You can visit the most haunted places in the US at any time of year. Many people tend to navigate to these spooky sites around Halloween, and some of them lean in to their terrifying reputations. But you can just as easily go UFO-spotting in southwestern Colorado in the summer as you can in the fall.
Whether you decide to visit these scary spots in the fall, or another time of year, you’re in for a hair-raising good time!
- The Most Haunted Places in the US
- Haunted Towns Across America
- Haunted Campgrounds
- National Park Ghost Stories
The Most Haunted Places in the US
From haunted hotels to abandoned asylums, here are some haunted locations and buildings that are absolutely worth building a haunted road trip around.
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Perhaps the most haunted building in Philadelphia is the Eastern State Penitentiary, a Gothic-style prison that opened in 1829. It held notorious criminals including Al Capone and Willie Sutton, and was one of the first prisons in the country to implement solitary confinement. Prisoners each had a small exercise yard, but their outings were timed so no two would be out simultaneously to avoid inmate-to-inmate contact. They were also forced to wear dark hoods when moved, in order to conceal their identities and keep them from communicating.
ESP continued operating as a working prison until 1971. Today, it’s open for daytime tours and terrifying nighttime adventures. Almost 220,000 people visit the prison each year… though not all of them take on its spooky, Halloween-themed haunted house event.
See RVshare rentals near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Hotel Monte Vista, Flagstaff, Arizona
With almost a dozen different frequently-reported ghosts, Flagstaff’s Hotel Monte Vista is a hotbed of paranormal activity. And some of these ghosts are pretty unusual.
One long-term border is referred to as “Meat Man” because of his strange habit of hanging steaks from the chandelier in room 220. Guests who sleep in that room today often find the TV turning off and on of its own accord. Sometimes they feel ghostly hands touching them in their sleep.
Once you’re done being scared silly, you can explore Flagstaff’s happening downtown. This college town has great food and high culture. It’s also just an hour south of one of the most popular national parks – the Grand Canyon.
See RVshare rentals near Flagstaff, Arizona.
R.M.S. Queen Mary, Long Beach, California
Starting out as a luxurious ocean liner in the 1930s that went on to carry celebs like Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn, the Queen Mary also took on a second life as the Grey Ghost, a WWII troopship. Once the war ended, she went back to crossing the Atlantic in style until 1967.
With such a long and storied history, it’s no surprise that some spirits linger aboard the ship, which now makes its home in Long Beach. Among the most commonly-sighted ghosts are an unfortunate young sailor who was reportedly crushed to death by an engine room door, as well as a crew member who was murdered in cabin B340. You can learn more about their stories and others on one of the many tours offered onboard. You can also participate in real-time paranormal investigations or “dine with the spirits.”
See RVshare rentals near Long Beach, California.
Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado
It’s October, which means it’s time to break out a classic horror film: The Shining. If you really want to up your fear factor, head to this Colorado hotel — which was the inspiration for King’s terrifying novel.
Although the Stanley Kubrick film wasn’t shot on the property, King stayed there in 1973 with his wife. It was the off-season, and they were the hotel’s only guests. The experience creeped him out so much he ended up churning out one of the world’s most well-loved horror novels.
The Stanley has been well-known to exhibit paranormal activity, and has been featured on investigative shows like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures. RV travelers can get a taste of the site’s spooky happenings on the night tour.
Estes Park is also a gateway town for Rocky Mountain National Park, and you could easily spend several days in the area.
See RVshare rentals near Estes Park, Colorado.
Athens Lunatic Asylum – Athens, Ohio
Known today as the pleasant-sounding “The Ridges,” the Athens Lunatic Asylum was an operating mental institution from 1874 until 1993. The property is owned by Ohio University today and its main building houses the school’s Kennedy Museum of Art. But many visitors report disembodied screams and ghostly apparitions.
If you’re not up for a scare, the hiking trails around The Ridges are beautiful in the fall, with the red and yellow leaves littering your path. And if you’re looking for nightlife, Athens is well-known for its legendary Halloween block party, which has rocked the town annually since 1974.
See RVshare rentals near Athens, Ohio.
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Weston, West Virginia
This mental institution, which opened in 1864, was one of the most populated in the state of West Virginia. By the 1950s, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was home to more than 2,400 patients. It was designed to house just 250.
Electroshock therapy and lobotomies were common, as were physical restraints and other treatments that today we consider inhumane. In fact, reforms in mental health treatment were part of what forced the institution to close its doors in 1994.
Today, visitors can choose from a wide array of tours of the facility, including daytime history and heritage tours and nighttime ghost-hunting tours. Weston is also home to the Mountaineer Military Museum and the Museum of American Glass.
See RVshare rentals in Weston, West Virginia.
Haunted Towns Across America
Looking for a more immersive experience than you might get in a single building? You’ll find plenty of scary stories and ghost tours when you visit these, the most haunted cities in America.
Saint Augustine, Florida
It stands to reason: the older a place is, the more ghosts might be there. After all, it’s had a longer time for people to live — and die — within its boundaries.
And if that’s true, Saint Augustine’s got to be close to number one on your list of spooky places. It’s the oldest continually-run European settlement in the United States.
Saint Augustine has been governed by Spain, England, and the U.S. Since its founding in 1565, and it’s seen a whole lot of history along the way.
Some of the most haunted buildings in town include the Old Jail, the military fort Castillo de San Marcos, and several quaint and seemingly romantic bed and breakfasts. Even Harry’s, the bayfront Cajun seafood joint, is said to be haunted by the ghost of Catalina, a woman who once called the building home. Today, she likes to throw around the paper towels in the second-story ladies’ bathroom.
See RVshare rentals near Saint Augustine, Florida.
New Orleans, Louisiana
A town as well-known for its graveyards and spooky history as it is for its delicious eats and party atmosphere, NOLA is absolutely filled with ghosts. And the city embraces its reputation each October. There are walking tours of the town that feature as many haunted stories as they do history lessons. The city also has some of the scariest haunted house events in the county. Muriel’s Jackson Square, the Le Petit Theatre, and the site of the Old French Opera House are just a few of the places said to be the most haunted in the entire city.
See RVshare rentals near New Orleans, Louisiana.
Salem, Massachusetts
Given its history, the word “Salem” is basically synonymous with “spooky” at this point. With attractions like the Salem Witch Museum and the Witch House, the town is a popular destination among ghost-hunters and fear-seekers year round, but October is the town’s time to shine.
Films, shows, and walking tours are just the beginning of Salem’s all-out Halloween bash, which also includes plenty of not-so-scary, family-friendly adventures.
See RVshare rentals near Salem, Massachusetts.
Galveston, Texas
When you’re thinking of haunted American cities, Galveston might not be front of mind. But in 1900, the Galveston Hurricane took some 8,000 local lives. That’s more than four times the number of New Orleans casualties claimed by Hurricane Katrina.
Several of those unlucky victims had unfinished business — and ghost hunters have found evidence of their presence in the town’s famous harbor and hulking Victorian mansions. Plus, the city’s oldest home, known as the Menard House, was the site of regular seances in the 1800s.
See RVshare rentals near Galveston, Texas.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The Gettysburg National Military Park was the site of one of the most brutal battles in the Civil War. About 51,000 soldiers were killed or injured. Legend has it that so much blood was spilled in the schools and churches being used as makeshift med tents that drainage holes had to be drilled in the floors. Plenty of ghost-hunting outfits in town are willing to help you find your own evidence of Pennsylvania’s paranormal presence. But you’re not likely to capture any ghosts on camera – cameras and other devices are reported to glitch or run out of batteries in the area.
See RVshare rentals near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Portland, Oregon
Sometimes it seems like all the best haunts are in the Northeast — but the West Coast has its own storied history. For instance, Portland’s system of underground walkways were used as subterranean speakeasies in the 1920s Prohibition Era. Today, they’re said to be haunted by the ghosts of those rebellious revelers — as is the Bagdad Theater, which showed vaudeville acts back in the day. A young maintenance worker allegedly committed suicide in the building in the 1930s, and he’s still hanging around today.
See RVshare rentals near Portland, Oregon.
Haunted Campgrounds
What better place to share ghost stories around the campfire than at a real-life haunted campground? We searched high and low for some of the spookiest campsites in America.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California
If you’re looking for a journey into some haunted woods, look no further than California’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which was known for unexplained phenomena long before it was a state park. In the mid-1800s, Butterfield Stage drivers reported seeing mysterious “ghost lights” dancing around the landscape, and those spooky sparkles have continued to be reported by all sorts of visitors ever since. Fireballs and orbs have also been seen near the park’s Oriflamme Mountain. Hang out at the entrance to Grapevine Canyon’s Narrows for your best chance of seeing some for yourself — if you dare.
Of course, modern-day science explains away these phantom lights by suggesting they’re caused by dust and sand striking the landscape’s quartz outcroppings, creating a buildup of static electricity. You’ll have to decide for yourself.
See RVshare rentals in southeastern California.
Crystal Lake Campgrounds, Los Angeles National Forest, California
You don’t have to venture far from civilization to have a haunted camping experience. This Los Angeles-area campground is considered one of the state’s most haunted, thanks to the story of a 1930s laborer named Stephen Major.
Major was reportedly working on the campground’s amphitheater and coming home to his tent each day to enjoy off time with his wife and two children, Markus and Susan. Unfortunately, while he and his wife took their daily exercise, a grizzly bear attacked the tent. Although Major tried to save them, every member of the family was killed.
Today, the ghosts of all four Majors can be seen meandering in the woods along Crystal Lake. But here’s the real mystery: California’s last grizzly bear was reportedly killed in 1922, a full decade before the tragic story. Although a large search party was gathered to look for the beast, no bear was ever found. Was he killed by a bear? Something else? Did the story ever happen at all? You’ll have to visit and decide for yourself.
See RVshare rentals near Los Angeles, California.
Holy Ghost Campground, Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico
Not only does the Santa Fe National Forest offer some of the most beautiful and accessible hiking and skiing in the country — it’s also a haunted hot spot.
The Holy Ghost Campground is said to be home to the spirit of a priest who was killed there in the 1680s. If you’re brave enough to stay during Halloween, be sure to venture into town once the clock strikes November. Santa Fe puts on a must-experience Day of the Dead celebration.
See RVshare rentals near Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Charleston, South Carolina
One of the oldest U.S. colonies, Charleston hosts a bevy of ghosts in a wide array of haunted places.
There’s the Dock Street Theatre, Charleston’s first, which is said to be haunted by Junius Brutus Booth – the father of the presidential assassin. Or the Old Charleston Jail, which housed a variety of bloodthirsty criminals, including the country’s first female serial killer.
In short, it’s harder to find a spot that isn’t haunted in this charming southern city. And after you’re done having the wits scared out of you, well, there’s nothing like comfort food to soothe the soul!
Tampa, Florida
This beachy southern destination is actually one of the most haunted towns in America.
In the party-friendly Ybor City, you’ll find the Cuban Club, an opulent building that was a popular hangout for Cuban immigrants in 1917. That waft of cigar smoke you smell despite the present-day non-smoking policy? Well, let’s just say the party never ends for some.
Or maybe you’d rather check out the famous Tampa Theater. Not only is it a beautiful place to catch a show — but it’s also haunted by the ghost of former employee Foster ‘Fink’ Finley. He was a projectionist who worked in the theater during the 1940s.
National Park Ghost Stories
Many of our national parks have been around long enough to see tragic tales and to attract some legends as well. Here are a few stories from some of our most famous landmarks. You’ll have to decide for yourself whether they actually happened.
Grand Canyon National Park – Wailing Woman
Around a century ago, tragedy struck near the Grand Canyon Lodge and North Rim Campground on the Transept Trail. A father and son went for a hike while the mother stayed behind. Storms rolled in, making the pathway too slick. The hiking pair fell to their deaths in the canyon and their bodies were never recovered. The woman, distraught with grief, searched for her husband and son to no avail.
Throughout the years, many hikers and campers around Transept Trail can still hear her cries on stormy nights, forever searching for her beloveds. Dozens of reports have said they’ve also seen an apparition of the “Wailing Woman” in a white dress with small blue flowers along the trail.
Olympic National Park – Lady of the Lake
Most visitors of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park enjoy the beautiful landscape of lush trees and clear waters. But the lake hides secrets that few know about… In the 1930s, a woman named Hallie met a man while working at a tavern near the lake. They fell in love and got married. One day, Hallie went missing. Her husband claimed she ran off with another man. The town was skeptical but could not prove anything. Until a few short years later, that is, when Hallie’s body, perfectly preserved, surfaced in the lake. She had been murdered.
Today, hikers along Spruce Railroad Trail, near Lake Crescent, have seen the glow of a ghostly Hallie wandering the trail searching for help. They call her the Lady of the Lake.
Yellowstone National Park – Headless Bride
One of the more gruesome tales on this list is that of a young married couple. The woman came from a wealthy family and married a servant for love. Her father suspected the man just wanted to marry his daughter for money. He gifted them money, with the caveat that this was it, period.
They traveled the country and ended up at Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn. It did not take long for the new groom to squander away the funds. He begged his bride to convince her father to change his mind and replenish their bank account. Their arguments grew violent, and eventually, the man left the hotel. The staff grew worried about the woman, and went to check on her. When they entered the room, they were horrified to find her bloody body without a head. The head was later found in the crow’s nest of the Inn.
In the hundred years since her murder, the woman has been seen wandering near the crow’s nest, searching for her head.
Mammoth Cave National Park
During the Civil War, the cave housed a mining operation for gunpowder. The job was dangerous, and many miners and explorers faced an untimely end.
Today, it is much safer to venture into the cave, but those who explore the 400+ miles of trails should know that they may not be hiking alone. Many have reported hearing and seeing the spirits of those forever trapped within Mammoth Cave.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
The southwest corner of the country is no stranger to extraterrestrial tales. Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado has had reports of skies filled with strange lights, mysterious objects, and unexplainable patterns. Native American tribes began recording these phenomena beginning in the 1600s. Today, the park loves to bring guests in with nighttime activities – there are lots of opportunities to camp and maybe get a chance to see a UFO yourself.
If you’re looking for more ideas for Halloween camping trips, be sure to check out our less-scary list of farms, orchards, theme parks, and other festive destinations.
