Are the Smoky Mountains Haunted? 5 Haunted Places in the Smokies to Explore
Are you looking for some spooky fun in the Smokies? The Great Smoky Mountains have a rich history filled with local legends of hauntings. There are a number of places in the Smokies where people claim to have seen ghosts and unusual paranormal activity. Here are some of the top Smoky Mountains haunted places to explore:
1. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
One of the most haunted places in the Smoky Mountains is the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This scenic drive travels along a narrow, one-way road past historic and natural wonders. Amidst the mountain streams, well-preserved log cabins, and vibrant foliage, some visitors have spotted the ghost of a young woman named Lucy in a white dress walking along the side of the road. According to local legend, Lucy died in a cabin fire in the early 1900s and continues to wander the area looking for a ride. Most people claim to see Lucy in the early morning fog or right before sunset.
2. Cades Cove
There are a few haunted Smoky Mountains destinations that you can find in Cades Cove. This section of the national park is filled with old cabins, churches, and cemeteries, so it’s no wonder people claim to have seen the paranormal. Some visitors have gotten an eerie feeling around certain structures, and others have seen apparitions floating around historical sites. The Primitive Baptist Church is especially known to be haunted. People who have visited Cades Cove at night have claimed to see a woman coming out of the church wall. Some have seen her in full form, while others have just seen her face. Her identity, however, remains a mystery.
3. Elkmont Ghost Town
While the story of Elkmont Ghost Town isn’t particularly spooky, most people who visit will tell you they felt creepy vibes while walking around the area. Elkmont was once a thriving community that was originally settled in the 1840s. When the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established in 1934, the residents were asked to sell their land to the National Park Service in exchange for lifetime leases. The community was deserted after the leases expired. There were originally around 70 historical buildings in the area, and the National Park Service preserved 19 of them. Today, visitors to this ghost town report hearing strange noises and have feelings of being watched while exploring these buildings, especially the Wonderland Hotel.
4. Little Greenbrier School
Another one of the Smoky Mountains haunted places to explore is the Little Greenbrier School. This structure was built in 1882 and served as both a schoolhouse and church meeting space. Next door is a cemetery. While exploring the Little Greenbrier School, some visitors have reported hearing footsteps where no one was there. Others have seen glowing orbs floating in the air or flashes of light coming from inside the school or outside in the cemetery. Some people have even claimed to see a figure walking near the windows and doorways or heard voices from people who weren’t there.
5. LeConte Lodge
Are the Smoky Mountains haunted? Make your way to the top of Mount LeConte and check into LeConte Lodge to find out. This is a popular place for hikers to spend the night after the long trek to the peak of Mount LeConte. While it’s a great place to rest after a long hike, many guests have reported paranormal encounters during their stay. There have been multiple sightings of a little girl appearing at the end of the beds at the lodge and watching guests sleep. She appears at exactly 3:33 in the morning and disappears as soon as the guests wake up.
More Spooky Things to Do in the Smokies
These are some of the top Smoky Mountains haunted places where you may get to see ghosts or other paranormal activity. Are you looking for more eerie fun in the Smokies? Check out these top 3 spooky ghost tours in Gatlinburg for a frightful night of learning about the creepy history of the Smoky Mountains!
