11 Most Haunted Places in Montana: Big Sky, Big Scares
Ever wonder what lurks in the most haunted places in Montana? From ghost towns that never quite emptied out to spooky campgrounds where even the bears are scared, Big Sky Country is home to some seriously creepy spots!
These are the 11 most haunted places in Montana:
Old Montana State Prison
Deer Lodge
Built in 1871, the Old Montana State Prison has housed some of the most dangerous criminals in the state’s history.
With its history of violence, riots, and even executions, it’s no wonder this prison is considered one of the most haunted places in Montana.
Some of the most famous prisoners are:
- Jerome P. Weber: Convicted of murder, Weber was one of the last prisoners executed by hanging in the Old Montana State Prison, adding to the eerie reputation of the Gallows Room.
- Frank Conley: Not a prisoner but a controversial warden of the prison. He used prison labor to personally enrich himself and was criticized for the inhumane conditions inmates endured, such as overcrowding, poor sanitation, and harsh punishments. In 1921, he was removed from the position. He sued the state. They sued him back.
- The Riot: One of the most famous ghost stories involves a guard who was killed during a riot in 1959. The Prison had been tense for weeks due to poor conditions. During the riot, prisoners took several guards hostage, and one guard was murdered. To this day, the spirit of the murdered guard continues to patrol the prison’s corridors.
- The Gallows Room: Many feel a sudden drop in temperature and an overwhelming sense of sadness.
- He was so trusted that the prison let him “run” the prison commissary, even selling the prison itself to other inmates as a joke.
- Paul “Turkey Pete” Eitner: A notorious prisoner who became a legend at the prison, serving 49 years behind bars.The nickname “Turkey Pete” came from a quirky incident during his early years in prison. In the 1920s, Turkey Pete was assigned to work in the prison’s turkey farm. One day, he believed he had sold the entire flock of turkeys to the federal government for $0.25 per bird. This sale never actually happened, but the prison staff played along, and he was nicknamed Turkey Pete from then on.
Daly Mansion
Hamilton
The Daly Mansion in Hamilton is a grand estate with a dark side.
Built in the late 1800s, the home is haunted by several spirits, including former owner Marcus Daly and his family.
Margaret and Marcus Daly tragically lost their daughter Mary, age 16, in 1888 to typhoid fever. Two years later, their son, Marcus Daly Jr., age 12, passed away.
- Margaret Daly: Guests and staff have reported seeing her ghostly figure walking through the halls, sometimes peeking out from the windows. Margaret has a protective presence, keeping an eye on the house. Many think that she haunts the mansion due to her sorrow over Marcus, who died in 1900, and their son, who died in soon after.
- Marcus Daly: The ghost of Marcus Daly looms in his former office and paces around the grounds late at night.
- Servants and Staff: Some believe the spirits of former servants or staff members may still roam the halls, tending to the mansion even after death. This theory is based on reports of footsteps and the sense of someone moving quietly through the mansion as if carrying out daily tasks.
- Children’s Spirits: There have been sightings of ghostly children in and around the mansion. Some guests have reported hearing the laughter or playful noises of children, though no historical records definitively identify these spirits.
These tragic losses deeply affected the Daly family, especially Margaret Daly, who deeply loved her children.
Strange noises, such as unexplained footsteps, doors creaking open, and the sound of someone playing the piano when no one is around, have all been experienced here.
Dude Rancher Lodge
Billings
The Dude Rancher Lodge may look like a cozy, rustic inn in downtown Billings, but this charming lodge is one of the most haunted places in Montana. Built in 1949, it’s said that the spirit of Annabel Dufner, one of the original owners, haunts the lodge.
Annabel was known to be a hands-on owner, and that extended onto the afterlife. Guests have seen strange things, like flickering lights, TVs turning on and off by themselves, and Annabel’s voice whispering in the halls.
The kitchen is another hotspot for paranormal activity, with reports of pots and pans moving on their own and the smell of food cooking when the kitchen is empty.
The most haunted room is said to be Room 226, where guests have felt cold drafts and seen mysterious shadows. Some have felt someone sitting on the edge of the bed, though no one is there.
Fort Peck Theatre
Fort Peck
The Fort Peck Theatre, built during the Great Depression in the 1930s, is a beautifully restored building that still hosts performances.
However, it’s also one of the most haunted places in Montana. The most famous ghost here is known as The Engineer.
Legend says that the Engineer was a construction worker who died while building the Theatre’s dam.
People have reported seeing a man in work overalls on the catwalk above the stage or in the back of the auditorium. Some hear the sounds of tools being dropped or the faint hum of machinery, even though the construction ended decades ago.
Other Haunts at Fort Peck
- The Lady in White: The ghost of a woman dressed in a flowing white gown is seen wandering the theater’s backstage area or sitting quietly in the audience, believed to be a former performer.
- Phantom Audience Members: While on stage, actors have reported seeing shadowy figures in the seats that vanish when approached. The sounds of applause and whispers have also been heard from the empty theater.
- The Mischievous Spirit: An unknown entity likes to play pranks on the staff, turning lights on and off, props being moved around, and doors opening and closing on their own are common.
- The Basement: Visitors have reported feeling an overwhelming sense of fear. Cold spots and mysterious shadows make it a place few want to linger.
Many Glacier Hotel
Glacier National Park
Located in the heart of Glacier National Park, the Many Glacier Hotel is a breathtakingly beautiful place to stay. But don’t let its stunning views fool you—this historic hotel is also one of the most haunted places in Montana. The hotel’s eerie atmosphere is amplified by the fact that it sits in such a remote, rugged location. The wind howls through the mountains, adding to the haunted vibe.
Built in 1915, the Many Glacier is haunted by several spirits, including a young woman who drowned in nearby Swiftcurrent Lake.
The young woman’s spirit is seen near the lake or wandering the halls of the hotel. Guests have seen her wet footprints appear or heard her crying late at night.
There are also sightings of a ghostly bellman who knocks on doors and disappears before guests can answer.
Grand Union Hotel
Fort Benton
The Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton is one of Montana’s oldest operating hotels, opened in 1882. Over the years, it has gained a reputation as one of the most haunted places in Montana.
One of the most famous hauntings is that of a saloon girl who was murdered in the hotel during the late 1800s. She is said to roam the halls, especially near the third-floor balcony, where she’s been seen standing at the railing.
Her presence is often accompanied by the smell of lavender, her favorite perfume.
Another well-known spirit is that of a former guest who died in his room. Guests staying in the same room have reported hearing strange noises, such as knocking on the walls and footsteps pacing the floor, even when the room is empty.
Bear Canyon Campground
Bozeman
Tucked away in the forest near Bozeman, the Bear Canyon Campground is a peaceful place to enjoy Montana’s striking natural beauty. But…when the sun goes down, the campground becomes one of the most haunted places in Montana.
Campers heard strange noises, saw shadowy figures, and felt like they were being watched.
The most famous ghost story from Bear Canyon is that of a young boy who drowned in a nearby creek. He wanders the campground, often appearing near the water’s edge.
Some have heard the sound of a kid laughing or splashing in the water with no one there.
The campground is also known for mysterious lights that appear in the woods at night. These glowing orbs move through the trees and vanish without a trace. Whether it’s the spirit of the young boy or something else, Bear Canyon Campground is creepy.
Boulder Hot Springs Hotel
Peace Valley
The Boulder Hot Springs Hotel has been a popular retreat for over a century.
You already know it’s also one of the most haunted places in Montana because it’s on this list. The ghost of a woman in white, thought to be a former guest who died mysteriously, is the most commonly encountered haunt here.
The woman in white is seen near the hot springs, and some guests have even felt a cold hand touch their shoulder while soaking in the pools. On the third floor, guests have reported hearing voices and pounding footsteps, but it’s unknown if that is another entity.
The Dumas Brothel
Butte
The Dumas Brothel in Butte was once a booming business during the town’s mining heyday. Today, it’s a museum, but from 1890 to 1982, it was the longest-running brothel in U.S. history.
Many of the women who worked there died tragically, and it’s said their spirits haunt the place.
Some are believed to have died from illness or disease, as the brothel was unsanitary and cramped, especially during Butte’s boom years.
- The Madam: The ghost of a madam haunts the second floor. Some have seen her standing in the doorway, while others have heard her voice calling out to them.
- The Young Woman: Said to be murdered by a jealous lover, she is seen in the upstairs rooms, where the temperature drops suddenly, and the air feels unnaturally heavy.
- The Basement: Some of the workers were forced to live in harsh conditions. Visitors have reported hearing strange noises and feeling cold spots in this dark, cramped space.
The Sacajawea Hotel
Three Forks
The Sacajawea Hotel in Three Forks is known for its lux accommodations.
Built in 1910, the hotel is home to the ghost of Sacagawea… yes, that one. The Shoshone woman who guided Lewis and Clark on their expedition.
Guests and staff have seen the ghost of a woman in the lobby, who some believe to be Sacagawea herself. She hangs near the fireplace, staring into the flames before vanishing.
In Room 307, guests reported feeling a presence in the room. Some have felt the bed shake or heard whispers in the dark.
Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa
Pray
Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa is a popular destination for relaxation, but it’s also one of the most haunted places in Montana.
- The Woman on the Piano: Guests have heard lovely music coming from the piano in the lounge, only to find no one there.
- The Lady in White: Seen wandering the halls, dressed in a flowing white gown, some believe she was a former guest who died at the resort or a former staff member.
- Room 349 has seen weird stuff like lights flickering, doors opening and closing on their own, and the feeling of being watched.
Haunt Us
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