The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a place of natural beauty. But be careful, lurking within its forests, historic sites, and lonely trails are tales of hauntings that send shivers down the spine. From ghostly apparitions to mysterious lights, the U.P.’s paranormal stories span the region, each with its own eerie flavor.

Western Upper Peninsula

Paulding Lights

Near Watersmeet, the Paulding Lights have been spotted since 1966. Some believe the glow is the lantern of a long-dead railroad brakeman. Others think it’s the spirit of a lost mail carrier or a Native American dancing in the night. Whatever the cause, the light continues to flicker in the dark, drawing curious visitors to witness its spectral glow.

Calumet Theater

The historic Calumet Theater is said to be haunted by the spirit of famed Shakespearean actress, Madame Helena Modjeska. Visitors have reported her ghostly figure watching performances from the shadows, eternally bound to the stage she once graced.

Kitchie Cemetery

In the desolate town of Trout Creek lies Kitchie Cemetery, where eerie sounds of chainsaws and screams have been reported after dark. Floating orbs appear around parked cars, keeping watch over anyone brave enough to linger.

Central Upper Peninsula

Old City Orphanage

Once a Catholic orphanage in Marquette, the Old City Orphanage now houses residents, but eerie tales of abuse and sorrow from its past remain. Neighbors claim to hear the ghostly sobs of children echoing through the night.

Big Bay Point Lighthouse

Perched high above Lake Superior, the Big Bay Point Lighthouse is haunted by its former keeper, William Prior, who hanged himself in despair after his son’s tragic death. Visitors often report seeing his ghostly figure standing at the foot of their beds.

Eastern Upper Peninsula

Mission Point Resort

On Mackinac Island, the Mission Point Resort is haunted by Harvey, a heartbroken college student who met a tragic end in the late 1960s. Some believe he was murdered rather than a suicide, and his restless spirit continues to wander the grounds.

Rifle Range Trail

Off Rifle Range Trail on Mackinac Island, visitors report strange sensations: phantom footsteps, hair pulling, and even being thrown to the ground. The spirit of a soldier hanged for a crime he didn’t commit is said to seek vengeance on those who pass by.

Ramada Ojibway Plaza

Overlooking the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, the Ramada Ojibway Plaza has its own ghostly resident. Guests have seen a tall man in a top hat strolling through the lobby, and rooms once occupied by the original owner often experience strange activity, such as unpacked suitcases and freshly made beds without any sign of housekeeping.

A Final Fright

From the glowing Paulding Lights to the lingering spirits of Mackinac Island, the Upper Peninsula’s ghosts seem bound to these places, their presence a chilling reminder that some stories never truly end. They wander through the night, unseen yet felt, waiting—perhaps for you to visit.