1. Stull, Kansas
Stull is a tiny, unassuming town on the Kansas map, but its old cemetery has given it an outsized reputation. Legends say it hides one of the seven gateways to hell, and for decades, stories have circulated about devil worship, strange rituals, and ghostly apparitions in the graveyard. Even Pope John Paul II allegedly ordered his plane to avoid flying over it, which only added to the town’s mystique.
Locals, however, aren’t fond of this notoriety. They’re protective of their quiet community and dislike the constant stream of thrill-seekers looking for the “haunted church” ruins. Many of those ruins have since been torn down, partly to discourage trespassers. But the lore lingers, and visitors who sneak in at night often swear they hear whispers or feel a heavy presence. Stull remains a place people live quietly, yet outsiders insist on calling it cursed.
2. Centralia, Pennsylvania
Centralia is often described as a ghost town, but that doesn’t quite capture the eeriness of a place where the ground literally smokes. In 1962, an underground coal fire ignited beneath the town, and it’s been burning ever since. Streets buckle, smoke seeps through cracks in the pavement, and the population has dwindled to only a handful of residents who refused to leave. Walking through it feels like stepping into a post-apocalyptic film set.
The state seized most of the properties, and many homes were demolished over time, leaving behind empty blocks and abandoned sidewalks. Despite this, some people still make the trek to see the infamous Graffiti Highway, although it has since been covered over. The silence of the place, mixed with the knowledge that fire burns below your feet, is enough to make anyone uneasy. Locals who remain are notoriously protective of their privacy and don’t welcome curiosity seekers.
3. Dudleytown, Connecticut
Dudleytown, tucked away in the woods of Cornwall, is often called “the village of the damned.” Abandoned in the 1800s, it’s now nothing but overgrown foundations and a heavy air of superstition. Locals whisper about a curse brought by the Dudley family, who supposedly carried dark misfortune from England. Stories of insanity, strange deaths, and disappearances followed the settlement until its last residents left.
Today, the land is private property, and signs warn visitors to stay out. That hasn’t stopped ghost hunters from sneaking in, only to report overwhelming dread or bizarre experiences. Even locals tend to avoid the area at night, claiming the forest feels oppressive and unnaturally silent. Whether you believe in curses or not, the reputation of Dudleytown makes it one of the creepiest places in New England.
4. Jerome, Arizona
Jerome was once a booming mining town, but when the copper ran out, the people left, and the spirits supposedly stayed behind. Perched on a hillside, its old buildings creak in the wind, and the narrow streets feel frozen in another time. Ghost stories are woven into nearly every structure, from the haunted Jerome Grand Hotel to the old brothels where tragedy struck more than once.
Tourism has brought new life to the town, but locals often say outsiders come looking for chills rather than history. They insist the stories of shadowy figures and unexplained footsteps are more than marketing gimmicks. Some residents have even admitted to refusing to enter certain buildings after dark. For visitors, Jerome may seem quirky and fun, but for those who live there, the line between past and present often feels far too thin.
5. Bodie, California
Bodie sits in the high desert of the Sierra Nevada, a frozen relic of the Gold Rush era. Once home to thousands of miners, gamblers, and outlaws, it became known as one of the wildest towns in the West. When the mines dried up, people left in a hurry, leaving furniture, dishes, and even children’s toys behind. Today, it’s preserved in a state of “arrested decay,” where dust-covered buildings still hold their secrets.
Visitors say Bodie carries an unmistakable heaviness, like the town itself doesn’t want to be disturbed. There’s also talk of a “Bodie Curse” that strikes anyone who takes artifacts home—bad luck, accidents, even death, until the stolen items are returned. Locals warn curious tourists not to test the superstition. The town may be a historic park now, but the uneasy feeling it inspires makes it more than just another stop on a road trip.
6. Blackwater, Missouri
Blackwater looks charming on the surface, with its vintage storefronts and preserved buildings. But dig deeper, and you’ll hear stories that make even locals uneasy. The town was once a bustling hub along the railway, and with that came its share of violence, deaths, and hauntings. The old theater and hotel are said to be particularly active, with lights flickering and voices echoing in empty rooms.
Though it markets itself as a quaint historic town, residents quietly admit there are places they won’t go after dark. They’ve grown used to the occasional ghost-hunting crew showing up, but they often roll their eyes at outsiders who think it’s just a spooky gimmick. The reality, they insist, is stranger and harder to explain. Beneath the restored charm, Blackwater hides a side it doesn’t want to show.
7. Portlock, Alaska
Far from civilization, Portlock has one of the most unsettling reputations of any abandoned town in America. Once a thriving fishing village, it was suddenly deserted in the 1950s, with residents fleeing and never returning. Stories spread that something in the wilderness drove people away—something large, violent, and beyond explanation. Natives spoke of a creature called the Nantiinaq, a sort of Bigfoot-like figure said to roam the area.
The remains of the village still sit on the edge of the Alaskan wilderness, slowly decaying. Hunters and explorers who pass through report an overwhelming sense of dread, and some claim to have found strange footprints or heard unearthly screams. Locals in nearby communities rarely talk about it openly, as if speaking its name might invite trouble. To this day, Portlock’s mystery remains unsolved, and most Alaskans would rather you didn’t go looking for answers.
8. Cairo, Illinois
Cairo sits at the southern tip of Illinois, where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet, and its past is as turbulent as the waters that surround it. Once a thriving river town, it fell into steep decline during the 20th century due to racial conflict, corruption, and economic collapse. Walking its streets today feels eerie, with entire blocks of abandoned buildings standing like hollow shells of what was once there.
For locals who remain, it’s a sore subject. They’ve endured decades of outsiders labeling their town as haunted or cursed. While some acknowledge the uneasy vibe that outsiders pick up on, others are tired of their home being seen only as a ghost town attraction. Cairo is very real to those who live there, but its uneasy emptiness makes it hard for visitors to shake the feeling of being somewhere they shouldn’t linger.
9. Lily Dale, New York
Lily Dale is unlike most small towns. Founded in the late 1800s as a Spiritualist community, it’s still filled with psychics, mediums, and people who claim to communicate with the dead. Visitors often describe the air as charged, like the whole place hums with something unseen. The town cemetery is a popular stop, but many say they feel watched, even when alone.
Residents are protective of Lily Dale, and while they welcome believers, they don’t always appreciate gawkers. Some locals insist the spirits are restless when outsiders come in looking to mock rather than respect the community. The quiet streets, filled with Victorian homes and overhanging trees, add to the atmosphere. Whether you buy into the Spiritualist beliefs or not, Lily Dale has an undeniable creep factor that keeps skeptics second-guessing.
10. Elkmont, Tennessee
Deep in the Smoky Mountains lies the ghost town of Elkmont. Once a lively logging community and vacation spot, it slowly emptied out after the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established. Cabins and cottages still dot the woods, decaying quietly as nature reclaims them. Walking among them, you feel like you’ve stumbled into a forgotten neighborhood that time left behind.
The strangest thing about Elkmont is how quiet it is. Even with the usual sounds of the forest, the town feels strangely hushed, as if the trees themselves are holding their breath. Park rangers warn people not to trespass in the unstable structures, but that doesn’t stop visitors from peeking in. Locals who grew up near the area say the town has always carried an eerie reputation, and they’re not eager to encourage outsiders to come searching.
11. Marfa, Texas
Marfa is known for its mysterious lights—glowing orbs that appear in the desert sky with no clear explanation. Scientists have offered theories from atmospheric reflections to car headlights, but nothing has ever been proven. Residents have seen them for generations, and while they’re used to the phenomenon, outsiders often leave shaken. There’s something deeply unsettling about lights that appear and disappear with no pattern or cause.
While Marfa has grown into an artsy tourist destination, some locals wish the strange attention would fade. The lights draw visitors who sometimes treat the town like a sideshow rather than a community. For longtime residents, the lights are simply part of life, though they admit they’re still eerie. To outsiders, they remain one of the strangest unsolved mysteries in small-town America.
12. Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs is famous for its Victorian architecture and natural springs, but it also carries a dark reputation. The Crescent Hotel, often called the most haunted hotel in America, looms over the town. Guests have reported everything from ghostly nurses in the hallways to strange lights in their rooms. Locals know the stories well, and many avoid the hotel altogether.
Beyond the Crescent, the town’s winding streets and wooded hillsides carry an odd, almost Gothic energy. Visitors sometimes say they feel watched while wandering the quieter corners of the town. The mix of charm and creepiness makes Eureka Springs unique, but not every resident is happy about the haunted reputation. Some say it overshadows the real history of their community.
13. Villisca, Iowa
Villisca looks like any other quiet Midwestern town—until you hear its history. In 1912, the town was rocked by a brutal axe murder that left eight people dead in a small home. The case was never solved, and the house where it happened still stands. Tours are offered, but many locals avoid the property, saying it’s better left alone.
Visitors who spend the night in the home report unsettling experiences: footsteps, children’s voices, and cold spots. Even skeptics admit the atmosphere inside is heavy, like the tragedy never left. For the people of Villisca, the crime is part of their history, but not something they like revisited again and again by outsiders. The town may be peaceful on the surface, but the shadow of that night has never fully lifted.
14. Mineral Wells, Texas
Mineral Wells earned its name from the supposed healing powers of its waters, but over time, its reputation took a darker turn. The massive, abandoned Baker Hotel dominates the town’s skyline, and it’s said to be haunted by spirits of guests who never checked out. People report apparitions in windows, strange noises, and the unmistakable feeling of being watched.
The hotel has been closed for decades, though renovations are finally underway. Locals often speak of it with a mix of pride and unease, knowing it’s the first thing visitors notice. While some are excited about the restoration, others quietly admit they hope the ghosts stay buried in the past. Mineral Wells is a place where charm and creepiness seem to go hand in hand.
15. Bannack, Montana
Bannack is a ghost town preserved as a state park, but its past is anything but peaceful. Founded during the Gold Rush, it quickly became notorious for lawlessness, with robberies and murders a constant threat. The town’s sheriff, Henry Plummer, was accused of secretly leading a gang of outlaws. He was eventually hanged, but many say his ghost still lingers.
The wooden buildings, especially the old hotel and schoolhouse, are said to echo with strange noises. Visitors describe hearing whispers or footsteps when no one else is around. For locals who know the history, Bannack is more than just a tourist stop—it’s a reminder of a violent past. They’re proud of its preservation but wary of the eerie energy that still clings to the place.