Scientific and paranormal investigations at Skinwalker Ranch began after Robert Bigelow bought the property in 1996. Bigelow, a wealthy businessman with a strong interest in UFOs and the paranormal, started the National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) to study the unusual activity reported by the Sherman family. NIDS installed cameras, sensors, and a research team to observe the ranch around the clock. Researchers recorded strange occurrences like sudden electromagnetic disturbances, glowing orbs, and cattle mutilations. However, most phenomena appeared unpredictable and often avoided direct capture by instruments.
During the NIDS years, investigators reported several unexplainable events. One famous account describes a large, shadowy figure emerging from a glowing tunnel in midair before disappearing. Cameras and equipment frequently malfunctioned in the presence of phenomena, leaving researchers frustrated with limited hard evidence. Despite the lack of definitive scientific proof, NIDS concluded that there was enough anomalous activity at the ranch to warrant further study.
After NIDS shut down in the early 2000s, the ranch changed ownership but remained a site of interest for paranormal researchers. Independent investigators and enthusiasts claimed to observe strange lights, phantom voices, and unexplained animal deaths during visits. Some theories suggested the land itself might contain a “portal” to another dimension or that underground anomalies were creating weird electromagnetic effects.
In 2016, real estate investor Brandon Fugal purchased the ranch and brought in a new team of scientists, engineers, and security personnel to conduct formal investigations. Their work has been documented in the History Channel series The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch. Using drones, ground-penetrating radar, and radiation sensors, the team has reported spikes of unexplained radiation, electronic malfunctions, and aerial phenomena that are still unexplained. Some findings suggest the presence of a buried structure beneath the ranch that may play a role in the activity.
Skinwalker Ranch is one of the most closely monitored paranormal hotspots in the world. While skeptics argue that much of the evidence is inconclusive or anecdotal, the combination of firsthand reports, recurring anomalies, and scientific measurements keeps researchers engaged. Whether the phenomena are caused by natural forces, advanced technology, or something paranormal, the ranch continues to serve as a unique laboratory where science and mystery collide.