Tennessee, October 20, 2025
News Summary
As Halloween approaches, Tennessee showcases its eerie side with ghost stories and haunted tours across the state. Highlighted locations include the infamous Brushy Mountain Penitentiary, Dread Hollow’s interactive haunted spaces, and the chilling Ruby Falls Lantern Tour. Unique experiences like the Mabry-Hazen House’s Victorian séance and T.O. Fuller State Park’s storytelling event add to the spooky celebrations. With 79% of locals believing in ghosts, exploring these haunted attractions promises thrilling adventures for both residents and visitors alike this Halloween season.
Tennessee
As the fall season approaches, Tennessee is gearing up for Halloween with a plethora of ghost stories, haunted histories, and eerie adventures. A new spotlight on nine spooky experiences and ghost tours is providing locals and visitors alike the chance to explore the state’s most spine-chilling attractions during this Halloween season.
Highlighted Haunted Locations
Among the must-see sites is Brushy Mountain Penitentiary, a facility that opened in 1896 and is notorious for housing infamous inmates such as James Earl Ray. Closing its doors in 2009, it has since become one of Tennessee’s most haunted locations, with numerous reports of footsteps, apparitions, and disembodied voices. Tours at Brushy Mountain will run from October 2 to November 2, with hours from Thursday to Sunday, 10:30 am to 6:30 pm EST, offering paranormal investigations for thrill-seekers.
Another spooky attraction is Dread Hollow, featuring interactive haunted spaces such as the Belle Royale Hotel, Dreadwood Forest, and Dread Hollow High School, inviting guests to immerse themselves in a truly terrifying experience. Additionally, Ruby Falls will host a Lantern Tour: Ghost Walk Edition that explores Chattanooga legends and ghostly tales on several dates in late October, though children under 12 are not permitted for this event.
Unique Experiences and Tours
The Mabry-Hazen House is set to offer a Victorian séance experience coupled with a walking tour about Knoxville’s Gun Fight on Gay Street during selected dates in October. Guests can also find guided ghost walks and paranormal investigations at Historic Rugby, a community established by British author Thomas Hughes in 1880.
Another historical venue, the Cragfont State Historic Site, will provide lantern-lit tours led by character actors and feature apple cider and historic murder ballads from the Traveling Caudells; these tours are not suitable for children under age 9.
The Lotz House, built in 1858 and centrally located during the Battle of Franklin, showcases its haunted history with guided walking tours occurring throughout October. Moreover, the Bell Witch Cave, known for its connection to the legendary Bell Witch story, invites visitors to partake in overnight investigations, where they may witness eerie phenomena; early reservations are recommended.
At the Elmwood Cemetery, established in 1852 with 80 acres of breathtaking grounds, there are various tours available including docent-led and free walking tours that highlight the legacies of over 75,000 historical figures. Furthermore, families can gather at T.O. Fuller State Park for a fun Halloween campfire storytelling event, titled “Marshmallows and Mayhem,” which is scheduled for October 28.
Ghost Belief in Tennessee
Interestingly, a survey revealed that approximately 79% of Tennessee residents believe in ghosts, marking the state as the highest in the U.S. for ghost belief. Additionally, 42% of Tennesseans surveyed stated that they have seen a ghost. The enduring popularity of ghost tours and storytelling events indicates a significant interest in Tennessee’s haunted attractions among both locals and tourists.
Conclusion
This Halloween season, Tennessee invites everyone to experience its haunted history and explore the many ghost tours available across the state. With the allure of spine-tingling stories and chilling experiences, these nine must-see attractions create an intriguing Halloween bucket list for all who share a fascination with the supernatural.
FAQ
What are some of the haunted attractions in Tennessee for Halloween?
Some notable haunted attractions in Tennessee include Brushy Mountain Penitentiary, Dread Hollow, Ruby Falls Lantern Tour, Mabry-Hazen House, Historic Rugby, Cragfont State Historic Site, Lotz House, Bell Witch Cave, and Elmwood Cemetery.
What percentage of Tennessee residents believe in ghosts?
Approximately 79% of Tennessee residents believe in ghosts, making the state the highest in the U.S. for ghost belief.
Are there any storytelling events for families during Halloween in Tennessee?
Yes, T.O. Fuller State Park is hosting a Halloween campfire storytelling event called “Marshmallows and Mayhem” on October 28, where families can enjoy folktales and fables.
Key Features of Tennessee’s Haunted Attractions
| Attraction | Description | Operating Dates | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brushy Mountain Penitentiary | Haunted former prison with reports of activity | October 2 – November 2 | None |
| Dread Hollow | Interactive haunted spaces experience | Seasonal | Varies |
| Ruby Falls | Lantern Tour: Ghost Walk Edition | October 23, 24, 25, 26 | Children under 12 not permitted |
| Mabry-Hazen House | Victorian séance and walking tour | Selected October dates | None |
| Historic Rugby | Guided ghost walks and paranormal investigations | Seasonal | None |
| Cragfont State Historic Site | Lantern-lit tours with performances | Seasonal | Not suitable for kids under 9 |
| Lotz House | Walking tours of haunted history | Throughout October | None |
| Bell Witch Cave | Overnight investigations | Year-round, reservations recommended | None |
| Elmwood Cemetery | Docent-led and free walking tours | Seasonal | None |
| T.O. Fuller State Park | Halloween campfire storytelling event | October 28 | None |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Chattanooga Hosts Weekend of Fun-filled Events
Tennessee Ranks Highest in Ghost Belief in the U.S.
Chattanooga Gears Up for Month of Halloween Celebrations
Chattanooga Hosts Ironman Competition, Comic Con, and Halloween Festivities
Additional Resources
- StyleBlueprint: Ghost Tours in Tennessee
- Wikipedia: Ghost
- Times Free Press: Tennessee Leads the U.S. in Ghost Believers
- Google Search: Ghost Belief Tennessee
- WKRN: Most Haunted Places in Tennessee
- Google Scholar: Haunted Places Tennessee
- TN Tribune: Immersive Halloween Experiences
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Haunted Houses Tennessee
- Williamson Herald: Tennessee’s Most Haunted Cherry Manor
- Google News: Haunted Attractions Tennessee
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
