From a site called Ranker. This post had more folklore, legends, and stories than I found on many others. So many to look into and these are not mostly old native legends and folklore, but modern (relatively) stories. I'm glad to have found a good list of them to find out more about.

Headless Ghosts And 'Titanic' Passengers Roam Old Montreal

The historic neighborhood of Old Montreal in Quebec's largest city draws numerous locals and tourists each year thanks to its history and old world charm. People believe Montreal is the most haunted city in Canada and many of Montreal's ghosts live in Old Montreal.

The city's oldest road, Saint-Paul Street, supposedly becomes a walkway for the paranormal at night. Visitors often report seeing ghostly horse-drawn carriages or an apparition of Marie-Joseph Angélique wearing the same white robe she had on when was terminated. The former lady of the evening Mary Gallagher is also reported to appear on William and Murray Streets every seven years - looking for her head, taken off by her onetime best friend.

Visitors can also find hotbeds of ghostly activity in Old Montreal's graveyards, especially in North America's largest intact cemetery, Mount Royal. People claim to see apparitions wandering around the plots at night and hear giggling, creaking, and other eerie noises. Ghosts supposedly include several people who perished on the Titanic and an often-seen Algonquin man who looks over the cliff to the city below.

Haunted graveyards in Old Montreal aren't limited to outside the city. Dorchester Square park lies above a grave said to hold around 70,000 skeletons who passed from cholera.

A Mysterious Ghost Ship Burns In The Northumberland Strait

The Northumberland Strait lies between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia and has reportedly been home to a phantom ship for many years. Numerous people claim to have seen a vessel catch fire, burn for several minutes, and then mysteriously disappear. One woman said she saw crew onboard scrambling to douse the flames.

Entire groups of people have supposedly witnessed the burning ship when riding the ferry between the strait. Rescuers have tried approaching the phantom vessel, but find nothing there. One sailor even remembers sailing through flames before they mysteriously disappeared.

Divers have failed to find any wreckage in the area.

A Man Was Burned By Radiation After A UFO Encounter In Manitoba

In 1967, Stefan Michalak ventured out into the woods around Falcon Lake near Winnipeg, Manitoba in search of silver and quartz. He was startled by a gaggle of geese, but then noticed two cigar-shaped crafts hovering in the air. One flew away, but the other landed.

Michalak waited half an hour before approaching. He heard mechanical whirring noises, smelled sulfur, and felt warm air as he got closer. He noticed an open door panel; coming from inside were colored lights and voices muffled by a constant humming.

Suddenly, the door panel closed, and a blast of gas from the craft knocked Michalak off his feet; his clothes were set ablaze. He managed to take them off and made his way back to town. He felt extremely sick, dizzy, and had burns on his stomach resembling a grid.

Doctors discovered Michalak's sickness was caused by radiation, and officials who checked the alleged encounter site discovered radioactive soil samples and metal melted into the rocks. Several government departments investigated the incident, but concluded the case would forever remain unexplained.

A Lady In Red Haunts Toronto's Lower Bay Station

Below Toronto's Bay Station lies another subway station known as Lower Bay Station. The Toronto Transit Commission reportedly opened the station in 1966 while experimenting with routes, but soon realized if the route was ever delayed, it would slow down the entire subway system. It was shut down only six months later.

They later built the current Bay Station on top, connecting the two platforms with a red door only accessible to employees. Workers and occasional movie productions still use the old station, but numerous workers claim to have seen a phantom Lady in Red wandering the tracks.

People say she has no legs and only black holes for eyes; her apparition only lingers for 30 seconds. Workers have felt cold spots and sensed drafts in areas where they shouldn't be present. Some think it's possible the Lady in Red fell or was pushed onto the tracks, but no records of any such accident exist. Others think it's more likely she was a former resident of Potter's Field, a cemetery for social outcasts and the poor, which the city attempted to relocate in 1855 to build the station.

Wendigo Hunt People In The Woods Of Ontario

Native American tribes from throughout the northeastern region of North America tell tales of a malevolent, 15-foot tall, flesh-eating monster called the Wendigo. Born from dark human acts, the Wendigo uses its magic to track any person who unwittingly walks through its territory. The creature is associated with harsh winters and famine. It is said to have long claws, sharp teeth, glowing eyes, and can possess people who display greed, gluttony, and excess.

Modern reports and sightings have been recorded since the 1800s, most notably in the town of Rosesu, MN. There, whenever the creature was seen, an unexpected passing soon followed.

People still report sightings of the Wendigo, primarily in Northern Ontario.

The Spirit Of A Girl Haunts The Screaming Tunnel

Although the Grand Trunk Railway closed down long ago, one tunnel below the tracks is allegedly quite active. According to urban legend, if a person stands in the middle of the so-called Screaming Tunnel and lights a match, a strong wind will blow out the flame and visitors can hear a woman's scream.

Multiple stories explain the eerie sound. One explanation says a young girl was caught in a barn fire and tried to escape, but ended up stuck within the tunnel. Another version of the legend claims the girl was severely mistreated and burned to hide the evidence. A third version alleges the girl's father got rid of her by setting her ablaze.

Dozens Of People Met Their End In The Headless Valley

In 1908, people began finding headless forms in Northwest Canada's Nahanni Valley. Some attributed the suffers to the Waheela, a giant, wolf-like creature that hunts in packs of two or three. An estimated 44 cadavers have turned up in the valley since then, including a prospector whose cabin burned to the ground in 1917 and an unknown miner found still in his sleeping bag in 1945. The area appropriately became known as the Headless Valley.

While the slayings could also be attributed to native groups, competitive prospectors, or hungry grizzlies, many still believe the mysterious packs of Waheela are to blame.

A UFO Base Lurks Below The Surface Of Lake Ontario

Conspiracy theorists claim aliens have created hidden underwater UFO bases all over Earth, including one that supposedly lies below the surface of Lake Ontario. People say they often see unexplained lights over the water. One resident of nearby Hamilton, Ontario reported walking home from work when he noticed glowing orbs in the sky. He felt a strange sensation that caused him to freeze. The 10 orbs floated for several minutes before flying out towards the water.

Another story claims a group of people witnessed the floating lights in 1981. They noticed an orange flying-saucer-shaped craft traveling alongside their car. While the craft was in their vicinity, the car radio became nothing but static. The group followed the strange object only to see it fly over Lake Ontario, descend at an angle into the water, and ultimately disappear below the surface.

Others who have claimed to have seen the lights say they are orange in color and most often appear between Toronto and Oakville.

A Phantom Worker Falls From University Of Toronto's Soldiers' Tower

The University of Toronto built a Gothic-style structure around 1924 as a memorial for students who perished in WWI. According to legend, a worker fell while polishing the bells housed in the tower in the 1930s.

Since then, students claim to see lights inside the tower and the worker's ghost wandering around the nearby grounds. Others have supposedly seen a man fall from the tower, but when they approached to check if he was alright, they found nobody there.

The Ogopogo Monster Lives In Lake Okanagan

In 2018, two families relaxing along the shore of British Columbia's Lake Okanagan claimed to witness a mysterious creature rising from the water. "I saw this black form come out of the water - cylindrical - and then roll," one man said, describing the almost 50-foot-long, snake-like creature. Within three weeks, two more people saw the same thing and believed it to be Canada's legendary Ogopogo.

The first modern documentation of the monster was in 1972, but indigenous legends mention the creature long before that, calling it the N'ha-a-itk, a long creature with humps and a horse-like head that rises from the lake during storms.

Numerous people claimed to see the Ogopogo swimming or peeking above the waves, and have captured photos and videos of the creature. The Ogopogo became such a beloved part of Canadian folklore that the government commissioned an Ogopogo postage stamp in the 1990s.

Scientists believe the creature may be a primitive whale that shows itself more often in the fall when boat traffic dies down and the water temperature cools.

A Slain Lighthouse Keeper Wanders Outside Gibraltar Point

Built in 1808, the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes. During the War of 1812, lighthouse keeper JP Rademuller kept a careful watch on the harbor until he mysteriously disappeared in 1815. Although details differ from story to story, soldiers allegedly slew Rademuller and hid his remains around the lighthouse. Years later, another lighthouse keeper began digging up the area and discovered what's believed to be Rademuller's jawbone.

The lighthouse became a popular local tourist destination for both its history and potential for the paranormal. Some people claim to hear phantom moans, while others say they've seen Rademuller's ghost wander the area. When visitors approach the door to the lighthouse, they sometimes detect loud banging noises coming from inside.

The Cabbagetown Tunnel Monster Lurks Underneath Toronto

In 1978, a 51-year-old man encountered a strange creature in a tunnel by the Cabbagetown neighborhood of Toronto while searching for a lost kitten. After walking about 10 feet into the tunnel, he spotted something move. He swung the flashlight in its direction and saw what appeared to be a three-foot-tall, monkey-like creature with gray fur and glowing orange eyes. This "living nightmare" said to him, "Go away. Go away." Horrified, the man ran.

Friends urged him to share his story, so he contacted the Toronto Sun about a year later. He and a reporter found the cave once more - and a perished cat. The two guessed the other end of the tunnel led into Toronto's sewer system. No one has ever spotted the Cabbagetown Tunnel Monster again.

The Ghost Of Richard Christie's Mistress Lingers At Regis College

The building that now houses Regis College in Toronto used to be the private mansion of Richard Christie, the son and heir to the founder of Mr. Christie's Cookies. The building contains a windowless room hidden within the inner structure of the house complete with its own bathroom and entrances located behind wood paneling. According to legend, Christie's mistress lived in this space, and they conducted a secret affair.

Although he bribed a servant to bring the woman food, Christie failed to spend as much time with her as she wanted. Supposedly, she grew so distraught with his absence that she garrotted herself in the secret room. Christie and the servant buried her in secret, but he found himself unable to deal with his grief and ruined the family business.

Students and other visitors to the secret Room 29 have seen doors opening and closing on their own, and some women claim to have entered only to find themselves mysteriously locked inside.

The Nennorluk Waits Off The Coast Of Newfoundland

According to legend, explorer Sir Humphrey Gilbert came face-to-face with a sea monster on his way back to England from Newfoundland in 1583. The lion-like creature he described fit the description of the Nennorluk, a cryptid from many Inuit stories around parts of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Said to have white fur, large ears, and stand as tall as an iceberg, the beast feasts on seals and humans, if they get close enough. Inuit people believe the Nennorluk does not swim, but instead moves from place to place by walking along the bottom of the ocean. They claim this is the reason the creature is not usually seen away from the shore. An 1847 sighting, however, alleged protrusions resembling antennae once appeared in the water, and the surrounding people heard a terrible roar.

British Columbia's Most Famous Architect Haunts The Buildings He Designed

Two buildings in Victoria, British Columbia, designed by Francis Rattenbury are said to be haunted by the artist himself. Rattenbury was one of British Columbia's most famous architects and became a target for local newspapers.

Although he originally lived and worked in Victoria, he garnered a bad reputation for his salacious affair with Alma Parkenham. After divorcing his first wife, Rattenbury married Parkenham and moved to England, but was slain in 1935 - presumably by Alma and her new lover, George Stoner.

Visitors to the Empress Hotel claim to have spotted a ghost of a thin mustached man walking through the halls. Others say his ghost can be seen haunting the British Columbia Parliament Buildings.

The Loup-Garou Stalk The Forests Of Quebec

When the French began to immigrate to Quebec in the 17th century, they brought many of their folk stories along with them. One tale was about human-beast hybrids known as loup-garou or rougarou, also known as werewolves.

According to legend, loup-garou are cursed and placed under a spell for 101 days, forced to change form every night. Unlike werewolves in other cultures, loup-garou have the ability to shape-shift into dogs, cats, pigs, oxen, owls, or calves, and retain awareness while in both forms.

Stories claim those who draw the blood of and recognize one of these creatures will be able to see the loup-garou's true form.

A Family Was Cursed In Baldoon

After John McDonald refused to sell his land in Baldoon, Ontario to an old woman in the 1830s, his family's home became a hotspot of paranormal activity. The family heard eerie footsteps in the kitchen, items inside the house flew around, and phantom hands threw rocks.

Some claim the family put marks on the stones and tossed them in the river, only to find the same marked stones back in their home. Fires started spontaneously all over their land until the entire house went up in flames.

The McDonalds moved in with family next door, but the mysterious events continued. As many as 26 people claimed to have witnessed these strange occurrences, and eventually, the family sought help from a young girl able to read stones. She told McDonald to fire at an unusual goose with a black head that was seen wandering the property. He did as she suggested, and targeted the bird in the wing.

McDonald tracked the bird, and it led him to the old woman's house, where she sat with a broken arm. The mysterious occurrences never happened again.

The Thetis Lake Monster Struck Several Teenagers

Sometimes referred to as the Canadian Lizard Man, the Thetis Lake monster first appeared in 1972, when it allegedly came out of the lake and went after two teenagers. The kids claimed the five-foot-tall monster looked like the Gill-man from The Creature from the Black Lagoon. While they were trying to escape, the cryptid managed to scratch one across the hand with its barbed, webbed claws.

A few days later, others claimed to witness the beast:

Its body was silver and shaped like an ordinary body, like a human being body, but it had a monster face, and it was all scaly with a point sticking out of its head and great big ears and horrifying eyes.

The second set of witnesses eventually admitted they made up their story, but the first two never went back on their claim. People forgot about the monster for many years, until, in 2011, another person claimed to have been charged by a beast with claws and scaly skin.

A couple of these I have only heard of once. Finding more about them is good. Canada doesn't have nearly as much folklore, mythology and such as places in Europe. Mostly because Canada was created by people who claimed it just a little over 100 years ago. Before that, there is very little recorded history. This means much of our Canadian folklore comes from the native people in Canada. Some from early settlers and explorers in Quebec and then more from the far north which was almost guaranteed to create stories, being a cold, tough environment for everyone who traveled there.

Source: Grunge - Creepy Myths From Canada That'll Keep You Up At Night

Omajinaakoos

In 2010, two women were walking with their dog near an Oji-Cree community in Northwestern Ontario known as Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, or Big Trout Lake. Their dog discovered the carcass of a strange animal in a local creek. Some in the Big Trout Lake community believe the strange remains are actually an omajinaakoos or the "ugly one," which is a sign of impending disaster, according to CTV News.

There are occasional accounts of people from Big Trout Lake seeing an omajinaakoos, going back decades. Typically, it is described as living in swampy areas and eating beavers. The creature is supposed to be evasive, but when it is seen, it's a bad omen for the future.

As described by The Globe and Mail, the two women who discovered the animal's carcass were unable to find it again later, and it is speculated that it could've been washed back into the creek or eaten by scavengers. The photos that were taken have been analyzed by experts and enthusiasts alike. As detailed in National Post, some suspect the remains were actually a mink that decomposed in a particularly unsettling way in the water.

Whatever the foot-long "Big Trout Lake monster" pulled from the creekbed actually was, it led to a flurry of interest in stories about the elusive swamp-dweller omajinaakoos.

Nakani the Wildman

In the early 1900s, at least two prospectors traveled to the Nahanni Valley in Northern Canada in search of gold. Their bodies were found headless and mutilated. Another prospector's cabin was found burned and his head, too, was missing. As recently as 1945, a man's body was found in the region, decapitated. The mystery of who, or what, killed these men remains unsolved, but as described by The Outdoor Journal, the story has captivated people for over a hundred years.

Around 1950, Philip Godsell wrote that he had been told by the indigenous people that there was a group of terrifying creatures called "Nakanies" living in the caves. As quoted by author Hammerson Peters, Godsell stated that the Nakani had been described to him as being twice as large as a person, and sometimes capturing those who entered their territory. Some have attributed the deaths of the prospectors in Nahanni Valley to the Nakani.

Much is still unknown about the legend of the Nakani wildmen. As noted by professor and historian Shawn Smallman, the available accounts about the Nakani legend from this era were written down by white missionaries and explorers, rather than by the people from whom the legends originated, so it is difficult to know how accurate they were to the original folklore. In April 2020, a documentary team reported that they had been in contact with Dene elders to record first-hand accounts of their local legends.

Caddy, sünuƚqaz, and other serpents

One of Canada's popular cryptids is a sea serpent, reportedly spotted near British Columbia, known as Cadborosaurus, or "Caddy." As stated by Scientific American, those who claim to have seen the creature describe it as a massive snake with a horse-like face and sometimes antlers. Experts have found that instead of a small sea monster lurking in the water, witnesses may have actually seen pipefish, seals, or swimming deer, but some people continue to believe in the beast.

Caddy is far from the only snake-like creature in Canadian folklore. As described in an Anthropological Linguistics article by Jan P. Van Eijk, one of these legends was extremely pervasive in Salish culture. Sometimes called sünuƚqaz, it is described as a powerful spirit that appears as an enormous snake. One variation is described as living deep at the bottom of lakes, controlling all the lizards and herons that live there. Those seeking the creature were advised never to turn their backs when trying to leave its lair, or their entire body would twist and break, killing them instantly.

Looking at these supernatural snakes is not always the safest option, however. The Ts'elxwéyeqw people, also known by the English name "Chilliwack," have a legend about a frightening snake. As described in "The Chilliwacks and their neighbors," some believed there was a two-headed snake that lived in the swamps, and those misfortunate enough to catch a glimpse of it would vomit.

Charlottetown bell-ringers

In 1853, a small church on Prince Edward Island became the site of one of Canada's most beloved ghost stories. As described by Edward MacDonald of the University of Prince Edward Island, the sound of a ship's bell coming from a church tower eventually became known as an omen of the deadly disaster that was to come.

In the 1850s, there was an old steamship called the Fairy Queen that sailed around the area every few days delivering mail and carrying passengers. One windy day in early October, the crew accidentally allowed the fires in the boiler to go out. Unfortunately, the old ship leaked, and required pumps to keep it from filling with water. The crew was forced to abandon the ship, but a cabin boy and several passengers were left onboard when it sank. Seven were killed, four of them members of a congregation in the Charlottetown church Kirk of St. James.

According to the legend, two people at the church in Charlottetown heard a ship's bell ringing from the bell tower of the church. As they approached to see what was making the sound, they saw three women dressed all in white going into the church to join a fourth in the bell tower. When the two men reached the top of the bell tower, there was no one there.

Rougarou

Like most folklore, the story of the rougarou changes from community to community, but all versions are terrifying. As described in the Toronto Star, it originates with the Métis people, who have shared legends about the creature known as the rougarou for at least a century.

As described by the Métis Museum, the rougarou is a werewolf-like creature that may appear as a wolf, dog, horse, or half-human half-horse hybrid. According to some versions of the story, the rougarou is created if a person runs afoul of the Creator, whereafter they may become possessed. Some versions of the legend say the only way to stop the creature is to strike it between the eyes with a skeleton key, transforming it back into a human being — but if you tell anyone else the name of the person who had previously been possessed, you become the next rougarou.

Rougarou stories share some elements with stories of the French-Canadian "loup-garou," which is a similar werewolf-like creature dating back to 16th century France. As described by Atlas Obscura, the stories have traveled South. In Cajun culture, there are stories about the rougarou stalking its prey in the Louisiana Bayou.

Ogopogo

Like Loch Ness, Okanagan Lake in British Columbia also has a feared and beloved lake monster: Ogopogo. As described by the BBC, those who claim to have seen the creature describe it as a massive black sea serpent with a sheep-like face that swims through the lake, frightening unsuspecting witnesses.

Since the 1920s, Ogopogo has been a source of tourism for the city of Kelowna, where the lake sits. While the idea of it may have inspired awe and terror in the past, its name comes from a popular folk song and the creature became a popular folk tale. In the 1980s, Ogopogo became a phenomenon, and there was even a $1 million reward offered for proof that the cryptid was a real animal. The legend is actually far older, however. A member of the Westbank First Nation explained to the BBC that they don't view Ogopogo as a monster or an endangered animal, but believe it is actually the spirit of the lake itself, which the native people call "n ̓x̌ax̌aitkʷ," pronounced, "n-ha-ha-it-koo."

The Syilx people traditionally make offerings to n ̓x̌ax̌aitkʷ, the spirit of the lake, thanking it for providing for them. Some in the community believe the story about Ogopogo being a monster came from early Christian missionaries misinterpreting this ritual, and the settlers who colonized the area came to believe there was a monster in the lake.

Wendigo

Stories about the wendigo have become incredibly popular in recent years. As described by Atlas Obscura, there are multiple versions of the legends about the wendigo, each equally horrifying. Modern depictions of wendigos in horror movies tend to show them as tall monsters with deer-like skulls creeping around the Canadian wilderness. Older legends are different, depicting the wendigo as a human-like giant with a frostbitten face, constantly hungry for flesh.

The original stories come from the spiritual beliefs of the Algonquin people from areas near the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. As described by Brady DeSanti, a professor of Native American Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, in an interview with Backstory, traditional wendigo legends describe a very human-looking creature who slowly grows over time, until it is a giant. Some versions of the story describe the unfortunate creature as being so hungry it eats its own lips.

Its uncontrollable and destructive hunger sometimes represents greed. Sometimes, the wendigo is depicted as having once been an ordinary person who was transformed because of a curse or as punishment for some heinous act, like cannibalism. As chilling as these stories are, Grace Dillon, professor of Indigenous Nations Studies at Portland State University, told Backstory that many wendigo myths have hopeful endings.

Flaming ghost ship

Since Prince Edward Island is sometimes surrounded by stormy seas, it's unsurprising that one of its most popular urban legends is about a ship. This apparition is described as an old-fashioned schooner being engulfed in flames. As described by NUVO, there have been reports of people seeing the ghost ship in the 21st century, but the myth dates back to 1786.

For hundreds of years, there have been occasional sightings of this burning vessel. Some are more detailed than others. In 1900, sailors claimed they had seen crew members from the doomed craft trying to escape the blaze in a rowboat, only for the boat and the men aboard to vanish.

Since the 20th century, skeptics have been looking for an explanation for these bizarre sightings. Some have suggested it may be a mirage or the moon over the horizon. Some have suggested it may be Saint Elmo's fire, a strange light from atmospheric electricity that can appear on the masts of ships in storms, according to Britannica.

Dogmen

The story of the woman who married a dog is a very popular traditional Inuit legend in Canada and Greenland. In some versions of the legend, like a retelling published by The Journal of American Folklore, the girl does not want to get married and rejects all of her suitors, prompting her father to threaten a forced marriage with a dog. Instead of relenting, the girl calls his bluff and chooses one of his dogs to be her husband.

In another version, as described in The Native Directory, the dog is a shapeshifter. In this version, the family welcomes a handsome stranger wearing a necklace of dog teeth into their igloo during a terrible storm. In the morning, the man has vanished. The girl's father suspects that one of his own dogs was able to disguise himself as a man. Soon after it is discovered that the girl is pregnant, and when her father realizes she must have been impregnated by their mysterious visitor, he abandons her on a remote island before she can give birth. However, the dog swims to the island and brings her food. Half of her children are born with suspiciously dog-like characteristics.

Cabbagetown tunnel monsters

In 1979, a reporter named Lorrie Goldstein interviewed a man from Cabbagetown, a neighborhood in the city of Toronto, about a strange experience he'd had while looking for a lost kitten the year before. In the interview with The Sun (via the Torontoist) the man identified only as Ernest stated that when a kitten he was caring for escaped, he decided to search for it inside a cave. Inside, he claimed to have seen a monster.

Ernest claimed the creature was about three feet tall, gray, and ape-like, with orange-red eyes. Most astonishingly, he also claimed that the creature spoke to him, telling him to 'Go away.' Ernest believed the cave was connected to the sewer tunnels under the city, though this has been debated.

As reported by the Torontoist in 2013, there have been no further reported sightings of gray monkey men living in the Toronto sewers since Ernest gave his testimony in 1979, but that hasn't stopped conspiracy theorists from speculating about what might be lurking in the tunnels under the city.

Old Hag

A person is fast asleep when suddenly they awake to find they can't move. It feels like something is holding them down, and if they don't escape soon, they will die. As detailed in the first section of The Terror that Comes in the Night, which focuses on accounts from Newfoundland, this is a phenomenon known by many in the region. Their explanation: the Old Hag.

As stated by Nuvo, the Old Hag is supposed to look like a long-haired old woman. Many have described the experience of waking up in the night to find her standing in their bedroom doorway, beside the bed, or even sitting on top of them, crushing their chest. Some versions of the myth advise summoning the Hag on purpose by saying the Lord's Prayer backward and ambushing her by having something sharp positioned on the sleeper's chest to stab the Old Hag when she climbs on top of them.

There is a possible explanation for these harrowing experiences: sleep paralysis. As stated by the NHS, when a person experiences sleep paralysis, they are awake but unable to move. People with sleep paralysis often feel like they are being crushed, experience feelings of terror and dread, and sometimes feel as though there is someone or something else in the room.

Dungarvon Whooper

There are many versions of New Brunswick's most beloved ghost story, but all of them center on a mysterious sound in the night. Sometimes the source is an ordinary human, sometimes it's an enormous creature like a wildcat, and sometimes it is the restless spirit of a murdered man.

As described by The University of Maine, the story dates back to the 19th century. According to one popular version of the legend, a man from a local lumber camp was found dead by his friends and buried along the Dungarvon River. That night, they were tormented by a mysterious wailing or whooping sound. In another version, the midnight howls were heard after a man was killed in a logging accident (possibly as punishment for having said something blasphemous).

The legend was further popularized by a folk song recorded by Billy Price. In this version, the heroes of the story are forced to fight the Dungarvon Whooper, which takes the form of a large animal, likely a puma.

Posting lists I have found so I can look for more information and write my own posts about them later.

Source: Travel Culture Life -10 Canadian Urban Legends and the Spooky Places Behind Them

The Ghosts of Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, this luxurious hotel is famous for its stunning views—and its restless spirits. Guests have reported seeing a ghostly bride wandering the halls, said to have died on her wedding day. Others claim to hear phantom footsteps and children laughing in empty rooms. The hotel embraces its haunted reputation, even offering ghost tours for brave visitors. With so many eerie encounters, it’s no wonder this place is called Canada’s most haunted hotel.

The Crying Woman of Valleyview

In Edmonton’s Valleyview Park, locals tell the story of a weeping woman who appears near the river after dark. Legend says she’s the ghost of a grieving mother who lost her child in the water decades ago. Visitors report hearing soft sobs or seeing a figure in old-fashioned clothes standing near the bank. Some say she disappears if you get too close, leaving only a cold breeze behind.

The Cursed Bridge of St. Louis du Ha! Ha!

This Quebec bridge is rumored to be cursed after multiple tragic accidents. Locals say a witch placed a hex on it, causing drivers to lose control. Some claim to see a ghostly woman in white luring people toward the edge. Despite repairs, strange occurrences still happen here. Whether it’s bad luck or something supernatural, this bridge gives even skeptics the creeps.

The Headless Nun of New Brunswick

The legend tells of a nun who was beheaded by pirates and now haunts the grounds of Fort La Tour. Visitors report seeing her headless figure floating near the ruins, searching for her lost head. Others hear eerie wails when no one is around. The story has been told for centuries, making it one of Canada’s oldest ghost tales. If you visit at night, you might just feel her presence watching you.

The Ogopogo of Okanagan Lake

This mysterious lake monster is Canada’s answer to the Loch Ness Monster. Described as a giant serpent, sightings date back to Indigenous legends. Tourists and locals still report seeing strange ripples or a dark figure moving beneath the water. Some believe it’s a prehistoric creature, while others think it’s pure myth. Either way, the Ogopogo keeps people guessing—and scanning the lake for movement.

The Black Donnellys’ Haunted Farm

The Donnelly family was brutally murdered in 1880, and their Ontario farm is said to be cursed. Visitors report hearing screams, seeing ghostly figures, and feeling sudden drops in temperature. Some say the family’s restless spirits still seek justice. The property is private now, but the chilling stories keep thrill-seekers coming. It’s a dark chapter in history that refuses to fade away.

The Phantom Hitchhiker of Highway 401

Drivers along this Ontario highway claim to pick up a young woman in a white dress—only for her to vanish mid-ride. The legend says she died in a car accident and now searches for a way home. Some even report her appearing in their back seat. Whether it’s a ghost or a trick of the light, this story makes late-night drives a lot spookier.

The Dungarvon Whooper

Deep in New Brunswick’s woods, a terrifying scream echoes at night. The legend says it’s the ghost of a murdered cook, howling in agony. Loggers and hikers have reported hearing the blood-curdling sound for over a century. No one knows for sure what causes it, but the mystery keeps the story alive. If you’re camping here, don’t be surprised if you hear the Whooper’s cry.

The Witch of Plum Hollow

In Ontario, locals swear a real-life witch once lived in this small village. She was said to predict the future and curse those who crossed her. Some believe her spirit still lingers, causing strange happenings in the area. Whether you believe in witches or not, the tales of her powers are hard to ignore. It’s a reminder that some legends have roots in real history.

The Ghost Ship of the Northumberland Strait

Sailors in Nova Scotia tell of a phantom schooner that appears in the fog before vanishing. The ship is said to be the SS Atlantic, which sank in 1873 with hundreds onboard. Witnesses describe seeing glowing lights and hearing distant cries. Some say it’s a warning to other ships. Whether it’s a mirage or something supernatural, this ghost ship remains a maritime mystery.

These are posted as unknown "stories you've never heard of". But, they weren't new to me. Some are very well known to anyone who reads about folklore, mysteries, paranormal, and history about Canada. Are any new to you?

The Ghost Ship of Northumberland Strait

For over 200 years, residents along New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia’s coasts have reported seeing a ghostly ship on the Northumberland Strait, its sails ablaze but drifting silently across the water.

This fiery schooner appears on the horizon only to vanish as boats attempt to reach it, leaving no trace.

Some say it was a smuggling vessel set alight to evade capture; others think it was cursed for mistreating its crew.

Whatever the origin, it’s become a classic East Coast legend.

Haunted Canadian Railways

Canada’s railways have their share of eerie stories, from ghost trains seen in remote areas to haunted stations where footsteps echo long after dark.

The most famous story is about the “Phantom Train” that supposedly appears on moonlit nights in Northern Ontario.

It’s said to be the ghost of a train that derailed long ago, a reminder of Canada’s rugged frontier days when the train was a lifeline - and sometimes, a death trap.

The Flying Canoe (La Chasse-Galerie)

One of the best-loved stories from French Canada, this legend tells of a group of voyageurs who, desperate to get home for New Year’s, make a pact with the devil.

They hop into a flying canoe to speed over the forests, only to realize the price might be more than they bargained for.

This story says a lot about Canada’s early settlers, their ties to Catholic beliefs and their love for a good thrill. You can almost picture the canoe, silhouetted against the moon, streaking through a cold winter sky. In fact i've imagined it right here...

Le Bonhomme Sept-Heures

Literally translated, it's "the good man, 7 0'clock", but this bogeyman isn't a friendly guy!

Parents would tell their kids that if they didn’t settle down by 7 p.m., the Bonhomme Sept-Heures would sneak in with his sack to carry them away.

Some versions claim he wears a dark coat and top hat, making him just that bit more creepy.

He was likely just a ploy by parents to get their kids to sleep, but he’s stuck around as a curious bit of folklore.

The Loup-Garou

In French Canadian folklore, the Loup-Garou is usually considered a victim of religious neglect. The legend says that a Catholic who fails to attend Easter confession for seven years is cursed to transform at night.

Unlike the European wolf-man, this creature typically takes the form of a massive farm animal - such as a black dog, ox or pig - and is often a passive watcher rather than a hunter.

It stalks travelers not to kill them, but to provoke them into attacking. Drawing the beast’s blood is said to be the only way to break the curse and "deliver" the human soul trapped inside.

The Wiindigo (Wendigo and other variations depending on the dialect)

Among the Algonquin-speaking tribes, the Wiindigo is a terrifying creature embodying greed and insatiable hunger.

Often described as a monstrous, emaciated figure with an insatiable appetite for human flesh, the Wiindigo roams the winter forests, preying on those who have lost their way.

But this creature isn’t just a monster; it’s a cautionary tale of selfishness and greed.

Some stories say people become Wiindigo when consumed by greed or isolation - fascinating symbolism for the struggle to maintain humanity in the harsh northern winters.

Source: Mythfolks - 12 curious Canadian folklore stories of myths, monsters and secrets you’ve never heard

The Greenock Swamp is a large, forested wetland in southern Bruce County. Formerly Greenock Township now the Municipality of Brockton, extending into the municipalities of South Bruce, Huron-Kinloss and Kincardine. It is the largest forested wetland in southern Ontario. Greenock Swamp was designated a provincially significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) in and classified as a Class 1 wetland, the highest provincial ranking, in 1989.

Cargill and Greenock Swamp Museum and Visitor Centre

Deep in Bruce County, stretching across 20,000 acres of dense, untamed wilderness, lies the Greenock Swamp—Ontario’s largest forested wetland and one of its most legendary places.

For centuries, loggers, settlers, and travelers have shared eerie stories about this land—vanishing men, floating lights, hidden treasures, ghostly figures, and even man-eating plants. Some of these tales are rooted in truth, others in folklore, but all have helped shape the swamp’s reputation as a place full of secrets, danger, and the unexplained.

As someone who has spent a lifetime working in the woods, I know that some forests just feel different—and Greenock Swamp is one of them.

The Vanishing Loggers of Greenock Swamp

During the late 1800s logging boom, Greenock Swamp became a dangerous, grueling workplace for the hundreds of men who tried to harvest its towering white pines. With dense vegetation, hidden bogs, and constant mist, it was easy to get lost---and not everyone made it back out.

The official explanation for these disappearances?

• Some drowned in the thick mud and waterways.

• Some were crushed by falling trees or runaway logs.

• Some simply got lost, and the swamp swallowed them whole.

But the unofficial stories tell a darker tale:

• Loggers claimed to hear voices calling their names---but when they turned, no one was there.

• Others spoke of floating lights weaving through the trees---too high and too fast to be lanterns.

• Some even claimed to see men in old, tattered logging gear watching them from the shadows, only to vanish when approached.

Even today, hunters and hikers who wander too deep into Greenock Swamp report a heavy feeling of being watched---and some never return.

The Lost Treasure of Greenock Swamp

According to local legend, somewhere deep within Greenock Swamp lies a hidden fortune in gold---buried by criminals, fur traders, or bootleggers who never returned to claim it.

Over the years, treasure hunters have searched for it, but the swamp doesn't make things easy.

• Some have claimed to find strange markings on trees, possibly left behind as a coded map.

• Others have heard digging noises late at night, only to find nothing there.

• A few unlucky ones have disappeared while searching, adding to the legend that something in the swamp is guarding the gold.

Nobody knows if the treasure is real or just another tall tale, but one thing is certain---Greenock Swamp doesn't give up its secrets easily.

Phantom Lights and the Green Mist

One of the most frequently reported phenomena in Greenock Swamp is the appearance of ghostly lights---small, glowing orbs that float between the trees.

Some say they're the spirits of loggers who died in the swamp, guiding or warning travelers. Others believe they're something much older---a natural phenomenon, or perhaps even something supernatural.

But the strangest of all is the green mist.

• Travelers driving near the swamp have reported thick green fog rolling out of nowhere, sometimes forcing them to stop because visibility drops to zero.

• Some claim to have seen figures forming in the mist, almost like shadows moving on their own.

• Some old-timers even swear that those who breathe in too much of the mist start seeing things that aren't there.

Scientists say it's just swamp gas, but if you've ever driven past Greenock on a foggy night, you know---it doesn't feel like regular fog.

The Ghostly Lumberjack

Among loggers, there's a legend of a spectral lumberjack who appears on foggy mornings, silently watching crews before vanishing into the mist.

• He's always described as a bearded man in tattered logging clothes, standing near the tree line.

• He never speaks---just watches.

• Some say he's the ghost of a logger who was killed in a tragic accident, still lingering where he fell.

Nobody knows who he is, but even modern-day loggers have reported seeing him.

The Devil's Plants: Are There Man-Eating Plants in Greenock Swamp?

This one is straight out of a horror movie---but some locals insist it's true.

Greenock Swamp is home to rare carnivorous plants like pitcher plants and sundews, which trap insects. But older stories speak of plants big enough to trap small animals---or even people.

• Some claim to have seen "devil vines" that tighten around anything that steps too close.

• A few loggers and hunters have gone missing near areas where these plants grow in clusters.

• Scientists dismiss it, but if you ever find yourself stuck in the swamp and something grabs your leg? Good luck.

The Hidden Moonshine Stills of Prohibition

During Prohibition, the dense, isolated terrain of Greenock Swamp made it the perfect place for bootleggers to hide illegal stills.

• Some of the best "swamp whiskey" was rumored to have come from deep in Greenock.

• The rough terrain kept the law at bay, allowing operations to flourish.

• To this day, people have found old barrels, bottles, and equipment hidden in the muck---left behind by those who once risked it all for a drink.

Final Thoughts: Just Another Swamp... or Something Else?

Greenock Swamp is one of Ontario's most underrated legendary locations. Unlike big-name haunted forests and ghost towns, this place flies under the radar---but talk to anyone who's spent time near it, and you'll hear a story or two that'll keep you up at night.

Zack Weiler, owner of Grey Bruce Tree Workers The Legends and Mysteries of Greenock Swamp

Sources (some quoted by Zack Weiler) and other resources I found:

• Bruce Grey Simcoe - Legends of The Great Swamp: Mysteries of the Greenock Swamp
• Explore the Bruce - Greenock Swamp Tours
• Grey Bruce Boomers - Bootlegging in the Greenock Swamp
• Midwestern Newspapers Corp. - Bootlegging, logging and man-eating plants: Greenock Swamp has it all
• Walkerton - Greenock Swamp Tours
• Walkerton - Into the Wild: Exploring Greenock Swamp Near Walkerton
• Wikipedia - Greenock Swamp