This Oregon Campground Was Once The Site Of A Gruesome Massacre
Sarah McCosham
Author
Oregon is a stunning natural beauty; but buried in its beautiful landscape, there are tragedies from over the years — natural events, lives lived, and history unfolding. The Oregon Trail is perhaps the state’s most heartbreaking tragedy, with the dangerous journey claiming the lives of some 20,000 pioneers. However, if you’ve ever visited Smith Rock State Park, you might be shocked to learn that this picturesque place is haunted with a pretty dark past. This Oregon campground was once the site of a gruesome massacre, and it’s a story that even lifelong Oregonians may not know about.
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Smith Rock State Park — it’s one of Oregon’s most glorious state parks; and Skull Hollow Campground is a beloved and popular camping spot. But everywhere, even the most incredibly beautiful places, have their own deep, dark secrets.
So did you know about the loss of life on this Oregon campground? This happened a long time ago, but it definitely makes you think twice before spending the night out at Smith Rock State Park! Now that you’re camping at a bona fide crime scene, you’ll need some spooky tales for the campfire! And we have one: the Legend of The Bandage Man… but just be warned: this one is super creepy.
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More to Explore
Oregon History
Is the campground at Smith Rock the only haunted campground in Oregon?
While the campground outlined above is certainly among the most notoriously eerie campgrounds in Oregon, it's certainly not the only haunted place to sleep in Oregon:
- The Geiser Grand Hotel. Known as one of the most notoriously haunted places in Oregon, the historic Geiser Grand Hotel is steeped in lore and legend. Rumors have been swirling for over a century regarding saloon dancers and an infamous Lady in Blue. If you don’t believe in ghosts, you just might after a stay at the Geiser Grand Hotel in Baker City. And if you do? Well, then you might just want to dive in headfirst for a real-life ghost hunt!
- The Benson Hotel. You’ll be immersed in history when you stay at The Benson in Portland, Oregon. This beautiful hotel was built in 1912, and its “Historic Stairwell” features more than 160 vintage photos and stories about its early days. During your stay, you night catch a glimpse of the original owner, Simon Benson…who has been dead since 1942.
- McMenamins Grand Lodge is an impressive hotel tucked away in Forest Grove, Oregon. This historic lodge was once a Masonic & Eastern Star property, and was built to be a home for poor, sick, and elderly Masons and their families. This building has been standing for almost a century now, and according to legend, it has a number of paranormal guests who have overstayed their welcome. Take a look at the notoriously haunted McMenamins Grand Lodge, which has what some believe to be a secret room, too…
What's the most haunted house in Oregon?
By now, you’re probably aware that Oregon has no shortage of haunted places. Perhaps one of the scariest of them all is the Flavel House in Astoria. Over the years, this mysterious mansion has played host to a number of eerie residents, both human and spectral. From hoarders to hatchets, this house has seen it all, and that’s why it’s known today as the most haunted house in Oregon.