This Haunted Road Trip Will Lead You To The Scariest Places In South Dakota
You don’t need to believe in ghosts to love a good haunted road trip. You might be interested in the history of these places, even if you don’t think for a minute that you’ll stumble upon unsettled spirits. Hop in the car and go for a ride – you’re going to love this trip that features the most haunted places in South Dakota.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
This road trip starts near Vermillion and takes you all the way across the state, ending at Wounded Knee. The entire trip would take over 12 hours if you completed it all at once. We recommend that you plan at least one overnight along the way.
Spirit Mound's hauntings go back way before white men found this place. The Sioux tribe believed that strange, short men with misshapen heads haunted the area.
Address: 31148 SD-19, Vermillion, SD 57069
Mount Marty College is supposedly full of ghosts. The school was established in 1936, and many think it's haunted by several folks who died on campus throughout the years. Ghosts include a construction worker who turns lights on and off, a nun, music teacher and young student.
Address: 1105 W 8th Street, Yankton, SD 57078
This lovely Victorian home was built in 1888, and is said to be haunted by a young woman named Leslie Gage, who was supposedly the inspiration for Dorothy in L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz. The present owners insist that the hauntings are just rumors, but the home's secluded location and somewhat intimidating exterior definitely add to its intrigue.
Address: 1210 2nd Avenue NW, Aberdeen, South Dakota
This hotel has such a history of hauntings that its website readily admits that the second and third floor hallways are just teeming with ghosts. Seth Bullock himself has been spotted on numerous occasions.
Address: 633 Main Street, Deadwood, SD 57732
The Historic Homestake Opera House was built in 1914. Plenty of stories surround this beautiful building - including people hearing voices and actually seeing ghosts.
Address: 313 West Main Street, Lead, SD 57754
Hotel Alex Johnson apparently has several ghosts, including that of Mr. Johnson himself. The Lady in White was supposedly a young bride who threw herself out the window of room 812 during the 1970s. She wanders the halls of the eighth floor. Mr. Johnson died in 1938, but still keeps an eye on the place, and a young girl on the eighth floor plays pranks on guests.
Address: 523 6th Street, Rapid City, SD 57701
On December 29, 1890, the Wounded Knee Massacre was committed by the U.S. Seventh Cavalry. Soldiers killed more than 300 men, women and children. Today, visitors report hearing moans on the wind, along with the sobbing of women and cries of children.
Address: Wounded Knee, SD 57794
What is the most famous ghost story from South Dakota?
While South Dakota has a number of legendary ghost stories, the most disturbing of all may just be the legend of Sica Hollow. Located near Sisseton, Sica Hollow State Park has always been a popular spot in terms of outdoor recreation, but what you cannot see along the covered trails is what has people talking. Called Sica (or “evil”) by the Dakota Sioux Native Americans, Sica Hollow is the alleged home of Bigfoot, as several South Dakotans went missing in the woods in the 1970s after a half man/half beast was spotted roaming the woods. Does this make Sica Hollow one of the most iconic of South Dakota hauntings or is it merely a legend? You tell us.
What is the most haunted town in South Dakota?
The most haunted town in the Mount Rushmore State is hands down Deadwood, which is the location of some of the most popular South Dakota ghost stories. What makes it so haunted? It is thanks to the ghosts of the town’s first sheriff (who can still be seen roaming around the Historic Bullock Hotel), W.E. Adams (the original owner of the Historic Adams House who may have died, but never really left), and all of the weird sights/sounds/smells on the 3rd floor of the Fairmont Hotel and Casino.
What is the creepiest abandoned place in South Dakota?
While there are countless abandoned places in South Dakota, the creepiest of all is Spokane, which is made all the more eerie as it is – despite being abandoned in the 1940s – perfectly preserved. You can learn a lot more about Spokane by reading There’s A Hike In South Dakota That Leads You Straight To An Abandoned Village.
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
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