Are You Afraid of the Dark: Campsites for the Fright Seekers

Looking for a
vacation that will scare your socks off? There are plenty of great haunted
spots across the country with amazing camping nearby. We selected a few top
attractions for fright seekers with nearby campgrounds within 15 miles for
the ultimate spooky vacation.

Moundsville
Penitentiary: Moundsville, WV

Many
have claimed to discover paranormal activity at the West Virginia
Penitentiary. This could be from the executions by hangings or electric chair
as well as the “kill or be killed” inmate mentality. The prison ranked on the
Department of Justice’s Top Ten list of most violent correctional facilities
in the nation. Daily tours are available Tuesday through Sunday and special
events are frequently held including a zombie walk and mock prison
riot.
Where to stay: Fish
Creek Campground in Cameron, WV (11 miles)

The
Ridges (Athens Lunatic Asylum): Athens,
Ohio

Now a part of Ohio University, the Ridges, formerly
Athens Lunatic Asylum was a mental hospital from 1874 until 1993. The most
haunting event was probably Margaret Schillings mysterious death that left a
graphic outline on the floor including imprints of her clothes and hair.
However, the stain is still there and reappears even after been cleaned up.
Schilling is just one of the former patients thought to be haunting the
Ridges.
Where to stay: Happy
Hills Campground & Cabins in Nelsonville, OH (12 miles)

Jerome
Ghost Town: Jerome, AZ

Known as a
“ghost city” with so many spirits haunting the town, Jerome offers fright
seekers plenty of options. The mountain is still filled with abandoned mine
shafts and tunnels, supposedly haunted by “Headless Charlie” who was
decapitated in a mining accident. His head was found, but never his body and
after his death, other miners began to experience paranormal
activity.
Where to stay: Verde
Valley RV Resort and Campground in Cottonwood, AZ (11 miles)

Cuban
Club: Ybor City, FL

Dubbed “One of
the Top 10 Most Haunted Places in the U.S.” by the Travel Channel, the Cuban
Club was created in 1917. Two individuals’ deaths are the most notable on the
property and said to haunt the building, an actor who committed suicide on
stage and a board member murdered in a disagreement.
Where
to stay: Bay
Bayou RV Resort in Tampa, FL (13 miles)

Eastern State
Penitentiary: Philadelphia

What was
once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, housing criminals
like Al Capone now stands in haunting ruins. Daily tours are available every
day and for more frights, guests can experience the “Terror Behind the
Walls”, a haunted house style tour in a real prison.
Where
to stay: Timberlane
Campground in Clarksboro, NJ (11 miles)

The
Stanley Hotel: Estes Park, CO

After
Stephen King spent time in this hotel, he penned the famous book “The
Shining” which was later made into one of the best horror movies of all time.
Best known for being haunted, guests have attested to eerie occurrences
including lights turning on and off, doors opening and closing, laughter,
footsteps, shadows, drafts and unexplainable chills.
Where
to stay: River
Forks Inn in Drake, CO (11 miles)

Alcatraz
Island: San Francisco

Nicknamed, the
“Rock” was the ultimate prison containing some of the most heinous criminals
in our history including Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelley for 29 years. Ghost
hunters claim a strong sense of unusual behavior within the walls of the
abandoned prison, known as one of the most haunted in the
country.
Where to stay: Marin
Park in Greenbrae, CA (14 miles)