The Most Haunted Place in Every State

Whether you believe in spirits from beyond or not, the stories of America’s most haunted places are sure to give you goosebumps.

In Maryland, the ghosts of fallen soldiers can be seen roaming a historic battlefield. In Hawaii, a supernatural band of performers pounds drums through the night. And in Colorado, a historic hotel is filled with so many spirits, it inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining.”

Every U.S. state has a handful of destinations where dark histories have given way to paranormal activity. From east to west, north to south and everywhere in between, America is no stranger to the occult.

Continue reading to learn about the most haunted place in every U.S. state. If you dare.

Alabama – Sloss Furnaces

Birmingham’s Sloss Furnaces is beloved by history buffs and ghost hunters alike — a National Historic Landmark that’s also the most haunted place in the state.

For nearly a century after the plant was opened in 1882, it transformed coal and mineral ores into steel. Conditions for workers in the early days were abysmal and often harshly enforced by the foreman James “Slag” Wormwood.

In 1906, Wormwood lost his footing at the top of the tallest blast furnace and fell into the melted ore. Ever since, workers have reported encountering his angry spirit and being yelled at or shoved from behind.

Alaska – Red Onion Saloon

Built in 1897, the historic Red Onion Saloon in Skagway was once one of the area’s most notorious bordellos.

Today, it’s said to be haunted by Lydia, the ghost of one of the bordello’s mistresses. She occasionally waters the saloon’s plants and can be observed wandering the upper floors. But be warned: Lydia is sometimes known to be hostile toward men.

Arizona – Yuma Territorial Prison

While the Yuma Territorial Prison was only operational for 33 years, that was enough time to develop a ghoulish legacy. Opened in 1876, the prison housed 3,069 prisoners — 111 of whom died.

While no prisoners were executed on the site, the dark energy of prisoners kept in solitary confinement is said to linger, causing guests to feel cold or uneasy.

Arkansas – Crescent Hotel

Built in 1886, the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs is the self-proclaimed “most haunted hotel in America.”

While the property is said to be home to a variety of spirits who checked in and never left, the most-sighted is a red-haired man named Michael. Thought to be one of the masons who helped build the hotel, his spirit is known to be mischievous, as he often plays tricks with lights, doors and TVs.

California – The Queen Mary

Previously called the “Grey Ghost,” The Queen Mary in Long Beach is both spooky and stately. As many as 150 spirits are said to call this historic ocean-liner home.

From a crew member killed by the pressure of a watertight door to a woman dressed in white who appears in one of the luxury suites, this 1930s ship is full of ghosts and apparitions you can spend a night at sea with.

Colorado – Stanley Hotel

It’s no surprise that the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park served as the inspiration for Stephen King’s “The Shining.” The picturesque hotel, which dates back to 1909, has a long history of hauntings.

Some of the hotel’s spirits are thought to be benevolent, including Elizabeth Wilson, the former head chambermaid. Wilson haunts Room 217, and helps guests at the Stanley Hotel find exactly what they need to enjoy their stay. Now that’s service!

Connecticut – Union Cemetery

Cemeteries are always popular with the undead, and Easton’s Union Cemetery, dating back to the 1700s, also has centuries of history on its side.

The cemetery’s most infamous ghost is the White Lady, the apparition of a woman who, as the story goes, was slain after she murdered her husband. She is known to stand in the middle of the local highway, causing drivers to “hit” her, only to discover she’s disappeared once they’ve gotten out of their car. 

Delaware – Fort Delaware

Fort Delaware has been inactive since the 1940s, but remains full of paranormal activity. The land surrounding the fort is a state park where visitors often report seeing dark figures and hearing disembodied voices.

In the dark bowels of the dungeon area, guests have reported the faint sound of rattling chains. 

Florida – St. Augustine Lighthouse

St. Augustine Lighthouse opened in 1874 on the site of Florida’s first, circa-1820s lighthouse.

While the coastal landmark is still operational and welcomes more than 200,000 visitors each year, it is also home to some spooky specters. Reminders of the lighthouse’s tragic past still linger in the form of ghostly apparitions, including those of a lighthouse keeper who fell to his death while painting the tower and three little girls who perished in a tragic accident on a nearby cliff.

Georgia – Moon River Brewery

Considered one of the most haunted destinations in the state, Savannah’s Moon River Brewery is known for more than its craft brews. The brewery building was first a hotel, which opened in 1821, before serving as a hospital for victims of yellow fever during the Civil War. The restless spirits of guests and patients past still lurk here, and patrons report being touched, pushed or even slapped by invisible forces.

Hawaii – Waipio Valley

Waipio Valley offers one of the most scenic overlooks on the island of Oahu. But if you visit, know that you may not be alone as the sun sets.

The area is said to be haunted by a ghostly band of performers sometimes called the “Night Marchers.” Locals and tourists alike report hearing chanting and the pounding of drums echoing in the night even though there is no one else around.

Idaho – Shoshone Ice Caves

It may be a natural phenomenon that keeps Idaho’s Shoshone Ice Caves frozen year-round. But the 1,000-foot lava tube is also home to the paranormal.

Legend has it that the Shoshone Princess Edahow is buried in the ice caves, waiting for her time to reemerge. Staff and visitors have heard unexplained footsteps and disembodied voices while exploring the caves.

Illinois – Lincoln Theater

While it is currently closed to the public, the Lincoln Theater in Decatur has gained a reputation as one of the most haunted theaters around. Opened in 1916, it is said to be built on top of ancient burial grounds, as well as the remains of two former hotels.

From a former stagehand whose spirit still lingers, to a woman in a long, flowing dress who has been spotted on the balcony, this theater plays host to a variety of apparitions.

Indiana – Story Inn

The historic Story Inn in Nashville (Indiana, not Tennessee) is a hair-raiser. One of the inn’s most commonly seen ghostly guests is the Blue Lady, who is believed to be the wife of the town’s founder, Dr. George Story. Legend says that she will appear if you leave a blue light on, and she is known to occasionally leave behind a blue object as well. Guests have also reported smelling the cherry tobacco she smoked when she was alive.

Iowa – Villisca Ax Murder House

In 1912, eight people, including six children, were murdered as they slept at a family home in the small town of Villisca. Despite an exhaustive search, their killer was never found.

That house is now the Villisca Ax Murder House, a haunted attraction where brave visitors can spend the night amongst the home’s restless spirits.

Kansas – Sallie House

While it may look like every other house on the block, the Sallie House in Atchison is as creepy a haunted house as you’ll ever find.

When Tony and Debra Pickman moved into the home in 1993, they were almost immediately terrorized by malevolent spirits that scratched, burned and pushed them down stairs. Lights and the TV set turned on and off at will, and toys in the room of the couple’s son were often rearranged.

It is believed that the spirit of a little girl named Sallie, who died of a botched appendectomy in the home, targets men who visit. 

Kentucky – Waverly Hills Sanatorium

While it may be disputed, some claim that Waverly Hills Sanatorium is the most haunted destination on earth. Opened in 1910, the sanatorium largely treated patients afflicted by the outbreak of tuberculosis. Waverly Hills became its own self-contained community and even had its own zip code.

Researchers believe it is likely that thousands of people died in this hospital during the height of the tuberculosis epidemic. So it’s no surprise that the historic building is filled with restless spirits, who enjoy causing trouble and scaring visitors.

Louisiana – LaLaurie Mansion

New Orleans is no stranger to the occult, and the LaLaurie Mansion is one of the city’s spookiest spots. Owned by Madame Delphine LaLaurie in the 1830s, this luxurious home was the site of some truly heinous crimes. It’s claimed that Madame LaLaurie mistreated and tortured her slaves and a number even perished in her home.

Today, it’s common for visitors to report hearing moans and phantom footsteps in the rooms where LaLaurie’s slaves stayed and were tragically abused.

Maine – Kennebec Arsenal

Located in Augusta, the historic Kennebec Arsenal was built following the War of 1812. But for nearly 100 years of its history, the building served as the Maine State Hospital, later renamed the Augusta Mental Health Institute, remaining operational until 2004. During its time as a hospital, more than 11,600 people died there, though there are no detailed reports of where their bodies were buried.

While the hospital has since closed, passerbys still report seeing apparitions of patients and hearing disembodied cries from behind the building’s walls.

Maryland – Antietam National Battlefield

In 1862, more than 23,000 soldiers were killed or wounded at this battlefield during the single bloodiest day of the Civil War. Today, visitors often report seeing ghosts of fallen soldiers wandering the fields or hearing the phantom sounds of gunfire.

History-buffs not particularly interested in the supernatural will also find much to marvel at here; the Battle of Antietam is what prompted Abraham Lincoln to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.

Massachusetts – Old Burying Point

With its history of witchcraft, it should come as no surprise that Salem is home to the most haunted destination in Massachusetts.

The city’s Old Burying Point is the oldest cemetery in Salem, founded in 1637. Although none of the suspected witches from the infamous trials are buried here, you will find a memorial to those killed for suspected witchcraft. Visitors have claimed seeing ghostly spirits or mist hovering over the memorial.

Michigan – Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

South Manitou Island, part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, was once home to bustling logging and farming industries. These days it’s home to ghost towns where the voices of those former, long-gone inhabitants can still be heard.  

Located 16 miles off the shore of the Leelanau Peninsula, the island has also been the site of shipwrecks that some blame for the island’s restless spirits. According to legend, when one ship’s passengers were stricken with cholera, they were buried on this island – in some cases, while they were still alive.

Minnesota – Wabasha Street Caves

The ghoulish lore of Saint Paul’s Wabasha Street Caves dates back to Prohibition. During that time, the former mining caves were turned into a speakeasy, becoming a hotspot for some of the most notable gangsters of the day. More than a few hits reportedly took place at the site during its stint as a mob hangout; one of the fireplaces even still has the bullet holes from a murder that happened there. 

These days, many claim the spirits of fallen mobsters haunt the caves’ echoing tunnels.

Mississippi – King’s Tavern

Built sometime before 1789, King’s Tavern is the oldest and most storied building in Natchez. Over the centuries, it has played host to travelers along the Natchez Trail, as well as more unsavory characters.

But it wasn’t until the 1930s, when the building’s owners were renovating, that they made a spooky discovery. In the building’s basement they found three mummified corpses, including a female believed to be the mistress of the tavern’s original owner.

Reportedly, the ghost of this woman is responsible for much paranormal mischief, including knocking jars off shelves, tracking mud on freshly mopped floors, and opening or closing doors at will.