The Most Haunted Places in Alaska (And the Stories Behind Them)
In Sitka, a coastal town perched on Baranof Island about 250 miles south of Juneau, the haunting presence of the Russian Bishop’s House lingers quietly. Built in the mid-19th century, this wooden Orthodox landmark feels like a portal to Alaska’s past, when Russian settlers mingled with native Tlingit people. Visitors can explore the well-preserved structure and its artifacts, which tell tales of faith, conflict, and community life under the shadow of empire. Evening tours occasionally evoke stories of spectral monks and whispered prayers that echo through empty rooms, especially as twilight softens the towering spruce trees outside. The combination of authentic Russian architecture and the misty coastal air makes this an atmospheric stop, especially in the cool, damp spring when fog cloaks the grounds.
A short ferry ride from Anchorage leads to Whittier, a town dominated by a massive concrete building known as the Begich Towers, famously built during World War II. This apartment complex houses almost the entire population of Whittier and comes wrapped in rumors of ghostly sightings. Some locals and visitors claim to hear unexplained footsteps in empty hallways or see shadowy figures through rain-streaked windows. Those intrigued by eerie histories can stroll the nearby Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in North America, which slices through the Chugach Mountains. This grim tunnel’s dark, damp environment and wartime origins amplify the spooky vibe of Whittier, especially on overcast fall days when the rain drums relentlessly overhead.
Far to the north, the town of Nome, roughly 500 miles northwest of Anchorage along the Bering Sea coast, holds the chilling legend of the Anvil Creek ghost town. Once a bustling gold rush settlement, the abandoned cabins and rusting mining equipment now stand as skeletal reminders of fortune and loss. Visitors drawn to the rugged Nome-Council Road can hike stretches near Anvil Creek, imagining the miners who vanished or perished under harsh winter snows. The eerie silence here is occasionally broken by the wind whispering through collapsed structures. The best time to experience this ghost town is in late summer when the midnight sun casts elongated shadows, adding a surreal glow to the decaying buildings.
In Ketchikan, about 700 miles southeast of Anchorage, the old Creek Street boardwalk clings to the steep hillside overlooking the Tongass Narrows, once the town’s red-light district. Today, visitors wander along the wooden planks, lined with galleries and shops, but the stories of restless spirits remain. One tale involves the “Lady in Red,” said to glide silently among the former brothel windows after dark. The nearby Totem Heritage Center offers a grounding contrast, highlighting indigenous culture and art, but the juxtaposition of vibrant history with lingering ghost stories makes Creek Street uniquely atmospheric. Visiting around dusk during the late spring or early summer, when the pink twilight lingers, heightens the spectral charm of this waterfront promenade.
Travelers seeking haunted wilderness can head to the ghostly remnants of the Kantishna Roadhouse near Denali National Park, approximately 120 miles north of Anchorage. This isolated roadhouse, once a stopping point for adventurers and hunters, now sits abandoned, swallowed slowly by the boreal forest. The Kantishna area itself offers rugged trails and pristine views of Denali’s towering summit, but the roadhouse’s foundation and weathered timbers hint at stories of hardship and tragedy. Hikers on the Powerline Pass Trail may feel a chill as the wind moves through the skeletal structure. Summer visits allow for long daylight hours to explore the surrounding tundra, but the eerie quiet of early morning or dusk is when the haunting sense seems strongest.
In Fairbanks, located in Alaska’s interior about 360 miles north of Anchorage, the Pike’s Waterfront Lodge holds a reputation beyond its comfortable hospitality. Overlooking the Chena River, the hotel’s historic core dates back to the Gold Rush era, and reports of shadowy figures and strange noises have surfaced for decades. Guests who wander the riverside trails or visit the nearby Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center can delve into the rich history of the region’s native Athabascans and gold miners alike. The northern lights dancing overhead in winter add a surreal backdrop, making Fairbanks a place where natural wonder and ghostly lore intertwine. The cold, clear winter nights from late November through March are particularly evocative for those chasing whispers of the past.
Southeast of Anchorage, the ghost town of Kennecott sits deep in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, about a six-hour drive. This former copper mining camp, perched beneath glaciated peaks, feels frozen in time. Walking the boardwalk among rusted equipment and empty buildings, visitors often report a haunting stillness, punctuated only by the distant crack and groan of glaciers. The Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark offers guided tours that include stories of miners’ lives and tragic accidents, providing a human face to the eerie silence. Summer is the ideal time to visit, as the long days and mild weather reveal the full majesty of the surrounding mountains and glaciers, while the haunting atmosphere remains palpable amidst the ruins of this once-thriving boomtown.
Finally, a visit to the Alaskan Hotel in downtown Anchorage, a 15-minute drive from the airport, offers a blend of historic charm and ghostly tales in the heart of the city. Established in the early 20th century, the hotel has hosted prospectors, politicians, and travelers, with several rooms said to be haunted by former guests. The hotel’s rustic bar and lobby, filled with old photographs and memorabilia, give a glimpse into Anchorage’s earliest days. Seasonal events and storytelling sessions add to its allure, but the odd creak in the hall or flicker of a light often sparks personal ghost stories from staff and visitors alike. Winter evenings, when the city’s bustle quiets and the chill settles deep, are the perfect time to soak in the hotel’s historic—and possibly haunted—ambiance.