Explore the Spooky and Cryptic on the Brand New West Virginia Paranormal Trail
West Virginia boasts a wealth of cryptid legends and spooky tales that blend well with the Mountain State’s natural features. Now, you can experience the best of both worlds on the new West Virginia Paranormal Trail!
The Paranormal Trail features 18 of Almost Heaven’s spookiest destinations. Along the way, you can check into each location on your mobile passport and win limited additional paranormal prizes. From former penitentiaries and asylums to unique museums that tell the full story of local cryptids, you will leave each spot with chills trickling down your spine!
Here are some featured locations to get you started on your paranormal adventure through West Virginia.
The Mothman
Point Pleasant, West Virginia
The man, the moth, the legend. The Mothman is one of West Virginia’s most famous cryptids. He has become a global sensation, earning recognition from major publications like Thrillest, Today and others for his mysterious traits. Many say that Point Pleasant is his town of choice, as he was spotted several times during the mid and late 1960s. On November 15, 1966, two young couples in Point Pleasant reported seeing a large, man-sized creature with wings and glowing red eyes.
Learn the full story at the Mothman Museum, located on Main Street in the heart of Point Pleasant. The museum is full of artifacts, newspaper articles and research dedicated to The Mothman. Be sure to get a selfie with the statue outside!
West Virginia State Penitentiary
Moundsville, West Virginia
Dubbed one of the most haunted prisons in the United States, the West Virginia State Penitentiary was the epicenter for several riots, fires and over 100 executions. This Gothic-style prison was built in 1876 from locally quarried hand-cut sandstone. To get the most out of your Paranormal Trail experience, take a guided day tours, go on public ghost hunts, spearhead private paranormal investigations and much more.
If you have the guts to take one of these tours, you may encounter the “Shadow Man,” a dark silhouette that haunts the grounds.
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park
Rock, West Virginia
Lake Shawnee in Mercer County has a bloody past that will make your skin crawl. The site opened in the 1920s and housed a skirmish between Mitchell Clay and the local Shawnee Indian tribe, that resulted in bloodshed on both sides. After an entrepreneur turned this location into Lake Shawnee Amusement Park, things began to go wrong as terrifying disaster after disaster struck the attraction.
Now, this spot is open for haunted tours so you can explore the supernatural yourself. Legend has it that Native American chants can be heard in the distance during the night.
Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
The Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry are sure to get your goosebumps going. The Ghost Tours are a walking tour appropriate for people of all ages. The tour is about 1.5 hours ling and takes you around several blocks of the historic “Lower Town” section of Harpers Ferry. You will be told about the unexplained and learn about Harpers Ferry’s violent past, especially during the American Civil War. Tours are open year-round with reservations required.
If you get scared while on your tour, no need to worry. Almost Heaven is home to the friendliest people on earth – and ghosts!
Hotel Morgan
Morgantown, West Virginia
One of the most elegant hotels in West Virginia is Hotel Morgan, which makes for a perfect stay while you’re in the heart of Mountaineer Country. While Hotel Morgan is luxurious, elegant and was recently-renovated, its glittering crystal chandeliers and red satin upholstery have some haunted tales to tell. While details seem to be unconfirmed, legend has it that room 314 is haunted by a young girl who once stayed in this room. Distinguished guests of Hotel Morgan from the past include Eleanor Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
Weston, West Virginia
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston was once considered a santuary for the mentally ill in the mid-1800s, but the devastating truth of what happened behind its stone doors has since come to light. The history of the building holds fascinating stories of Civil War raids, a gold robbery, the “curative” effects of architecture and and several hauntings. The asylum offers daytime historic tours, night time paranormal tours, overnight ghost hunts, photo tours, festivals flashlight tours and a haunted house.
Looking for more activities to add to your ghostly adventure? Find inspiration in our free West Virginia Vacation Guide!
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This post was last updated on October 17, 2024