Grand Teton National Park has its Ghosts!

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Grand Teton National Park has its share of ghost stories and local legends, particularly around Death Canyon, with tales of mysterious lights, phantom hikers, unsettling presences, and even ghostly figures seen by campers, reflecting the area’s rich history and rugged wilderness. Some reported phenomena include strange footsteps, disembodied voices, and feelings of being watched, often linked to early settlers or lost individuals in the vast backcountry. My wife Deanna Jaxine Stinson while living in Deer Lodge, Montana would visit the State of Wyoming here and there. Deanna likes the wilderness and has fond memories of Grand Teton National Park. Here are some of the haunted locations at this park.

Death Canyon:
The canyon’s name likely comes from the disappearance of a member of the 1899 Thomas Bannon survey party who wandered into the canyon and was never seen again. Legendary local author and “dude wrangler” Struthers Burt, who founded one of the first dude ranches in the area, claimed to have experienced unexplainable phenomena and seen ghosts while base camping there. He reported hearing phantom footsteps and the sound of a horse galloping where no horse could have traveled. Deanna while hiking at Death Canyon heard disembodied footsteps behind her. At times the footsteps seemed to be closing in and when she would stop and turn around, the sound of footsteps would stop. During her hike, she also heard a man laughing. Hikers have reported seeing guiding lights when lost, while others hear phantom footsteps, panting dogs, or chilling screams.

Aspen Hill Cemetery & Elliot Cemetery:
These historic burial grounds near Jackson Hole are associated with ghostly sightings, with many early pioneers laid to rest there. This cemetery is explicitly identified as one of the most haunted places in Jackson. It is known for its “old and wild” atmosphere and a history of haphazard burials on a steep hillside before the site was officially surveyed. Locals have seen two middle-aged women sitting on the grass talking to each other. Both are wearing period outfits. Leslie Macon, a visitor approached the two ladies and asked them a question about the cemetery. The two ladies then disappeared. A common theme by locals is the feeling of being watched or an overall uneasy atmosphere in certain spots.

Deadman’s Bar:
A popular spot for river floats, this area also has legends tied to its history. Deanna says she did not encounter any ghosts, but felt the strong negative energy that resonates in this area. In 1886, three German prospectors (Henry Welter, T.H. Tiggerman, and August Kellenberger) were murdered and buried on a sandbar in the Snake River. Their partner, John Tonnar, who claimed self-defense, was acquitted. The area is considered “haunted” in the sense of local lore and dark history rather than a place with reported, active paranormal sightings. It is a well-known spot in Grand Teton National Park where the bodies were discovered, and it remains a popular, albeit eerie, stop for rafters and hikers. Taylor Lindstrom from Michigan claims that he has seen a full-bodied apparition and believes it was John Tonnar. He said the apparition seemed like he was in a panic, running back and forth, with his hands on his head. Taylor says the apparition went behind a tree and was not seen again. While most people do not see any ghosts at Deadman’s Bar, Taylor is the only one who claims he may have seen John Tonnar’s ghost.

John Sargent’s Grave:
The grave of a man known for his cruel reputation is located by Jackson Lake and adds to the park’s spooky lore. Based on available local history and ghost-hunting accounts, John Sargent’s grave near Jackson Lake in Wyoming has a reputation for being haunted, largely stemming from his sinister reputation in life. John Sargent was a homesteader in the Jackson Hole area who, along with his wife Edith, lived on what is now the AMK Ranch. Sargent was considered a pariah, often described as a “shifty and cruel” man. Although his cabin is long gone, his gravestone remains in the area, and it is frequently cited in local lore as a haunted location. Some locals claim that they have seen John Sargent’s apparition walking around where his cabin used to be at. Jack Sargent was widely known throughout Jackson Hole for having a violent temper. In the summer of 1890, he murdered a man named Ray Hamilton. A few years after murdering Hamilton, Sargent also killed his wife, Addie.
He was operating in a region known as a “rendezvous” for outlaws, and he fit the profile of the violent, lawless element that operated in the area during that era.

Uncle Jack:
Legend speaks of a hermit known as Uncle Jack, who lived along the banks of the Snake River in the early 1900s after unintentionally killing a man. He became a recluse, living alone with only the wildlife for company. After his death, his spirit is said to remain near his old homestead, panning for gold and watching over the nature he loved. Several locals have said they have seen Uncle Jack panning for gold. There are ghost stories that Native American tribes in the Teton region talk about. One such story is the story of a young Teton brave who encounters a female woman ghost near a burial site and ultimately becomes a ghost himself, traveling with her forever.