The Ultimate Terrifying South Dakota Road Trip Is Right Here – And You’ll Want To Do It

When you have a state that is as historic as South Dakota, you are almost guaranteed to find allegedly haunted spots around every corner. If you have a love of the eerie, and find haunted houses and ghost stories to be your cup of tea, buckle up and take this terrifying road trip to a few of the creepiest places in South Dakota.

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The Hotel Alex Johnson / Facebook

A hotel so surely haunted, they actually advertise it right on their website. Come take a tour or stay at this haunted mansion. One of the main ghosts claimed to be seen here is the hotel’s namesake, Alex Johnson himself. It is said that he comes around to make sure the hotel is still running well. Treat yourself to the Ghost Package and check this haunted hotel off your must-see list!
Address: 523 6th Street, Rapid City, SD 57701

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The Historic Fairmont Hotel / Facebook

The second stop on our tour is in Deadwood, SD. Come and experience for yourself the paranormal activities that this hotel is known for. Ghost tours are offered and the employees are very knowledgeable about the history of the hotel. Good luck sleeping after you visit this one!
Address: 628 Main Street, Deadwood, SD 57732

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Matt / Flickr

This creepy cemetery located in Fort Pierre was started when five of Scotty Phillip's kids proceeded him in death. He buried them all here and was buried next to them when he passed away. The land the family was buried on then became what is presently known as the Scotty Phillips Cemetery. Visit the cemetery at night to experience the strange sounds and eerie feelings that many have claimed occur here.
Address: Fort Pierre, SD 57532

Christian Gustafson / Facebook

Gitchi Manitou is one of the places you always hear about but can never bring yourself to visit, at least not at night. Now is your chance to challenge yourself to visit this terrifying place. While it is technically located in Iowa, the whispers of murders run rampant through Eastern South Dakota as well. In 1973, four Sioux Falls teens were murdered while camping at Gitchi Manitou. If that isn’t enough reason to be wary of hauntings, add the fact that this park used to be an American Indian burial grounds. The park is technically closed after dark; but the brave still visit in hopes to prove the legends true. Are you brave enough?
Address: 52141 Adams Avenue, Larchwood, IA 51241

Mount Marty College / Facebook

Most of this ghost activity is centralized in Whitby Hall, where a construction worker fell to his death back in 1936. Many have spoken of a ghostly sighting of a man in a work uniform in these hallways. There are more tales of hauntings on this campus including that of a female student who was scratched by a hair pin and later died of an infection as a result. Come experience these hauntings for yourself in Yankton, SD.
Address: 1105 West 8th Street, Yankton, SD 57078

Quick Hits: Creepiest Places in South Dakota
By Annie Sandmeier

What is the most haunted place in South Dakota? As mentioned in the introduction, a state with a history like South Dakota is bound to have plenty of alleged haunts, so narrowing it down to just one is a little tricky. If we had to pick from the most terrifying places in South Dakota, however, it would probably be the aforementioned Hotel Alex Johnson. Why? With the number of credible-sounding stories to come from countless guests, it is hard to discredit that people were just imagining the window opening on its own, sounds of phantom music, and the words “Help me” appearing on the bathroom mirror.

What is the creepiest abandoned place in South Dakota? While it is outside and was never technically occupied, the creepiest abandoned place in South Dakota is Devil’s Gulch. Though it is famous for the legend surrounding Jesse James (who is said to have leapt the 18-foot gulch with his horse), Devil’s Gulch has a much darker side, as it is said a young couple was murdered there after a botched kidnapping. If you listen closely, many say you can still hear the moans and screams of the couple, as well as see their shadows.

What is the most haunted town in South Dakota? This one is easy: Deadwood. Famous for its Wild West past, Deadwood is home to a number of historic attractions and – in turn – hauntings. This includes the previously mentioned Bullock Hotel, Fairmont Hotel and Casino (home to many spirits from the building’s former life as a brothel), and Historic Adams House (which is said to still house the spirit of original owner W.E. Adams).

There are many terrifying places in South Dakota, so for the souls that are brave enough to take on this road trip, don’t forget to let us know how it goes! What haunted places in South Dakota would you add to this road trip?