Devil's Den Gettysburg

Haunted Places in Pennsylvania > Haunted Battlefields

Devil's Den Gettysburg paranormal

Photo by: Marianne Donley
Location submitted by: sdonley on 08/03/2017
DBA Approved: Y

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Sickles Ave
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: (717) 338-1243
Open to the public: Yes

https://www.nps.gov/places/devil-s-...

Lat: 39.7960732
Lon: -77.2430822

PANICd#: 1921

Publication date: 07/30/2019

Last visited: 09/29/2025

Database Summary:

Demographic Rank: 6
History: 2
Stories: 2
Claims: 6
Evidence: 0
Resources: 9
Retrievals: 1417750
Vistor Rating: 0.0
Votes: 0

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History

History information is some background and history about the location. This is meant to be a basic summary. Below the history records you will find sources in which you can click on to find out more information. There may be multiple history records per location.

Devils Den is a boulder-strewn hill on the south end of Houck's Ridge at Gettysburg Battlefield, once used by artillery and infantry (e.g., sharpshooters) on the second day of the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. A tourist attraction since the memorial association era, several boulders are worn from foot traffic and the site includes numerous cannon, memorials, and walkways, including a bridge spanning two boulders.

Devils Den was formed with Little Round Top (to the east-northeast) and Big Round Top (southwest) by pericardial frost wedging of the igneous land form formed 200 million years ago when a diabase sill intruded through the Triassic Gettysburg plain. The feature acquired its foreboding name prior to the 1863 battle. Throughout the mid-19th Century, local residents believed that the crevices between the boulders were home to a large snake. The size of the reptile varied between accounts, but reports ranged from 8 ft (2.4 m) to as large as 15 ft (4.6 m). The snake became known as "The Devil," and thus the area he was believed to inhabit became known as "The Devil's Den." Some soldier's accounts used the name "Devil's Cave", and a depression on a boulder that collects water resembles a flying horned bat.

Added by: sdonley on 07/30/2019 DB#:441
Source(s):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Den

Added by: sdonley on 07/30/2019 DB#:442
Source(s):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEmGazv4k2s

Stories & Folklore

Stories & Folklore are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location and passed down from generation to generation. This section could also contain research notes as well.

The location of The Devil's Den is considered one of the many haunted hot spots on the Gettysburg Battlefield by both paranormal believers and skeptics alike. There have been several reports of malfunctioning cameras (exposed film), watches, and other electronic devices in the area. Sounds of disembodied footsteps, marching, cannon fire, galloping horses, and disembodied cries of soldiers who once lost their lives on this hallowed ground have been heard too many times to count. Apparitions have also been reportedly seen in this area of the battlefield, particularly the ghost of what is assumed to be a Texan soldier who "look[s] sort of like a hippie" long hair, ragged clothes, barefoot, big floppy hat, and also the spirit of a Union soldier who seems, at first, to be a reenactor from the NY regiment who enjoys posing for photos. The union soldier will pose as they did in those days, standing with his back straight, one hand across his lower torso and the other hand placed at his back. The photos are almost too perfect, but when they were developed the soldier does not appear in the photo.

Added by: sdonley on 07/30/2019 DB#: 1443
Source(s): https://4girlsandaghost.wordpress.com/2013/07/02/g...

The Devil's Den is arguably the most haunted spot in America. Today the boulders still hold marks from soldier foot traffic, and have been the sight of an innumerable amount of paranormal experiences. Groups visiting the den have witnessed soldiers dressed in civil war garb disappear into the darkness. Many people have heard the sound of cannon fire, running, and even screaming, only to find the area empty when they investigate.

Added by: sdonley on 07/29/2019 DB#: 1441
Source(s): https://maps.roadtrippers.com/trips/12577156

Paranormal Claims

Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, please contact PANICd.com, and we will review and add your information.

Claim #	Added	Added By	Claim
2907	07/30/2019	sdonley	Apparitions of soldiers have been seen.
2908	07/30/2019	sdonley	The sound of cannon fire has been heard.
2909	07/30/2019	sdonley	The sound of someone running has been heard.
2910	07/30/2019	sdonley	The sounds of screams, moaning, and cries have been heard.
2911	07/30/2019	sdonley	Electronic devices have failed.
2912	07/30/2019	sdonley	Galloping horses have been heard.

Additional Resources

This is a collection of Internet resources for this location. This section will house links to other websites that contain information related to history, claims, investigations, or even the location's website.

Wikipedia Entry Added: 07/30/2019 By: sdonley	Wikipedia entry for this location.
Facts about Devilâ€™s Den during the Battle Of Gettysburg of the American Civil War Added: 07/30/2019 By: sdonley	Information about the location, see link for details.
Trip Advisor Added: 07/30/2019 By: sdonley	Trip Advisor Page
Devil's Den (U.S. National Park Service) Added: 07/30/2019 By: sdonley	Information about the location, see link for details.
Gettysburg - Devilâ€™s Den and Little Round Top - 4:30 to 5:30pm Added: 07/30/2019 By: sdonley	Information about the location, see link for details.
Battle of Gettysburg : Devil's Den Added: 07/30/2019 By: sdonley	Battle of Gettysburg Devil's Den The Round Tops, Little Round Top, Big Round Top Nicknamed The Slaughter Pen, Plum Run Valley The Valley of Death, General Hood's Division, The Wheatfield History Map
Spooky Geology Added: 07/30/2019 By: sdonley	Information about the location, see link for details.
Gettysburg, PA: The Devil's Den \| The Witching Hour Added: 07/30/2019 By: sdonley	The location of The Devi's Den is considered one of the many haunted hot spots on the Gettysburg Battlefield by both paranormal believers and skeptics alike. There have been several reports of malfunctioning cameras (exposed film), watches, and other electronic devices in the area. Sounds of disembodied footsteps, marching, cannon fire, galloping horses, and disembodied.
Battle of Gettysburg, Devil's Den Added: 07/30/2019 By: sdonley	Information about the location, see link for details.