If you’re looking for some spooky things to do in Asheville, NC, to make your Asheville Halloween truly unforgettable, then you come to the right place! From hauntings in Asheville to the strange Brown Mountain Lights, Western North Carolina is a great place to visit if you are looking to witness something spooky or feel spirits nearby!

Whether you’re looking for a scare this Halloween or you just want to witness something strange and unexplained; these haunted WNC spots are sure to leave your skin crawling!

Is WNC Haunted?

With such a rich history, it is not surprising that many believe Western North Carolina to be haunted. Throughout WNC, you can find many different places that have gruesome pasts. Some of these places also have terrifying tales that make one shiver with fear.

There are four main areas in Western North Carolina that are considered to be haunted. These are Pisgah National Forest, Valle Crucis, Sylva, and Asheville. Out of the four areas, Asheville tends to have the most ghost stories and haunted places. Any of these locations can be the perfect place to spend Halloween or go on a ghost tour or hunt. 

Haunted Places In WNC

There are four main areas where you can find haunted places in Western North Carolina: Pisgah National Forest, Valle Crucis, Sylva, and Asheville. Out of the four areas, Asheville tends to be considered to be the most haunted. 

You can find many different places to check out when investigating the paranormal/supernatural in Western North Carolina, but here are a few of our favorite haunted Asheville spots!

The Biltmore Estate – Asheville

If you embark on a haunted tour of Asheville, you’re bound to encounter the renowned Biltmore Estate. Constructed by George Washington Vanderbilt II, he devoted a significant portion of his family’s wealth to bring this grand vision to life.

The estate was conceived as a mansion and grounds rivaling the grandeur of Europe’s finest residences. Today, it stands as a testament to a family that rivaled kings in wealth and serves as the backdrop for numerous ghostly encounters.

Eerie tales abound among visitors to the Biltmore Estate, with some claiming to hear faint whispers of the name ‘George’ echoing through its labyrinthine hallways. Whether you’re on a ghost hunt or simply exploring Asheville, visiting the Biltmore Estate is an absolute must.

Brown Mountain – Pisgah National Forest

If you’re eager to explore haunted locations beyond Asheville in the Western North Carolina area, a visit to the Pisgah National Forest offers an intriguing option. One of the prime destinations for paranormal enthusiasts is Brown Mountain within Pisgah National Forest.

Legend has it that ghostly lights, known as the Brown Mountain Lights, have been intermittently witnessed on this mountain over the centuries. These ethereal illuminations have drawn the attention of settlers, Cherokee Indians, Catawba Indians, and Civil War soldiers, with some of the earliest accounts dating back hundreds of years.

While sightings of these lights are rare, catching a glimpse of them is a captivating experience if you’re fortunate enough to do so.

Helen’s Bridge – Asheville

Helen’s Bridge is a haunting landmark in Asheville, steeped in one of the most sorrowful ghostly tales. The narrative unfolds around Helen, a woman who resided at or near Zealandia Mansion with her beloved daughter. Tragedy struck when her daughter perished in a devastating fire.

Overwhelmed by grief, Helen’s despair led her to take her own life, hanging herself from the very bridge that provided access to the mansion. It is believed that her tormented spirit lingers at the bridge and some claim she materializes when her name is called.

You’ll find Helen’s Bridge at 201 Beaucatcher Road, and this local ghost story has drawn countless curious souls seeking a glimpse of Helen. Some have reported eerie encounters, like their cars refusing to start after attempting to summon her presence.

If you’re truly daring and wish to catch a glimpse of the anguished mother’s spirit, bring your car to the bridge and call out for her. You might indeed witness Helen, or she may hold you captive in her spectral grip!

Highland Hospital – Asheville

If you’re on the hunt for locations notorious for their ghostly inhabitants, abandoned or aging hospitals often top the list. This holds true even when you’re exploring the haunted sites of Asheville.

In your quest for the eerie and the supernatural in Asheville, make sure to include Highland Hospital on your list. Situated in Asheville, North Carolina, Highland Hospital once served as a mental institution. Tragedy struck in 1948 when a devastating fire claimed the lives of at least nine individuals.

Among the victims of this inferno was Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of the renowned F. Scott Fitzgerald. It’s rumored that Zelda’s spirit lingers within the old hospital’s walls. Numerous visitors have reported glimpses of a female apparition within the hospital’s confines, and some have even managed to capture her ethereal image on camera.

Grove Park Inn – Asheville

The spirit that haunts the Grove Park Inn in Asheville has been named “The Pink Lady.” This spirit is a gentle one that resides in the old inn. It is believed that The Pink Lady is the spirit of a woman who died after falling from the fifth floor and landing on the Palm Court Floor in the 1920s. Many visitors have felt the presence of the spirit of The Pink Lady, and some have even witnessed sightings of the spirit.

Ghost Tours in WNC

While in Western North Carolina, you can take part in various ghost tours throughout the area.

Phantoms By Foot

Phantoms By Foot is one of the many different ghost tours you can take of haunted Asheville. This tour can lead you through stories of the ghosts who remain from the Civil War Battle of Asheville to the spirits of the Biltmore Estate. It is rated as one of the best haunted Asheville tours.

LaZoom Ghost Tours

While many ghost tours focus on the fear that arises from ghost stories or on the history of the area, the LaZoom Ghost Tours take a different approach. This guided comedy bus tour of Asheville finds humor in some of the area’s spooky tales. It only costs $33 per person, and the tours only last approximately an hour. It is a fun and easy addition to your vacation plan while staying in an Asheville, NC, rental house!

Haunted Asheville

Taking a Haunted Asheville tour is a great thing to do while staying in Asheville, NC. The Haunted Asheville tours are some of the oldest ghost tours in Asheville, NC. These tours are walking tours and last for approximately two hours. During your tour, you will learn about the history of Asheville, NC, as well as the spirits who still reside in the city.

Book Your Asheville Vacation Rental With Pete Key Properties

If you plan on going on a ghost tour or visiting haunted places in Western North Carolina, you should plan to stay in Asheville. And there is no better place than with Pete Key Properties!

Whether you’re planning a romantic fall escape, a fun-filled family vacation, or a ghost-hunting adventure, you’re sure to find the perfect Asheville vacation rentals for your stay with us! View all of our rentals and book your stay today!