Haunted Sioux Falls Episode 12 Gitchie Manitou State Preserve

Welcome to Haunted Sioux Falls, I’m your host, John Small. On this episode, we head across the border to Iowa for a sad but true tale! Just across the border into Iowa lies Gitchi Manitou State Preserve, a stretch of woods with a dark reputation. Many Sioux Falls locals know the stories—and the warnings. Hikers have long reported feeling watched, hearing low growls, and seeing misty forms drifting between the trees. Some tell of sudden, freezing cold spots, or the sound of drums echoing faintly through the night. The preserve has been a quarry, it's been a state park... at one time it held a different purpose as it’s home to Native American burial grounds. However, Gitchi Manitou State Preserve is mostly known for an awful quadruple homicide that happened in 1973. This violent crime claimed four young lives here, leaving behind grief and fear that linger still. Some believe the haunting energy stems from that event. Others point to much older spirits, tied to the land’s sacred history. Whatever the cause, few venture into Gitchi Manitou after dark. The silence feels heavy. And sometimes, silence is the scariest sound of all. Have you experienced something strange or spooky in the Sioux Falls area? Please reach out. I’d love to hear your story. Connect with us at the bottom of the page at HauntedSiouxFalls.com Until next time… stay curious, stay brave, and beware of the whispers in the dark.