US folklore: stories of myths, legends and folktales from around the 50 states of the USA

The vast USA with its diverse and varied populations, geographies and historical influences, is home to some of the most fascinating folklore stories. From creepy cryptids to mythical creatures, urban legends and tall tales. Discover the best stories here.

American folklore stories by state

desert landscape, petroglyphs in rocks

Arizona folklore

Louisiana folklore

Michigan folklore

a lone cowboy on horseback, longhorn cattle, Texas plains, sunset

Texas folklore

Tennessee folklore

woman in white dress runs toward train

West Virginia folklore

SPOTLIGHT ON

New England folklore, legends and ghost stories

Intro: New England folklore stories from all 6 states

Legendary tales from New England

Spooky New England ghost stories

Native American folklore stories

giant turtle in sky

Iroquois folklore

el chupacabra on fake magazine cover

El Chupacabra (southern US + Latin America)

michigan dogman shadowy figure

Michigan Dogman

champ lake monster

Champ the Vermont lake monster

mothman drawing, black and red

Mothman legend of W. Virginia

bigfoot

Bigfoot (Pacific Northwest + various)

wendigo

Wendigo (Northeast USA + Canada)

hairless humanoid

Grafton Monster of W. Virginia

scaly sea serpent

Gloucester Sea Serpent of Massachusetts

outlaw holding 2 guns

Pecos Bill tall tales of the cowboy outlaw

The story of Paul Bunyan and his best tall tales

hodag green monster

Fearsome Critters of tall tale folklore

American urban legends

goatman silhouette holding axe

The Goatman: Cryptid & Urban Legend

1930s urban legends of the Great Depression