These Are the 12 Most Haunted States in the US

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In the US, some states are creepier than others. In these haunted states, there’s no shortage of spine-tingling destinations to explore.

The country is full of some creepy phenomena. Even its movies, such as The Amityville Horror, are based on real-life events.

From desert ghost towns to haunted forests, you’ll find some of the most haunted places on the planet. Below are the 12 most haunted states in the US so you can plan the spookiest Halloween trip imaginable.

Nevada

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Another other-worldly state in the Wild West is Nevada. This state is famous for its outlaw towns, saloons, and gambling debts, which often resulted in, you guessed it, murder.

The state is also full of ghost towns and haunted houses. Places like Yellowjacket Mine and Goodspring are some of the state’s most haunted locations and give visitors and locals alike the creeps. With their haunted mines and cabins, you may see the spirits of restless cowboys getting into bar fights.

Out of all of Nevada’s cities, no destination is more haunted than Las Vegas. Sin City is where fortunes are made and lost, often in grisly fashion. Places like the Riviera Hotel have witnessed some spooky phenomena over the years, so visit at your own risk.

Texas

From gunfights to murder, the largest state in the US is where ghosts come with a vengeance. You’ll find haunted hospitals, ghost towns, hotels, and saloons where you may come face-to-face with a ghost.

Arguably, the most haunted place in Texas is the Yorktown Memorial Hospital. Inside this 30,000-square-foot abandoned hospital, visitors and trespassers have said they’ve felt pushed and clawed at or heard shrieks and whimpers echo through the walls.

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The cities of Austin and El Paso also have their fair share of haunted places. The De Soto Hotel in El Paso and The Driskill in Austin are places where you wouldn’t want to spend the night if your sixth sense is working.

Arizona

The western state of Arizona is where hard-working humans turned into wandering ghosts. It’s also where mining towns and desert outposts witnessed some of the most violent events in American history.

For the ultimate ghost experience, head to the town of Jerome. Here, you can visit the Jerome Grand Hotel. This creepy hotel was once the town’s hospital where thousands of copper miners died and still haunt the premises.

You can also visit the famous town of Tombstone. Known for its past lawlessness, Tombstone is now home to several haunted sites, including the Crystal Palace Saloon.

Ohio

Franklin Castle, South Bass Island, Patterson Tower, Ohio’s list of haunted places is incredibly high, given its size. It even gives California and Texas a run for their money.

The most haunted destinations in Ohio include the Twin City Opera House in McConnelsville. People have heard screams and singing, and others have witnessed dark shadows appear and disappear without a trace.

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Other places like the Licking County Jail and the woods around London are said to be filled with ghosts. And then there’s the Sedamsville Rectory, a house in Cincinnati with an aggressive ghost who loves to do anything to make people leave its home.

Pennsylvania

It’s no surprise that the state famous for the Battle of Gettysburg is on the list. The famous battle in the town of Gettysburg saw the lives of tens of thousands of confederate soldiers and civilians vanish. Today, the battlefield is home to wandering ghosts who, according to witnesses, continue searching for their lost comrades and loved ones.

And then, there’s Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary. This former prison-turned-museum is where hundreds of paranormal activities have been reported. From strange noises to forceful energy, it’s a haunted place that’s sure to make your skin creep.

The city of Philly, too, has several haunted places that even ghost hunters choose to avoid. Places like the Bishop White House and the Cliveden House are frequently featured in paranormal investigations.

New York

The state of New York has a mixture of creepy urban spaces and rural haunts. It’s the scene of Revolutionary War battles, mafia hits, and rock and roll drama that continues into the afterlife.

New York City is where many ghosts have been seen and heard in hotels, inns, bars, nightclubs, and apartments. Places such as the Hotel Chelsea have supernatural phenomena that occur regularly. Museums such as the Morris-Jumel Mansion are where the ghosts of Revolutionary War soldiers still roam.

In the rural countryside are communities such as Palmyra. The town’s historical museum was the location of a fire that claimed the lives of a family. Guests report smelling fire and even seeing toys hurled across the room.

Massachusetts

Most people know Massachusetts as the location of the Salem Witch Trials. During these 17th-century trials, dozens of women were put to death by judges who claimed they were participating in witchcraft. Since then, the town has become one of the country’s most haunted locations.

In Salem, you can visit the Witch House, where many of the trials took place. Or, head to the Burying Point Cemetery, where the victims and perpetrators of the trials are said to be buried.

Outside of Salem, the most famous hauntings happen at the Lizzie Borden House in Fall River. The house was home to brutal murders and is still said to be haunted by restless spirits. You can stay the night in one of the most haunted places in the state if you dare.

Read also: America’s Most Quirky Towns

Louisiana

Tales of spooky bayous and haunted Victorian mansions can be heard in all corners of the state. However, one city in particular is notorious for its supernatural energy and ominous ghosts.

New Orleans may be famous for jazz and great food, but it’s one of the country’s most haunted cities. You’ll find places such as the LaLaurie Mansion, which are full of other-worldly encounters.

Even more haunted are the plantations that cover the state. Places such as the Myrtles Plantation and the Magnolia Plantation have had curses put on them by voodoo practitioners. If you want scary energy, you’ll find it in Louisiana.

Colorado

Film and literature geeks around the world know the novel and movie The Shining by heart. The terrifying frames and scenes are forever sketched in our minds.

Steven King’s horror-filled tale was inspired by his own nightmare-fueled experiences at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. The hotel is famously one of the most haunted places in the US. For just over $300, you too can stay in one of the hotel’s most haunted rooms and recreate horror movie magic.

Other ghostly locations in Colorado include the famous Hotel Colorado and ghost towns such as Ashcroft. For an entire town that’s supposedly haunted, you can visit Georgetown and attend a popular ghost tour.

Indiana

The Midwest is full of creepy places and ghost stories that keep even the heartiest spirit hunters up at night. Indiana is one of the most haunted states in the nation, with several notable locations for frightening phenomena.

One of the most famous centers for spooky things is Indiana University. The campus has been around for over 200 years and has several buildings like the Indiana Memorial Union that are full of creepy ghost encounters.

And then there’s the story of the serial killer Herb Baumeister. His crimes were horrific and the souls of his victims are said to haunt Baumeister’s former home at Fox Hollow Farm.

Georgia

The state of Georgia has a fun reputation and a dark history. From colonialism and slavery to the Civil War, many horrific moments left more than a few souls restless.

For visitors looking for a paranormal experience, just head to the historic coastal city of Savannah. You’ll find haunted cemeteries, creepy mansions, and ghostly cabins far from anyone who can hear you scream.

One of the most haunted places in the city is the Mercer-Williams House. It was the scene of a grisly murder that inspired the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Today, the beautiful house is a museum where you can find your spooky encounters if you dare.

California

The sunny state of California is arguably the most haunted in the US. The US media giant, The Travel Channel, receives more paranormal investigation requests for their hit ghost-hunting shows from this state than any other. If it’s on TV, it must be real!

California is a big state with a long and bloody history. From the brutality of Spanish colonialism to the gold rush, it might look fancy on the surface, but California is the most ominous state in the Wild West.

In the entire state, Los Angeles and San Francisco reign as America’s most haunted cities. From LA’s Manson murders and Pico House to San Francisco’s Alcatraz prison, these destinations aren’t for the faint of heart.