There’s something profoundly poetic about cemeteries, isn’t there? When I visit, I feel drawn in to celebrate the lost lives of loved ones who have passed on – and, of course, to contemplate my own life (and death). For those that believe in ghosts, though, cemeteries have another purpose: a chance to convene with those who have passed away, but may not have fully crossed over, for whatever reason. When you visit a historic cemetery, it’s easy to see why these places were treated as gathering spots for strolls and picnics in Victorian times. Many of them are quite beautiful, with and almost set up like cities for the dead. If you find yourself looking for “haunted cemeteries near me” in North Carolina, one name that pops up quite a bit is Riverside Cemetery in Asheville, NC. This haunted cemetery in Asheville is eerily beautiful, but is Riverside Cemetery haunted? Let’s check it out:

The view of a lovely graveyard first thing in the morning, with a burning fog lifting up above the earth, is truly a sight to behold. Such is the case with the captivating Riverside Cemetery in Asheville.
Google/Gary Clark
This gorgeous cemetery lies along the banks of the French Broad River.
Is Riverside Cemetery haunted? This place has a reputation as being one of the most haunted cemeteries in the country.
Lisa Sammons/OnlyInYourState
Riverside Cemetery was established in 1885 and is the final resting place for many well-known American figures, particularly those in the literary world. Both Thomas Wolfe and William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) are buried here.
Lisa Sammons/OnlyInYourState
Unlike many graveyards from this time period, Riverside Cemetery in Asheville did not cater to just one segment of the population. There is a great dissimilarity among those buried at Riverside.
Lisa Sammons/OnlyInYourState
Those that lay here range from the very wealthy to the extremely poor. Notable residents like politicians and celebrities are buried here, but there's also a group of 18 German sailors that were prisoners of war from World War I.

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Though the cemetery opened 20 years after the Civil War, one of the war's most famous land battles took place less than a mile away from where Riverside Cemetery now is.
Lisa Sammons/OnlyInYourState
The Union troops ultimately retreated from this battle, but plenty of Confederate casualties still occurred. To this day, visitors to Riverside Cemetery report hearing the shouting of troops strolling among the graves.
Some people have even reported nearby phantom gunfire, supposedly from the Civil War battle. One visitor even viewed an apparition of an entire platoon of Confederate soldiers, decked out in their uniforms.
Google/Erica Alliss
Of course, cemeteries are ripe for paranormal encounters. After all, there are more dead than living here!
In the more than 100 years since Riverside Cemetery opened, more than 10,000 people have been buried here.
Google/Michael Miller
Whether you believe this haunted cemetery in Asheville still has spirits lurking here today or not, you have to admit, it's a remarkably beautiful place.
Lisa Sammons/OnlyInYourState
History lovers like us absolutely adore visiting places like this. Fall is an especially amazing time to visit, when the leaves are in all their splendor, but we find that any time of year has a certain beauty about it.
Google/Erica Alliss

Check out this great video of Riverside Cemetery from YouTube user loopy333:

Have you ever encountered a ghost or other spirit lurking at Riverside Cemetery in Asheville? We’d love to hear all about your stories, so be sure to leave some comments! You can learn more about this haunted cemetery in Asheville from the City of Asheville website.

Interested in checking out this super-spooky (and beautiful) spot? Consider taking a Riverside Cemetery ghost tour through Viator. What a cool experience!

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More to Explore

Haunted Cemetery In Asheville

Lisa Sammons | November 28, 2023

What are some more haunted cemeteries near me?

There's no shortage of haunted cemeteries in North Carolina. Here are a few of the most notable:

  • Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh
  • Old Settler's Cemetery in Charlotte
  • Cedar Grove Cemetery in New Bern
  • Elmwood Cemetery in Charlotte

 

Is Riverside Cemetery haunted?

Several paranormal investigators have examined Riverside Cemetery in Asheville and claimed it was haunted. You don't have to be a particularly strong believer in ghosts to feel like a place with this much history could have spirits still lurking about, that's for sure! Between the more than 10,000 people buried here and the fact that a major Civil War battle occurred so close by, we think it's pretty safe to say that this could be a haunted cemetery in Asheville.

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Featured Addresses
Riverside Cemetery, 53 Birch St, Asheville, NC 28801, USA