1. Lake Lanier, Georgia
Lake Lanier in Georgia is infamous not just for its beauty, but for its dark reputation involving hundreds of deaths and mysterious vanishing, according to Kelly Wynne from Newsweek. Since its creation in the 1950s, over 200 people have drowned or disappeared there—many in calm conditions that left investigators baffled. One of the most well-known cases involves the so-called “Lady of the Lake,” tied to a 1958 car crash that claimed two women’s lives; one of the bodies wasn’t found for decades. Locals and visitors alike have reported ghostly sightings and odd underwater sensations, fueling urban legends around the lake.
What makes Lanier especially eerie is its origin—it was built over a displaced town, and parts of that community remain submerged. Divers have reported seeing intact structures, including roads and houses, beneath the water’s surface. Some believe these remnants disturb the energy of the lake and contribute to its accidents. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the numbers speak for themselves—Lake Lanier’s danger is very real.
2. Crater Lake, Oregon
Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the U.S., has a peaceful surface that hides some unsettling stories, according to Nicole Hansen from The Travel. In 1947, a man named Charles McCullar disappeared while hiking nearby and wasn’t found for several years—when his bones were discovered miles from where he was last seen, in nearly impossible terrain. His pelvis and femurs were found neatly placed inside his pants, with no boots or upper body remains ever recovered. Rangers and investigators couldn’t explain how he’d ended up there or what had happened to him.
This wasn’t a one-off. Over the decades, at least a dozen people have gone missing in or around the lake under strange circumstances. The remote terrain and harsh winters may be partly to blame, but some people believe there’s more to the story. From Native American legends to reports of strange lights, Crater Lake has long held a reputation for the mysterious.
3. Lake Michigan Triangle, Great Lakes Region
Dubbed the “Bermuda Triangle of the Midwest,” the Lake Michigan Triangle has a long history of bizarre disappearances involving ships, planes, and people. One of the most famous cases is the 1950 disappearance of Northwest Flight 2501, which vanished over the lake with 58 people on board—no full wreckage was ever found. Maritime crews have also gone missing without a trace, including the schooner Thomas Hume in 1891, which disappeared with all hands. Even experienced boaters have vanished in good weather, sparking theories about magnetic anomalies or strange energy fields.
Adding to the mystery, there have been reports of UFO sightings and time distortions within the triangle. Ship captains have described compass malfunctions and sudden fog banks. Whether it’s natural forces or something weirder, something about this stretch of water continues to confound experts. It’s a place where the line between myth and reality gets very blurry.
4. Lake Mead, Nevada
Lake Mead has recently become a real-life time capsule as receding waters from prolonged drought have exposed long-hidden human remains, according to Dani Anguiano from The Guardian. Since 2022, at least five sets of remains have been discovered—including one inside a rusted barrel, likely a victim of a decades-old mob hit. The lake’s proximity to Las Vegas and its deep waters have made it a rumored dumping ground for years. As water levels drop, the past keeps floating to the surface—literally.
But not all disappearances here are criminal; many involve boating accidents, swimmers caught in undertows, or people who simply vanish during recreational visits. The vast size and depth of the lake make it easy for bodies to remain hidden. Some cases go unsolved for years or never close at all. In a haunting twist, the more the lake dries up, the more its secrets are revealed.
5. Shasta Lake, California
Shasta Lake in Northern California sees its fair share of recreational visitors—but also a concerning number of disappearances, according to Katie Dowd from SF GATE. In 2014, a man named John Doe (his real name remains unconfirmed) vanished during a fishing trip, and only his boat and gear were ever found. It wasn’t an isolated case—rescue teams often respond to missing persons reports that end in tragedy or no recovery at all. The lake’s many coves, steep cliffs, and underwater hazards make searching incredibly difficult.
What’s especially eerie is how many of these disappearances happen in broad daylight and without witnesses. Some speculate there are strong underwater currents or hidden sinkholes. Others blame alcohol, isolation, or even foul play. Whatever the cause, the lake has become a cautionary tale for both locals and tourists.
6. Flathead Lake, Montana
Flathead Lake is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes west of the Mississippi, and it’s home to a number of unsettling vanishing acts. One of the strangest happened in 1982, when a 23-year-old man reportedly jumped into the lake on a dare and never resurfaced. Despite an extensive search, no body was ever recovered. Locals whispered that something pulled him under, though officials chalked it up to cold shock and drowning.
Beyond that case, other disappearances have kept the mystery alive. Stories of submerged cars, wreckage, and even cryptid sightings—like the rumored Flathead Lake Monster—add an air of mystery. Many longtime residents believe the lake is hiding more than just scenic beauty. It’s one of those places where nature seems to have its own rules.
7. Lake Superior, Great Lakes Region
Lake Superior is notorious for swallowing ships, aircraft, and people, never to give them back. Its icy waters and deep depths are part of the reason, but there’s something almost mythic about its history. One of the most well-known disappearances is the Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck in 1975, which claimed 29 crew members. Though the wreck was eventually located, none of the bodies were ever recovered.
Individuals have also gone missing during kayaking trips or hikes along the rugged shoreline. Conditions can change rapidly, with storms appearing seemingly out of nowhere. Even experienced outdoorsmen have vanished without a trace. It’s not just a big lake—it’s a cold, unpredictable, and sometimes merciless one.
8. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
Lake Tahoe is stunning, deep, and—according to some—deadly. Numerous people have vanished here over the years, often while swimming, boating, or hiking near the shoreline. The lake’s depth (over 1,600 feet) and low temperatures can preserve bodies for years, making recoveries rare. Some missing people are never found, despite search-and-rescue efforts.
One particularly chilling theory is that bodies don’t resurface due to the cold, high-altitude water preventing decomposition gases from forming. Locals tell tales of divers seeing perfectly preserved corpses suspended deep below the surface. While it sounds like urban legend, Tahoe’s track record makes it believable. It’s a paradise with a very dark undertow.
9. Lake Crescent, Washington
Tucked into Olympic National Park, Lake Crescent is known for its striking clarity and mysterious depth. But it’s also famous for bodies that vanish—or resurface in strange condition. One of the most famous stories is that of Hallie Illingworth, who disappeared in 1937. Three years later, her body floated to the surface, “mummified” by the lake’s cold waters and minerals.
Dubbed the “Lady of the Lake,” her story became legend. But other disappearances over the decades have left behind no such closure. The lake’s stillness and depth make it an unsettling place for some visitors. Locals claim it holds onto secrets tighter than most lakes.
10. Pyramid Lake, Nevada
Pyramid Lake has long been associated with eerie disappearances and paranormal tales, particularly among local Paiute tribes. The lake is said to be cursed, with stories of ghostly voices calling swimmers into the water. Over the years, people have drowned under mysterious circumstances, including strong swimmers in calm water. Some believe it’s due to powerful undercurrents; others think something supernatural is at play.
The most common legend involves the “Water Babies”—spirits of children said to haunt the lake. While that’s folklore, the number of drownings here isn’t fiction. The geography of the lake includes steep drop-offs and shifting sands, which can trap even experienced divers. Whether you believe in spirits or not, Pyramid Lake has a chilling history.
11. Lake Whitney, Texas
Lake Whitney might look like your average Texas reservoir, but it has seen a troubling number of disappearances and drownings over the years. One bizarre story involves a man who jumped from a cliff into the water and was never seen again, despite an immediate search. Strong currents and underwater structures have made recovery efforts difficult. In some cases, bodies have surfaced miles from the original site—others never return at all.
Some locals even believe there’s something cursed about the water. It’s a spot where relaxing weekends can quickly turn tragic. Law enforcement warns that the lake’s beauty can mask real dangers. Visitors are often shocked to learn how many people simply vanish here.
12. Lake Powell, Utah/Arizona
Lake Powell’s stunning red rock cliffs and winding canyons attract thousands of adventurers every year—but not all of them make it out. The lake’s labyrinthine layout makes search-and-rescue missions incredibly challenging. One high-profile disappearance involved a hiker whose kayak and gear were found, but he was never located. Others have vanished while exploring coves or cliff-jumping into the narrow canyons.
Because of its remote areas, people can go missing for days before anyone realizes. The water is cold, and some areas are hundreds of feet deep. The National Park Service regularly posts warnings, but incidents keep happening. It’s beautiful, but deceptively dangerous.
13. Lake Champlain, New York/Vermont
Lake Champlain has a long history of drownings and unexplained vanishings, not to mention rumors of a resident lake monster named “Champ.” While the cryptid may be myth, the missing persons cases are very real. In one case, a man disappeared while windsurfing, and despite clear weather, he was never found. In another, a boat was discovered adrift, but no one was onboard.
The sheer size of the lake—over 100 miles long—makes it easy to get lost. Shifting currents and unpredictable weather play a big role in disappearances. It’s a place where folklore and real tragedy overlap. Whether or not you believe in lake monsters, something strange definitely happens here.
