As road trippers, we’re uniquely positioned to combine the freedom of the open road with the thrill of a ghost story by exploring the country’s most spine-tingling destinations. Whether you’re a true believer in the paranormal or just love a good spooky tale, these haunted hotspots offer unforgettable experiences that go beyond the typical tourist trail!
Stanley Hotel｜Estes Park, Colorado
Over the years, guests have reported various paranormal activities at the Stanley Hotel. Stephen King wrote an entire novel based on this incredible 1909 Colonial Revival building, which served as his real-life inspiration for The Shining. King himself stayed in room 217, which is said to be super active – there have been reports of ghostly staff unpacking luggage and even getting into bed with guests.
The hotel totally owns its spooky reputation and offers ghost tours every night. These tours are entertaining, historically interesting, and actually pretty unsettling. They take you through some of the most haunted areas, like the concert hall where people hear phantom piano music. They also take you to the fourth floor, where people claim to see the ghosts of kids playing in the hallways.
Nearby KOAs:
Estes Park / Rocky Mountain National Park KOA Holiday
Grand Lake / Rocky Mountain National Park KOA Journey
Fort Collins / Lakeside KOA Holiday
Crescent Hotel｜Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Crescent Hotel is famously known as “America’s Most Haunted Hotel” due to 135 years of paranormal activity. Originally built in 1886, it started out as a luxurious resort before becoming a conservatory for young women and eventually a fake cancer hospital run by con man Norman Baker.
The hotel is said to be haunted by many ghosts. Room 419 is home to Theodora, a former cancer patient who never checked out. Michael, the Irish stonemason who died in a fall during construction, still walks the grounds. And Dr. Baker’s spirit is even said to haunt the morgue and rec room.
If you’re up for a spooky experience, you can join one of the Crescent’s highly-rated ghost tours. These tours take you through the creepy basement morgue, the rooms where Dr. Baker’s fake treatments took place, and other areas of the hotel.
Nearby KOAs:
Eureka Springs KOA Journey
Harrison KOA Holiday
Branson KOA Holiday
Eastern State Penitentiary｜Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, housing infamous inmates like Al Capone and Willie Sutton. Today, it’s a crumbling Gothic masterpiece that’s frequently ranked among America’s most haunted spots.
Visitors often report strange sightings – shadowy figures darting between cells, disembodied laughter echoing through Cell Block 12, and ghostly faces appearing in Cell Block 4. The prison’s architecture, with its hub-and-spoke design and vaulted ceilings, creates a beautiful yet deeply unsettling atmosphere. In October, the penitentiary becomes “Terror Behind the Walls,” one of the US’s top spooky attractions, complete with all the chills and thrills you’d expect.
Nearby KOAs:
Philadelphia South / Clarksboro KOA Holiday
Philadelphia / West Chester KOA Holiday
Winchester Mystery House｜San Jose, California
Sarah Winchester, heir to the Winchester rifle fortune, was convinced she was being haunted by the spirits of people killed by her family’s guns. Following the advice of a medium, she started building her home back in 1884 and didn’t stop until she passed away in 1922. The Winchester Mystery House now has 160 rooms, staircases that lead to thin air, doors that open into brick walls, and secret passages.
Visitors and staff have reported hearing footsteps in empty hallways, mysterious handprints on mirrors, and whispers. They’ve even seen doorknobs turning by themselves. The room where Sarah supposedly had séances every night is especially active. You can choose from regular mansion tours or go on a flashlight tour on Friday the 13th, or opt for a special behind-the-scenes look.
Nearby KOAs:
Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
Moss Landing KOA Express
St. Augustine Historic District｜St. Augustine, Florida
America’s oldest city is also one of its most haunted. With over 450 years of history packed into its ancient streets, St. Augustine has accumulated more ghost stories per square foot than almost anywhere else in the country. The entire historic district feels like walking through a time
portal, with Spanish colonial architecture and moss-draped oaks setting a perfectly eerie atmosphere.
Take an evening tour of the Old Jail, where prisoners were held from 1891 to 1953 and known for its supernatural sightings. The St. Augustine Lighthouse is another hotspot where the voices of children who died during its construction echo up the spiral staircase. Ghost tours run nightly in the Historic District, with options ranging from walking tours through the colonial quarter to trolley rides past the city’s most haunted buildings. The Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century fortress, offers both fascinating military history and tales of the Spanish soldiers who never left their posts.
Nearby KOAs:
St. Augustine Beach KOA Holiday
Starke / Gainesville NE KOA Holiday
Fort Delaware State Park｜Delaware City, Delaware
This old Civil War fortress on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River was once a grim Union prison camp. Over 2,700 Confederate soldiers died here from disease, overcrowding, and tough conditions. You can only get to the fort by ferry, which makes the whole experience feel that much more isolated.
Fort Delaware’s stone walls are imposing, standing 30 feet high and seven feet thick. Inside, it’s dark and damp – not exactly the kind of place you’d want to spend time. Visitors often report seeing shadowy figures in the prison areas, hearing strange voices in the barracks, or feeling cold spots, even in the middle of summer.
The fort offers some great historical tours during the day, with guides in period costume who bring the place to life. They also do special ghost tours on certain nights, which give you access to areas that are normally off-limits.
Nearby KOAs:
Philadelphia South / Clarksboro KOA Holiday
Philadelphia / West Chester KOA Holiday
Lancaster / New Holland KOA Journey
Gettysburg Battlefield｜Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The most famous battle of the Civil War left over 50,000 casualties across three days of fighting, and many say those soldiers never truly left. Gettysburg is one of America’s most historically significant sites and quite possibly its most haunted battlefield. The massive scale of death and suffering has created a landscape thick with paranormal activity.
Devil’s Den, a rocky outcropping where Confederate sharpshooters took position, is a hotspot for apparitions and unexplained photographs. Visitors report seeing soldiers in period uniforms vanishing before their eyes. Triangular Field, where Pickett’s Charge took place, often reveals phantom soldiers in the early morning mist. And the Jennie Wade House, where the only civilian casualty of the battle died, offers tours where you can hear her story and potentially experience her presence.
Nearby KOAs:
Gettysburg / Battlefield KOA Holiday
Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA Holiday
Elizabethtown / Hershey KOA Holiday
Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA Holiday
Washoe Club (and More!)｜Virginia City, Nevada
Virginia City is about 30 minutes from Reno and is often called the most haunted ghost town in the U.S. In 1859, they discovered the Comstock Lode in the area, the largest silver find in American history. This enormous deposit had miners flocking to Virginia City, hoping to strike it rich.
The Washoe Club is super popular on ghost-hunting TV shows and is known for being one of the spookiest spots in the West. This old gentleman’s club and bordello is said to be haunted by a trio of ghosts, including one infamous for stealing drinks left at the bar overnight and another, named Lena, who haunts the staircase in a blue dress.
The Mackay Mansion claims no less than seven ghosts, including two bandits who tried to rob the place but didn’t make it out alive. Legend says that John Mackay, one of the wealthiest men in Nevada, sold his soul to the devil for his riches, and now that dark presence still roams the mansion. Piper’s Opera House, which used to host big names like Harry Houdini and Mark Twain, is said to be haunted by both a creepy creature with red eyes and a ghostly dancer in the balcony.
Nearby KOAs:
Reno KOA Journey at Boomtown
Lake Tahoe KOA Journey
Bodie Ghost Town｜Bodie, California
Unlike most places on this list, Bodie‘s ghosts are more hinted at than seen. This old gold-mining town exploded in the 1870s, reaching a population of almost 10,000 before it was abandoned and left to decay. Walking through Bodie’s worn-down buildings feels like stepping back into the Wild West, and the isolation of the place creates a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
The town features 110 buildings that have been preserved exactly as they were left. You’ll see tables still set for dinner, bottles sitting on saloon bars, and goods stacked on store shelves. The combination of the town’s seclusion and authentic preservation makes Bodie a really unique place. While there isn’t as much evidence of paranormal activity as at other sites, visitors have reported unusual feelings, unexplained photos, and the sense that they’re being watched.
Nearby KOAs:
Coleville / Walker KOA Holiday
Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery｜Midlothian, Illinois
Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery in suburban Chicago is notoriously spooky, despite being relatively small. Established in the 1840s, its last burial took place in 1989. Years of neglect and vandalism have left the place looking eerie, with overgrown vegetation and gravestones lying on the ground.
The “Madonna of Bachelor’s Grove” is the cemetery’s most famous ghost. She’s a woman in white, often seen walking around with a baby. People have taken photos of her sitting on tombstones, only to find no one there when they go to investigate. There have also been reports of ghost cars on the abandoned road nearby, and strange orbs keep showing up in photos. The small lagoon next to the cemetery has a dark past, too – supposedly, it was used by organized crime to dump bodies during the Prohibition era. Getting to the cemetery requires a short walk through the woods, which only adds to the spooky feel.
It’s best to visit during the daytime, as navigating the trail at night can be tricky. Although the cemetery is small, it’s packed with paranormal activity, so it’s no wonder that so many ghost-hunting teams have come to check it out.
Nearby KOAs:
Kankakee South KOA Holiday
Fort George National Historic Site｜Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Just across the border in Canada’s spookiest town, you’ll find Fort George, one of North America’s most haunted historic sites. Built by the British between 1796 and 1799, Fort George served as headquarters for Sir Isaac Brock during the War of 1812. American forces attacked in May 1813, destroying nearly the whole place and taking many lives. American troops occupied the fort for seven months before the British took it back, but the bloody battles left an eerie legacy.
Fort George has some famous ghostly residents. One is Sarah Ann, the young daughter of a soldier. She’s a cheerful but mischievous spirit who loves to play peek-a-boo, tug on visitors’ clothes, and hide between tour groups. The Officers’ Quarters is the most active spot, with doors opening and slamming shut on their own. Some folks have reported a more ominous presence called “The Watcher.” It’s said to be all over the grounds, making visitors feel like they’re being watched, even when no one’s there.
If you’re feeling brave, the Friends of Fort George offer spooky candlelit tours from May to October. Their special Halloween tours let you explore restricted areas after dark.
Nearby KOAs:
Niagara Falls North / Lewiston KOA Journey
Niagara Falls KOA Holiday
Niagara Falls / Grand Island KOA Holiday
Château Frontenac｜Quebec City, Quebec
Sitting pretty on a bluff overlooking the St. Lawrence River, the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is one of the most photographed hotels around and is said to be quite haunted, too. This castle-like hotel, which opened its doors in 1893, quickly became the face of Quebec City. With over a century of history behind it, the Château’s got its fair share of ghost stories that’ll give European castles a run for their money.
One spirit you’ll hear about frequently is a mysterious woman in white who has been spotted floating down corridors and even appearing in guests’ beds in the dead of night. Staff and visitors have reported seeing a 17th-century Governor General wandering the halls in full old-time regalia, acting as if he owns the place, as if hundreds of years hadn’t passed. And don’t be surprised if you feel a chill, hear strange footsteps, or get the sense you’re being watched – these are just a few things people often experience at the hotel.
Nearby KOAs:
Quebec City KOA Holiday
Deadwood, South Dakota
Deadwood is a National Historic Landmark from top to bottom, and every building seems to have a ghost story of its own. This town in the infamous Badlands area earned its place in Wild West history with a mix of incredible wealth and lawless violence. The town’s dark past still gives chills to even the biggest skeptics.
The Adams House is considered one of the most haunted buildings in South Dakota. Workers report seeing an angry male spirit that is so powerful it would rip tools right out of their hands and keep them from working on the upper floors. People describe this entity as a malevolent energy that continues to terrorize visitors.
The Bullock Hotel is also famously haunted by its founder, Seth Bullock, who was the town’s first sheriff and a buddy of Teddy Roosevelt. Guests have reported hearing phantom footsteps, seeing objects move on their own, and feeling like they’re being watched in their rooms.
Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, two Wild West legends, are buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood. People claim their spirits still make appearances around town, keeping the legend alive.
Nearby KOAs:
Deadwood / Black Hills KOA Holiday
Spearfish / Black Hills KOA Holiday
Mount Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch
Rapid City / Black Hills KOA Holiday
Hill City / Needles Highway KOA Holiday
Making the Most of Your Haunted Road Trip
America has its fair share of spooky spots that cater to all kinds of paranormal fans. What makes combining these spots with RV camping so awesome is the flexibility. One day, you can geek out on ghost hunting, and the next, unwind in nature. Many of these places offer tours during the day and ghost tours at night, so you can pick how much supernatural excitement you can handle.
Time to hit the road! Load up your RV, map out some stops at campsites, and get ready for a trip you’ll be talking about for years. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch some real paranormal action. But even if not, the thrill of the hunt alone is an adventure you won’t forget!
Leslie is a freelance travel and health/wellness writer who gets butterflies from telling stories and sharing information with readers across the globe. Her voice comes from a place filled with passion and dreams.
With over 10 years of experience in crafting words and years of embarking on travels that have taken this Montana girl to some incredible places, Leslie loves the adventures of both body and mind that her writing takes her on.
To see what Leslie’s up to in the writing and design world, visit her website here.
