This Haunted Road Trip Will Lead You To The Scariest Places In West Virginia

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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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!

For another great road trip in West Virginia, you’ll want to make the trek out to the most haunted road in the state.