Utah, with its wide-open spaces, mysterious landscapes, and rich history, is a hotbed of the strange and unusual. From desolate desert stretches to towering mountains and the shimmering salt flats, Utah has a story to tell at every turn. Whether you believe in ghosts, aliens, or creatures lurking unseen, these 20 paranormal legends from Utah are sure to send a shiver down your spine.

1. Skinwalker Ranch

• Type: UFOs, Cryptids, Paranormal
• Location: Uintah Basin, Utah
• Legend: Skinwalker Ranch is a hotbed of paranormal activity. From UFO sightings and cattle mutilations to sightings of large, wolf-like creatures that walk upright (possibly the skinwalkers of Navajo legend), this remote ranch has it all.

2. The Purple Lady of the Rio Grande

• Type: Ghost
• Location: Rio Grande Depot, Salt Lake City
• Legend: Many people report seeing a beautiful woman in a flowing purple dress roaming the halls of the old train depot. Legend states she was a young woman awaiting the return of her husband who never came back.

3. The Weeping Woman of Spanish Fork

• Type: Ghost
• Location: Spanish Fork Cemetery, Spanish Fork
• Legend: This life-size statue of a weeping woman appears to cry real tears and is associated with the tragic death of Laura Daniels Ferreday.

4. Ghosts of Timpanogos Cave

• Type: Ghosts
• Location: Timpanogos Cave National Monument
• Legend: Some claim to have seen spectral figures within the depths of this mountain cave system. The cave holds Native American historical importance, possibly adding to the potential for spiritual presence.

5. Bigfoot of the Uintas

• Type: Cryptid
• Location: Uinta Mountains, Utah
• Legend: There have been numerous sightings of a large, hairy, bipedal creature in the Uinta mountain range. Whether truly Bigfoot or a misidentification, the sightings keep coming.

6. The Ghost of Saltair

• Type: Ghost
• Location: The ruins of Saltair Resort, Great Salt Lake
• Legend: After several iterations of the Saltair Resort have burned down, locals say that on certain nights you might catch a glimpse of past patrons as ghostly figures, still enjoying the music and dancing at the long-gone venue.

7. The Ghosts of Thistle

• Type: Ghost Town
• Location: Thistle, Utah
• Legend: A landslide in 1983 devastated the town of Thistle, burying many of the homes. The abandoned town now holds the reputation of a ghost town, with some claiming to hear voices and see figures in the ruins.

8. Ben Lomond Hotel

• Type: Haunted Hotel
• Location: Ogden, Utah
• Legend: Several ghosts are said to linger in this historic hotel, including a mother and child on the 12th floor and a malevolent presence on the 11th. Reports range from strange noises to full figure apparitions.

9. The White Lady of Springville Art Museum

• Type: Ghost
• Location: Springville Museum of Art, Springville, Utah
• Legend: Some museum guests have encountered the spirit of a woman all in white, possibly connected to a young girl who tragically died of illness in a house that used to stand where the museum now resides.

10. Kay’s Cross

• Type: Local Legend
• Location: Kaysville, Utah
• Legend: A large, isolated cross in the woods above Kaysville prompted many rumors. It was said to be related to a polygamist murderer or vengeful wife. The truth (though less spooky) was eventually uncovered, but the mystery of Kay’s Cross continues to fascinate.

11. The Ghosts of Fort Douglas

• Type: Ghosts
• Location: Fort Douglas Military Cemetery, Salt Lake City
• Legend: Several spirits are said to roam this historic fort, including “Clem”, a Civil War soldier, and the victims of a World War II massacre at a POW camp on the grounds.

12. The Pink Lady of the McCune Mansion

• Type: Haunted Mansion
• Location: McCune Mansion, Salt Lake City
• Legend: Another woman in a flowing gown haunts this grand old mansion. The Pink Lady is said to be particularly active in the ballroom.

13. The Headless Miner of Park City

• Type: Ghost
• Location: Park City mine shafts, Park City
• Legend: Several ghost stories haunt the mining history of Park City, but particularly chilling is the Headless Miner. It’s believed he may be the spirit of a man killed in a mining accident.

14. The Ghost Children of Murray Park

• Type: Ghosts
• Location: Murray Park, Murray
• Legend: People have reported seeing the spirits of two children, a boy and a girl, playing on the playground equipment and then vanishing. The source of this legend is unknown.

15. Dead Man’s Curve

• Type: Haunted Road
• Location: Multiple locations throughout Utah
• Legend: Like many states, Utah has its share of roads known as “Dead Man’s Curve.” They typically involve a sharp turn and stories of fatal accidents leading to ghostly hitchhikers or spectral vehicles.

16. UFO Highway

• Type: UFO
• Location: State Route 375, extending into Nevada
• Legend: This remote stretch of highway running near the infamous Area 51 has garnered a reputation for unusual lights in the sky and potential UFO sightings. While many sightings are likely of activity associated with the nearby base, some reports remain unexplained.

17. The Skinwalker of Navajo Lands

• Type: Cryptid, Shapeshifter
• Location: Navajo Nation, extends into Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico
• Legend: Skinwalkers are deeply rooted in Navajo traditional beliefs. They are said to be witches capable of shapeshifting into animals. While considered a very serious part of Navajo spirituality, the legend has become a fascination point in paranormal circles.

18. The Ghosts of Old Tooele Hospital

• Type: Haunted Location
• Location: Tooele, Utah
• Legend: While now demolished, this abandoned hospital was notorious for paranormal activity. Visitors reported seeing shadowy figures, hearing strange sounds, and encountering sudden temperature changes.

19. The Monster of Bear Lake

• Type: Cryptid
• Location: Bear Lake, Utah/Idaho border
• Legend: Stories persist of a large, serpentine creature lurking in the depths of Bear Lake. Descriptions have varied over time, leading to doubt whether there truly is a creature or it’s simply a tall tale.

20. Hobyahs or Little People of the Mountains

• Type: Cryptids
• Location: Mountainous regions throughout Utah
• Legend: Various Native American tribes in Utah tell of the Hobyahs, small humanoid creatures with mischievous and sometimes helpful tendencies. Sightings continue occasionally, adding to their mystery.

So, the next time you find yourself in the Beehive State, keep your eyes peeled and your imagination open. The shadows might hold more than meets the eye, and you might just catch a glimpse of one of these legendary figures that haunt and fascinate the state of Utah. Do you believe?