There’s something about the woods at night that causes the imagination to run wild. A forest can be enchanting or sinister; often, both at the same time. (You’ll find this in any fairy tale – Grimm Brothers or Disney.) Here in Nebraska, there’s a park that’s long been believed to be a place of both good and evil, depending on when you visit. An idyllic, 200-acre park in Omaha, Hummel Park has been the subject of lore and legends since the early 1900s. The stories vary, but the consensus is this: Hummel Park in Omaha is haunted… in fact, it might just be the most haunted place in Nebraska.
Hummel Park in Omaha is undeniably beautiful. But it's also said to be one of the most haunted places in Nebraska.
The park's moniker honors J.B. Hummel, a longtime superintendent of the Omaha Parks and Recreation Department.
But despite this heartwarming tribute, Hummel Park is a place steeped in a sinister history... is Hummel Park haunted?
Rumored to be built on the site of an ancient Native American burial ground, Hummel Park may have been destined for darkness from the beginning.
Visitors often feel something unsettling about this haunted park in Omaha, with its steep hills, deep ravines, and winding dirt roads.
And some of the park's most beautiful features are, in fact, the most dangerous.
For example, a scenic overlook at the eastern edge of the park has been dubbed "Devil’s Slide" due to the many suicides that have taken place there. Time and erosion have washed the area free from trees and natural barriers, resulting in sudden drop-offs that seem to crumble beneath your feet.
The forest canopy contains many secrets, too; its bowing trees are believed to have been the site of lynchings in the early 1900s.
Many believe these woods are haunted as a result. Park visitors claim to hear screams and cries coming from the trees late at night. (For what it's worth, there are no historical accounts of lynchings taking place in the park.)
But that's just the beginning. An abandoned shelter at the park is believed to be a bastion of Biblical heresy.
Spray-painted markings, such as inverted pentagrams, along with an unusual amount of dead animal carcasses, suggest Hummel Park could be a center for satanic rituals and the occult.
But one of the most pervasive rumors about Hummel Park involves a seemingly innocuous staircase.
At the top of the park, there's a long, stone staircase known as the "Morphing Stairs.”
These stairs are said to morph because it's hard to pinpoint the exact number of stairs in the staircase.
Each time a person counts the number going up or down, a different number is calculated on the return trip.
It's a puzzling phenomenon, and it definitely makes Hummel Park seem even more mysterious.
Of course, by day, Hummel Park is a beloved place for outdoor recreation in Omaha. Its trails and trees prove an escape in Nebraska nature and its overlooks offer perfect panoramas.
But by night, Hummel Park becomes a horse of a different color. Full of rumors and mystery, the park is a fascinating destination for supernatural enthusiasts and skeptics alike.
Want more evidence? Check out this YouTube video by Backroads Tourist telling you more about haunted Hummel Park.
https://youtu.be/ZCyFipExwY0?si=teuQpKWkqqCuzhut
What do you believe? Is Hummel Park haunted? Or are these century-old stories simply rumors that have snowballed over time? Whatever you believe, Hummel Park in Omaha may not be a place you want to be after dark. Share your thoughts with us in the comments - we'd love to hear from you!
Curious to learn more about all things creepy in Nebraska? Definitely check out this guide to Nebraska's most haunted places and attractions... if you dare! Also, here are some more fun adventures in Omaha that you will love.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
