West Virginia is full of ghost stories. It’s not surprising, as the state was so important in the Civil War. It also has a number of burial grounds from indigenous culture, and plenty of preserved historic buildings provide atmosphere for the spookiest stories. Nonetheless, a combination of tragedy and history have transformed everyday destinations into the scariest places in West Virginia… and this road trip will take you to see them in person. It will take at least a couple of days to see all the destinations, but we have the perfect haunted hotel where you can stay the night! For an interactive map that you can adjust to suit your needs, click here.
Buckle up, because this road trip is going to take you on a wild ride!
Google Maps
- Shepherdstown
Historic Shepherdstown and Museum Shepherdstown is full of ghost stories. There are haunted history tours in the evenings, and tea times dedicated to ghost stories. You can find out more at the visitors center. And make sure to check out the historic Entler Hotel, which is also rumored to be haunted. This Jefferson County town with under 2,000 residents is small town America with a side of super spooky.
- Harpers Ferry
Flickr/Mr.TinDC Another Jefferson County landmark, Harpers Ferry is haunted by many of the ghosts from the Cilvil War. You can take a ghost walk that starts at the historic St. Peter’s church. This town has less than 300 residents… but there’s no saying how many ghostly residents dwell here!
- West Virginia State Penitentiary
West Virginia Penitentiary/Facebook This prison was shut down after concerns about overcrowding and cruel conditions. Many prisoners died here, from untreated illness, murder, or execution. You can tour the prison today, and even stay overnight. You might also want to visit the haunted museum nearby. You’ll find this spot at 818 Jefferson Avenue in Moundsville.
- Parkersburg
Flickr/Angie Parkersburg is full of ghost stories. One of the most intriguing is from the Riverview Cemetery. There’s a legend that this weeping woman statue gets up and walks around the cemetery during a full moon. You can visit this iconic cemetery at 1341 Juliana Street in Parkersburg.
- Point Pleasant
Flickr/Matt Point Pleasant is home to the legend of the Mothman, and you can visit the museum with the Mothman’s history here. It’s also home to the historic Lowe Hotel, which is rumored to be haunted. This would be the perfect place to stay overnight on your tour! You just might fall in love with this Mason County community.
- Camden Park
Flickr/OZinOH park This amusement park was built up around an Adena burial mound. The park is 114 years old, but you can still go there and enjoy the rides today. Visit it at 5000 Waverly Road in Huntington.
- Lake Shawnee Amusement Park
Lake Shawnee/Facebook Lake Shawnee has a dark and bloody history of conflict between Indians and white settlers. An amusement park was built on the land when the owner was unaware of the history, but it was shut down after two children died. It’s often open for haunted history tours on weekends in October. You can drive by in the meantime to spot its skeletal structures reaching for the sky! Find it at 470 Matoaka Road in Rock.
- Flatwoods
Braxton County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau This town is home to the legend of the Flatwoods Monster, or Braxon County Monster. Several people claimed to see this strange creature lurking in the woods. This Braxton County town of less than 200 has been in the spotlight ever since, even making an appearance in the video game Fallout 76.
- Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum/Facebook This facility housed mental patients for many years, until a lack of funding shut it down. It’s rumored that some of the former patients still walk these halls, and it’s no wonder. This former psychiatric hospital is spooky, it had a cemetery on site and, as if it was asking to be cursed, its campus eventually stretched to a total of 666 acres. Visit it at 71 Asylum Drive in Weston.
This adventure to the scariest places in West Virginia is an opportunity to walk on the wild side. Even if you’re skeptical about ghosts, you’ll learn a lot of history on this trip around the state. But… be prepared in case you do encounter a spectral figure or two. Have you ever had an encounter with ghosts here in West Virginia? Tell us about it in the comments!
Google Maps
Historic Shepherdstown and Museum
Shepherdstown is full of ghost stories. There are haunted history tours in the evenings, and tea times dedicated to ghost stories. You can find out more at the visitors center. And make sure to check out the historic Entler Hotel, which is also rumored to be haunted. This Jefferson County town with under 2,000 residents is small town America with a side of super spooky.
Flickr/Mr.TinDC
Another Jefferson County landmark, Harpers Ferry is haunted by many of the ghosts from the Cilvil War. You can take a ghost walk that starts at the historic St. Peter’s church. This town has less than 300 residents… but there’s no saying how many ghostly residents dwell here!
West Virginia Penitentiary/Facebook
This prison was shut down after concerns about overcrowding and cruel conditions. Many prisoners died here, from untreated illness, murder, or execution. You can tour the prison today, and even stay overnight. You might also want to visit the haunted museum nearby. You’ll find this spot at 818 Jefferson Avenue in Moundsville.
Flickr/Angie
Parkersburg is full of ghost stories. One of the most intriguing is from the Riverview Cemetery. There’s a legend that this weeping woman statue gets up and walks around the cemetery during a full moon. You can visit this iconic cemetery at 1341 Juliana Street in Parkersburg.
Flickr/Matt
Point Pleasant is home to the legend of the Mothman, and you can visit the museum with the Mothman’s history here. It’s also home to the historic Lowe Hotel, which is rumored to be haunted. This would be the perfect place to stay overnight on your tour! You just might fall in love with this Mason County community.
Flickr/OZinOH park
This amusement park was built up around an Adena burial mound. The park is 114 years old, but you can still go there and enjoy the rides today. Visit it at 5000 Waverly Road in Huntington.
Lake Shawnee/Facebook
Lake Shawnee has a dark and bloody history of conflict between Indians and white settlers. An amusement park was built on the land when the owner was unaware of the history, but it was shut down after two children died. It’s often open for haunted history tours on weekends in October. You can drive by in the meantime to spot its skeletal structures reaching for the sky! Find it at 470 Matoaka Road in Rock.
Braxton County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
This town is home to the legend of the Flatwoods Monster, or Braxon County Monster. Several people claimed to see this strange creature lurking in the woods. This Braxton County town of less than 200 has been in the spotlight ever since, even making an appearance in the video game Fallout 76.
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum/Facebook
This facility housed mental patients for many years, until a lack of funding shut it down. It’s rumored that some of the former patients still walk these halls, and it’s no wonder. This former psychiatric hospital is spooky, it had a cemetery on site and, as if it was asking to be cursed, its campus eventually stretched to a total of 666 acres. Visit it at 71 Asylum Drive in Weston.
For another great road trip in West Virginia, you’ll want to make the trek out to the most haunted road in the state.
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Address: Shepherdstown, WV, USAAddress: Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USAAddress: Moundsville, WV 26041, USAAddress: Parkersburg, WV, USAAddress: Point Pleasant, WV, USAAddress: 5000 Waverly Rd, Huntington, WV 25704, USAAddress: 4801 Matoaka Rd, Rock, WV 24747, USAAddress: Flatwoods, WV, USAAddress: Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, 50 S River Ave, Weston, WV 26452, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Scariest Places In West Virginia June 21, 2020 Nikki Rhoades What are the scariest haunted attractions in West Virginia? The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is, quite frankly, one of the scariest buildings in North America. However, it is also one of the most scenic spots in West Virginia. If you’re really up for putting your bravery to the test, you can spend the night in one of our many haunted hotels. Can I visit any abandoned places in West Virginia? You definitely can! While there are many abandoned places in the state, Nutallburg is open to the public and well worth exploring. You can hike to this abandoned coal mining trail! Are there any urban legends in West Virginia? Aside from the world-famous (or, rather, infamous) tale of the Mothman, there are a few other pieces of local legend in West Virginia. You’ll enjoy The Legend of Screaming Jenny… it’s one of the creepiest urban legends in the state! It tells of a woman in Harpers Ferry whose long skirt, a downfall of the era, caught fire. On the anniversary of her death, Jenny’s still burning spirit makes her way to the local train tracks, screaming for assistance that is now decades too late.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Scariest Places In West Virginia
June 21, 2020
Nikki Rhoades
What are the scariest haunted attractions in West Virginia? The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is, quite frankly, one of the scariest buildings in North America. However, it is also one of the most scenic spots in West Virginia. If you’re really up for putting your bravery to the test, you can spend the night in one of our many haunted hotels. Can I visit any abandoned places in West Virginia? You definitely can! While there are many abandoned places in the state, Nutallburg is open to the public and well worth exploring. You can hike to this abandoned coal mining trail! Are there any urban legends in West Virginia? Aside from the world-famous (or, rather, infamous) tale of the Mothman, there are a few other pieces of local legend in West Virginia. You’ll enjoy The Legend of Screaming Jenny… it’s one of the creepiest urban legends in the state! It tells of a woman in Harpers Ferry whose long skirt, a downfall of the era, caught fire. On the anniversary of her death, Jenny’s still burning spirit makes her way to the local train tracks, screaming for assistance that is now decades too late.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is, quite frankly, one of the scariest buildings in North America. However, it is also one of the most scenic spots in West Virginia. If you’re really up for putting your bravery to the test, you can spend the night in one of our many haunted hotels.
Can I visit any abandoned places in West Virginia?
You definitely can! While there are many abandoned places in the state, Nutallburg is open to the public and well worth exploring. You can hike to this abandoned coal mining trail!
Are there any urban legends in West Virginia?
Aside from the world-famous (or, rather, infamous) tale of the Mothman, there are a few other pieces of local legend in West Virginia. You’ll enjoy The Legend of Screaming Jenny… it’s one of the creepiest urban legends in the state! It tells of a woman in Harpers Ferry whose long skirt, a downfall of the era, caught fire. On the anniversary of her death, Jenny’s still burning spirit makes her way to the local train tracks, screaming for assistance that is now decades too late.
