13 Most Haunted in Tennessee: From Memphis to Monsters

The most haunted places in Tennessee are more than just Southern folklore. 

This is where bluegrass meets the blue beyond; pack your flashlight and your biggest boots because in the Volunteer State, some spirits are just dying to stay relevant.

These are the 13 most haunted places in Tennessee:

Bell Witch Cave

Adams

The story of the Bell Witch begins in the early 1800s, with John Bell and his family. They lived there for over 10 years, until 1817, when they started encountering strange animals and hearing unexplainable noises.

The haunting began when John shot at an animal that had the body of a dog but the head of a rabbit. There was another animal described as a turkey-sized bird, and a little girl in a green dress, whose identity was unknown, was often seen hanging around in a tree. 

The unexplainable noises manifested as knocks on walls, chains dragging, rats gnawing on bedposts, and stones dropping, but no physical source could ever be identified. 

The disturbances quickly escalated into full-blown attacks, centered mostly on the youngest daughter, Betsy Bell. Witnesses described knocking sounds, chains dragging across floors, stones falling from nowhere, and the sounds of rats gnawing on furniture. A disembodied voice soon began speaking throughout the house, taunting and threatening the family.

Locals believed the entity was the spirit of Kate Batts, a neighbor who thought John Bell had cheated her in a land deal. After her death, the haunting began. 

She endured nightly assaults that included slaps, hair-pulling, and sharp pinches. At times, invisible hands would choke her or throw her across the room. The physical torment got so bad that Betsy lost consciousness, leaving her family terrified and helpless. Witnesses outside the family saw her bruises and welts appear in real time.

John Bell eventually became the target, suffering from an unexplained illness that led to his death in 1820. His passing was blamed directly on the Bell Witch, making Tennessee the only state that attributes a person’s death to supernatural causes.

The Bell Witch Cave is located on the very land where the Bell family once lived. Many believe the witch moved into the cave after the family fled. 

Today, visitors report hearing whispers, seeing flickering lights, and feeling cold gusts with no source or a rock hurled from seemingly nowhere. 

Lotz House

Franklin

The Lotz House is one of the most haunted places in Tennessee, its walls heavy with energy from the Civil War. Built in 1858 by Johann Albert Lotz, the home was directly in the line of fire during the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. 

Terrified, the Lotz family fled across the street to the Carter House after the battle to find thousands of dead and wounded soldiers surrounding their property. Bodies were stacked as high as six feet.

Today, the Lotz House is a museum. Visitors have reported countless unexplained experiences, including the sounds of drums, voices, and shadowy figures dressed in Civil War uniforms. 

The spirit of a little girl is seen staring out the window; a woman has been heard crying inside the house. Museum guests regularly hear what they believe are Civil War reenactors practicing outside. 

When they check, there is no one there. At other times, the drumming sounds come from inside the house, loud enough to shake the floorboards. Apparitions of men in uniform have been seen around the grounds, and some visitors feel an intense sense of sorrow, as if the building itself remembers the horrors of war.

The Lotz House is open for daily tours, and private paranormal investigations can also be arranged. 

Cragfont

Castalian Springs

Cragfont was completed in 1802 by General James Winchester, a Revolutionary War veteran who helped establish Tennessee’s frontier settlements. 

Before the mansion was even built, tragedy struck.

James’s brother, George Winchester, was killed by Native Americans in 1794 near the site. He was killed and scalped in what was one of the last violent frontier clashes in the region.

Locals say George’s spirit is seen on the ground near the place where he lost his life. The house itself became a symbol of progress in early Tennessee, standing tall on the original road connecting Knoxville to the East Coast.

Manifestations include footsteps in empty hallways, objects found moved from one room to another without explanation, caretakers pushed and slapped by an invisible force, candles lighting themselves, and beds becoming mysteriously unmade. 

One of the weirdest reports includes rooms suddenly filling with dead insects in an upstairs bedroom. Caretakers at Cragfont have reported finding entire patches of dead insects, sometimes hundreds of them, in the morning after the site closes. These clusters appear in corners or on the floor, with no sign of an infestation beforehand. 

Conway Twitty, the country music legend, once experienced this firsthand: After witnessing items being thrown across a room, he left the Cragfront and refused to return.

Today, Cragfont is open for public tours, meaning you can get inside one of the most haunted places in Tennessee.

Earnestine & Hazel’s

Memphis

Earnestine & Hazel’s is a Memphis landmark with a long, layered past that earns it a spot on our list of the most haunted places in Tennessee. 

Built in the late 1800s, the building has lived many lives: first as a church, then a pharmacy, followed by a jazz café, a brothel, and finally, a dive bar. With so many people coming and going over the decades, it’s no wonder it’s super haunted.

The upstairs area, once home to the brothel, is where most of the supernatural activity is concentrated. Employees refuse to go up there alone. Phantom footsteps echo above their heads, even when the second floor is empty. People have heard conversations and laughter coming from upstairs rooms. A piano reportedly plays by itself, and the vintage jukebox plays unasked.

Russell George, the man who reopened Earnestine & Hazel’s in 1993 on St. Patrick’s Day, poured his heart into the place and was close friends with Earnestine. Sadly, George committed suicide upstairs.

On the day James Brown died, two employees were talking about him when the jukebox suddenly blasted his hit “I Feel Good,” despite no one touching it. Lights flicker without warning, sometimes dimming to near darkness, and at other times flaring so bright that it startles patrons, even in broad daylight.

Even beyond the hauntings, Earnestine & Hazel’s carries the soul of Memphis music history. The venue has hosted legends like Ray Charles, who once stayed upstairs, using heroin and mingling with prostitutes. 

With its mix of music, mystery, and memories, Earnestine & Hazel’s remains one of the most haunted places in Tennessee.

Loretta Lynn’s Ranch

Hurricane Mills

Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills is one of the most haunted places in Tennessee.

Just west of Nashville, this huge property was once the home of country legend Loretta Lynn and her family. Today, it serves as a big tourist destination featuring camping, museums, shops, and family-friendly activities.

The main house on the property, an 1800s-era plantation, has seen a range of supernatural activity. Loretta and her children often spoke of shadowy figures, strange voices, and encounters that could not be explained. 

Her daughters recalled seeing Civil War soldiers inside the house, and her eldest son once awoke to find an apparition trying to remove his boots in what the family called the “Brown Room.” 

Neither he nor his brother ever slept in that room again.

During their early years living in the mansion, the Lynn family began researching the property’s history and learned that a Civil War battle had taken place right on the grounds, and more than 18 Confederate soldiers are buried on-site. These discoveries matched the strange events they had already experienced, including knocks from inside closets, footsteps in empty rooms, and figures in uniforms on the stairs and balconies.

The hauntings are not limited to the house. People have reported seeing ghostly soldiers outside near the woods and creek beds, sometimes sitting or walking as if unaware of the living. 

Tour guides and staff members speak of a woman in white who often appears on the front balcony. Loretta once saw her pacing back and forth, wringing her hands in distress. Thinking it was the babysitter, Loretta rushed inside only to find the sitter unaware of anyone else in the house.

Visitors also see full-bodied apparitions at the top of the stairs or along the walkway to the home. Housekeeping staff often straighten framed albums on the walls, only to return later to find them on the floor. The chandelier in the home once turned on by itself while the entire house was without power, something Loretta’s grandson witnessed as a teenager.

Loretta Lynn’s Ranch remains open for tours, with thousands of guests visiting each year to explore the property. While the upstairs area of the mansion is off-limits because of its intense activity, guests can take guided tours of the lower level.

The ranch has evolved into a full-scale attraction with RV and tent camping, live music, gift shops, and seasonal festivals.

Shiloh National Military Park

Shiloh

Shiloh National Military Park is a reminder of one of the most horrible clashes of the American Civil War. 

On April 6 and 7, 1862, Union and Confederate forces collided, with more than 23,000 casualties. Today, this 5,000-acre site is preserved as a military park, but it is also one of the most haunted places in Tennessee. 

The Shiloh National Cemetery holds over 3,500 Civil War soldiers, almost 2,400 of whom are unidentified. 

This section of the park is the most haunted. 

Guests have heard voices, musket fire, drumming, and the screams of soldiers. Those who stand quietly by the gravestones often feel chills in the air, even on the warmest summer days. 

Elsewhere in the park, many of the fallen soldiers were laid in mass graves, often in unhallowed ground. Around areas like the Hornet’s Nest, where the fighting was especially intense, visitors report hearing gunshots, moans, and desperate but distant screams for help. 

The nearby pond, once stained red from the bodies of dead men and horses, appears red again, as if replaying the past.

However, the land tells an even older story. Shiloh National Military Park also protects the Shiloh Indian Mounds, remnants of a prehistoric Mississippian culture that lived along the Tennessee River over 800 years ago. This area was once a thriving town with homes, council houses, and ceremonial structures. 

One burial mound, different in shape from the others, is believed to hold the remains of tribal leaders. Guests visiting the mounds report strange shifts in temperature or sudden chills followed by bursts of warmth. Some have seen lights darting in and out of the earth or hovering over the mounds.

The Thomas House Hotel

Red Boiling Springs

The Thomas House Hotel in Red Boiling Springs ranks high among the most haunted places in Tennessee, and CNN once ranked it as the second most haunted place in the entire United States.

Originally built in 1890 by Zack and Clay Cloyd, the hotel was created to serve the wealthy visitors who traveled to Red Boiling Springs for its supposed healing mineral waters.

The original wooden structure was burned down in 1924, but the red brick Thomas House Hotel was rebuilt and reopened in 1927. A second fire in the 1990s damaged the building again, but it has since been fully restored.

Throughout its long history, the hotel has been the scene of multiple tragedies, including suicides, murders, and unexplained deaths. These events, combined with the hotel’s location, which is built over split limestone and surrounded by intersecting creeks that were once part of a Native American trail, have led many to believe that the energy on the property is unusually charged. 

Guests at the Thomas House experience weirdness like Cold spots appearing out of nowhere or beds shaking in the middle of the night. Dark figures are seen at the foot of the bed or peeking around corners. Voices whisper through empty hallways. Some say the voices follow them down the corridor, as if someone is just behind them.

The Cult: One of the more infamous stories involves a cult that operated within the hotel during the 1970s or 1980s. Locals whispered about rituals in the woods nearby and unexplained disappearances. While no charges were filed, investigators have discovered strange markings on the property and heard unsettling reports from longtime residents of the town.

Sara: Among the many spirits thought to reside at the Thomas House, the most well-known is a young girl named Sara. In 1920, she was brought to the hotel by her family in hopes that the mineral springs would cure her. 

Sara died just three days later, and today, her presence is felt on the upper floors. Guests have seen a small figure run past their room or heard the soft laughter of a child.

Ryman Auditorium 

Nashville

The Ryman Auditorium is not just a musical landmark in Nashville; it is one of the most haunted places in Tennessee. Built in 1892, it eventually became known as the “Mother Church of Country Music.” 

From the early days of gospel preaching to its legendary stint as home to the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman’s stage has hosted everyone from Johnny Cash to Elvis Presley. 

Although the Grand Ole Opry moved to Opryland in the 1970s, the Ryman still operates, giving tours during the day and performances at night. 

Over the years, staff, performers, and guests have had countless paranormal experiences within its 2,300-seat hall. 

Paranormal Activity at Ryman Auditorium:

• Hank Williams Sr.: The country legend is frequently seen and heard backstage and on stage as a white mist, especially during quiet moments. His voice has been heard singing during sound checks when no one else is on the mic. He’s also been spotted near the alleyway that connects the Ryman to Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, where he often drank between sets.
• The Gray Man: A man dressed in full Confederate uniform has been spotted during rehearsals, silently sitting in the balcony and watching the stage. He disappears before anyone can approach him and never appears during actual performances.
• Thomas Ryman: The original owner of the auditorium makes his displeasure known when he doesn’t approve of a performance. Loud knocking, unexplained sounds, and doors slamming mid-performance are all attributed to Ryman voicing his disapproval.
• The Grand Ole Opry Curse: This lingering legend links the Ryman to a string of tragic deaths. More than 35 performers associated with the Opry have died under sudden or violent circumstances, fueling what some call the Grand Ole Opry Curse. Among them are Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves, who died in plane crashes; Stringbean Akeman, who was murdered in a home invasion; Texas Ruby Fox, who burned to death; and Ira Louvin, who was killed in a car accident. 

The Read House Hotel

Chattanooga

With its grand chandeliers, Jazz Age charm, and dark past, the Read House Hotel in Chattanooga is haunted AF. 

Originally opened in 1872, this historic hotel has hosted a diverse range of guests, including celebrities and presidents. Room 311 is at the heart of the Read House’s haunted reputation, thanks to a woman named Annalisa Netherly who lived there in the 1920s and 1930s.

There are a few versions of Annalisa’s story:

• Some say she was a prostitute whose jealous husband discovered her with another man and murdered her in a fit of rage. 
• Another version claims Annalisa was beheaded in the clawfoot tub. 
• A third version says heartbreak drove her to suicide after she was rejected by a client. 

While her true story remains a mystery, guests continue to report activity within the room, lights flickering, water running, cold spots, and the unmistakable feeling of being watched.

Room 311 has been fully restored to reflect the year of Annalisa’s death, 1927. The vintage AM radio, clawfoot tub, and antique furnishings all perfectly match the era. Unlike the rest of the hotel, the door is secured by an old-fashioned manual lock that requires a physical key.

Beyond Annalisa’s room, paranormal encounters have happened in other parts of the hotel. Shadowy figures, cold breezes in empty hallways, and whispers have all been experienced on the fourth floor. During the Civil War, the property was a makeshift hospital for wounded soldiers, and many believe their energy has been imprinted on the hotel. 

Sensabaugh Tunnel

Kingsport

Constructed in the early 1920s, the Senasbaugh Tunnel was originally part of a quiet rural roadway, but over the years, cracks in the walls and layers of graffiti and grime have accumulated. 

The legend of the tunnel revolves around a man named Edward Sensabaugh.

There are multiple versions of Edward:

• In one version, Edward was a family man who went crazy and murdered his wife and children, then threw their bodies into the nearby creek that runs through the tunnel.
• Another version says he allowed a homeless man into his home. The man attempted to rob him and, in the chaos, took Edward’s baby daughter. He fled and drowned the child in the tunnel. 

Then there’s a third version, cited by the official Kingsport city website, which claims that Edward never lost a child, but just a dude who was frustrated with the vandals defacing the tunnel. 

To scare them off, he would hide near the tunnel’s end and scream into the darkness.

Regardless of which story you believe, the tunnel’s reputation is fueled by countless reports over the years. People hear footsteps behind them, gunshots, and the cries of a baby; Drivers who park inside the tunnel and turn off their engines often find that their cars refuse to start.

Sensabaugh Tunnel is not an official tourist site, but its legacy continues through generations of Tennesseans.

The Peabody Hotel

Memphis

Known across the South, the Peabody Hotel is also one of the most haunted places in Tennessee, open since 1869. The Peabody’s most famous residents are its ducks, five mallards that march from their rooftop home to the lobby fountain daily in a tradition dating back to 1933. 

The hotel’s hauntings center around the eleventh floor and the lobby. The eleventh floor is the most active, where guests hear whispers, experience cold spots, and see shadows. 

During the Great Depression, several (formerly) wealthy businessmen jumped to their deaths from Peabody’s upper floors after losing everything. The energy on that floor remains heavy, and many say they feel watched while walking to their rooms.

Another spirit seen is George Peabody. Guests have described seeing a distinguished man with large white mutton chops (big side burns connected to a mustache) wandering the hotel. 

Carnton Plantation 

Franklin

The Carnton Plantation, built in 1826, was a grand Southern home that played a central role in one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, the Battle of Franklin. 

Located just south of Nashville, Carnton served as a field hospital for Confederate soldiers during and after the brutal five-hour clash on November 30, 1864. 

Today, the home is a museum, allowing visitors to explore the mansion and the nearby cemetery of nearly 1,700 Confederate graves.

After the battle, John and Carrie McGavock transformed their property into a place of healing and mourning. Their home became a refuge for the wounded and dying. In 1866, two acres of their land were officially designated as a cemetery. Artifacts from the McGavocks family, including a leather-bound journal, finger bowls, and the cemetery book with name and grave locations of nearly 1,500 soldiers, are now on display in the house museum.

The energy at Carnton is most intense during the fall, especially around dusk. Many believe the spirits grow restless as the anniversary of the battle approaches. Visitors have reported sightings of Confederate soldiers in the fields, pacing near the front porch, or standing by the graves.

One tale involves a pair of unidentified twin brothers buried side by side. Those who walk the right-most row of graves sometimes feel invisible fingers grabbing or tickling their ankles as they pass.

A woman in white has been seen floating across the back porch, particularly during the month of October. In the kitchen, the form of a young girl, said to have been murdered by a jealous lover before the war, is seen sweeping the floors at sunset. 

Another manifestation is the family cook from the Civil War era. Her presence is felt near mealtimes; some hear pots clanging and footsteps moving across the floor. Others have seen her floating head gliding through the kitchen or down the hallway, or heard weird stuff in the kitchen when no one is there.

With its deep ties to the Civil War, Carnton Plantation is one of the most haunted places in Tennessee.

Pigman Bridge

Millington

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park in Millington has over 13,000 acres of forests, wetlands, and access to the Mississippi River; it draws hikers, campers, and birdwatchers from all over. But at sunset, this peaceful state park becomes one of the most haunted places in Tennessee. 

The story dates back to World War II, when the nearby Chickasaw Ordnance Works, an underground explosives plant, was in operation. Legend says, an employee suffered a horrific accident that left him with the tip of his nose burned off and a warped appearance that resembled a pig’s snout, he became an outcast. 

Humiliated and abandoned by society, the man disappeared into the woods, where he became the Pigman of Meeman-Shelby Forest.

Since then, reports have surfaced of a creature roaming the woods and nearby bridge late at night, especially during full moons; Many say he has glowing eyes and emits a terrifying, pig-like scream.

The Bridge

If you drive to the bridge at night, park in the middle, turn off your car and lights, roll down the windows, flash your headlights, and yell out “Pigman!” three times, he will appear. Those who try this say they’ve heard screams, spotted a shadow in the trees, or seen their car lights flicker on and off by themselves.

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Dover

Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Dover holds not just the memory of a major Civil War battle but also the spirits of the men who fought and died there. In 1862, the Union’s first major victory of the war unfolded at Fort Donelson when Confederate troops surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant. 

Today, the site includes a visitor center, historic earthworks, a national cemetery, and the Surrender House (Dover Hotel), all accessible through a six-mile self-guided tour. 

• Soldiers: Dazed soldiers have been spotted near the cemetery, believed to be related to the unmarked graves in the cemetery.
• Sounds: Gunshots, cannon fire, and the strong smell of gunpowder have been seen all over the battlefield.
• The Surrender House: Guests experience sudden cold drafts, disembodied whispers, and shadowy figures that vanish when looked at directly.
• Reuben Hammond: A Confederate infantryman buried on-site, is known to follow guests quietly, enjoying their company. Visitors say he sometimes waves from the top of the cemetery hill.
• Reenactors: Civil War reenactors have also seen strange stuff. One woman awoke to her tent and supplies shaking violently in calm weather. Another man on picket duty reported seeing a glowing light that turned out to be the head and torso of a man smoking a cigar.

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