October in Idaho is more than just cool, crisp air and the vibrant changing of leaves—it’s the perfect time to embrace the spooky season! Idaho has its fair share of eerie destinations, spooky street names, and ghost towns that will send chills down your spine. Whether you’re a fan of haunted history or just looking for a frightful adventure, the Gem State has plenty to offer. Here’s your guide to all things spooky in Idaho this Halloween season.
Hauntingly Spooky Place Names and Towns
Idaho is dotted with places that have names that conjure up spooky vibes perfect for the season. Some sound eerie enough to make you wonder what their backstory could be. Here are just a few spine-chilling examples:
- Bone, Idaho: Located southeast of Idaho Falls, Bone is a small town with a name that evokes images of skeletons and haunted lands.
- Frights Gulch: This ominous-sounding gulch near Custer is sure to set your imagination running wild.
- Skull Gulch: Nestled in Idaho County, this chillingly named spot sounds like it belongs in a Halloween tale of lost adventurers and eerie encounters.
- Deadwood Reservoir: This scenic and isolated reservoir near Cascade may be beautiful, but its name gives it a shadowy allure, perfect for late-night ghost stories around the campfire.
Here are a few more places featuring frightening names to check out if you dare!
Seven Devils & Hells Canyon
Skeleton Butte & Skull Canyon
Big Witch Creek
Hangman’s Gulch
Spirit Lake
Spooky Street Names to Stumble Upon
When exploring Idaho, you might stumble across street names that give off just the right creepy vibes, perfect for getting you in the Halloween spirit. If you’re on the lookout for an eerie thrill, take a drive down:
- Blood Hollow Road: In Blackfoot, this street is as unsettling as it sounds. The name itself is enough to make you check your rearview mirror twice!
- Graveyard Point Road: Located near the Snake River, this name alone makes you wonder about the road’s history and what mysteries it might hold.
- Coffin Street: There are a number of streets in Idaho named “Coffin,” possibly named for actual coffins, or in honor of Idaho’s State Treasurer from 1903-1906 named Henry N. Coffin. The streets include Boise’s Coffin Road, Atlanta’s Coffin Street and Coffin Street in Mountain Home.
- Black Cat Road: Black Cat Road is not, as one might hope, named for the popular symbol of Halloween, a spooky feline, or an unlucky encounter. It is named after Black Cat Farms. The farm owners had a steel cutout of a cat made that was placed on their farm property and the road eventually changed its name to match the cat-shaped sign.
Although there are many charming neighborhoods and picturesque streets all throughout beautiful towns in Idaho, some roads ended up with names sounding like they’re straight out of a horror film! Here are a few more scary sounding street names sure to send shivers down your spine:
Elm Street – Boise, ID
Dead Man Road – Kooskia, ID
Tombstone Ridge Court – Middleton, ID
Mirror Lake Road – Bonners Ferry, ID
Shady Grove Way – Kuna, ID
Raven Road – Sun Valley, ID
Skull Canyon Road – Leadore, ID
Salem Street – Boise, ID
Phantom Court – Middleton, ID
Rosemary Drive – Kuna, ID
Misty Cove Avenue – Garden City, ID
Dead End Road – Cottonwood, ID
Cemetery Road – Middleton, ID
Mountain Shadow Road – Boise, ID
Erie Street – Sandpoint, ID
Fox Lantern Court – Middleton, ID
Whisper Street – Nampa, ID
Full Moon Street – Kuna, ID
Idaho’s Real Ghost Towns
Idaho is home to numerous ghost towns—remnants of once-thriving communities that have since been abandoned. These ghost towns are ideal for a spooky October adventure, as their decaying structures and silent streets add to their haunting allure.
- Silver City: One of Idaho’s most famous ghost towns, Silver City was once a bustling mining town. Today, its preserved buildings are remnants of the past, standing eerily still in the Owyhee Mountains. It’s said to be haunted by the spirits of those who perished during the gold rush.
- Bayhorse: Located in central Idaho near Challis, Bayhorse was once a booming silver mining town. Now, its crumbling remnants and the eerie silence of the deserted buildings make it a must-visit for ghost town enthusiasts.
- Bonanza and Custer: Situated in the rugged Sawtooth Mountains, these two ghost towns are rich in mining history. Abandoned and forgotten, the old structures stand as eerie reminders of the past. Legend has it that Bonanza is haunted by the ghosts of miners who never left.
Here are a few more ghost towns just waiting for you to go check out. Most are open to the public as tourist attractions. Who knows what you’ll encounter!
Idaho City
Burke
Gilmore
Placerville
De Lamar
Rocky Bar
Haunted Spots in Idaho
Beyond the ghost towns, Idaho has plenty of spooky sites with haunted reputations. Whether you believe in the paranormal or just enjoy a good ghost story, these locations are sure to raise the hairs on the back of your neck.Visit at your own risk!
- Old Idaho State Penitentiary: This notorious prison in Boise, known for its dark history and violent inmates, is said to be haunted by spirits of former prisoners. Visitors often report hearing mysterious footsteps, whispers, and cold spots throughout the abandoned cell blocks.
- Shoshone Ice Caves: While these caves are a popular tourist destination in warmer months, the eerie, freezing interior and tales of Native American spirits and ancient curses make them a spooky spot to visit in October.
- Stricker Ranch: Located near Hansen, Idaho, Stricker Ranch is home to one of Idaho’s oldest buildings. Visitors have reported seeing ghostly apparitions and hearing strange noises in and around the historic ranch house.
The Gem State is home to many strange and unexplained phenomena. From haunted hotels and hospitals to jails and theatres, there are many places to go ghost-hunting and investigate paranormal activities. Here are a few more locations that are claimed to give you a fright!
Idaho State Tuberculosis Hospital, Gooding
The Egyptian Theatre, Boise
Spirit Lake, Kootenai County
The Brig at Farragut State Park, Athol
Idanha Hotel, Boise
The Bates Motel, Coeur d’Alene
Halloween Fun with a Spooky Twist
For those looking for family-friendly spooky fun, Idaho’s October calendar is packed with events that will thrill and delight.
- Haunted Mansions of Albion: This haunted attraction in Albion is one of Idaho’s most famous Halloween spots. Set inside the remains of the old Albion State Normal School, this experience features multiple haunted houses filled with terrifying surprises at every turn.
- Scarywood: If you’re up for a short trip, head north to Silverwood Theme Park in Athol, Idaho, where the park transforms into Scarywood each October. With haunted rides, mazes, and scare zones, it’s a spooky experience for the whole family.
Enjoy the “BOOtiful” Spooky Season in Idaho
Idaho may be known for its natural beauty and outdoor adventures, but come October, the state takes on a whole new spooky persona. From ghost towns to haunted attractions and spine-chilling street names, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Halloween in the Gem State. So grab your flashlight, gather your bravest friends, and dive into Idaho’s spooky season—if you dare!
