With a history as rich as the United States, we shouldn't be surprised that every state has plenty of paranormal tales to tell. From abandoned asylums to creaky hotels, the country has countless eerie destinations that are believed to be haunted. Some of those claims, at least to the skeptical, may appear dubious. However, paranormal experts have well-documented many paranormal occurrences. We've pared them down to the 50 most haunted places in the United States.

Alabama: Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

Sloss Furnaces is a National Historic Landmark in Birmingham, Alabama. It operated as a pig iron-producing blast furnace from 1882 to 1971. After closing, it became one of the first industrial sites in the U.S. to be preserved and restored for public use. It's also rumored to be the most haunted place in Alabama. Many people have reported seeing ghostly apparitions, one of which was James Wormwood, a former blast foreman who mistreated his workers. Mr. Wormwood worked the graveyard shift, and it's believed the workers revolted and threw him into the molten fires of the furnace. While this national landmark is open to the public for self-guided tours, those looking for an immersive lesson in history (and hauntings?) should opt for a docent-led tour.

Alaska: Kennecott Copper Mining Camp

Thought to be the most haunted place in Alaska, the ghosts of Kennecott camp and the rail lines going to and from the mines are so scary that even developers have been convinced to leave the area alone! In the 1990s, developers building homes along one of the railroad lines canceled the project after too many construction workers quit. The workers reported almost constant screaming and wailing voices in the area, along with missing tools -- sometimes right from their tool belts.

Arizona: The Jerome Grand Hotel

Perched on a hilltop overlooking the ghost town of Jerome and surrounding Verde Valley, the Jerome Grand Hotel is widely considered to be one of the most haunted hotels in Arizona. Originally a hospital, today, guests at the hotel report hearing crying, coughing, and wailing in the halls. A bearded man often appears on the second and third floors. Another ghost is believed to be the spirit of a former employee named Harvey, who may have been murdered in 1935 and is often seen in the stairwell or in the basement.

Arkansas: Mount Holly Cemetery

The hauntingly beautiful Mount Holly Cemetery is largely considered to be the most haunted cemetery in Arkansas. Founded in 1843, the Mount Holly Cemetery is located in downtown Little Rock in the Quapaw Quarter. The beautiful and peaceful grounds set against the urban buildings in the backdrop make for a distinct and stunning sight. This historic cemetery in Arkansas is the burial place for many notable Arkansas, from U.S. senators and state governors to founding pastor of Bethel AME Church Nathan Warren.

California: Winchester Mystery House

This historic mansion was once the residence of Sarah Winchester, widow of firearm magnate William Wirt Winchester. The Winchester Mansion is known for its architectural oddities and peculiar features, including staircases that lead to nowhere, doors that open onto walls, and a vast number of rooms and secret passages. It is rumored to be haunted; visitors interested in its fascinating history should definitely book a tour!

Colorado: Molly Brown House Museum

The Molly Brown House is rumored to be the most haunted place in Denver -- and perhaps all of Colorado! Once the home of Denver socialites J.J. and Molly Brown, the gorgeous 1887 Queen Anne had previously served as the governor's mansion before being purchased by the philanthropist (and Titanic survivor) and her husband. Today, the unsinkable Molly Brown is said to haunt her own home: visitors have reported smelling roses or tobacco smoke and sometimes spot Molly, her husband, or her mother inside the home. Other paranormal activity includes piano keys moving without making a sound, strange shadows moving around and doors closing on their own. Take a tour and see (or smell) for yourself!

Connecticut: Dudleytown

Residents of Connecticut know better than to plan a visit to the infamous Dudleytown, CT – also referred to as Dudley Town, Connecticut – and it’s not just because it’s on private property. It has nothing to do with the local police who patrol the area or the “No Trespassing” signs. To be honest, the security measures are overkill for most people because most of us are too afraid of the deadly curse to even think about this place. As the creepiest abandoned town around and one of the most haunted towns in Connecticut, most people stay far, far away from this peculiar destination.

Delaware: Fort Delaware

Fort Delaware has a rich history that's rife with legend and lore. Originally constructed in 1859, the Fort was used as a Prison Camp for Confederate Prisoners of War during the Civil War. Later, it was used to store guns and protect the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia during the Spanish-American War. Now, it is believed to be one of the most haunted places in Delaware.

Florida: May-Stringer House

The May-Stringer House is rumored to be the most haunted place in Florida. John and Marena May built this home in 1855, but Mr. May died of tuberculosis three years later. Marena remarried but later died in childbirth while giving birth to her daughter Jessie, who died at age three. All three are said to haunt the house, which is now a museum. Guides hear children’s laughter and cries, see ghostly visions of Marena or John and report items being moved around the house (particularly a doll that belonged to Jessie).

Georgia: Bonaventure Cemetery

Tucked away in the enchanting town of Savannah, Georgia, Bonaventure Cemetery is one of the most hauntingly beautiful cemeteries in the world. This fairy tale place sits on 160 acres of scenic, serene land overlooking Georgia's Wilmington River. A place of immense mystery and intrigue, the cemetery gained national fame when it was featured in the novel "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" by John Berendt and has long been the subject of many a haunted tale.

Hawaii: Nu’uanu Pali Lookout

The Pali Lookout is the location of a brutal mass murder. When King Kamehameha I won a battle against Maui chief Kalanikupule, he drove the chief and his 400 soldiers off the side of the cliff to their deaths. At night, visitors report hearing screams, moans, and voices from below.

Idaho: Old Idaho State Penitentiary

Old Idaho State Penitentiary, located in Boise, is considered by many to be the most haunted building in the state. In its 101 years of operation, it became one of the most violent penitentiaries in America. Today all the inmates are gone (the living ones, anyway). Unexplained noises, overwhelming feelings of grief and paranormal activities make this place extremely haunted.

Illinois: Bachelor's Grove Cemetery

Beginning in the 1970s, visitors to this Midlothian cemetery have seen orbs, apparitions, phantom vehicles, and even a floating, shrinking, and vanishing phantom farmhouse. A mysterious black dog and figures in monks’ robes also have been seen. Investigations by ghost researchers have turned up ghostly images and electronic voice phenomena.

Indiana: Hannah House

According to legend, this Indianapolis house was a stop on the Underground Railroad that helped slaves escape north to Canada prior to the American Civil War. One night a fire broke out and a group of slaves were burned to death. Mr Hannah, the owner, buried their ashes in the basement of the home. To this day, the ghosts of these slaves haunt the home. Moans, shadows, whispers, and cold spots have been experienced in the basement.

Iowa: Villisca Ax Murder House

In 1912, the town of Villisca became notorious when an entire family was murdered in their sleep by an unknown assailant with an ax. The house is rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of the murdered family, and the house is available for lockdowns if any paranormal enthusiasts are looking for a thrill.

Kansas: Stull Cemetery

Rumored to be a gateway to hell, Stull Cemetery is said to be a very actively haunted place. Next to an abandoned church in Stull, the cemetery is the subject of many legends, some over 100 years old. Satan himself is rumored to appear here twice a year. Visitors say they have been grabbed by something invisible, or suffered memory loss and other maladies while visiting the cemetery.

Kentucky: Waverly Hills Sanatorium

Located in Louisville, Waverly Hills Sanitarium opened in 1910, to house the victims of the Tuberculosis epidemic. The building has housed over 63,000 deaths, with many of their spirits remaining behind. Ghosts seem to wander every inch of this building and grounds. Witnesses here report unexplained lights, apparitions, shadowy forms, and other various phenomena. Creepy is putting it mildly, as this site is considered one of the most haunted places on earth.

Louisiana: LaLaurie Mansion

Maine: Strand Cinema

Strand Cinema in Skowhegan, is considered the most haunted place in Maine. Patrons have reported everything from sightings to physical contact at the theater. In 1978, the building was modified and workers began taking the brunt of the ghost’s anger. They were shocked by electric tools that were not plugged in. Tools were thrown about and stains were splattered all over newly painted walls. A shadowed apparition is reported to have thrown a piece of balcony ceiling tile into the sets and hand prints have been found on the movie screen.

Maryland: Point Lookout

Point Lookout was used as a prisoner encampment/hospital during the Civil War in Scotland, Maryland. It is estimated that over 8,000 died during their stay at the camp. Many campers who camp at Point Lookout State Park encounter the ghosts of Confederate soldiers either walking across the roads or walking alongside them. Several paranormal activities have been experienced in the Lighthouse itself, including pictures taken of ghosts, various frightening EVPs, and blatant encounters with apparitions.

Massachusetts: Bridgewater Triangle

There’s no haunted place in the Commonwealth more famous than the Bridgewater Triangle, a 200-mile space in southeastern Massachusetts that some believe to be the center of weird, paranormal activities. Many of the mysterious occurrences revolve around Hockomock Swamp, a 16,550-acre wetland located in the Freetown Fall River State Forest. The Hockomock Swamp is known to serve as a dumping ground for murder victims, and reports of cults practicing black magic.

Michigan: Traverse City State Hospital

Traverse City State Hospital, located in Traverse City, operated for more than 100 years, and during those years, many stories have evolved about restless spirits and patients who never checked out of the hospital. Visitors report feelings of ominous and oppressive feelings. There is said to be a portal to Hell which can be found under "The Hippy Tree," located on the trails behind the building. There are reports of disembodied screams and voices echoing through the empty halls. Lights are said to turn on and off by themselves. This is made even more frightening by the fact that there has not been electricity running through the building for many years.

Minnesota: Forepaugh Restaurant

Now a restaurant, the manor was once a private home to wealthy wholesaler Joseph Forepaugh and his family. Both Joseph and the maid, Molly, died in the home and are said to haunt the premises today. Legend has it that the two were having a torrid affair. Riddled with guilt, Joseph shot himself in the head; a heartbroken Molly hanged herself days later. While Joseph seems to simply stroll the grounds, Molly tends to terrify guests, pounding walls and exploding glasses. They say she likes to spend time at social events and her ghostly figure can be seen in a recent wedding photo.

Mississippi: Grand Opera House

This magnificent Meridian music hall is home to some very talented guests. The entertainment is out of this world! Singing specters grace the space and perform when the main hall is quiet. Visitors have also reported cold spots and a feeling of being tapped on the left shoulder.

Missouri:

Montana: Little Bighorn Battlefield

Located near Billings, hundreds of soldiers lost their lives on this land. According to some visitors and even park service employees, many of these soldiers still linger. Witnesses have described hearing battle cries, rifle shots and bugles, with several reporting actual ghost sightings.

Nebraska: Annie Cook's Poor Farm

Poor houses were never known for being the most welcoming places. This Lincoln County poor farm was among the worst. A poor farm was a place where the destitute could receive housing in exchange for labor. At Annie Cook's many residents were worked to death - literally. It is said that Annie Cook's ghost remains behind along with several of the souls she tortured here.

Nevada: Piper's Opera House

This Virginia City icon has been open since 1885, though haunted happenings have only been reported since renovating in 2003. While there are no reports of tragic deaths, it seems several former patrons have stayed behind to continue enjoying the shows. Two of the most often reported ghost sightings involve a man with a handlebar mustache and a lady in a blue dress.

New Hampshire: Pine Hill Cemetery

This Hollis cemetery has been called one of the most haunted places in New England. Abel Blood is the most notorious ghost, though there are many. It is said the image on his gravestone inverts itself at night and that he also wanders the grounds. Floating orbs, strange tapping sounds, and other supernatural anomalies have been reported at Pine Hill.

New Jersey:  Basto Village

New Mexico: Taos Pueblo

New York: State Capitol Building

Several ghosts are rumored to have haunted these halls, including two former presidents. Legend has it that a ghost of a man who committed suicide in 1890, and a watchman who died in a fire in 1911 both haunt the grounds.

North Carolina: Omni Grove Park Inn

This lovely hotel is haunted by the most famous ghost in the state - The Pink Lady. Whether murder or suicide, she fell to her death and her spirit still lingers. Don't fret, she's said to be very friendly.

North Dakota: The Children's Museum At Yunker Farm

This is such a fun place, it seems not all the children want to leave. The museum is said to be haunted by the ghost of a boy who drowned in the well. The elevators are also said to operate on their own.

Ohio: Ohio State Reformatory

This Mansfield prison is home to some of the most violent specters in the state. Ghosts of rioting inmates who frequently fought each other to the death in overcrowded isolation cells are said to haunt the jail.

Oklahoma: Stone Lion Inn

This Victorian mansion in Guthrie is a cozy bed and breakfast that looks so charming at first glance. It was previously a funeral home and after the owner renovated it, she soon found there were other occupants in the house. Doors would open and close, footsteps up and down the back staircase could be heard and toys were being played with at night. Legend says that the former residents daughter died in the home at the age of 8. They believe the ghosts are the former residents of the home.

Oregon: Lafayette Cemetery

Located in the town of Lafayette, this cemetery is more than a century old and is known to be haunted by a woman who was tried for witchcraft and hung there. It is said that before she died she cursed the town and said that it would burn down three times (since then, the town has burnt down twice). Her restless spirit (and perhaps others as well) are known to haunt the grounds - walking in shadows, chasing people, evening screaming. There have even been accounts of visitors being physically attacked by ghosts.

Pennsylvania: Gettysburg

We’ve all heard of Gettysburg, the historic battlefield in Pennsylvania that was the setting for one of the deadliest battles in the Civil War, but did you know it’s home to numerous ghosts? To this day, visitors report hearing strange noises - moans, screams, gunfire, cannons - coming from anxious and unrestful ghosts.

Rhode Island: The Biltmore Hotel

Located in Providence, the Biltmore Hotel is known as one of the most haunted hotels in the country. It was the inspiration for Stephen King’s book ‘Overlook Hotel’, as well as Robert Bloch’s ‘Bates Motel’. Are you creeped out yet? The story behind the hotel is that it was opened by a Satanist named Johan Leisse Weisskopf who planned the hotel to have weekly animal sacrifices, nude waitresses, and more. During the prohibition, locals and police officers drank and partied together there, which some believe had to do with the many murders that happened in the hotel. The ghosts of the victims still haunt the premises, and it's said that late into the night people have heard raucous partying, laughing, and dancing - despite the bar being closed and empty. Rumor has it that more than one guest has even disappeared completely, never to be found.

South Carolina: Old Charleston Jail

The Old Charleston Jail was opened in the early 19th century and is said to be haunted by numerous notorious inmates, including Lavinia Fisher, the first female serial killer in the U.S. People have reported disembodied voices, objects moving without being touched, and other ghostly phenomena. The jail closed in 1939 and is still standing in decaying ruins.

South Dakota: The Bullock Hotel

The historical Bullock Hotel in Deadwood, South Dakota was opened by a man named Captain Seth Bullock in 1895, and is haunted to this day by that same man. Visitors have reported strange occurrences including shattering glasses, lights and faucets turning off and on, bodiless voices, and some have actually seen his apparition.

Although the ghost is fairly active, many people feel assured that his presence isn’t malevolent.

Tennessee: The Bell Witch Cave

In Adams, Tennessee there is a cave called The Bell Witch Cave. The Bell Witch is a famous ghost who haunted the Bell family in the 19th century, and she still haunts the area today, and in particular the eerie cave near what used to be the Bell family’s farm. Visitors have reported strange occurrences like disembodied voices, strange shadows, and apparitions, and it is said that if you take something from the cave - even a pebble or stick - you will be cursed.

Texas: The Baker Hotel

The Baker Hotel is a Texas landmark located in Mineral Wells. The huge building has been abandoned for many years, but it’s intricate, decaying shell still looms over the area. According to local legends, two spirits dominate the building - the ghost of a bloody woman who has been seen on the 7th floor, and the ghost of a man who was caught in an elevator and killed.

Utah: Rio Grande Depot

The Rio Grande is haunted by several ghosts, but its most famous is The Purple Lady, a woman who often appears in the restroom or on the main floor. She and her fiance had an argument at the depot and she threw her ring onto the tracks. When she climbed down to retrieve the ring, she was hit and killed by a train. A dark man is also seen on the first floor, and security guards report lights flickering on and off, voices and heavy footsteps.

Vermont: Emily’s Bridge

Emily’s Bridge is located in Stowe, Vermont, and according to local legend, it is haunted by the ghost of a girl who tragically hung herself there after being abandoned by her husband-to-be. Ghost-curious visitors from all over the country come to experience the eerie phenomena. People have felt scratches and pokes, seen strange shapes in the shadows, and some have even taken pictures in which the form of a girl appears though no one was there at the time the photo was taken.

Virginia: Cold Harbor Battlefield

Located in Mechanicsville, Cold Harbor Battlefield is the site of one of the last - and bloodiest - battles of the Civil War. The grounds are said to be haunted by the spirits of many of those who died, and many ghosts have been seen beside the trenches.

Washington: Point Defiance Park

Point Defiance Park is located in Ruston, Washington. What may look like an ordinary park is actually said to be haunted by two ghosts. Visitors have reported hearing a young dead girl riding her bike in the middle of the night, and other strange happenings. The pagoda seems to have the most paranormal activity, and people have experienced cold drafts and strange disembodied noises like footsteps and sighing.

West Virginia: Trans-Allegheny Asylum

This treatment facility for the mentally ill is a strange, haunted place where some horrible things came to pass, such as overcrowding and unethical experiments on patients, as in a number of American 19th and even 20th-century psychiatric hospitals.

The gothic, abandoned building is now rotting in Weston, while ghosts dominate the premises. Paranormal experiences that have been reported include seeing the ghosts of many people who lived and died in the facility - doctors and patients alike.

Wisconsin: Nelsen’s Hall

Nelsen’s Hall is located on Washington Island in Wisconsin. The historic pub is haunted by its original owner, Tom Nelson, who kept the bar open by claiming his drinks were medicinal during Prohibition. After he died at age 90, his ghost went on to haunt the premises, making footsteps in the upstairs apartment, changing the radio station, and appearing in the women’s bathroom.

Wyoming: Occidental Hotel

According to local legend, the historic Occidental Hotel in Buffalo is haunted by a woman with long, dark hair and a white dress who died on the second floor. Visitors have reported moving objects and furniture, strange bodiless noises, and have even seen the apparition outright.

Have you been to any of the most haunted places in the United States? If so, did you experience any paranormal activity? Let us know in the comments!