haunted halloween camping spots

5 Spooky Campsites to Visit for Halloween

Brave campers seeking supernatural thrills will discover five haunted campgrounds where ghostly encounters await beneath starlit autumn skies.

If you’re looking to add some genuine shivers to your Halloween camping experience, you will desire to reflect on these five haunted destinations across America. From New England’s historical execution grounds to Georgia’s whisper-filled woods, each site offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and supernatural encounters. You don’t need expensive ghost-hunting equipment or guided tours to explore these public campgrounds – just a tent, a flashlight, and enough courage to make it through the night.

Take Aways

  • Winter Island Park in Massachusetts offers camping near Execution Hill, where public hangings occurred until 1821, perfect for Halloween thrills.
  • Holy Ghost Campground in New Mexico features mysterious moving shadows and a haunting priest’s tale for $8 per night.
  • Midway Campground’s Wicked Woods in North Carolina includes a haunted forest trail with a pitch-black maze and creepy graveyard.
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Elkmont Ghost Town provides paranormal encounters with phantom music and unexplained phenomena.
  • Skidaway Island State Park in Georgia delivers Southern spooks with unexplained shadows and whispers among moss-draped oaks and marshlands.

Historical Hauntings at Winter Island Park, Massachusetts

haunted camping at winter island

While Salem is best known for its witch trials, Winter Island Park offers an equally chilling historical experience for campers seeking a spooky getaway.

You’ll pitch your tent near Execution Hill, where public hangings took place until 1821, and Fort Pickering, a military fortification dating back to 1643. Local visitors often note the missing historical plaque that once marked this infamous site.

The 30-acre park’s dark history includes Native American settlements, colonial military conflicts, and a World War II Coast Guard station.

Today, you can explore the fort’s remains and walk the same grounds where countless paranormal sightings have been reported.

From May through October, you can camp near these historic locations, with beach access and hiking trails included in your stay.

Ghost hunters regularly visit the park, particularly around Halloween, making it an affordable destination for thrill-seekers interested in Salem’s lesser-known haunted locations.

Ghostly Encounters at Holy Ghost Campground, New Mexico

Deep in the Santa Fe National Forest, Holy Ghost Campground lives up to its name with an atmosphere that’ll send shivers down your spine.

Nestled in a steep canyon along Holy Ghost Creek, this campground’s eerie reputation stems from unverified tales of a priest’s tragic conflict with locals and reports of mysterious events. Many visitors have reported seeing moving shadows in the surrounding woods at night. Camping safely is important to keep wildlife encounters at bay.

Rumors whisper of a priest’s dark fate and unexplained happenings at this secluded canyon campground along Holy Ghost Creek.

You’ll find 23 first-come, first-served sites for just $8 per night, making it an affordable destination for brave campers.

The campground honors America the Beautiful passes and offers discounts for seniors.

While you’re welcome to investigate the paranormal claims, you’ll need to follow strict rules: no ATVs, a maximum of three cars per site, and quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM.

Be prepared for narrow, challenging roads and remember to keep pets leashed.

Wicked Woods and Night Frights at Midway Campground, North Carolina

haunted forest trail adventure

On the lookout for the ultimate Halloween scare? Head to Midway Wicked Woods in Statesville, NC, where a haunted forest trail awaits your bravest steps.

What started as a simple campground activity has evolved into one of Charlotte area’s most terrifying attractions, now in its 28th year of operation. Discover the Joys of Relaxing Wilderness Camping in this spooky setting.

You’ll navigate through scary buildings, brave a 600-foot pitch-black maze, and face your fears in the spinning Vortex tunnel.

The haunted trail leads you through a creepy graveyard, with your small group moving forward unguided – adding to the suspense.

While you’re catching your breath, you can grab snacks and refreshments on-site.

Paranormal Adventures in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

For those seeking paranormal thrills beyond traditional haunted trails, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a lavish tapestry of supernatural encounters.

You’ll discover eerie destinations like Elkmont Ghost Town, where phantom music drifts through abandoned buildings, and the mysterious Road to Nowhere, known for unexplained phenomena. The ghost town was once home to seventy original buildings, though only nineteen remain preserved today.

  1. Visit Cades Cove at dusk to witness the famous glowing orbs and experience the unexplained sounds at Campsite 19.
  2. Explore Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, where Lucy’s ghost reportedly wanders near historic structures.
  3. Trek through Wheatlands Plantation to investigate cold spots and disembodied footsteps.

October brings prime ghost-hunting conditions, but you don’t need expensive equipment – just a reliable camera and audio recorder.

Remember to follow park guidelines and always explore with a group for safety.

Haunted Southern Charm at Skidaway Island State Park, Georgia

haunted camping in georgia

Within striking distance of America’s most haunted city, Skidaway Island State Park offers budget-conscious campers a gateway to Southern Gothic thrills.

You’ll find affordable campsites nestled among moss-draped oaks and misty marshlands, where visitors regularly report unexplained shadows, whispers, and footsteps after dark.

The park’s proximity to Savannah’s famous haunted locations makes it an ideal base camp for paranormal enthusiasts. With 87 campsites available, there’s plenty of room for ghost hunters to set up their equipment.

You’re just 30 minutes from the legendary Sorrel-Weed House and Candler Hospital’s mysterious tunnels.

While exploring the park’s trails, you might encounter the reported apparitions of Civil War soldiers or early settlers who still roam the grounds.

At night, many campers experience sudden cold spots and the unsettling sensation of being watched, making this park perfect for an authentically spooky Halloween camping experience.

The Last Word

Pack your courage and camping gear for these spine-tingling destinations where shadows dance like phantom performers. You’ll find affordable thrills at each location, with most campsites charging under $30 per night. Whether you’re setting up tent in Massachusetts’ haunted harbor or braving Georgia’s moss-draped oaks, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable Halloween experience. Don’t forget your flashlight – you’ll need it to spot those ghostly visitors.