Maryland is brimming with creepy, uncanny, and downright macabre places that thrill-seekers and ghost hunters can’t resist. If you love spine-tingling tales, haunted history, and bizarre sites, here are 10 must-see sites and experiences across Maryland that are worthy of their ghoulish reputations:
1. Point Lookout State Park & Lighthouse (Scotland)
Billed as one of the most haunted spots in the entire state, this former Civil War prison camp and hospital is legendary for ghostly sightings. Tales include shadowy soldiers, eerie voices, and chilling apparitions near the lighthouse. Paranormal investigators frequently claim wild results from their visits.
2. Fletchertown Road – “Goatman’s Bridge” (Bowie)
Subject of one of Maryland’s weirdest legends, Goatman is said to be a half-man, half-goat creature haunting this lonely stretch of road. Local lore blames him for strange noises, livestock disappearances, and unsolved scares—making this rural spot a magnet for the brave (or foolhardy).
3. Field of Screams (Olney)
Field of Screams Maryland consistently ranks as one of the nation’s best haunted attractions, featuring a 1.5-mile “Super Screams Trail” packed with twisted sets, costumed actors, and relentless scares. This Halloween staple is not for the faint of heart and draws thousands every fall.
4. Fort McHenry (Baltimore)
Famous for inspiring the national anthem, this historic fort also reports phantasmal guests. Sightings include uniformed ghosts—possibly former soldiers—reported in the ramparts and tunnels, and chilling air in empty rooms.
5. Paw Paw Tunnel (Oldtown)
This 3,100-foot canal tunnel is renowned for eerie silence and ghostly legends. Locals whisper about workers’ spirits lingering after deadly accidents during its 19th-century construction, and visitors describe unexplainable chills and fleeting figures in the darkness.
6. Laurel’s House of Horror (Laurel)
Located in an abandoned movie theater, this haunted attraction amps up the terror with movie-themed scares, immersive sets, and unnerving escape rooms. Horror fans and paranormal enthusiasts can test their courage inside its twisting, eerie halls.
7. Antietam National Battlefield (Sharpsburg)
Site of one of the Civil War’s bloodiest battles, Antietam is a hotspot for ghostly activity—phantom drum beats, gunfire, and apparitions of soldiers are often reported along Bloody Lane and Burnside’s Bridge.
8. Jericho Covered Bridge (Kingsville)
This historic bridge is steeped in legend, from tales of ghostly figures swinging from the rafters to unexplained lights and cold drafts—even by daylight. Its unnerving atmosphere draws both urban explorers and local thrill-seekers.
9. Markoff’s Haunted Forest (Dickerson)
A beloved and award-winning haunted outdoor experience, Markoff’s offers sinister trails through deep woods alive with monsters and startling actors. Creative sets and relentless scares immerse you in a nightmare you’ll never forget.
10. The Hotel Gunter – Haunted Basement (Frostburg)
The historic Hotel Gunter’s basement was once a holding cell for prisoners along the National Road. Visitors have reported icy drafts, ghostly voices, and shadowy figures, cementing its reputation as a true Maryland haunt.
Ready to Explore Maryland’s Macabre Side?
Whether you’re touring sites of tragedies, exploring abandoned haunts, or braving modern scream parks, Maryland’s creepy corners are sure to leave an impression long after the fog clears and the sun rises.
Sources
[1] https://dnr.maryland.gov/Pages/Spooky-State-Parks.aspx
[2] https://www.thehotelarundel.com/2023/10/17/8-haunted-sites-in-maryland/
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/maryland/comments/1j5mkyn/what_is_the_most_haunted_place_in_maryland/
[4] https://www.wmar2news.com/marketplace/halloween/13-haunted-places-in-maryland
[5] https://ccplonline.org/blogs/adult/truly-scary-maryland-folklore/
