Every town has its ghost stories — the kind whispered around campfires to send shivers down your spine. Fresno is no exception. From haunted theaters to spooky mansions, the Central Valley is filled with eerie locales. But one place stands above the rest: Lost Lake, where serene landscapes transform into a supernatural playground as night falls.

Lost Lake is a seemingly tranquil spot just outside Fresno, but beneath its surface lies a history of eerie tales. One of the creepiest encounters is that of a ghostly young boy. Late one evening, two visitors fishing along the riverbank noticed movement in the bushes. Thinking it was an animal, they aimed their flashlight and found a young boy in swim trunks, standing silently by the water. They glanced at each other, and when they looked back— he was gone. Many believe the boy is the spirit of a child who tragically drowned in the lake’s strong currents.

Witnesses describe an overwhelming sense of sadness, as if the air itself carries sorrow. Some claim to hear faint laughter echoing across the water after dark, only to find no one there. The boy’s presence lingers, a chilling reminder of the lake’s dark history.

Strange Creatures: Fact or Folklore?

It’s not just spirits that haunt Lost Lake. The same visitors who saw the ghost boy later noticed a large figure swimming toward the shore. It wasn’t an ordinary animal. The creature, about five feet tall, rose from the water on two legs before dropping onto all fours and slithering back into the lake. Imagine seeing that and deciding if you’re ready to keep fishing or call it a night.

Some members of the local Hmong community believe this creature could be a dragon from their folklore—ancient beings connected to water and earth. Whether a figment of imagination or something more, these sightings add another layer of mystery to Lost Lake.

Other Hauntings

Shadowy figures have been spotted lurking at Lost Lake. Visitors have also seen a tall figure in a white cloak, or a man in a blue kimono chasing people away—only to vanish moments later. It’s hard to know whether to laugh or scream at these bizarre encounters.

Disembodied voices calling out from the lake and glowing orbs weaving through the trees are also common. One story involves campers waking to the sound of steady drumming in the night. When they ventured out to investigate, the sound stopped. The drumming was rumored to be echoes of old Native American ceremonies once held on the land.

A Place of Beauty and Tragedy

Lost Lake’s haunting reputation is not just folklore; it’s also touched by real tragedy. Swift currents have claimed many lives, and visitors often speak of an oppressive presence—like a weight pressing down on them. In one tale, a willow tree is rumored to be a spot where people have taken their own lives. On some nights, soft crying can be heard from its direction. Between restless spirits, strange creatures, and tragic history, Lost Lake hits every spooky note.

The Call of Lost Lake

By day, Lost Lake is a peaceful spot for a family outing or quiet fishing. By night, it transforms — a place where whispers ride the wind, shadows dance between the trees, and the line between the living and the dead blurs. Whether you visit for the beauty or the haunted secrets, one thing is certain: Lost Lake will leave you with more questions than answers — and maybe the unsettling feeling that you were never truly alone.

About the Author

GV Wire Producer Dean Kirkland is the founder and director of Gas and Gears, an independent film production company that has produced numerous television series and feature films, including the award-winning documentary “Racing Through The Forest” (2014).