American ghost stories, urban legends, and folklore are as diverse as the landscapes and people from which they draw inspiration. The multicultural elements of these stories range from Indigenous tribes and Northern European pagans to enslaved West Africans and Hispanic immigrants. Over time, oral and spiritual traditions from these cultures blended to become what we now call American folklore. Each tale carries echoes of the past to create a unique tapestry of legends that continue to haunt and fascinate us today.
Night Marchers of Hawaii
In Indigenous Hawaiian culture, Night Marchers, or “Hui o ka Po,” are said to be the spirits of ancient warriors who traverse sacred paths throughout the islands, particularly Oahu, during the night. Often accompanied by the sound of drums and conch shells, their processions are believed to be displays of protection for royal lineage and spiritual sites. Tradition holds that encountering the Night Marchers can be dangerous, and those who do should show respect by averting their gaze and lying face down to avoid drawing attention. The legend of the Night Marchers is a reminder of the enduring power and presence of ancestral spirits in Hawaiian heritage.
Lake Lanier, Georgia
Many Georgians approach Lake Lanier with caution. That’s because some believe the man-made reservoir, about an hour’s drive from Atlanta, is cursed. Plagued by tragedy for decades, the lake reports record numbers of boating accidents and drowning incidents each year. The lake was erected over the once thriving town of Oscarville, where military and state officials eventually obtained the land via eminent domain for the construction of the new water source. Prior to that, a county-wide exodus of Black residents occurred following escalating racial tensions, including at least one instance of mob lynching. When the lake was filled, the town of Oscarville was vacant but intact. Today, the underwater structures pose a particular hazard to boaters and make rescue efforts more difficult.
Pacific Northwest Bigfoot Country
Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is a legendary creature often described as a large, hairy, ape-like being. The creature is said to roam the Pacific Northwest wilderness, including Washington, Oregon and Northern California. Reports of Bigfoot date back to Indigenous folklore. In fact, the name Sasquatch is an Anglicized form of the name Sasq’ets from the Halq’emeylem language spoken by First Nations peoples in southwestern British Columbia. Sasquatch interest surged in the 20th century, especially after the Patterson-Gimlin film of 1967 which appeared to capture a mysterious figure walking through the forest of the Klamath Mountains. In the 1980s, unidentifiable footprints were discovered in Oregon’s Blue Mountains.
La Chupacabra, American Southwest
La Chupacabra is a creature of legend, whispered about in the shadowy corners of Latin American folklore. First reported in Puerto Rico during the 1990s, this mysterious beast allegedly stalks livestock and leaves behind drained carcasses with telltale puncture wounds. The name “Chupacabra” means “goat sucker,” a nod to its grisly feeding habits. Descriptions of the beast vary—some claim it resembles a reptilian, spiny-backed creature, while others describe a more wolf-like, hairless predator. Though sightings have spread across the Americas, including Mexico, Texas, and the American southwest no evidence has ever been found, keeping La Chupacabra shrouded in eerie mystery.
Appalachian Lore
The Appalachians are some of the oldest mountains on earth, which is plenty of time to collect a diverse repertoire of spooky stories. When this was America’s untamed frontier, settlers from Ireland and Scotland—masters of storytelling themselves—brought their Pagan folklore to these dark hills and hollers, mixing it with Indigenous, Christian, and African oral traditions. The result? A region rich with spiritual stories and mystery. Many tales hail from specific subregions, like the Mothman of West Virginia and the Bell Witch of Tennessee. No matter where you go in this sprawling 13-state mountain range, you’ll find even the most skeptical folks still cling tight to their superstitions.
