Gitchie Manitou State Preserve is widely considered haunted due to the notorious 1973 murders of four teenagers at the site. Visitors and paranormal investigators report hearing disembodied screams, cries, and moans in the woods, believed to be the spirits of the victims. The 1973 murders and subsequent paranormal activity. The preserve's dark history is centered on the events of November 17, 1973. Five teenagers were gathered around a campfire when they were confronted by three brothers who posed as narcotics officers. Four of the teens—Roger Essem, Stewart Baade, Dana Baade, and Mike Hadrath—were killed in the attack. The lone survivor, 13-year-old Sandra Cheskey, was later raped and released. Over the decades, the site has gained a reputation as one of Iowa's most sinister haunted locations. Investigators claim to have captured eerie disembodied voices, including screams and moans, while documenting the preserve. Some visitors report capturing "bizarre images that cannot be explained" in photographs taken at the murder site. Even without paranormal experiences, the traumatic history of the site has created a somber atmosphere, with the site of the murders and subsequent memorials serving as a reminder of the tragedy. While the murders are the primary reason for the preserve's haunted reputation, other historical elements contribute to its mysterious aura: Native burial mounds: The preserve contains ancient Native American burial mounds, which are often associated with spiritual energy. Old quarry: The ruins of a 19th-century quarry add to the desolate and historic feel of the location. Pre-existing legends: The area was previously nicknamed "Devil's Pool," and some local legends spoke of the pool being bottomless even before the murders.