The Most Haunted Places in the United States
Every state has its ghostly hotspots, but have you ever wondered which are the most haunted?
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s only natural to start planning scary movie nights, spooky costumes, and of course, trips to haunted destinations. It’s only natural to want to hit the most haunted spots around!
The haunted locations on this list were chosen because of their popularity, unique stories, and reports of paranormal activity. However, that doesn’t mean that other haunted hotspots aren’t worth the trip!
Alabama
Maple Hill Cemetery is one of Alabama’s creepiest destinations. Not only is the cemetery the oldest in Huntsville, but it’s also the largest, complete with over 80,000 graves. From actual apparitions to scary sounds, the ghostly events that have occurred at Maple Hill Cemetery have been regularly reported since 1919.
A playground on the cemetery grounds makes the graveyard even scarier. Stories of ghost children having fun on the swings rightfully gave the play area the nickname, Dead Children’s Playground.
Alaska
The Historic Anchorage Hotel, located right in the capital’s downtown, is one of the most notoriously haunted spots in Alaska. Many guests have had encounters with ghostly guests from years past, with some spirits in particular being more active than others.
A female ghost wearing a wedding dress is often reported by guests of the hotel. According to the folklore, the woman was so devastated when her husband-to-be did not show up for their wedding that she took her own life.
Arizona
The Birdcage Theatre in Tombstone, Arizona is one of the top haunted places in the state. The stories surrounding this theatre are gruesome and include everything from shootouts to stabbings. Not only was this historical building a theatre, but it also served as a saloon, brothel, and gambling hotspot.
Now, it’s a hotspot for ghosts due to the 26 deaths that tragically took place on the property throughout the years. Popular paranormal shows such as Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, Ghost Lab, and Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files have all filmed here in the hopes of catching ghostly phenomena on camera.
Arkansas
The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs is by far the most haunted location Arkansas has to offer. The hotel was built in 1886 and promoted as a luxury health retreat for the rich and famous. Positioned near natural hot springs, the hotel made its money off the water’s healing properties.
In its heyday, the hotel was visited by guests such as famous dancer Irene Castle, who is said to still be lingering in the halls to this day. There is also the belief that there is a portal to the “other side” in the hotel, positioned right above the morgue.
California
The Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles has a reputation for tragedy. In fact, Netflix came out with a docuseries in 2021 titled Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel, which focuses on just one of the tragic events that occurred at this historic spot.
Besides the missing female college student that Netflix centers its series around, many violent deaths happened years before at the Cecil Hotel. There were also two serial killers, Richard Ramirez and Jack Unterweger, who stayed at the Cecil Hotel, making this location one of the creepiest spots in California.
Colorado
The Stanley Hotel was partially made famous by Stephen King who found inspiration there for his book, The Shining. King experienced a terrifying nightmare when he and his wife stayed in Room 217 at Stanley Hotel in the 1970s. This nightmare inspired him to write The Shining.
Room 217 is referenced in the book. However, when Stanley Kubrick directed the 1980 film, he was asked to change it from Room 217 to Room 237 so that guests weren’t scared off. Real fans of King, however, know that Room 217 is the haunted room he stayed in and it’s one of the most reserved rooms on the property, especially around Halloween.
Connecticut
Dudleytown is an off-limits village in Connecticut that has been notably called the “most haunted place on earth,” by actor Dan Aykroyd. Now practically a ghost town in the Appalachian Mountains of Litchfield County, the current owners and taxpayers ask tourists not to visit.
A couple of factors contribute to the hauntings of Dudleytown, many of which are tied to the Dudley family. A curse, brought on by treason, followed the Dudleys to America. It reported caused mental illness, crop failures, and violent and mysterious deaths. The town is also located on Native American burial grounds for the Mohawk tribe.
Florida
The St. Augustine Lighthouse is a well-visited haunted hotspot in Florida. Built in the 1800s, this lighthouse has been the talk of the paranormal for many years. One of the original lighthouse keepers, Joseph Andre, actually fell off the tower and died while he was painting the exterior.
Another tragic incident happened when two young girls were playing nearby and fell into the water and drowned. The sounds of their laughs are still heard by guests today.
Georgia
If you’ve ever traveled to Savannah, Georgia you probably saw advertisements for different ghost tours. That’s because this old Southern city is a focal point for ghostly activity. One of the most haunted places it has to offer is The Olde Pink House, which is a mansion-turned-restaurant that was built in 1771.
Many guests and employees have reported encounters with the spirits of the builder, the owner of the house, and enslaved children, making this place more than spooky.
Idaho
The Old Idaho Penitentiary has been featured on paranormal shows including Ghost Adventures, The Lowe Files, and Destination Fear. The old building, established in 1870, has housed over 10,000 inmates.
More importantly, there have been 10 executions on the property and many documented deaths due to varying circumstances, such as poor living conditions. The Old Idaho Penitentiary closed its doors in 1973, but many spirits still haunt the halls today.
Illinois
If you’ve never heard the story of H.H. Holmes’ Murder Castle, then buckle your seat belts! H.H. Holmes was a serial killer in the 1890s, who lured unexpecting visitors of the Chicago 1893 World’s Fair to a wildly designed building to trap and murder them.
The floor plan was executed by several contractors and consisted of hallways and stairs leading to nowhere and rooms with no windows so that guests were unsure of where they were inside of the house. Although H.H. Holmes only confessed to 27 murders, it’s suspected that around 200 victims lost their lives within the walls of his murder castle.
Indiana
The University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana isn’t just known for its stellar football team, it’s also known for its hauntings. The two seem to go hand-in-hand, considering one of the top ghostly encounters is with the spirit of a deceased football player named George Gipp.
In December of 1920, Gipp died from strep throat. Gipp’s ghost has been reported to roam around campus, particularly in Washington Hall. People have been shoved, as well as heard footsteps, door slams, and other noises. Others have reported seeing Gipp’s apparition.
Iowa
The Villisca Ax Murder House in Villisca, Iowa is just as scary as it sounds. In June of 1912 eight people, six of which were children, were murdered on this property. To this day, the tragic murder remains a total mystery despite multiple suspects and trials over the years.
The Villisca Ax Murder House has become a tourist destination for ghost-lovers. It has daytime tours that share information about the history, the murders, as well as the renovations done to the building. There is also an overnight stay option available. However, people are given sleeping bags as the beds are preserved as part of the museum.
Kansas
Sallie House in Atchison, Kansas is sure to give anyone the chills! The Sallie House was built in the 1800s and got its name from a little girl, Sallie, who passed away in the home while undergoing appendicitis surgery.
In 1993, a couple moved into the house and started experiencing paranormal events including objects moving, violent attacks, and even fires. Now, the house is unoccupied and is open for daytime tours and overnight stays.
Kentucky
The Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville was built in 1886 and is one of the oldest prisons in Kentucky. The prison still holds inmates today, both alive and dead. Prisoners of today have reported seeing strange phenomena such as orbs. Voices and footsteps have also been heard.
A book written by Steve E. Asher, a paranormal researcher, recounts the ghostly tales of his own experiences, as well as those who worked at the prison over the years.
Maine
Biddeford City Theater, formerly known as Biddeford Opera House, was opened in 1860 and is still in operation today.
Eva Gray is one of the most famous ghosts at Biddeford City Theater. Gray was a soprano singer and on Halloween night in 1904, she performed the song “Goodbye, Little Girl, Goodbye,” on stage in front of her three-year-old daughter who sat in the audience. When she left the stage, Gray started to feel unwell. An hour later she had collapsed in her dressing room and passed away. People have reported seeing Gray and hearing her daughter call for her mother.
Maryland
Lord Baltimore Hotel opened in December 1928, and it is still in business today. The luxurious accommodations and beautiful architecture of Lord Baltimore Hotel aren’t the only reasons guests choose this spot to stay. Fear-seekers looking for a ghostly encounter book rooms at the hotel with the spookiest reputation.
Guests regularly report incidents like flickering lights, an unruly elevator, apparitions, and strange noises. A couple who died on the premises is rumored to be behind some of the ghostly hauntings, as well as a crying girl who is seen holding a red ball.
Massachusetts
Perhaps the most famous haunted location in Massachusetts is the Lizzie Borden House in Fall River. Made famous by the gruesome murders of Andrew and Abby Borden, the Lizzie Borden House is open today for tours and overnight stays.
Lizzie Borden was a prime suspect in her father and stepmother’s murder, and even though she had blood on the hem of her dress and had purchased poison days before the murder, her involvement could never be proved. Many believe she was acquitted because of her family’s status and the fact that she was a woman.
Michigan
The Doherty Hotel in Clare, Michigan opened in the 1920s and is still owned by the Doherty family today. The hotel acted as a speakeasy, as well as a place for gambling and adult entertainment. With its shady ambiance, it became a headquarters for the mafia and Purple Gang, which was an organized crime group based in Detroit.
In 1938, a murder involving the Purple Gang may be a catalyst behind the present-day hauntings. Another spirit said to haunt the hotel is that of a matriarch of the Doherty family, Helen Doherty.
Minnesota
Ness Church in Litchfield, Minnesota is a lesser-known haunted hotspot that deserves the title of most haunted spot in the state. Ness Church is a small rural church that opened in the 1860s. Five settlers, including a young 15-year-old girl, were killed during the Sioux uprising in the 1860s, and then buried on the church’s property.
Ghost hunters and visitors of the church today believe the land is haunted by Sioux Indians and a young girl named Annie. Reports of lights turning on by themselves and ghostly apparitions are not uncommon at Ness Church.
Missouri
Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, Missouri is rumored to be the most haunted place in the historic city and one of the top haunted places in all of America. The building has undergone many transformations over the years, from mansion to office space to boarding house to its present-day state as a fine dinner theater, restaurant, and bed and breakfast.
The wealthy Lemp family, who made millions in the beer industry, suffered many tragedies including a heart attack and four deaths on the mansion’s grounds. The spirits of the Lemps who died there are said to still roam the building to this day. Reports of moving objects, apparitions, and disembodied voices are common at the Lemp Mansion.
Montana
Old Prison in Deer Lodge, Montana is home to a violent history. The prison opened in 1871 and operated until the 1970s. During this time, it wasn’t uncommon for prisoners to die because of the poor unregulated conditions of the prison.
Some prisoners were murdered during a deadly riot in 1959. Guests today can visit the prison on a ghost tour. On the tour, visitors have reported being touched by an unseen force, seeing apparitions, and hearing voices.
Nevada
Nevada is home to a handful of ghost towns, including the famous Rhyolite. This abandoned town used to have a population of 5,000 residents, as well as 50 saloons, 35 gambling tables, and 19 lodging houses, according to Visit the USA. The town eventually became abandoned when the mines closed in 1910.
The most famous ghost story is of Mona Belle who was murdered in 1908 by Fred Skinner. Belle was married at the time, but ran away to Rhyolite with Skinner with the promise of love and riches. The two ultimately fought over money, and Belle was killed in the argument.
New Hampshire
The Omni Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, looks eerily similar to the Stanley Hotel in Colorado, the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining. Like the Stanley, the Omni Mount Washington is also saturated with ghosts.
Like Stanley’s Room 237, Omni Mount Washington also has a haunted room that brave guests choose for their stay. Room 314 was the suite-style room of the original owner’s wife, Carolyn Stickney. Although she died in their house in Rhode Island, many guests and employees have reported seeing a woman sitting on the edge of the bed, as well as items disappearing, lights turning on and off on their own, and the smell of floral perfume.
New Jersey
Clinton Road in West Milford, New Jersey is perhaps the most haunted stretch of road in America. Tales of spirit hitchhikers, headlights that appear without a car attached to them, and creepy phenomena in the nearby woods all surround the legend of Clinton Road.
At a part of the road called “Dead Man’s Curve,” a little boy was said to have drowned in the river situated at the road’s edge. Legend has it that if you throw a quarter into the water, the little boy will return it to you. There are also reports of a creature nicknamed “Wolfie” that lives in the woods.
New Mexico
The KiMo Theater in Albuquerque, New Mexico is known for a tragic event that occurred in 1951. A water heater exploded, killing a six-year-old boy named Bobby, who still haunts the theatre to this day.
Bobby is an active spirit who likes to cause trouble around the theater, causing mechanical issues, slamming doors, and trying to distract performers while onstage. Because of this, it’s a tradition for performers to leave sweets or toys for Bobby in the hopes that they can perform in peace.
New York
It wouldn’t be right to talk about haunted New York without mentioning the infamous Amityville Horror House on Long Island. The tragic six-person family murder that occurred in this house has become a story everyone knows because of the book written by Jay Anson and the film directed by Stuart Rosenberg.
After the murders, another family moved in, only to leave weeks later because of the dangerous paranormal activity that was occurring there. There is a strong belief that the house’s hauntings are demonic in nature, and even though its history has scared many families from purchasing the house, there is a family that resides there today.
North Carolina
The Devil’s Tramping Ground just outside Siler City, North Carolina is probably one of the most unique spots on this list. It’s a circular spot in the woods that is 40 ft. in diameter and completely bare of any vegetation. Science can’t explain why this patch of wood floor cannot grow grass, trees, or flowers.
According to local folklore, this is the spot where the devil comes at night to think about what harm he can cause next. It’s said that if you put an item in the middle of the circle, it will disappear by the next morning.
North Dakota
A children’s museum is one of the creepiest spots to encounter a ghost, which is what makes The Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm in Fargo, North Dakota the most haunted location in the state. The brick farmhouse was built in 1976 and has since been converted into an interactive museum for young children.
Rumor has it that the ghost of the original owner, Elizabeth Yunker, spends her time upstairs close to where the activities for children are located. Many guests have reported seeing Yunker’s ghost, along with the spirit of a child near the well, where legend claims the child drowned.
Ohio
The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio was the location of over 200 deaths, and because of that it is now the home to a plethora of spirits. Throughout the years, the prison contained 150,000 convicts. The guilt, shame, anger, and other emotions can still be felt in the walls of the prison.
Shadow people and apparitions of a guard walking the halls have been seen by visitors to the prison. The site is famous for being the film location for the film, The Shawshank Redemption.
Oklahoma
Stone Lion Inn Bed & Breakfast located in Guthrie, Oklahoma is the home to one of the most active spirits in the state. Little eight-year-old Irene Houghton died in the house because of an accidental overdose of opium-based cough syrup. Even when the rest of the Houghton family moved out, Irene decided to stay and play.
Guests have reported having their toes pinched while trying to sleep, as well as hearing the pitter-patter of footsteps down the hall. After the Houghtons moved, the now Bed & Breakfast was transformed into a boarding house and later a funeral home. A handful of other spirits have been seen including a male who sticks around the basement, where the morgue used to be.
Oregon
Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery in Dayton, Oregon is one of the creepiest spots in all of Oregon. In 1887, a man named Richard Marple was executed in the cemetery for being an ax murderer. However, he claimed he was innocent and before he was hanged, he yelled “May God judge you all!” to the onlooking crowd.
The evidence against Marple was circumstantial and many believe the spirit of Marple and his mother, who was rumored to be a witch, still roam the cemetery today. Reports of ghostly apparitions and violent attacks are not uncommon by visitors to the hallowed grounds.
Pennsylvania
The Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania is one of the most notoriously haunted places in America. Often called the bloodiest battle during The Civil War, The Battle of Gettysburg had an estimated 51,000 or more casualties.
On the grounds, a phantom regiment has been reported marching on the field to battle, complete with the sound of drums. Footsteps and musket shots have also been heard on the grounds. Other locations on and near the battlefield including The Devil’s Den, The Tillie Pierce House, and The Jennie Wade House all have their own ghost stories related to The Civil War.
Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island isn’t just a destination for tourists because of the lavish mansions, it’s also a big draw because it’s a hotspot for the paranormal. White Horse Tavern has been called the most haunted tavern in all of America — and for good reason.
The building was opened in 1673 and acted as a courthouse. It also served as a headquarters and meeting place for Colonists, British soldiers, pirates, and sailors. Because of that, it has a lot of energy and history in its walls. Employees of the tavern report hearing footsteps and feeling taps on their shoulders. Two ghosts, in particular — a woman floating above the tables in the tavern, and a man dressed as a colonial sailor — have been seen regularly.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Lunatic Asylum in Columbia, South Carolina is as creepy as it sounds! The gigantic building was constructed between the years 1822 and 1827 for the sake of housing mentally ill patients. By 1950, the asylum had housed over 5,000 patients, and many still remain there today in ghostly form.
Common practices of the time, such as lobotomies and sterilizations, were performed at the asylum, and some say the pain and suffering the patients experienced can still be felt within these walls.
South Dakota
Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City, South Dakota was named after the original founder, Alex Carlton Johnson who, at the time, was vice president of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. After Johnson’s death in 1938, many think he made the hotel his eternal home.
There are several rooms in the hotel that are especially active with paranormal encounters. Room 802 and Room 812 are two where guests and employees report strange phenomena such as eerie messages on steamy bathroom mirrors, windows that open on their own, and the feeling of being touched by unseen hands.
Tennessee
The Tennessee State Prison is another prison on this list that is packed with spirits. The prison, located in Nashville, Tennessee was the prison that was used in the film The Green Mile. Originally built in 1898, the prison operated until the year of 1992 when it was closed due to overcrowded conditions.
The prison has a violent history of jailbreaks and riots, and was home to many dangerous convicts. Eerie sounds still echo through the halls, such as the sound of barred doors opening and slamming, terrifying screams, and phantom footsteps.
Texas
Yorktown Memorial Hospital in Yorktown, Texas is now a deteriorated memory of what it once was: a hospital that operated between the years of 1951 and 1986. It was then transformed into a drug facility center until the year 1992.
Local legend claims that hundreds of patients died in this hospital from circumstances ranging from neglect to surgical mistakes. Ghosts of the surgeons responsible for untimely deaths are said to roam the halls, as well as a man with a gunshot wound, spirits of nuns, and a black specter who resides in the chapel and growls during bible readings.
Utah
Winter Quarters is just one of Utah’s many ghost towns, but it is the most haunted because of its tragic past. In the year 1900, Winter Quarters was just another popular mining town. But a mine explosion killed 225 men, devastating families and making it challenging for miners to go back to work.
The ghost of a headless miner has been seen by locals, as well as reports of strange noises and blue lights floating in the nearby cemetery.
Vermont
The Highgate Manor Inn located in Highgate, Vermont is the spookiest place in the state —and perhaps one of the most frightening places in America due to its interesting yet devilish history. Dr. Henry Baxter bought the mansion in 1870 and started treating patients at his home.
Local rumors started spreading when many of Dr. Baxter’s children died of strange and mysterious illnesses before they reached the age of 10. The townspeople believed that Dr. Baxter was performing medical experiments on them. The spirits of his children are said to still linger there today.
Virginia
St.Albans Sanatorium in Radford, Virginia has a haunted reputation because of the inhumane practices — such as electroshock therapy, lobotomies, and forced sterilizations — that took place within these walls in the early 1900s.
The patients at this facility were experiments for the staff, and many of the patients who underwent the cruel practices did not survive. Ghosts of those patients, along with the soldiers who died in a Civil War battle that took place on the land, are said to still haunt the old hospital.
West Virginia
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park in Rock, West Virginia is a spooky spot unlike any other. This abandoned amusement park sits on the site of a bloody 1783 battle between the Shawnee tribe and the Mitchell Clay family in 1783, during which three of Clay’s children were killed.
The tragedy, however, doesn’t end there. When it was an amusement park, a little girl died on the mechanical swings and a young boy drowned in the park’s pond. Today, guests report hearing Native American chants.
Wisconsin
Clark County Asylum, located near Owen, Wisconsin opened in 1920 and operated as a long-term treatment facility for mental health patients. In 1930, over 300 people suffering from mental illness called Clark County Asylum “home.”
Treatment such as electroshock therapy, bloodletting, and ice baths were common practices. Local legends report that patients of the asylum started a riot and killed some of the staff, although these reports are not well-documented. The building is now home to a long-term elderly care unit, as well as a recovery rehab for patients after surgery. Reports of strange sounds and voices have been heard by patients and visitors, along with ghostly apparitions.
Wyoming
The Virginian Hotel in Medicine Bow, Wyoming gained its haunting status because of a tragic death that occurred on the property. A “woman in beige” is said to have jumped from a third-story window because her fiance never returned for her. Guests today claimed to have heard the crash or seen her apparition near the window.
There are also reports of ghostly children playing in the sitting room, located on the first floor. Another ghost at the hotel is that of Riley, a former employee. He can be found relaxing on his favorite barstool.