No state goes without having some darkness lurking somewhere, or unexplainable claims of hauntings and terror. The quiet prairie has many stories – some of which will haunt your dreams after hearing them. Here are 7 urban legends in North Dakota that are nothing short of creepy:

1. Frozen Stiff... and Alive
Michael Pereckas/Flickr
We know how cold it can get in this state and how dangerous it can be to get caught outside in the dead of winter, but what do you think would happen if it happened to you? You'd probably freeze to death...but what if you didn't actually die? This urban legend is actually a true story, and certainly one of the scary stories of North Dakota that'll stick with you. In January of 1981, teen Jean Hilliard got caught outside after her car spun out, falling face-first in snow during -22 degree temps and not being found until the next morning. She was taken to the hospital, her skin too hard to pierce with a hypodermic needle and temperature too cold to register on a thermometer. Miraculously, about three hours after being brought in, her body had managed to thaw out enough to regain consciousness, and she survived.
2. The Legend of White Lady Lane
franksworldpics/Flickr
In Walhalla, North Dakota, according to the Walhalla website, there is a legend that long ago a peddler man shot and killed a young woman he fancied after being denied the honor of marrying her by her mother. The peddler attempted to take his own life twice directly following the murder but failed both times. Taken from life too early, it is said that the girl's ghost has been spotted wandering near a location known as Eddie's Bridge, in a flowing and eerie white nightgown that she was wearing the day she died.
3. Ghost of Custer's House
Wikimedia
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park near Mandan is home to the location of General Custer's house, now reconstructed and open to tours. Many strange occurrences have been reported from this house, some of which sound downright paranormal. People feeling a tap on the shoulder with no one there, dishes and candlesticks moved when there was no force to move them, and other strange happenings. The house still runs tours - do you dare go visit?

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4. Riverside Cemetery
Ypsilanti Historical Society
This cemetery in Fargo is apparently known to be one of the most haunted places in North Dakota. It is said if you place an audio recording device on top of a certain mausoleum, the recording will pick up sounds of knocking... from inside. It has been reported that other strange sounds have been recorded in the cemetery, as well.
5. Bismarck's Former Governor’s Mansion
Wikimedia
In 1898, former Governor Frank Briggs died of tuberculosis in the master bedroom of his mansion in Bismarck, North Dakota. His butler refused to sleep in the house alone after that because he was sure Briggs still remained as a ghost. More recently, after the house's restoration, people claim they hear footsteps on the staircase to the basement and the staircase to the attic and have seen curtains move with no breeze or anyone touching them, among other creepy disturbances. Do you believe in the ghost stories of North Dakota?
6. San Haven Sanatorium
Andrew Filer/Flickr
This huge property once held over 900 tuberculosis patients and, later, developmentally disabled patients until being closed in 1989. There were concerns of questionable treatment to the patients and stories behind locked doors that may never be told. After it was closed to the public, a trespasser exploring the site fell down an elevator shaft and died there. His ghost and that of many others are said to haunt the rundown facility to this day.
7. Miniwashitu
Wikimedia
Also known as the Missouri River monster, a large creature covered in red buffalo-like hair with a single eye and horn above it, and a spine long and jagged sticking out of its back. The legend says that if the creature is seen during the day, whoever saw it will go insane and die shortly after. In the spring it supposedly travels up the river and breaks the ice. Maybe it is best to not visit the Missouri in spring...

Do you know of any other myths and urban legends in North Dakota, or have you had something happen to you that you just couldn’t explain? If you’re feeling brave, try this haunted road trip in North Dakota to see some of the state’s spookiest places for yourself.

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Urban Legends In North Dakota

Leah | February 29, 2020

Can I go ghost hunting in North Dakota?

With quite a few ghost stories in North Dakota going around, you would expect that ghost hunting is an option in the state - and it is. Many people have conducted paranormal investigations at the state's various supposedly haunted spots. In October, you can go on ghost tours at Bonanzaville in West Fargo, exploring the old buildings after hours with special equipment and a guide explaining the stories behind each place. The tickets for these tend to sell out, so keep an eye on Bonanzaville's page in the fall for information on how to get them.

Are there any haunted hotels in North Dakota?

There are few hotels quite as old as the Rough Riders Hotel in Medora, North Dakota. It's been around for decades and is considered a historic inn - it's also considered one of the haunted places in North Dakota. It's used by thousands of tourists every year, and although most of the rooms are nothing short of luxurious and relaxing, some of them are said to be haunted. You can request to stay in their most historic rooms and on certain floors you might experience similar things to ghostly reports from other visitors, such as hearing things that aren't there or having faucets turned on by themselves.

What are the scariest haunted attractions in North Dakota?

We mentioned the Custer House in this urban legends of North Dakota list, and while you can visit it yourself during normal seasons, you can also experience it at its scariest. The Custer House turns into one of the most popular haunted house attractions in the state around Halloween time. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park hosts the annual Haunted Fort, where you can go through the Custer House with the added horrifying decorations and grotesque characters ready to jump out at you when you least expect it. There are other experiences you can have at the fort that range from kid-friendly spooks to downright terrifying and for the bravest only.

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Featured Addresses
Walhalla, ND 58282, USA
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, 4480 Fort Lincoln Rd, Mandan, ND 58554, USA
Riverside Cemetery Association, 2102 5th St S, Fargo, ND 58103, USA
Former Governors' Mansion State Historic Site, 320 E Avenue B, Bismarck, ND 58501, USA
San Haven, ND 58329, USA