UFOs, Ghosts, and Cryptids: Paranormal West Virginia
Nestled about 30 minutes north of Beckley, the town of Flatwoods occupies a curious place in UFO lore, thanks to the famous Flatwoods Monster incident of 1952. Visitors can explore the Flatwoods Monster Museum and Visitors Center, where exhibits detail the strange sighting of a glowing, humanoid figure with a spade-shaped head that reportedly terrified locals. The museum provides a hands-on way to understand the story, with photos, eyewitness accounts, and artifacts. Flatwoods itself is a small Appalachian community, and the surrounding hills and forests offer the kind of mist-shrouded, eerie atmosphere that makes the legend feel all the more real, especially during the cool, damp evenings in autumn when shadows lengthen early and the woods whisper with the wind.
About two hours west of Charleston, the town of Lewisburg holds a reputation as one of the most haunted places in West Virginia. The Greenbrier Valley hosts several historic sites, but the Lewisburg Cemetery stands out for those intrigued by ghost stories and spectral sightings. Walking among weathered stones dating back to the 18th century, visitors often report a palpable stillness broken only by the rustle of leaves and an occasional chill that seems out of place even on warm days. The nearby Old Stone Church, less than a mile away, offers another glimpse into the town’s haunted past; its colonial-era architecture and stained glass windows create a solemn backdrop for tales of restless spirits reportedly heard but rarely seen. Visiting in late fall, around dusk, heightens the experience as the fading light plays tricks on the eyes and imagination alike.
For those drawn to cryptids, the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, about 1.5 hours east of Morgantown, is a compelling destination. While the refuge is celebrated for its rare peat bogs and abundant wildlife, it is also near the area where sightings of the Mothman creature have been reported outside its usual Point Pleasant haunt. The refuge’s extensive trail system, including the 3-mile Cabwaylingo Trail, offers a moderately easy hike through dense forests and wetlands, perfect for spotting deer, birds, or possibly something more mysterious. Early morning visits, especially in spring or fall when the fog often rolls over the wetlands, enhance the sense of otherworldly quiet and make the prospect of encountering the unknown a little more tangible.
About 45 minutes southeast of Charleston, the town of Point Pleasant is inseparable from the legend of the Mothman, a large, winged creature with glowing red eyes said to have been seen in the area during the 1960s. The Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant serves as a shrine to this cryptid, with a remarkable collection of newspaper clippings, eyewitness interviews, and artistic interpretations that capture the eerie aura of the sightings. Exploring the nearby Silver Bridge Memorial Park, where the tragic 1967 collapse occurred, connects the folklore to a tangible location marked by history and loss. Fall is particularly atmospheric here, when the trees turn fiery orange and the evenings grow crisp, perfect for an evocative stroll along the Ohio River that feeds into the local legend’s mystique.
Deep in the Allegheny Mountains, the town of Elkins, about two hours northeast of Charleston, offers a haunted frontier appeal centered around the historic Randolph County Courthouse. This 19th-century stone building is reputedly visited by the ghosts of former prisoners and judges, with paranormal tours available that delve into local stories of justice gone awry and lingering spirits. Nearby, the Elkins Depot Welcome Center provides a starting point for exploring the surrounding Monongahela National Forest with its rugged trails and dense woods. Autumn, when the forest ignites in red and gold hues, is an especially evocative time to combine tales of the supernatural with hikes along the Allegheny Highlands Trail, where the isolation and silence invite the imagination to wander amid the shadows.
Venturing about 50 minutes southwest of Morgantown brings visitors to the historic Prickett’s Fort State Park, a reconstructed 18th-century fort in a peaceful riverside setting. The fort’s log palisades and blockhouses evoke the colonial frontier, a backdrop for occasional ghost stories of early settlers and Native American encounters. The park’s trails, including the River Trail that follows the Monongahela River for several miles, offer gentle hikes through fields and forest, connecting visitors with the region’s layered past and the lingering echoes of its early conflicts. Early spring, when wildflowers dot the landscape and the river runs high, brings the fort to life with both natural beauty and the sense of time’s passage, making it an immersive spot for those intrigued by history and the supernatural.
About 40 minutes north of Charleston lies the town of Marmet, known regionally for the eerie Marmet Lock and Dam area, where locals have whispered about ghostly apparitions linked to mining tragedies in the Kanawha Valley. The nearby Kanawha State Forest provides miles of trails through dense hardwoods and along bubbling streams, such as the Arboretum Trail, which is an easy walk featuring local tree species and serene creek crossings. Visiting after a rainstorm or during misty mornings can amplify the forest’s haunted reputation, as fog clings to the valleys and the sounds of dripping water mingle with the rustling leaves—a perfect setting to ponder the spirits said to linger near the mining sites that shaped the region’s industrial past.