Idaho is known for more than its rough environment, magnificent mountains, and diverse fauna. Some of the nation’s most haunted places are there. Despite the beautiful scenery and flowing rivers, ghostly activity is reported.
From abandoned penitentiaries to historic hotels, this state’s haunting history affects thrill-seekers. Even in picturesque beauties, the state has scary folklore. Explore Idaho’s five most haunted locations with us.
Old Idaho State Penitentiary, Boise
The Old Idaho State Penitentiary in Boise, IA, is one of the most haunted jails in the US and Idaho. Built in 1870, the prison served for over 100 years. After starting as a one-cell house, it expanded into many structures and held almost 13,000 convicts.
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Old Idaho State Penitentiary housed some of the state’s most vicious prisoners and upheld the death sentence. The most famous prisoner was Raymond Allen Snowden, “Idaho’s Jack the Ripper.” Death by hanging at the prison gallows was his 1957 sentencing.
Prison conditions were terrible, and over 100 prisoners perished from disease or murder. Many prisoner claims of paranormal activity exist today. Unusual whispering, creepy emotions, and icy areas are typical.
The room where Raymond Allen Snowden died remains the hub of activity. The circumstances surrounding his execution led many to assume his spirit never left. Gallows attract the greatest evil energy. Today, visitors can tour the facilities and feel the chill.
- Please contact us at 2445 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, ID 83712
- Call (208) 334-2844
Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake is a small, gorgeous town in Idaho’s Panhandle that offers many outdoor activities for tourists and locals. The community centers on the lake, but its macabre history makes it one of Idaho’s most haunted. The stories begin with Spirit Lake’s locked bottom and span generations. The lake’s cemented bottom is said to trap spirits that haunt it now.
Local mythology describes a forbidden love between two young Kootenai. Legend says the two lovers confessed their love and plunged into the lake, dying, despite their family’s condemnation. Many have seen the couple’s spirits sailing a boat across the lake today. Some say they hear their ghosts crying and moaning to leave the murky waters.
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Idaho Hotel Silver City
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Mining towns in Idaho attracted miners, businesspeople, and others seeking gold in the 1800s. Hidden in the Owyhee Mountains, Silver City’s Idaho Hotel was popular. Silver City is one of Idaho’s ghost towns, although the Idaho Hotel is the oldest operating hotel.
Many guests have seen ghostly orbs and felt a spooky presence in the hotel. In Room 27, paranormal activity is most prevalent. The spirit of a hotel owner who committed suicide in this room haunts it now. Some say they’ve spotted a coat-wearing man walking the corridors and stairs. Staying at the hotel now to experience the inexplicable is popular.
- Call (208) 941-1119 for contact information.
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Idaho State Tuberculosis Hospital, Gooding
The Idaho State Tuberculosis Hospital in Goodling became the Gooding University Inn & Resort. It remains one of Idaho’s most haunted due to its tragic past.
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It was built as a college in 1917. It became a famous tuberculosis hospital in the 1940s and closed in 1976. Visitors think the spirits of many people who died from the fatal sickness still haunt the structure.
Visitors reported hearing whispers and seeing children. Many owners and employees saw an irate old man. Today, the inn hosts thrill-seekers and history buffs seeking paranormal experiences.
- Contact Information Address: 301 University Ave, Gooding, ID 83330
- Call (208) 283-1650
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The Coeur d’Alene Bates Motel
Psycho made The Bates Motel famous, but its background isn’t as nefarious. It remains one of Idaho’s most haunted locales. The WWII officer barracks were turned into a motel that still runs today. They left the iconic sign after a 1980s film shoot.
Many motel guests, especially those in Rooms 1 and 3, have claimed unexplainable events. Some have felt watched and seen flickering lights and ashtrays fall from tables. Over the years, tourists have reported cold patches and weird noises.
- The contact address is 2018 E Sherman Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.
- Call (208) 667-1411.
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Conclusion
Idaho’s haunting history goes beyond its natural beauty, revealing chilling tales in locations like the Old Idaho State Penitentiary, Spirit Lake, Idaho Hotel Silver City, Idaho State Tuberculosis Hospital, and the Coeur d’Alene Bates Motel. These places, laden with paranormal encounters, add an eerie dimension to the state’s otherwise picturesque landscape. Brave souls seek out these haunted sites for a spine-tingling experience.