The Spirits of Niles Canyon

Posted: 06.17.2025 | Updated: 06.17.2025

The winding road through Niles Canyon is peaceful, scenic, and… perilous. Niles Canyon Road was named the most dangerous road in the Bay Area in 2017, and the high death toll from car accidents makes it easy to see why it earned that title. 

Yet, many people aren’t discouraged by these statistics and continue to enjoy the views of the seven-mile stretch of road on a lazy Sunday afternoon. If they happen to drive along the canyon on a specific winter day, however, they may find themselves with an extra passenger in the backseat. 

From Niles to San Francisco, there are countless pit stops with ghostly activity. However, downtown San Francisco is home to some of the most active spirits, with several dwelling in famous spots like the Fairmont Hotel, the Sutter Building, and the Curran Theatre. If you want to learn more about the haunted side of the Golden City, book a ghost tour with San Francisco Ghosts tonight. 

What is the legend of Niles Canyon? 

There is a ghost who is consistently seen in Niles Canyon, on a specific day each year. Many believe she’s the victim of a car accident, or something more nefarious, on the dangerous road. While her spirit seems to be friendly — even helpful — some locals avoid the road on that fateful night. 

A Once-Bustling Road 

Niles Canyon Road used to be a top destination for Californians who wanted to enjoy a scenic, peaceful drive. The road 50 miles outside of San Francisco offered gorgeous views of the expansive canyon below, and city dwellers loved the escape from urban life. 

By the early 1920s, the area became so popular that the trek was dubbed a “chief artery of travel from San Francisco,” as people were also driving the road for the practical purpose of getting to Fremont. 

Yet, the local government had a problem. The winding road was far from safe. Distracted drivers could plunge off the steep cliffsides, and quite a few did during bad weather. To attempt to make the road safer, a renovation project was approved — one that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in the 1930s (and would have cost several million in today’s dollars). The goal was to widen the road to make it safer for two cars to pass, smooth any uneven sections, and install a stone wall to act as a barrier between drivers and the “turbulent waters beyond,” according to a 1930 newspaper article. 

While the upgrades did help, the road maintained its deadly reputation. In the decades that followed, the road began to see less and less traffic, as faster, more direct routes were erected. 

While it may not be as busy as it once was, Niles Canyon Road is still regularly used by residents of Niles getting to and from work, as well as those who want to enjoy the stunning views the road offers. While many have a lovely drive through the canyon, others’ trips are far less joyful. 

The Tragedy That Surrounds Niles Canyon 

Even with fewer drivers on the road, Niles Canyon Road is still an incredibly dangerous roadway due to its sharp curves and blind turns. Between 2018 and 2023, this rural road had an average of 22 reported car crashes per year. In 2017, five people died from the injuries sustained in a car crash, meaning these aren’t just fender benders.

Outside of the car accidents, Niles Canyon has another dark history. Because of its remoteness, the canyon has become a favorite site for people to dispose of bodies. Multiple homicide victims have been found in the canyon over the years, with some of their identities remaining a mystery. Other times, a long search for a missing person will end with the tragic discovery of the body in the canyon. 

With so much death relegated to this area, it makes sense that at least one of these souls hasn’t been able to move on from where her life ended. 

Who Haunts Niles Canyon?

The spirit who is most associated with Niles Canyon Road is named Lowerey. The urban legend goes that Lowerey was driving a car late one night in the 1920s when something caused her to spin out and crash. She was killed in the accident, which took place on February 28. 

Why Is the Date Important?

As the details around Lowerey’s death are murky, it’s surprising to some that the date of her demise — February 28 — is so specific. This date is known today because Lowerey’s spirit is only seen on the anniversary of her death. 

On this date, the young woman’s spirit is seen dressed in a flowing white dress. She’s known to suddenly appear in the backseat of someone’s car as they drive along the road. However, by the time the vehicle reaches Dumbarton Bridge, she disappears. 

It’s widely believed that Lowerey is hoping to hitch a ride back to San Francisco, where she was from. However, something seems to spook her around the bridge that makes her disappear. Could that be where her fatal crash was? Even today, can she not bring herself to face it?

The Lifesaving Spirit

Lowerey has been known to do more than simply sit in the backseat. In 1979, Daniel Meseke was a 19-year-old kid driving dangerously fast along Niles Canyon Road in the middle of the night, following a 12-hour shift. 

Meseke was approaching a tight turn when he noticed a light in his rearview mirror. Before he could inspect what it was, he felt a tight grip on his shoulder. 

The unexpected feeling shocked Meseke into slamming on his brakes. As soon as the car came to a halt, he looked behind him — only to see an empty backseat. It was only then that he turned back to the front and realized he was mere feet away from slamming into the canyon wall. 

Ever since, Meseke has been convinced that Lowerey, dubiously known as the “White Witch” by some locals, saved his life by making him stop. 

The Search for the Ghost Girl of Nile Canyon

The stories of motorists spotting a spirit in their car on the winding road have stretched back nearly a century, and those who live around Niles Canyon grew up hearing the legend. Because of this, many teenagers drive the length of the road, hoping to spot the ethereal phantom. 

Every February 28, the street becomes much more crowded as specter enthusiasts flock to the road, driving along slowly in hopes that Lowerey will choose their car for her ride back to the big city.

Haunted San Francisco

After enjoying the sights and sounds of Niles Canyon, many people are ready to get back to the hustle and bustle of San Francisco. When you do arrive back in the big city, there are plenty of other places you can possibly catch a glimpse of a ghost. 

Much of San Francisco had to be rebuilt after the great earthquake of 1906, and some buildings still harbor spirits that perished that day, notably the Fairmont Hotel. Just down the road from the hotel is the Curran Theatre, which was the site of a robbery-turned-murder in the 1930s. 

These are some of the top places to hear or see something otherworldly in the Bay Area. If you want to experience them for yourself, book a ghost tour with San Francisco Ghosts. 

Want to learn about other haunted byways and scenic drives around the country? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to discover spooky streets and avenues all around the U.S. To read about other local San Francisco spectral hot spots, be sure to check out our blog. 

Sources: 

• https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/bay-area-niles-canyon-road-ghost-18684782.php
• https://sfghosts.com/
• https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Body-found-on-Niles-Canyon-railroad-tracks-was-13218429.php
• https://abcnews.go.com/US/michelle-le-case-missing-nursing-students-body-identified/story?id=14561246
• https://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/12204-spine-chilling-encounter-ghost-of-a-girl-haunts-niles-canyon-road-in-ca.html