Discover the Most Haunted Places in Tennessee: Your Complete Paranormal Guide

Tennessee’s rich history of Civil War battles, tragic train wrecks, and antebellum mansions has left an indelible mark on the landscape—and according to countless witnesses, on the spiritual realm as well. From the misty peaks of the Smoky Mountains to the blues-soaked streets of Memphis, the Volunteer State harbors some of America’s most compelling paranormal hotspots.

Why Is Tennessee So Haunted?

Tennessee’s reputation as a paranormal powerhouse stems from its turbulent history. The state witnessed some of the Civil War’s bloodiest battles, including Shiloh and Franklin, where thousands of soldiers perished in single days. The forced removal of Native Americans along the Trail of Tears left a legacy of sorrow across the region. Yellow fever epidemics decimated Memphis multiple times in the 1800s, and numerous train disasters, mining accidents, and violent crimes have all contributed to Tennessee’s spectral population.

The Bell Witch Cave – Adams, Tennessee

The Legend That Started It All

The Bell Witch haunting remains one of America’s most documented and terrifying paranormal cases. Between 1817 and 1821, the Bell family of Robertson County endured relentless torment from an entity that became known as the Bell Witch. The spirit—which identified itself as “Kate”—physically attacked family patriarch John Bell, spoke aloud to witnesses, predicted the future, and demonstrated powers that defied explanation.

What Happened Here

The haunting began with strange knocking sounds and escalated to violent physical attacks, particularly against John Bell and his daughter Betsy. The entity could speak, sing, quote scripture, and even appeared to multiple witnesses simultaneously in different locations. President Andrew Jackson reportedly encountered the witch during a visit and fled in terror. John Bell died in 1820 under mysterious circumstances, with the witch claiming responsibility.

The Cave’s Dark History

The Bell Witch Cave on the former Bell property has been a focal point of paranormal activity for over 200 years. Native American artifacts found in the cave suggest it was considered sacred long before European settlement. Visitors report:

• Disembodied voices and whispers
• Physical sensations of being touched or pushed
• Camera and electronic malfunctions
• Unexplained cold spots despite the cave’s consistent temperature
• Feelings of overwhelming dread in certain passages

Visiting Information

The Bell Witch Cave is open for tours seasonally. The site includes a reconstructed cabin and a gift shop. Photography is permitted, though many visitors report their cameras malfunctioning in specific areas of the cave. The annual Bell Witch Fall Festival celebrates this dark history each October.

The Orpheum Theatre – Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis’s Most Elegant Haunting

Built in 1928 on the site of the Grand Opera House, the Orpheum Theatre represents the golden age of American entertainment—and apparently, some performers never left. This ornate venue in downtown Memphis is widely considered one of the most actively haunted theaters in the United States.

Mary: The Little Girl Who Never Left

The theatre’s most famous spirit is Mary, a young girl believed to have died in the 1920s. According to legend, Mary was struck by a trolley car on Beale Street and died in the original theatre. She’s most often spotted in seat C-5 on the mezzanine level, which staff keep reserved for her during performances.

Paranormal Activity

• Mary’s apparition has been seen by countless staff, performers, and patrons
• Seat C-5 will sometimes be found depressed, as if someone is sitting there
• Performers report feeling a childlike presence during rehearsals
• Unexplained laughter and the sound of running footsteps
• Lights flickering and equipment malfunctions during shows
• Cold spots throughout the building, particularly near C-5

Other Spirits

Beyond Mary, staff report multiple entities:

• A man in a tuxedo seen in the balcony (possibly a former patron)
• A maintenance worker who died in the building continues his rounds
• Various performers from the vaudeville era

Visiting the Orpheum

The theatre hosts Broadway shows, concerts, and classic film screenings. Backstage tours are occasionally available, though the theatre doesn’t specifically market its haunted history. Many audience members report unexplained phenomena during performances.

Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary – Petros, Tennessee

Tennessee’s Alcatraz

Operating from 1896 to 2009, Brushy Mountain housed Tennessee’s most dangerous criminals in brutal conditions. This maximum-security prison, built partially by convict labor, witnessed countless deaths from violence, disease, suicide, and botched executions. The prison’s most famous inmate, James Earl Ray (assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.), escaped in 1977 but was recaptured after 55 hours.

A Century of Suffering

Life at Brushy Mountain was harsh beyond modern comprehension. Prisoners endured:

• Extreme overcrowding in the early decades
• Minimal heating in winter, suffocating heat in summer
• Rampant violence between inmates
• Harsh punishments including solitary confinement
• Poor medical care leading to preventable deaths
• Coal mining accidents (prisoners worked the mines until 1968)

Documented Paranormal Activity

Since opening for tours in 2018, Brushy Mountain has become a paranormal investigation hotspot:

Death Row Block

• Shadow figures moving between cells
• Disembodied voices pleading or screaming
• The sound of cell doors slamming when all cells are open
• Sudden temperature drops
• Overwhelming feelings of despair and hopelessness

The Hole (Solitary Confinement)

• Apparitions of men in prison uniforms
• Scratching sounds on cell walls
• Aggressive responses during EVP sessions
• Visitors feeling physically ill or psychologically disturbed
• Multiple investigators report being scratched or pushed

The Mine Entrance

• Residual haunting of mining sounds
• Apparitions of prisoners in mining gear
• Equipment malfunctions near the entrance

Cell Block 9

• Most actively haunted section
• Full-bodied apparitions caught on camera
• Intelligent responses to questions during investigations
• Objects moving on their own

Visiting Information

Brushy Mountain offers daytime historical tours and overnight paranormal investigations. The facility includes a distillery, restaurant, and museum. This is not recommended for children due to the intense atmosphere and disturbing history. Paranormal investigation equipment is available for rent.

Carnton Plantation – Franklin, Tennessee

The Bloodiest Hours of the Civil War

On November 30, 1864, Carnton Plantation became a field hospital after the Battle of Franklin—five hours of combat so intense it resulted in approximately 10,000 casualties. The plantation’s owners, the McGavock family, tended to wounded and dying soldiers throughout the night as bodies covered every inch of their home.

The Night That Changed Everything

Imagine blood soaking through the floorboards as surgeons amputated limbs on the dining room table. The screams of dying men echoing through halls meant for dinner parties and dances. Hundreds of soldiers drawing their last breaths in rooms where children once played. The McGavocks transformed their home into a sanctuary for the broken and dying, later establishing the McGavock Confederate Cemetery where 1,481 soldiers rest.

Paranormal Activity

Inside the Mansion

• Bloodstains on the floors that cannot be removed (still visible today)
• Apparitions of wounded soldiers throughout the house
• Disembodied moans and cries of pain
• The smell of gunpowder, blood, and death
• Cold spots in the operating room areas
• Visitors feeling suddenly ill or experiencing phantom pain
• Shadow figures moving between rooms

The Cemetery

• Soldiers in Confederate uniforms seen walking among graves
• The sound of marching feet and musket fire
• Orbs and light anomalies in photographs
• Feelings of being watched
• Civil War-era music heard near the graves

Specific Spirits

• A soldier who appears in an upstairs window
• A Confederate officer on the back porch
• Carrie McGavock herself, still tending to her charges
• Multiple soldiers who seem unaware the war has ended

Historical Significance

Beyond its paranormal reputation, Carnton offers crucial insights into Civil War medicine, the Battle of Franklin, and civilian experiences during wartime. The preserved bloodstains serve as a powerful reminder of the battle’s terrible cost.

Visiting Information

Carnton is open for daily tours focusing on the Battle of Franklin and the McGavock family’s humanitarian efforts. While staff don’t emphasize the hauntings during regular tours, paranormal investigations can be arranged. The cemetery is free to visit during daylight hours.

The Tennessee State Prison – Nashville, Tennessee

The Castle on the Cumberland

This imposing castle-like structure operated from 1898 to 1992, housing some of Tennessee’s most notorious criminals. The massive limestone fortress witnessed 125 executions (by hanging and electric chair), riots, murders, and endless suffering during nearly a century of operation.

Death and Despair Behind Stone Walls

The prison’s history includes:

• Multiple prisoner riots, including a deadly 1985 uprising
• Rampant gang violence and murders
• Executions continuing until 1960
• Severe overcrowding (designed for 800, held up to 1,500)
• A 1902 fire that killed several inmates
• Countless suicides and deaths from disease

Paranormal Hotspots

The Electric Chair Room This location holds the chair that executed 125 men. Investigators report:

• The strongest electromagnetic field readings in the prison
• Apparitions of prisoners and guards
• The smell of burning flesh
• Overwhelming negative energy
• Equipment failures and battery drains
• Voices saying “help me” and “I’m innocent”

Death Row

• Shadow figures darting between cells
• Cell doors opening and closing on their own
• Disembodied conversations
• The sound of footsteps when areas are empty
• Extreme cold spots

Cell Block 1

• The oldest section with the most violent history
• Full apparitions of prisoners in vintage uniforms
• Aggressive paranormal activity
• Objects thrown by unseen forces
• Feelings of being watched or followed

A-Block (The Hole)

• Solitary confinement cells
• Oppressive atmosphere causing anxiety and panic
• Scratching sounds on walls
• Shadows with no source
• Reports of being touched or grabbed

Pop Culture Fame

The prison has appeared in numerous films including “The Green Mile,” “Walk the Line,” and “The Last Castle.” Many cast and crew members reported unexplained phenomena during filming.

Visiting Information

Tennessee State Prison offers guided historical and paranormal tours. The facility is not climate-controlled and can be extremely hot in summer or cold in winter. Due to the intense atmosphere and explicit history, tours are not recommended for children. Advanced booking is required.

The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa – Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Wait—this is Arkansas, not Tennessee. Let me continue with Tennessee locations.

The Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, Tennessee

The Mother Church of Country Music

Built in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, the Ryman Auditorium became the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. This venue launched countless music careers and witnessed both triumph and tragedy on its historic stage.

Captain Thomas Ryman’s Legacy

The building’s namesake, riverboat captain Thomas Ryman, underwent a conversion during a tent revival and dedicated his life to building a tabernacle. He died in 1904, but many believe he never left his beloved building.

Paranormal Activity

Captain Ryman’s Spirit

• Apparition of a man in late-1800s attire on the balcony
• Feelings of a benevolent presence watching over the building
• Lights turning on/off in specific patterns
• Cold spots near his memorial plaque

The Confederate Gallery The former Confederate Gallery (now the balcony) is particularly active:

• Civil War soldiers seen in period uniforms
• The smell of gunpowder and tobacco
• Residual sounds of boots on wooden floors
• Apparitions of men looking down at the stage

Backstage Phenomena

• Hank Williams Sr.’s presence felt in dressing rooms
• Musical instruments playing by themselves
• Voices and laughter when the building is empty
• Equipment malfunctions during sound checks
• Performers feeling a presence during rehearsals

The Stage

• Spotlights focusing on empty areas
• Unexplained footsteps on the wooden boards
• Microphones picking up phantom voices
• Cold breezes with no source

Visiting Information

The Ryman offers daily tours and hosts concerts year-round. Self-guided tour options allow visitors to explore at their own pace. Many musicians refuse to discuss their paranormal experiences publicly but acknowledge the building’s “unique energy.”

Chickamauga Battlefield – Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia/Tennessee Border

The River of Death

While primarily in Georgia, Chickamauga Battlefield extends into Tennessee and represents one of the Civil War’s bloodiest engagements. September 19-20, 1863, saw approximately 34,000 casualties—more than any other battle except Gettysburg.

The Green-Eyed Soldier

The battlefield’s most famous entity is the “Green-Eyed Soldier,” reported by countless visitors over decades:

• A Confederate soldier with glowing green eyes
• Appears near the Brotherton Cabin and Wilder Tower
• Stares at witnesses but doesn’t speak
• Sometimes seen carrying a musket
• Vanishes when approached

Other Paranormal Activity

Wilder Tower

• Phantom cannon fire and musket shots
• The smell of smoke and gunpowder
• Soldiers in Union and Confederate uniforms
• Horses and the sound of cavalry charges
• Drums and military commands

Snodgrass Hill (“The Rock of Chickamauga”)

• Site of the Union’s desperate last stand
• Heavy residual energy
• Apparitions of wounded soldiers
• The sound of battle replaying
• Overwhelming sadness and desperation

Brotherton Cabin

• Original structure from the battle
• Soldiers seeking shelter appear inside
• Bloodstains that reappear
• Cold spots throughout
• Voices calling for water or medical help

The Fields Visitors across the 5,400-acre park report:

• Full-scale phantom battle reenactments
• Soldiers walking through campsites
• Period music and singing
• Horses galloping without riders
• Mist figures moving across fields

Visiting Information

The battlefield is open daily and is free to enter. The visitor center offers exhibits and a film about the battle. Rangers discourage visitors after dark, but the park is technically accessible 24 hours. Many paranormal investigators visit during anniversary dates in September.

The Read House Hotel – Chattanooga, Tennessee

Elegance and Tragedy

Operating since 1926 (with origins dating to 1847), the Read House has hosted presidents, celebrities, and countless travelers—along with at least one permanent resident who checked in but never checked out.

The Bride in Room 311

The hotel’s most famous ghost is a young woman in a wedding dress, seen primarily on the third floor:

The Legend While details vary, the most common version tells of a bride who discovered her groom’s infidelity on their wedding night in Room 311. In despair, she took her own life in the room. Another version suggests she was stood up at the altar and hanged herself in grief.

Her Manifestations

• Full apparition in a vintage wedding dress
• Appears sad or crying
• Sometimes seen in hallways, other times in Room 311
• The smell of roses accompanies her appearance
• Cold spots and electrical disturbances
• Feelings of overwhelming sadness
• Some guests report feeling a presence sitting on their bed

Other Paranormal Activity

Room 311

• Most requested room for paranormal enthusiasts
• Objects moving on their own
• Bathroom fixtures turning on/off
• Guests feeling unwelcome or watched
• Strange dreams or nightmares
• Some visitors refuse to spend the full night

Third Floor Hallways

• Shadow figures
• Sounds of sobbing
• Phantom footsteps
• Doors opening and closing
• Elevators stopping at the third floor with no one waiting

Additional Spirits

• A man in 1920s attire in the lobby
• A little girl playing in hallways
• A soldier from various eras (Chattanooga has rich military history)

Historical Context

Chattanooga saw significant Civil War action, and the hotel sits in a historically rich area. The original hotel on the site burned down, and some believe spirits from the earlier structure remain.

Visiting Information

The Read House operates as a luxury hotel, and guests can request Room 311 specifically. The hotel acknowledges its haunted reputation but maintains a professional atmosphere. It’s centrally located for exploring Chattanooga’s attractions.

The Shiloh Battlefield – Shiloh, Tennessee

The Devil’s Own Day

April 6-7, 1862, marked one of the Civil War’s earliest massive battles. In just two days, approximately 23,746 casualties occurred—more than all previous American wars combined. The battlefield’s Sunken Road became known as “Bloody Pond” after wounded soldiers from both sides crawled there to drink, turning the water red.

Residual Energy and Active Hauntings

Bloody Pond Perhaps the most haunted location at Shiloh:

• Apparitions of wounded soldiers crawling toward the water
• The sound of men moaning in pain
• The water appearing to turn red at dawn
• Feelings of intense thirst and pain
• Paranormal activity spikes during rain (similar to battle conditions)
• Phantom soldiers drinking from the pond

The Hornet’s Nest Where Union forces held for hours under intense fire:

• The sound of bullets and artillery (like angry hornets)
• Soldiers taking defensive positions
• Commands being shouted
• The smell of gunpowder
• Screams and battle cries
• Residual energy so strong visitors become disoriented

The Sunken Road

• Confederate soldiers charging
• The sounds of intense fighting
• Witnesses reporting feeling like they’re IN the battle
• Temperature drops
• Equipment malfunctions
• Overwhelming emotions

Shiloh Church The small church that gave the battle its name:

• Soldiers seeking shelter
• Phantom prayer services
• The sound of artillery hitting the building
• Officers planning strategy
• Wounded men crying out

Throughout the Park The 4,000-acre battlefield features:

• Drum beats and bugle calls at dawn and dusk
• Full-scale phantom battle replays, especially on the anniversary
• Campfire smoke with no source
• Soldiers marching in formation
• Horses and artillery wagons
• Period music and singing
• Figures disappearing into the tree line

The Peach Orchard Where thousands fell among blooming peach trees:

• The scent of peach blossoms mixed with gunpowder
• Confederate soldiers advancing through the trees
• Wounded men lying among the petals
• The orchard blooming at the wrong time of year (reported phenomenon)

Visiting Information

Shiloh National Military Park is open daily with a visitor center, museum, and film about the battle. The park offers a self-guided driving tour with interpretive stops. Rangers lead walks and talks during peak season. The park is especially active during anniversary weekends in early April.

Bobby Mackey’s Music World – Wilder, Kentucky (Near Tennessee Border)

Portal to Hell or Elaborate Legend?

Though technically in Kentucky, this location is mere miles from Tennessee and draws paranormal enthusiasts from across the region. Bobby Mackey’s reputation as one of America’s most haunted buildings is legendary—and controversial.

The Slaughterhouse Foundation

The building sits on the foundation of a 19th-century slaughterhouse. After the slaughterhouse closed, the basement well allegedly was used to dispose of blood and waste—and according to legend, darker purposes.

Layered Tragedies

Multiple violent events stain this location’s history:

• 1896: Pearl Bryan, five months pregnant, was murdered and decapitated by her boyfriend and his occultist friend. Her head was never found, and some believe it was thrown in the well during a satanic ritual
• The 1920s: The location operated as a speakeasy with mob connections
• 1930s-1940s: A nightclub where murders and suicides occurred
• Daughter of owner Johanna allegedly poisoned her father and committed suicide in the building

Documented Paranormal Claims

The Well/Portal

• Rumored gateway to hell
• Source of the most intense activity
• Demonic entities reported
• Extreme negative energy
• Smell of sulfur
• Visitors feeling pushed or attacked

Pearl Bryan’s Spirit

• Woman in 1890s clothing
• Searching for her head
• Particularly active in the dressing rooms
• Sometimes appears headless
• Associated with the smell of roses

Johanna

• Woman in 1930s attire
• Most active in the upstairs
• Turns on jukeboxes
• Appears sad or angry
• Protective of her space

Malevolent Entities

• Scratches and physical attacks
• Oppressive atmosphere
• Feelings of being watched with malicious intent
• Objects thrown
• Violent responses during investigations
• Multiple exorcisms performed

Controversy and Skepticism

Many paranormal investigators question whether Bobby Mackey’s reputation exceeds its actual paranormal activity. Some suggest the legends have been embellished for commercial purposes. However, the sheer volume of reports and the number of people who refuse to return suggest something genuinely unsettling about the location.

Visiting Information

Bobby Mackey’s operates as a country music nightclub. The owner has posted warnings about potential paranormal dangers and requires visitors to sign a waiver. Paranormal tours are available. The location has been featured on multiple paranormal television shows.

Tips for Paranormal Investigation in Tennessee

Respect and Preparation

1. Research the history – Understanding what happened helps you interpret experiences
2. Respect the dead – These were real people who suffered real tragedies
3. Follow rules – Many haunted locations have specific visiting hours and restrictions
4. Don’t trespass – Abandoned buildings may be dangerous and illegal to enter
5. Bring proper equipment – Flashlights, cameras, voice recorders, EMF meters

Safety Considerations

• Never investigate alone
• Tell someone where you’re going
• Bring first aid supplies
• Watch for physical hazards in historic buildings
• Be aware of your mental state – leave if you feel threatened
• Some locations (prisons, battlefields) can be emotionally overwhelming

Best Times to Visit

• Anniversary dates of tragic events show increased activity
• Dawn and dusk (transitional times)
• Overnight investigations when available
• Fall and winter seem more active in Tennessee

What to Bring

• Camera (both regular and infrared)
• Voice recorder for EVP sessions
• EMF meter
• Thermometer
• Notebook for documenting experiences
• Extra batteries (paranormal activity drains them quickly)
• Skepticism and an open mind in equal measure

The Ongoing Mystery

Tennessee’s haunted locations offer more than just ghost stories—they provide connections to the past, windows into historical tragedies, and reminders of lives cut short by war, accident, and violence. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, these locations force us to confront mortality and consider the possibility that some echoes of the past never fully fade.

From the Bell Witch’s terrifying manifestations to the endless replays of Civil War battles, Tennessee’s paranormal landscape remains one of America’s richest and most documented. The question isn’t whether these locations are haunted—it’s what haunts them, and why these spirits seem unable to move on from the places where they suffered, fought, and died.