In the mood for a good ghost story? Good, because the following legends surrounding this evil place in Oregon are designed to make your blood turn cold. While there are many reportedly haunted locations scattered across Oregon, few are as menacing as that of the Malheur National Forest.

Local legend has it that this 2,661-foot inactive volcano plays host to evil spirits and was once even a meeting point for witches. Read on and see what you believe–or not–for yourself!

Our tale begins and ends with Malheur Butte, an extinct volcano overlooking the town of Ontario.

Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr This eerie peak is shrouded in numerous evil legends.

Back in the day, Native Americans used the butte as a lookout point to watch for settlers coming in on covered wagons.

YouTube/Aaron LeBoutillier It is believed that many people met their demise on the trail leading to what is now the Malheur National Forest, and that their spirits linger on, haunting the area to this day.

Legend has it that Malheur Butte was also once a place where witches gathered to practice dark magic.

Flickr/Sarah H Covens met here regularly to perform bone-chilling rituals and ceremonies.

More recently, locals have reported seeing menacing apparitions that resemble small dogs in the area.

YouTube/Aaron LeBoutillier One woman was even chased by a shadowy creature off the grounds. No wonder they often call it “the creepy Malheur National Forest!”

Even the name Malheur speaks to the evil nature of this place. Malheur means “tragedy”, “misfortune” or “unhappy place” in French.

Wikimedia/Bluedharma/public domain To see more of Malheur Butte, watch this incredible video from YouTube user Aaron LeBoutillier:

Note that much of the area surrounding Malheur Butte is private property. If you decide to check this place out for yourself, please be careful not to trespass.

Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr

This eerie peak is shrouded in numerous evil legends.

YouTube/Aaron LeBoutillier

It is believed that many people met their demise on the trail leading to what is now the Malheur National Forest, and that their spirits linger on, haunting the area to this day.

Flickr/Sarah H

Covens met here regularly to perform bone-chilling rituals and ceremonies.

One woman was even chased by a shadowy creature off the grounds. No wonder they often call it “the creepy Malheur National Forest!”

Wikimedia/Bluedharma/public domain

To see more of Malheur Butte, watch this incredible video from YouTube user Aaron LeBoutillier:

Have you visited the Malheur National Forest? If so, what did you think? Was it as creepy as the legend? We’d love to hear about your experience there in the comments section below.

If you’re looking for more spine-chilling Oregon ghost stories, check out our previous article: The Creepy Small Town In Oregon With Insane Paranormal Activity.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Malheur National Forest, Oregon, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

The Great Outdoors in Oregon December 24, 2022 Lysa Allman-Baldwin Where exactly is the Malheur National Forest? The Malheur National Forest it is located 3 hours and 15 minutes east of the town of Bend. You can get to it from either Interstate 5 or Interstate 84 as the main north-south roadways comma and then you have to go across highway 20, either east or West depending on where you’re coming from, and then N on Hwy 395. Malheur Butte, though, is located in Ontario, which sits right at the juncture of Interstate 84 and Highway 95. Where are the best waterfalls in Oregon? Waterfalls in Oregon are numerous and great places to enjoy nature outside of the hustle and bustle of the big (and small, for that matter) cities and towns. Get ready for some amazing zen time at any of these stunning cascading spots:

Steelhead Falls - Located near Bend Cavitt Creek Falls - Located near Roseburg Punchbowl Falls - Located in the Columbia River Gorge along the Eagle Creek Trail

  We’re looking for winter activities in Oregon. Winter activities in Oregon are plentiful, with both Oregonians and tourists alike reveling in the wide array of options at this time of the year. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

Ride in a one-horse open sleigh in the town of Sunriver Go cosmic tubing at Mt. Hood Skibowl West in Government Camp Spend the night at historic Timberline Lodge, also in Government Camp Stroll along the beautiful Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland Enjoy the thrill of dog sledding at the Oregon Trail of Dreams on Mount Bachelor

   

The OIYS Visitor Center

The Great Outdoors in Oregon

December 24, 2022

Lysa Allman-Baldwin

Where exactly is the Malheur National Forest? The Malheur National Forest it is located 3 hours and 15 minutes east of the town of Bend. You can get to it from either Interstate 5 or Interstate 84 as the main north-south roadways comma and then you have to go across highway 20, either east or West depending on where you’re coming from, and then N on Hwy 395. Malheur Butte, though, is located in Ontario, which sits right at the juncture of Interstate 84 and Highway 95. Where are the best waterfalls in Oregon? Waterfalls in Oregon are numerous and great places to enjoy nature outside of the hustle and bustle of the big (and small, for that matter) cities and towns. Get ready for some amazing zen time at any of these stunning cascading spots:

Steelhead Falls - Located near Bend Cavitt Creek Falls - Located near Roseburg Punchbowl Falls - Located in the Columbia River Gorge along the Eagle Creek Trail

  We’re looking for winter activities in Oregon. Winter activities in Oregon are plentiful, with both Oregonians and tourists alike reveling in the wide array of options at this time of the year. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

Ride in a one-horse open sleigh in the town of Sunriver Go cosmic tubing at Mt. Hood Skibowl West in Government Camp Spend the night at historic Timberline Lodge, also in Government Camp Stroll along the beautiful Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland Enjoy the thrill of dog sledding at the Oregon Trail of Dreams on Mount Bachelor

   

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The Malheur National Forest it is located 3 hours and 15 minutes east of the town of Bend. You can get to it from either Interstate 5 or Interstate 84 as the main north-south roadways comma and then you have to go across highway 20, either east or West depending on where you’re coming from, and then N on Hwy 395. Malheur Butte, though, is located in Ontario, which sits right at the juncture of Interstate 84 and Highway 95.

Where are the best waterfalls in Oregon?

Waterfalls in Oregon are numerous and great places to enjoy nature outside of the hustle and bustle of the big (and small, for that matter) cities and towns. Get ready for some amazing zen time at any of these stunning cascading spots:

  • Steelhead Falls - Located near Bend
  • Cavitt Creek Falls - Located near Roseburg
  • Punchbowl Falls - Located in the Columbia River Gorge along the Eagle Creek Trail

 

We’re looking for winter activities in Oregon.

Winter activities in Oregon are plentiful, with both Oregonians and tourists alike reveling in the wide array of options at this time of the year. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

  • Ride in a one-horse open sleigh in the town of Sunriver
  • Go cosmic tubing at Mt. Hood Skibowl West in Government Camp
  • Spend the night at historic Timberline Lodge, also in Government Camp
  • Stroll along the beautiful Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland
  • Enjoy the thrill of dog sledding at the Oregon Trail of Dreams on Mount Bachelor