The Most Haunted Places in Maryland (And the Stories Behind Them)
In the heart of Baltimore, about a 15-minute drive from downtown, the historic Belvedere Hotel offers a chilling glimpse into the city’s haunted past. This grand hotel, built in the early 20th century, combines ornate architecture with tales of restless spirits. Guests and visitors often recount eerie footsteps and faint whispers in the hallways, especially near the old ballroom. Exploring its elegant lobby and vintage decor during the twilight hours adds an atmospheric charm that sets it apart, making it a unique blend of urban sophistication and ghostly lore. Autumn nights, when the city’s humidity dips and fog rolls in off the harbor, bring out the most spectral vibes here.
Travel about 45 minutes northeast of Annapolis, near the Chesapeake Bay, and you’ll find the eerie yet captivating grounds of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. While celebrated for its role in inspiring the Star-Spangled Banner, the fort’s star-shaped earthworks and barracks also carry stories of ghostly soldiers still guarding the ramparts. Visitors can walk the extensive perimeter trail, roughly a mile loop, offering sweeping views of the harbor and the shimmering bay beyond. The mix of military history with paranormal tales makes the fort a hauntingly unique destination. Early spring or late fall, when the fort is less crowded and the weather crisply clear, is ideal for lingering by the cannons and imagining the whispers of the past.
Further west, about an hour’s drive from Frederick, the historic town of Sharpsburg holds the enigmatic Antietam National Battlefield. Known for one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, the battlefield is also a place where many claim to have felt inexplicable chills and seen shadowy apparitions among the rolling fields. Walking the 12-mile driving tour or hiking the Sunken Road loop trail lets visitors immerse themselves in the haunting landscape of war and memory. The blend of somber remembrance and ghost stories makes Antietam uniquely powerful. Late fall, when the leaves have turned and a persistent fog sometimes blankets the valley, deepens the sense of otherworldly presence.
In the rolling hills about 50 miles northwest of Hagerstown lies the enigmatic Gathland State Park, once the estate of George Alfred Townsend, a Civil War correspondent. The park’s centerpiece is the War Correspondents Memorial Arch, flanked by ruins said to be haunted by the spirits of Civil War journalists and soldiers. Wander the trails that crisscross the park’s 66 acres, including the 1.5-mile loop around the ruins where visitors often report sudden drops in temperature and eerie sensations. The combination of rustic natural beauty and gothic relics creates a surreal ambiance. Early evening, just as the sun dips below the horizon, casts long shadows perfect for ghost stories.
Near Cambridge, about an hour and a half east of Salisbury, the Richardson Maritime Museum shares the region’s rich nautical heritage with an undercurrent of spectral tales. The museum, housed in a historic waterfront building, showcases Chesapeake Bay artifacts and ship models, but it’s the nearby harbor’s foggy nights that bring a supernatural edge. Local fishermen occasionally tell of phantom lights on the water and ghostly figures walking the docks. Visitors can explore the exhibits during the day and then take a twilight stroll on the adjacent pier, where the mist and the sound of lapping waves conjure a mysterious mood unique to the Eastern Shore’s maritime culture. Early summer evenings, when the humidity mingles with cooling breezes, enhance the ethereal quality of the experience.
Not far from the bustling streets of Frederick, the Monocacy National Battlefield offers another chapter of Maryland’s haunted Civil War legacy. Just under 10 miles southeast of the city, this preserved park features several walking trails that follow the paths of historical skirmishes. The Thomas Farm Overlook, with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, is a favored spot for visitors hoping to connect with the lingering spirits said to haunt the site. The battle scars etched into the landscape, combined with tales from park rangers and local historians, give the area a palpable sense of history and mystery. Visiting in late fall, when the fields are golden and the air crisp, heightens the contemplative and spectral atmosphere.
Finally, about 25 minutes west of Annapolis, the historic town of Crownsville shelters the Crownsville Hospital Center grounds, the site of a former psychiatric hospital now partially accessible through guided tours and public trails. The sprawling campus of abandoned buildings, overgrown and silent, has long been a magnet for ghost hunters and curiosity seekers. The hospital’s dark past, marked by tales of mistreatment and tragedy, lends an eerie weight to the crumbling wards and shadowy hallways. Exploring the property’s walking paths during the late afternoon, before dusk settles, reveals the haunting interplay of natural reclaiming and human history. The site stands out for its raw and unsettling atmosphere, offering a different kind of haunted experience rooted in Maryland’s social history.