Black Star Canyon, a remote hiking area located in Orange County in the Santa Ana mountains, has a haunted history that will make you think twice about doing this hike alone, especially after dark, as the canyon is rumored to be one of the most haunted places in all of Southern California. In addition to all of the haunted stories you're about to hear, the canyon is also known for its extreme sound fluctuations that go from long periods of eerie silence to sudden gusts of howling wind that sound like otherworldly spirits screeching in the distance.
The terrifying history of Black Star Canyon dates back to the bloody massacre of the Native American Tongva tribe that took place in 1831 when a group of fur trappers attacked and slaughtered the Tongva people where they resided up in the canyon. The attack was in retaliation for allegedly stealing the fur trappers' horses.
It is believed that the spirits of the Tongva people who were killed in that ambush still remain in the canyon today as people have claimed they have seen the ghosts of Native Americans walking the trails after dark. There have also been reports of people hearing faint sounds of tribal chanting somewhere off in the distance. If that isn't enough to give you the chills, there are other tales of bloodshed that continue to haunt this part of the Santa Ana mountains.
In 1899 there was another murder that took place within the canyon on Hidden Ranch that was the result of a horse trade negation gone wrong. It ended with the death of James Gregg who was shot and killed during the dispute. It's believed that the ghost of James Gregg still lives on in Hidden Ranch as there have been countless stories of his ghost being spotted near the area where he was shot.
Another horrific event took place much later on in 1970. There was a school bus that traveled the area on a daily basis as part of its route. On one school day a freak accident occurred and the driver lost control of the bus. It spiraled into Black Star Canyon killing most everyone on board, including the school children. The crashed bus remained on the property until 2012. People have reported over the years that as they got close to the bus they could see ghostly apparitions that appeared to be children trying to get away from the vehicle.
Although there are "No Trespassing" signs posted to discourage people from hiking the area, these signs are not officially issued by the county so the canyon is legally accessible to anyone brave enough to hike the trail.
Some say these stories of hauntings are only urban legend, but just as many say they are quite true based on the paranormal encounters people have experienced firsthand while out on the trail. Either way, there's no question that Black Star Canyon has been the site of more murders, terror and bloodshed than any other canyon in the Santa Ana Mountains. So is Black Star Canyon really haunted? Gather a group of friends and experience the hike for yourself -- I'll let you decide.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
