This Creepy Day Trip Through The Spookiest Places In North Dakota Is Perfect For Fall
By Tori Jane|Published October 01, 2021
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Few things are quite as autumn-tastic as a fall-themed road trip, right? Well, at least we think so. And what fall-themed road trip would be complete without visiting some genuinely creepy places? None, that’s what we say. That’s why we decided to put together this creepy day trip in North Dakota that’s absolutely perfect for a fall day. Get your favorite sweater on and start the car, because this one’s a good one! It’s a true day trip, with about 6 hours and 44 minutes of driving time; should you stop at each place to get a good look at it, it’ll naturally take longer, but that’s what makes it so fun! So, go at your own pace and enjoy – this creepy day trip is a blast.
Make sure to bring a camera, too - these locations are each especially magical when fall color is in full swing!
San Haven Sanitorium was a tuberculosis hospital, once upon a time. Eventually, it became a hospital for the mentally ill, and unfortunately, there was nothing about it that was a "haven" of any kind. It's said that terrible things happened here and that the restless spirits of past patients (some of whom may still be buried on the grounds) and some doctors still stalk the halls and property. The structure is not sound; please do not attempt to enter without clearance from the current landowner. It is currently up for demolition at the time of this writing, so admire it from the outside while you still can! Read more about it here.
Our next stop is in Bismarck, North Dakota, at the home of a former governor. The house was built in 1844 and, to this day, is said to be quite haunted. Folks believe the old governor himself still walks these halls, as well as his wife (and maybe some others as well). Do one of the daily tours...if you dare. Learn more about this spooky landmark here.
That's right: a library. In fact, this particular small-town public library is so well-known for its haunting that you'll find it turning up in list after list of haunted places in North Dakota. Reports of spooky goings-on at this library go back literal decades; it's not uncommon at all to have some kind of bizarre and/or unexplainable experience here. be subtle and respectful of the library, though, please - don't be noisy and don't be obnoxious. Check out this article from 2009 about the haunting.
Our final stop is a historical landmark; it's where General George Custer and his family lived. It's nestled within Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (the irony is not lost), and many folks have whispered about its "spirit problems" for a long, long time. Read more about it here.
Of course, you're welcome to alter this trip to fit your needs and interests as much as you need to.
