10 Most Haunted Places in New Hampshire

New Hampshire wears its nickname, the Granite State, the way an old churchyard wears its headstones. The history runs deep and cold.

Colonial settlers, witch persecutions, pirate legends, and Gilded Age fortunes all left their mark on this rugged corner of New England. Each one seems to have left a ghost behind, too.

The state’s oldest cemeteries, grandest hotels, and most crumbling estates carry stories that simply refuse to fade. Locals have whispered about them for generations.

This guide ranks ten of the most haunted places in New Hampshire, from world famous resorts down to quiet graves in the woods. You can browse the full directory of all haunted places in New Hampshire for even more locations.

If you plan to chase these legends yourself, our ghost hunting equipment guide covers the gear that serious investigators actually carry.

We begin with the most celebrated haunt in the state and work our way down.

One word of caution first. Many of these sites are private homes, active facilities, or dangerous ruins. Please never trespass, and treat every burial ground with respect.

1. The Mount Washington Hotel, Bretton Woods

The Mount Washington Hotel rises as a brilliant white landmark against the backdrop of New Hampshire’s Presidential Range. It has welcomed guests since 1902, and it remains one of New England’s most actively haunted destinations.

Joseph Stickney commissioned the resort in 1900. Construction took two years and cost more than two million dollars, an astronomical sum for the era, and the hotel opened its doors on July 28, 1902.

Stickney died suddenly in 1903, just one year after his dream hotel opened. The most famous ghost here is his wife, Carolyn Stickney, whose presence feels so strong that many believe she never truly left her beloved creation.

Guests and staff have reported unexplained phenomena for decades, ranging from gentle encounters to genuinely unsettling moments. The resort quickly became the crown jewel of the White Mountains, and the legend of its founding family only deepened over the decades. Read the full history of the Mount Washington Hotel and its lingering spirits.

2. The Ocean Born Mary House, Henniker

Few homes in New England carry a legend as strange as this one. The Ocean Born Mary House is a Georgian Colonial mansion built in 1760 by Robert Wallace, and its story begins on the high seas.

The tale centers on Mary Wallace, known as Ocean Born Mary, said to have been born during a pirate attack. Her spirit allegedly roams the halls she once called home in the quiet countryside of Henniker.

Paranormal investigators consistently rank this house among New England’s most actively haunted private residences. Visitors and residents have reported encounters in nearly every room.

The property is a private home, so admire it only from a respectful distance. You can dig into the legend of the Ocean Born Mary House in our full profile.

3. Mystery Hill, America’s Stonehenge, Salem

Tucked into the woods of southern New Hampshire lies one of America’s most enigmatic locations. Mystery Hill, also called America’s Stonehenge, is a sprawling 30 acre archaeological site of ancient stone structures.

The complex includes stone chambers, astronomical alignments, and a carved slab often described as a sacrificial table. Estimates of its age range from 2,000 to 4,000 years old, and the true builders remain hotly debated.

Jonathan Pattee purchased the property in 1826 and built his homestead among the stones. In 1937 William Goodwin bought the land and began extensive archaeological work. The Pattee family had lived among these stones for generations, aware of the strange formations long before any archaeologist arrived.

Native American legends describe this as sacred ground with powerful spiritual energy, and visitors still report strange phenomena within the walls. Explore Mystery Hill and America’s Stonehenge in depth.

4. New Hampshire State Prison, Concord

The imposing stone walls of New Hampshire State Prison have held more than criminals over their long history. This correctional facility in the capital city has earned a reputation as one of the most haunted places in the Granite State.

The prison opened in 1812 as the state’s primary lockup. Over the decades it witnessed violent deaths, executions, and desperate acts of self harm that seemed to soak into the very stones. The energy of that suffering and despair still seems to hang in the air today.

Guards on the night shift describe shadowy figures pacing empty corridors long after lights out. Cell doors slam in wings closed for years, cold spots appear without cause, and disembodied voices whisper from empty cells.

This is an active facility and is not open to ghost hunters, so any visit means viewing it only from public ground. Read more about New Hampshire State Prison and its restless reputation.

5. Kimball Castle Ruins, Gilford

Perched high on Lockes Hill above Lake Winnipesaukee sit the crumbling remains of Kimball Castle. The stone ruins tell a story of grandeur lost to time and tragedy.

Benjamin Kimball, a Chicago businessman and railroad magnate, commissioned the castle in 1895 as a summer retreat. He spared no expense and chose the elevated site for its sweeping views of the lake.

Today the deteriorating towers and archways create an otherworldly atmosphere. Visitors who hike to the ruins often report feeling watched by unseen eyes among the abandoned walls. The castle now stands as a monument to both human ambition and ultimate loss.

The structure is unstable and the land is posted, so this is a look but do not enter location. Learn the full story of the Kimball Castle Ruins before you go.

6. Eunice Goody Cole’s Grave, Hampton

In historic Hampton lies the final resting place of New Hampshire’s only convicted witch. Eunice Goody Cole’s memorial stone sits at Meeting House Green Cemetery.

Her reputation as Hampton’s witch began in the 1650s. Unlike the more famous Salem trials, Goody Cole’s persecution stretched across nearly forty years of accusations, trials, and imprisonments.

Local residents feared her so deeply that they took extraordinary measures with her burial. Visitors today report unexplained phenomena around the site that many connect to those fearful acts.

Her story stands as a dark reminder of America’s witch trial era. Read the full account of Eunice Goody Cole’s grave.

7. Gilson Road Cemetery, Nashua

Gilson Road Cemetery sits quietly along a wooded stretch of rural Nashua. This small burial ground has drawn reports of strange occurrences for well over a century.

The graveyard was established around 1810 as a Gilson family plot, then expanded by the 1850s to serve other local families. Roughly 200 people are believed to be buried within its boundaries.

Visitors frequently describe an overwhelming sense of being watched among the old markers. The folklore ranges from mysterious lights to full bodied apparitions wandering between the graves. The oldest readable stone is said to belong to Abigail Gilson, a member of the founding family.

Many locals refuse to enter after dark. Visit respectfully in daylight, and read more about Gilson Road Cemetery.

8. The Vale, Lyman Estate, Walpole

Nestled in the quiet countryside sits The Vale, also known as the Lyman Estate. This imposing mansion has watched over Walpole for nearly two centuries.

Theodore Lyman II, a prominent Boston merchant, commissioned the original mansion in 1793 as a summer retreat from city life. He chose the picturesque Walpole countryside for his family’s seasonal escape.

Multiple deaths occurred within the walls over the decades, and the estate became a place of sorrow. Its reputation for supernatural activity has grown steadily since the mid 1900s. The property spans several acres of grounds and outbuildings, though the main Gothic Revival mansion draws the most attention from ghost hunters.

The grounds remain private property. Learn the layered history of The Vale and the Lyman Estate.

9. Pine Hill Cemetery, Hollis

Nestled among the rolling hills of southern New Hampshire sits Pine Hill Cemetery, which has watched over Hollis since the late 1700s. Ancient maple trees cast long shadows across the tombstones.

The cemetery was established in 1762, and the first recorded burial took place on November 3 of that year. Early settlers chose the elevated ground for its peaceful views and well drained soil. The consecrated ground soon became the final resting place for many prominent colonial families.

Local residents have shared tales of ghostly encounters here for generations. Strange lights are said to appear between the graves on moonless nights, and unexplained voices echo when no living person is present.

Keep to daylight hours and stay on the paths. Discover more about Pine Hill Cemetery.

10. Peterborough Town House, Peterborough

The Peterborough Town House stands as one of New Hampshire’s most historically significant and allegedly haunted buildings. Its elegant colonial architecture has served the community since the early 1800s.

What sets this location apart is the variety of experiences reported inside. Unlike sites with a single ghost story, the Town House is said to host multiple entities, each with its own preferred area of the building.

Visitors and staff alike have described eerie encounters within its walls for generations. Local residents still speak in hushed tones about the spirits that supposedly never left.

Its blend of history and ongoing activity makes it a fixture on New England ghost tours. Read the full profile of the Peterborough Town House.

From a Gilded Age hotel to a witch’s lonely grave, New Hampshire packs an astonishing amount of haunted history into one small state. Each of these sites rewards a respectful visit and a healthy sense of curiosity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most haunted place in New Hampshire?

The Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods tops most lists, largely thanks to the enduring presence of Carolyn Stickney. For dozens more options, browse all haunted places in New Hampshire.

Can you visit these haunted places in person?

Some are open to the public, including the Mount Washington Hotel and America’s Stonehenge. Others, like the Ocean Born Mary House, the state prison, and Kimball Castle, are private, active, or dangerous, so never trespass.

Who was Ocean Born Mary?

According to legend, Mary Wallace was born during a pirate attack at sea. Her name became attached to the Georgian Colonial house built in Henniker in 1760, where her spirit is said to linger.

Was a real witch buried in Hampton?

Yes. Eunice Goody Cole was the only person ever convicted of witchcraft in New Hampshire. Her persecution began in the 1650s and stretched across nearly forty years before her death.

When is the best time to explore New Hampshire’s haunted history?

Autumn brings crisp air, fog, and Halloween ghost tours that make the legends feel especially close. Whatever the season, visit cemeteries and estates only in daylight and always with permission.