West Virginia's Eerie Abandoned Amusement Park Is One Of The World's Most Haunted Places

Lake Shawnee Abandoned Amusement Park isn't your average spooky attraction — it's often described as one of the most haunted places in the world. With its tragic history and reported supernatural activity, the once-thriving park draws in paranormal investigators, dark tourism enthusiasts, and curious journalists from all over. Over the years, it's been featured on several television shows and has become one of West Virginia's more unusual roadside attractions.

Hidden in the woods near Princeton, Mercer County, Lake Shawnee Amusement Park opened its gates in 1926 and became a popular destination for local coal mining families. Visitors came to splash around in the lake, dance the night away, and enjoy the Ferris wheel and swing rides. Fun and laughter could be heard through the trees for the next 40 years, until a series of tragic accidents cast a shadow over the park and it eventually closed down. The park lay abandoned until the 1980s, when the new owner, Gaylord White, made plans to restore it back to its former glory. Those plans soon changed when archaeological excavations revealed a Native American burial ground believed to date back to the 1700s, where mass graves linked to the Shawnee tribe were discovered. The land is also the site of a violent conflict between settlers and Native Americans, where members of frontiersman Mitchell Clay's family were gruesomely killed and to whom a commemorative plaque has been laid.

Some visitors to Lake Shawnee have reported hearing chanting, capturing strange orbs in photographs, witnessing the abandoned rides moving on their own, and even seeing visions of a little girl who is said to have died on the swings. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, Lake Shawnee is worth visiting just to find out more about its unsettling history or simply walk through the atmospheric, overgrown paths leading to rusting rides gradually being reclaimed by Mother Nature.

Located around 5 miles north of Princeton, visits to Lake Shawnee Abandoned Amusement Park are by appointment only. Tours are led by Chris White, the son of former park owner Gaylord White, and you can choose from three different experiences depending on how brave you're feeling. The daytime history and photo tour takes you on a two-hour guided walk through the park's eerie past, focusing on the history, tragic accidents, archaeological discoveries, and reported paranormal activity. You get the chance to explore the abandoned fairground and the old creaky attractions and are free to wander around on your own and take photos. The daytime tour costs $38.85 and can be booked on the website.

Paranormal enthusiasts who are up for a few scares can opt for the overnight experience for $105.45. You'll be left alone in the abandoned park after dark with plenty of time to look for unusual activities and perhaps even capture some on camera. There's no guide on this experience, and you'll need to take supplies, including tents, sleeping bags, warm clothes and something to eat and drink. RVs are also allowed onsite. Enjoyed by many who stay there, one Google reviewer said, "Chris was an amazing tour guide. My wife and kids had a great time investigating the paranormal. Being left alone to wander in the moonlight was a moment I wouldn't trade for anything."

Come Halloween, the Dark Carnival takes place. Making the most of its unsettling atmosphere, past events have included haunted hide-and-seek, zombie paintball and paranormal tours. Or, you can simply sit around the campfire and exchange ghost stories. There are more facilities for this event, but tickets need to be reserved in advance.

Lake Shawnee is a must-stop on this haunted road trip through the U.S. but there are a few other nearby attractions worth visiting beyond the supernatural. A less chilling slice of history awaits at Princeton Railroad Museum. Although fairly small, it introduces the story of the region's railroad history and its importance in the Appalachian coal industry. There's also the Those Who Served War Museum, which is worth a visit for history enthusiasts.

The quirky Gary Bowling's House of Art in nearby Bluefield is a must-see and continues with the weird and wonderful theme. Housed within an abandoned school, the seven-storey building is like a giant labyrinth filled with what is described as "art, history, magic, and mystery". Inside, rotating exhibits from local artists, surreal handmade sculptures, themed stairwells and corridors, and rooms bursting with curiosities are just waiting to be explored. While you're in town, stop off at The RailYard for a bite to eat. Featured on America's Best Restaurants, the gastropub sits within a restored historic building in downtown Bluefield and serves up burgers, draft beer, and some pretty impressive milkshakes. The 1950s retro style Dolly's Diner in Princeton is also a popular choice. Sample their copious all-day breakfasts or one of the daily specials for some classic comfort food.

For more outdoor exploration, Pipestem Resort State Park is just a 40-minute drive away along the Bluestone River Gorge. Take the iconic aerial tramway into the gorge or a zipline tour through the forest canopy for some fantastic views. If you want to venture a little further out, head to New River Gorge National Park for some incredible outdoor adventures, including hiking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and some of the best camping on the east coast.