The Creepiest Ghost Town In Northern California Is The Stuff Nightmares Are Made Of

Tucked in the misty redwood forests of Humboldt County is an eerie and unsettling abandoned town. The forests have begun to take over, and have slowly eradicated what once was the lively town of Falk. It was built around the Falk lumber mill in 1884 and the town thrived until the great depression forced the lumber mill to close down in 1937. Nature now grows where there once were houses, and walking through these spooky woods will have you checking over your shoulder with every step.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/

The historic town of Falk was once a thriving mill town of 400 lumber workers. Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Now, however, all that remains is a reconstructed train barn at the end of a spooky trail through the redwood forests of Humboldt County. Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Because of the dense forest fog in this area, the sun rarely shines. And even if it does, heavy shadows drape the forest floor. It's practically the perfect setting for a supernatural thriller. Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management What was once Falk is now located in a preserved area of woods known as the Headwaters Forest Reserve. The 7,400 acre reserve is located 6 miles southeast of Eureka, CA. Flickr/ John Abela The people who once made their lives here are commemorated in interpretive signs along the Elk River Trail, which follows an old logging road to the now vanished community. Flickr/ John Abela Eureka was an hour away from Falk by stagecoach. Because of this, the town needed to be self-sufficient. The mill workers lived there with their families, so the company town established a cookhouse, post office, a general store, and a dance hall. Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management After it was abandoned in the wake of the Great Depression, people hunting through the town's remains and squatters in the buildings became a liability concern for the Sierra Pacific Lumber Company, the owners of the town site. Most of the buildings were torn down in 1979. Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management There is now a reconstructed train barn where there were once houses and the rest of the town, but no other indications of civilization are left. Rose bushes and English Ivy that are taking over the area and are the only indication that there were once families who lived here. The town of Falk has almost completely disappeared into the forest. Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Not much is left but the stories and the ghosts of those who once lived here. Luckily for future generations, what little is still around is preserved for those of us who dare visit this creepy site. Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management

These spooky videos will leave you feeling unsettled when you learn more about the past of Falk and the people who lived here.

Would you take a hike to this abandoned and potentially haunted ghost town? For more Northern California creepy destinations, you should read We Dare You To Take This Road Trip To Northern California’s Most Abandoned Places.