The 15 Most Haunted Winter Destinations

Looking for a vacation to break up the monotony of winter? Check out one of these haunted places.

By: Beth Braden

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15 Haunted Holiday Getaways

There’s a little bit of everything for a cold-weather ghost hunter. You never know what you might encounter in that romantic cabin or during a brisk hike on a snowy winter morning.

The Oxford Hotel — Denver, Colorado

The ghost of a postman who never finished delivering the Christmas packages haunts the bar at this luxury hotel. Bartenders say a man dressed in an old postal uniform will order a beer, mutter about delivering presents, and then disappear. In the 1930s, a postal worker disappeared right before Christmas, but his body wasn’t discovered until the spring. He still had the presents with him.

Elfin Forest — Escondido, California

The vast wilderness in sunny California holds a dark past. Legend has it that a group of Romani people lived in the forest in the 19th century, but many were killed when the locals attempted to drive the Romanis from the woods. The survivors cursed the forest, and it’s not uncommon to see the apparition of a woman in white and mysterious footprints as you hike.

White Otter Castle — Ignace, Ontario

The remote log castle on the shore of White Otter Lake was handbuilt by an eccentric recluse for a woman who left him before he could propose. The heartbroken man stayed in his castle where he lived off the land, but he died in a fishing accident and his body was found tangled in his nets months later. He is buried on the property, and visitors to the castle say they sense something eerie as they tour the home.

The Island of the Dolls — Xochimilco, Mexico

Even if you head south of the border for a warm-weather vacation this winter, a chill may run up your back when you visit The Island of the Dolls. In the mid-1900s, a man who lived alone in Xochimilco found the body of a young girl on the shore. A doll later appeared on the shore, so the man hung it from a tree for the spirit of the dead girl. Nearly 100 years later, the island is full of rotting dolls hanging from trees. Those brave enough to visit say the dolls talk to one another as people walk by.

Ghost Loop Trail — Andersonville, Tennessee

Take a holiday hike along a short loop in Big Ridge State Park. The 1.2-mile loop traverses property that once belonged to the Hutchinson family, and their ghosts are still lingering. The family dog can be heard panting alongside hikers, and the mutilated ghost of a man who was scalped may join you.

The Shamrock House — Sunset, South Carolina

A 1927 party never ended at the Shamrock House, a cabin in the woods northwest of Greenville. Apparently, some young women were hired to entertain the men at the party, but one of them had second thoughts. Her name was Nancy, and she died of a drug overdose in an upstairs room at the cabin. Visitors say they hear a woman crying, footsteps when nobody is there, and flickering lights.

Chilnualna Falls Trail — Yosemite National Park, California

Don’t be too quick to answer the call for help on the Chilnualna Falls Trail. Hikers have reported hearing a child screaming for help as they pass Grouse Lake, and it is believed to be the ghost of a boy who drowned there. Locals say those who wade into the water trying to find the ghost child will meet the same fate.

Cameron Park — Waco, Texas

Stop by Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Market and then visit Cameron Park—if you dare. Paranormal activity has long been reported in the 416-acre urban wilderness. There are at least 5 named sites where visitors may come face to face with a spirit. The creepiest is Jacob’s Ladder where something will reach out and pull on the clothes of passing hikers.

Montauk Manor—Montauk, New York

The land where the massive Tudor-style mansion sits on Long Island is reportedly built on a Native American burial ground and was the meeting place of several tribes prior to the manor’s construction. Visitors have heard drum beats and chanting throughout the manor, and there is a friendly Native American man who keeps watch on the fourth floor. He wears the traditional garb of a chief and often makes himself visible to the living. Book a stay this winter and see him for yourself.

Manoa Falls Trail — Oahu, Hawaii

The top of the Manoa Falls Trail offers stunning views of a beautiful waterfall, but if you hear drums, prepare to see the night marchers. The spectral army dressed as traditional Hawaiian warriors are still marching the land they roamed when still alive. Don’t look them in the eye. Instead, the locals say you should lay facedown on the ground and avert your gaze as they pass to show respect for the undead.

Corbin Cabin — Syria, Virginia

Hikers in Shenandoah National Park can stay the night at the Corbin Cabin, home of moonshiner George Corbin. George’s wife, Nee, is said to haunt the cabin. Nee died during childbirth in the winter of 1924, and visitors hear her walking on the old plank floors at night.

Hay Adams Hotel — Washington, DC

The historic hotel across the street from the White House is haunted by Marian Hooper Adams, the wife of Henry Adams, a descendent of American presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Marian, nicknamed Clover, committed suicide in the hotel. Around the anniversary of her death in early December, her ghost opens and closes doors, disturbs electronic devices, and sometimes speaks aloud.

The Ax Murder House — Vilisca, Iowa

Nobody knows who killed six children and two adults in this Iowa farmhouse, but their spirits apparently don’t realize they’re dead. Visitors hear children playing with toys when nobody is there, and disembodied voices echo throughout the house. If you’re brave, stay the night and visit the cemetery where the family is buried.

Freetown-Fall River State Forest — Freetown, Massachusetts

The state forest was originally land occupied by the Wampanoag tribe of native Americans and is located in the Bridgewater Triangle, a hotbed of paranormal activity. The forest has been the site of murders, cult gatherings, and animal sacrifices. Visitors see ghosts along a ledge and ephemeral orbs floating by. Look up while you walk along, there’s likely a UFO nearby.

Lake Shawnee Amusement Park — Rock, West Virginia

The amusement park has been closed for decades, but the land it sits on has been cursed for centuries. In the 1700s, three children of English settlers were killed on the property after encroaching on Native American land. They were buried on the property. Almost 200 years later, in 1926, a businessman opened an amusement park on the property, but it wasn’t long before tragedy struck. A girl was killed on the mechanical swing ride, and a boy drowned in the lake on site. Their ghosts and the abandoned rides are all that’s left.

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The 15 Most Haunted Winter Destinations

Related To:

Shop This Look

15 Haunted Holiday Getaways

The Oxford Hotel — Denver, Colorado

Elfin Forest — Escondido, California

White Otter Castle — Ignace, Ontario

The Island of the Dolls — Xochimilco, Mexico

Ghost Loop Trail — Andersonville, Tennessee

The Shamrock House — Sunset, South Carolina

Chilnualna Falls Trail — Yosemite National Park, California

Cameron Park — Waco, Texas

Montauk Manor—Montauk, New York

Manoa Falls Trail — Oahu, Hawaii

Corbin Cabin — Syria, Virginia

Hay Adams Hotel — Washington, DC

The Ax Murder House — Vilisca, Iowa

Freetown-Fall River State Forest — Freetown, Massachusetts

Lake Shawnee Amusement Park — Rock, West Virginia