to ghost towns, there are countless haunted places in Nevada with dark histories that are guaranteed to send chills down your spine. Today, I’m focusing on the Cave Creek Trail, a hiking trail in Ruby Lakes National Wildlife Refuge with a creepy past that offers a stark contrast to its immense beauty. 

At less than a mile long, the Cave Creek Trail is an easy hike suitable for beginners (but seasoned pros love it, too!). It’s an out-and-back route with an elevation gain of under 75 feet, taking an average of just 17 minutes to complete. Despite being such a quick adventure, the trail is surprisingly little-known and hardly ever crowded, allowing hikers to enjoy a sense of solitude in the vast, wide-open landscape. The emptiness also adds to the eerie vibe, but we’ll talk about that more in a bit.

The trail begins near the refuge’s visitor center on Ruby Valley Road and follows Cave Creek to its source, which is a spring that flows from deep within an outcropping carved into the side of a mountain. It leads through a lush forest comprised of several different types of trees, including aspens and cottonwoods, and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.

Upon reaching the mouth of the creek, you can peer into the cave and see the fresh spring water rushing forth from within. The flow is always steady, but sometimes it’s a downright deluge. And while there is a metal gate blocking off access to the cave, you’ll still have a good view of the creek. 

Now, let’s dive into the history of the Cave Creek Trail. Firstly, it was a stop along the Hastings Cutoff Emigrant Trail, an alternative route for westward-bound emigrants to take to California. The infamous Donner Party, members of which resorted to cannibalism when food supplies ran low during a particularly harsh winter, camped on the grounds of the trail, and following in their footsteps is a truly disconcerting experience. Additionally, the trail is supposedly haunted by the ghost of a soldier from nearby Camp Ruby who tragically drowned in the cave. 

Visit AllTrails for more information about the Cave Creek Trail, and consider signing up for AllTrails+ if you're interested in perks such as 3D maps and offline map access.

Have you ever hiked the Cave Creek Trail? What are some other haunted places in Nevada with chilling backstories? If you know of any, I'd love for you to share them with us.