There’s something thrilling about combining the freedom of RV travel with the spine-tingling excitement of haunted destinations. Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or just someone who enjoys a good scare, America is home to some of the spookiest spots perfect for your next road trip. From eerie cemeteries to haunted hotels, these locations promise ghostly encounters and chilling tales that will make your journey unforgettable. So, pack your flashlight, grab some snacks (for the living and the undead), and prepare for a road trip filled with thrills, chills, and maybe even a few laughs.
1. Salem, Massachusetts: Witch Trials and Ghostly Tales
Salem is synonymous with hauntings thanks to its infamous witch trials of 1692. The town is packed with historical sites like the Salem Witch Museum and the Hawthorne Hotel, where guests report seeing apparitions in Room 612. During fall, Salem transforms into a Halloween haven, complete with ghost tours and spooky celebrations. Paranormal enthusiasts flock here to explore haunted streets and sites like the Satanic Temple, which hosts macabre art exhibits. Salem’s dark history combined with its lively atmosphere makes it a must-visit for ghost hunters.
If you don’t spot a ghost in Salem, don’t worry—you’ll probably bump into someone dressed as one during Halloween!
2. Savannah, Georgia: America’s Most Haunted City
Savannah is often called America’s Most Haunted City, and for good reason. The Mercer-Williams House is infamous for its paranormal activity, while Bonaventure Cemetery offers both beauty and eerie vibes. Ghost tours through Savannah’s historic district reveal chilling tales of duels gone wrong and restless spirits. The Olde Pink House restaurant even has reports of sobbing ghosts upstairs! For RV travelers, CreekFire RV Resort provides a relaxing retreat after a day of ghost hunting.
Savannah’s ghosts are so famous they might start charging rent at this rate!
3. Alcatraz Island, San Francisco: Prison Hauntings
Alcatraz Island is not just a former prison—it’s a hotspot for paranormal activity. Visitors often report hearing chains rattling and seeing apparitions like the Man in Cell 14D or the Lady in Green near the warden’s residence. The Birdman of Alcatraz is rumored to haunt the hospital area too. The island’s misty atmosphere adds to its eerie charm, making it an unforgettable stop for thrill-seekers.
If you hear chains rattling at Alcatraz, don’t panic—it’s either a ghost or someone reenacting The Shawshank Redemption.
4. Winchester Mystery House, San Jose: A Maze for Spirits
The Winchester Mystery House is an architectural oddity designed to confuse spirits. With staircases leading nowhere and doors opening into walls, this mansion is as puzzling as it is haunted. Sarah Winchester built this labyrinth over 36 years to appease restless spirits connected to her family’s fortune. Visitors report hearing phantom footsteps and feeling cold spots throughout the house.
If you get lost in the Winchester Mystery House, don’t worry—the ghosts are probably just as confused as you are!
5. Route 66 Ghost Towns: History Meets Hauntings
Route 66 is dotted with ghost towns like Calico in California and Two Guns in Arizona. These abandoned towns are filled with eerie remnants of their past lives—empty buildings, desolate streets, and even tales of massacres. Calico Ghost Town offers tours where visitors report unexplained noises and sightings.
Route 66 proves that even ghosts need a road trip now and then—maybe they’re searching for better Wi-Fi!
6. Stanley Hotel, Estes Park: The Inspiration Behind The Shining
The Stanley Hotel inspired Stephen King’s The Shining and remains one of America’s most haunted hotels. Guests report hearing piano music from empty rooms and seeing shadowy figures roaming the halls. Its proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park makes it an ideal stop for RV travelers seeking both natural beauty and supernatural scares.
Don’t worry about checking out late—the ghosts won’t let you leave anyway!
7. Union Cemetery, Easton, Connecticut: Home of the White Lady
Union Cemetery is famously haunted by the apparition of the White Lady, who floats among gravestones or appears on nearby roads. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren conducted extensive research here, capturing footage of her spirit. Visitors also report glowing red eyes in the woods surrounding the cemetery.
If you see glowing red eyes at Union Cemetery, it might just be your car’s headlights playing tricks—or your worst nightmare!
8. New Orleans, Louisiana: Voodoo and Spirits
New Orleans blends vibrant culture with chilling hauntings. The French Quarter offers ghost tours through sites like St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and LaLaurie Mansion—both notorious for paranormal activity. The city’s voodoo history adds an extra layer of mystery to its ghostly encounters.
In New Orleans, even the ghosts know how to party—just don’t challenge them to karaoke night!
9. 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, Eureka Springs: A Haunted Getaway
Dubbed “America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” this Arkansas landmark has stories ranging from phantom nurses to mysterious apparitions in Victorian attire. Guests often experience cold spots or hear whispers in empty halls.
Staying at the Crescent Hotel is like having roommates—except these ones don’t pay rent or clean up after themselves!
10. Sleepy Hollow, New York: The Legend Lives On
Sleepy Hollow brings Washington Irving’s tale of the Headless Horseman to life with its haunted cemetery and eerie woodlands. Visitors can explore shadowy pathways or attend events like the Great Jack-O’-Lantern Blaze featuring thousands of glowing pumpkins.
If you see a headless figure galloping by in Sleepy Hollow, don’t panic—it might just be someone late for work!
