Discover a treasure trove of American folklore, mysterious legends, and ghostly tales from every corner of the United States. Here, we bring you an exciting collection of haunting stories and regional myths, each rooted deeply in the culture and history of each state. From chilling ghost stories and cryptid sightings to eerie urban legends and Native American lore, every state has a unique tale waiting to be uncovered.
Explore Our Legendary Map of the U.S.
- Alabama to Wyoming: Click on any state to delve into its most famous legend and discover spine-tingling tales that have captured imaginations for generations.
- Ghost Stories, Cryptids & Folktales: Read about infamous creatures like the Jersey Devil, Mothman, Skunk Ape, and Hodag, or explore haunted locations like Alcatraz, Lake Lanier, and Helltown.
- Myths of Mystery & Tragedy: Learn about America’s forgotten spirits, such as the Nightmarchers of Hawaii, Resurrection Mary in Illinois, and the Witch of the White Witch’s Tomb in Massachusetts.
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a history buff, or a paranormal enthusiast, “Legends Across America” offers an immersive look into the supernatural side of American history. Get ready to explore tales that might make you shiver, laugh, or even inspire you to visit the legends in person!
1. Alabama – The Ghost of Sally Carter: The spirit of young Sally Carter is said to haunt the cemetery of Huntsville, Alabama, where she was buried after her sudden death in 1837. Visitors have reported mysterious occurrences near her grave.
2. Alaska – The Kushtaka: This Tlingit legend tells of the “Kushtaka,” or land otter men, shapeshifting creatures said to lure people to their doom by imitating cries for help.
3. Arizona – The Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine: Located in the Superstition Mountains, this legendary mine is said to be filled with gold but cursed for anyone who dares seek it.
4. Arkansas – The Fouke Monster: This Bigfoot-like creature, reportedly sighted around Fouke, Arkansas, gained fame in the 1970s with reports of a hairy, ape-like monster terrorizing local families.
5. California – The Ghosts of Alcatraz: Alcatraz, one of the most infamous prisons in history, is said to be haunted by the spirits of former inmates and guards who never escaped its dark past.
6. Colorado – The Phantom of the Stanley Hotel: Stephen King’s inspiration for The Shining, this Estes Park hotel is rumored to have ghostly activity, with unexplained piano music and ghostly apparitions reported.
7. Connecticut – The Green Lady of Burlington: This eerie green apparition is said to haunt Green Lady Cemetery in Burlington. Legends say she drowned in a nearby swamp and now wanders the cemetery.
8. Delaware – The Corpse Light of Cape Henlopen: Mariners near Cape Henlopen claim to see a ghostly light, believed to be a warning from a long-deceased sailor about treacherous waters.
9. Florida – The Skunk Ape: A smelly, Bigfoot-like creature known as the Skunk Ape allegedly lurks in the swamps of southern Florida, especially in the Everglades.
10. Georgia – The Legend of Lake Lanier: Known for mysterious drownings and ghost sightings, Lake Lanier is believed to be haunted by the spirits of those who drowned or were buried under its waters.
11. Hawaii – Nightmarchers: Hawaiian legend speaks of ghostly warriors, the Nightmarchers, who can be seen marching at night. To avoid a curse, locals are instructed to avoid eye contact and lie flat on the ground if they encounter them.
12. Idaho – The Phantom of Lake Coeur d’Alene: This legend tells of a Native American princess who drowned in Lake Coeur d’Alene. Her spirit is said to wander the lake on misty nights.
13. Illinois – Resurrection Mary: The ghost of Mary, a young woman who died in a car accident in the 1930s, is said to haunt Chicago’s Resurrection Cemetery, hitchhiking along the road.
14. Indiana – The 100 Steps Cemetery: Located in Brazil, Indiana, this cemetery has an eerie staircase. People believe counting each step at night and reaching the top reveals a vision of their death.
15. Iowa – The Black Angel of Council Bluffs: This cemetery statue is rumored to be cursed, turning darker with every person buried nearby, symbolizing a shift from light to dark.
16. Kansas – The Sallie House: This Atchison house is said to be haunted by the spirit of Sallie, a young girl who died during a failed surgery. Reports include moving objects, noises, and apparitions.
17. Kentucky – The Pope Lick Monster: This goat-man creature, part human and part goat, is said to reside under a railway trestle bridge near Louisville and lure people to their doom.
18. Louisiana – The Rougarou: This Cajun legend describes a werewolf-like creature that haunts the swamps and bayous, often as a punishment for not observing Lent.
19. Maine – The Legend of Colcord Pond: It’s said that a creature, half-man and half-beast, lives near Colcord Pond, scaring away locals with its haunting howls.
20. Maryland – The Goatman: This creature is said to roam near Beltsville, terrifying locals with its goat-like appearance and strange cries.
21. Massachusetts – The Witch of the White Witch’s Tomb: The ghost of a woman accused of witchcraft is believed to haunt her grave, located in the town of Huntington.
22. Michigan – The Nain Rouge: Known as the “Red Dwarf of Detroit,” this creature appears before catastrophic events, warning the city’s inhabitants of impending doom.
23. Minnesota – The Wendigo: This Native American legend tells of a spirit that haunts the woods, turning people into cannibals. It’s especially prevalent in the cold, dark forests of northern Minnesota.
24. Mississippi – The Three-Legged Lady: Ghost stories tell of a ghostly woman with a third leg who roams Nash Road, terrifying those who cross her path.
25. Missouri – The Missouri State Penitentiary Ghosts: This prison, once the site of executions and violence, is said to be haunted by inmates who were once held within its walls.
26. Montana – The Shunka Warakin: Native to Native American folklore, this wolf-like creature is said to roam the plains and mountains, hunting livestock.
27. Nebraska – The Glowing Gravestone of Elmwood: Legend says that a gravestone in Elmwood Cemetery glows in the dark, thought to be caused by a ghostly energy.
28. Nevada – The Haunted Goldfield Hotel: This Gold Rush-era hotel in Goldfield is reportedly haunted by a spirit named Elizabeth, a pregnant woman who was left there to die.
29. New Hampshire – The Ghost Bride of Mount Washington: Legend has it that a bride who died on her honeymoon at Mount Washington’s summit still haunts the area.
30. New Jersey – The Jersey Devil: Described as a creature with hooves, bat wings, and a long tail, the Jersey Devil has been sighted in the Pine Barrens for over 200 years.
31. New Mexico – La Llorona: This legendary ghost woman, who drowned her children in a fit of rage, is said to haunt New Mexico’s rivers, searching for her lost children.
32. New York – The Headless Horseman: Immortalized by Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, this story tells of a headless rider terrorizing the town of Sleepy Hollow.
33. North Carolina – The Brown Mountain Lights: These mysterious lights have been seen near Brown Mountain for centuries, sparking theories of ghostly origins.
34. North Dakota – White Lady of Fort Totten: A ghostly woman in white is said to haunt Fort Totten, waiting for her long-lost love.
35. Ohio – Helltown: This abandoned village, known for legends of Satanic rituals, mutants, and paranormal activity, has intrigued ghost hunters and thrill-seekers alike.
36. Oklahoma – The Hex House of Tulsa: In the 1940s, this house was found to have been the site of psychological manipulation, with eerie remains of its influence persisting.
37. Oregon – The Bandage Man of Cannon Beach: This ghostly figure, covered in bloody bandages, is said to wander Cannon Beach’s roads, scaring passersby.
38. Pennsylvania – The Bus to Nowhere: In Philadelphia, an urban legend tells of a bus that picks up lost souls, wandering the city until passengers find closure.
39. Rhode Island – Mercy Brown, the Vampire: After dying from tuberculosis, Mercy’s family believed she was a vampire and exhumed her body to perform a ritual.
40. South Carolina – The Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp: In Bishopville, the legend of a half-man, half-lizard creature terrorizing cars and locals has grown over decades.
41. South Dakota – The Ghost of Wild Bill Hickok: Deadwood’s famous gunslinger, Wild Bill, is said to still roam the city’s streets, especially around his old haunts.
42. Tennessee – The Bell Witch: This legendary poltergeist terrorized the Bell family in the early 1800s, with stories of ghostly whispers, physical attacks, and eerie apparitions.
43. Texas – The Donkey Lady: San Antonio’s Donkey Lady Bridge is haunted by a half-human, half-donkey figure who allegedly seeks revenge for her tragic past.
44. Utah – The Escalante Petrified Forest Curses: Visitors to the petrified forest claim misfortune follows them if they take pieces of petrified wood, breaking the park’s rules.
45. Vermont – Emily’s Bridge: This covered bridge is haunted by Emily, who reportedly took her life there after her lover abandoned her.
46. Virginia – The Richmond Vampire: Legend says a bloodthirsty vampire haunts the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, emerging only at night.
47. Washington – Moss Man: The Native American lore of a creature covered in moss roaming the Olympic Peninsula lives on in reports of sightings.
48. West Virginia – The Mothman: Sightings of this winged creature in Point Pleasant led to tales of doom and tragedy, especially surrounding a bridge collapse in 1967.
49. Wisconsin – The Hodag: The Hodag, a creature with horns, fangs, and claws, allegedly roams the Northwoods, particularly around Rhinelander.
50. Wyoming – The Ghost of the Plains Hotel: This Cheyenne hotel is reportedly haunted by a bride who discovered her husband’s infidelity on their wedding night and now roams the hotel halls.
These legends showcase America’s rich tapestry of supernatural tales and local folklore!