Your guide to the spookiest Western episodes

We're scared saddle-less over these episodes!

There's ghosts in them thar saloons!

Just when you thought it was safe to tie up your horse for a refreshing sarsaparilla...

We're taking all your favorite classic TV Westerns and shakin' them upside down until their scariest episodes fall out of their chaps. 

Fear not though (or maybe just a little bit), for we're here to provide you with a handy-dandy guide to the most haunted episodes in the wild, wild West! 

So, take a read, and make sure to tune in. It'll leave you shakin' in your boots, partner!

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1. Wild Wild West - "Night of the Man-Eating House"

 

The dudes from Wild Wild West transport a treasonous old man to the hospital. He's spent 30 years in solitary confinement! They get weary on their journey, and looking for somewhere to stay the night, come across a haunted old mansion. What could possibly go wrong? Well, plenty, as West and Gordon find out why it's called "The Man-Eating House"

2. Wagon Train - "Little Girl Lost"

 

Everybody gather 'round the campfire for a good old-fashioned ghost story. This one concerns a mysterious little girl who shows up every night, crying. But, all may not be what it seems. Everyone can hear her, but only Charlie can see her. Is she a ghost from the infamous Donner Party? Tune in to find out!

3. The Big Valley - "A Noose is Waiting"

 

As if the episode's title wasn't scary enough, the story is pretty darn terrifying, too! The Barkleys are in some serious danger in this one when a strange doctor rolls into town. As our favorite family welcomes this newcomer, they're unaware that he's actually a crazed killer on the loose. Uh-oh! Look out Barbara Stanwyck! 

4. Gunsmoke - "Legal Revenge"

 

Jeez, Cloris Leachman sure is scary! That's because Doc catches her in a web of lies when he rides out to her. Leachman plays the incredibly named Flory Tibbs, who lies and says her husband is out in town. Doc hears a man call out and finds Mr. Tibbs (no, not the In the Heat of the Night one) hiding inside with a busted leg. But the story changes again when Marshall Matt Dillon rides to the site. Creepy!

5. Gunsmoke - "Night Incident"

 

Two Gunsmoke episodes? The show kept the creepies comin' with "Night Incident." Nobody believes Little Timmy Wyatt when he comes to Marshall Dillon saying he overheard a series of bizarre murders. However, because Dillon is such a good lawman, he decides to investigate anyway. What he learns may shock and disturb!

6. Bonanza - "Dark Star"

 

Cool your jets, Deadheads, this one isn't about the Jerry Garcia composition. Instead, "Dark Star" is a season one episode of Bonanza that sees Little Joe encountering a gypsy woman who's been ousted from her community. But, wait! Is she a witch?! Be careful Little Joe, or the whole Cartwright clan could end up hexed!

7. Rawhide - "Incident of the Murder Steer"

 

Nope, it's not a PETA campaign. This is a real episode of Rawhide. It could've been called "Booovine," cause that's one creepy cattle! Is it a terrible omen, or did the bull do it himself? "Steer" clear of the MOO-udder (read: murder) with this one!

8. Have Gun, Will Travel - "No Visitors"

 

Our main man Paladin is at the center of a moral dilemma in this one. Will his egalitarian views somehow convince the utilitarian prairie town that a mother and child are worth saving? The townspeople have condemned the outsiders to death, scared to let typhoid into their village. It's a witch-hunt metaphor in this first season episode!

9. Wanted Dead or Alive - "Witch Woman"

 

Speaking of witches, this one's a little spin on the classic tropes. This time, Josh (Steve McQueen) is protecting a couple from a woman that everybody knows is a witch. It's a reverse witch-hunt, as Josh does his best to protect the expecting parents from La Curandera!

10. The Rifleman - "Face of Yesterday"

 

In this episode, it's not a haunted house (or haunted horse), but a haunted man as Lucas McCain recounts a tale that has tormented him since the Civil War. Lucas is called out by a young man who is the spitting image of a Confederate soldier Lucas killed during his time in the army. The ghosts of the past bedevil North Fork in "Face of Yesterday!" 

11. Rifleman - "Hostages to Fortune"

 

Here's a classic TV rarity: A Western that's actually a straight-up bona fide Halloween episode. Mark McCain and his posse of pals don masks to do pranks. But, wait! A band of ruffians sport similar get ups in order to cause more than mischief, knowing the boys will be blamed. It's a case of mistaken identity in "Hostages to Fortune!"

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11 Comments

JamesSouth 8 months ago
It's The Wild Wild West. Wild Wild West was the title of the lame movie.
ironman2000 12 months ago
Another strange one, was from Rawhide season 1, about this drifter who was hired on for the drive and J'esus told the drivers he was curse.
ironman2000 12 months ago
They should have added Twilight Town, from Bonanza season 4 I believe. That was one that made you think at the ending.
Kaydee 12 months ago
The Bonanza episode "Dark Star" would've been a more creepier episode if it were not for the Horrible acting by the lovely Susan Harrison...Just Horrible in my opinion.
MrsPhilHarris 12 months ago
Rusty Stevens, Larry Mondello from Leave It To Beaver is in the Rifleman episode.
Suzies1952 12 months ago
Can’t. Wait to watch all the haunted scary shows in October, it’s such a fun time of year and I have fun decorating my door for Halloween 🎃 boo 👻 ha ha!!
Andybandit 12 months ago
All these episodes were good ones. I look forward to seeing the different shows with the Halloween theme.
teire 12 months ago
What about the Twilight Town episode of Bonanza? The ending gives me goosebumps.
josephbard52 12 months ago
Ok,I got a better scary one from the Ridleman and I saw it first run as a little kid....Mark is chased by a grunting maniac in a spooky cavern in Micahs old childhood town.(a ghostown now)...I had nightmares for months.
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