The 16 Spookiest-Sounding Places in Pennsylvania

Photos of the spookiest-sounding places in Pennsylvania.

If you’re looking for some of the spookiest-sounding places in Pennsylvania, you’re in the right place!

Entrance to Cellblock 5 at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia.
Entrance to Cellblock 5 at Eastern State Penitentiary.

From Hell’s Hollow to the Shades of Death Trail.

The Shades of Death Trail at Hickory Run State Park.
The Shades of Death Trail at Hickory Run State Park.

From hooded graves to a deserted superhighway to a haunted church.

Rays Hill Tunnel along the Abandoned PA Turnpike.
Rays Hill Tunnel along the Abandoned PA Turnpike.

Forget about fake haunted houses and characters in Halloween costumes – here are 16 REAL spooky-sounding places you can explore in Pennsylvania!

Doorway to Alvira bunker number 5.
Doorway to Alvira bunker number 5.

And best of all – I’ve plotted them all out the interactive map below, with each scary-sounding destination represented by a red star!


Legal Disclaimer: By voluntarily exploring these locations, YOU assume the risk of any personal injury or damage to personal property, and shall not hold the author liable for any injuries, loss, or damages that may occur while visiting these locations.


1. The Hooded Grave Cemetery

The Hooded Grave Cemetery in Columbia County is home to what may be the only two hooded graves that exist in the United States.

The Hooded Grave Cemetery contains approximately two dozen graves, with two of the being "hooded".
The Hooded Grave Cemetery contains approximately two dozen graves, with two of the being “hooded”.

Hooded graves, also known as “mortsafes”, were prevalent in England and Scotland in the 18th and 19th centuries as a means of preventing body snatchers from stealing the corpses of the newly-deceased, which they would then sell to medical schools, doctors, and anatomy instructors.

The hooded graves were constructed to prevent the theft of bodies by "resurrectionists".
The hooded graves were constructed to prevent the theft of bodies by “resurrectionists”.

Despite urban legends, the hooded graves WERE NOT constructed because the deceased were believed to be vampires!

Exploring the Hooded Grave Cemetery in Columbia County PA
One of the “hooded graves” meant to deter grave robbers.

2. The Devil’s Den

There may not be a spookier-sounding place in Pennsylvania than the Devil’s Den.

The Devil's Den at Gettysburg National Military Park.
The Devil’s Den at Gettysburg National Military Park.

Loacted on the grounds of the Gettysburg National Military Park, Devil’s Den was the scene of fierce fighting and many deaths during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Devil's Den was the scene of fierce fighting and many deaths during the Battle of Gettysburg.
Devil’s Den was the scene of fierce fighting and many deaths during the Battle of Gettysburg.

The rock formation acquired its foreboding name prior to the 1863 battle, however, as local residents in the mid-1800s believed that the crevices between the boulders were home to a large snake they had nicknamed “The Devil”.

The Devil's Den was believd to be the home of a giant snake locals nicknamed "The Devil".
The Devil’s Den was believd to be the home of a giant snake locals nicknamed “The Devil”.

3. Bloody Knox Log Cabin

The Bloody Knox Cabin in Clearfield County was the scene of a Civil War skirmish between Union soldiers and Union deserters and draft dodgers that left 2 men dead, one on each side of the shoot-out.

Exploring the Bloody Knox Cabin in Clearfield County Pennsylvania.
The Bloody Knox Cabin.

Today a replica of the original cabin stands on the site, along with several historical plaques and interpretive signage.

Bloody Knox historical marker along Route 453 in front of the cabin.
Bloody Knox historical marker along Route 453 in front of the cabin.

4. Silence of the Lambs House

This Fayette County home was the lair of fictional serial killer Buffalo Bill in the Academy Award-winning film The Silence of the Lambs.

The Silence of the Lambs house near Perryopolis Pennsylvania.
Approaching the Silence of the Lambs House near Perryopolis.

Now it’s a one-of-a-kind vacation rental known as Buffalo Bill’s House.

The foyer of Buffalo Bill's House in Perryopolis Pennsylvania.
The foyer of Buffalo Bill’s House.

And I can tell you from personal experience – there’s nothing cooler than watching The Silence of the Lambs IN THE HOUSE that played such a prominent role in the film!

Watching Silence of the Lambs in the house where portions of the movie were filmed.
Watching Silence of the Lambs in the house where portions of the movie were filmed.

5. The Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Do you dare step foot into one of the two ominous-looking, unlit tunnels along the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike?!

Interior of the Sideling Hill Tunnel on the abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Interior of the Sideling Hill Tunnel on the abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike.

This 13 mile-long hiking and biking trail in Bedford and Fulton counties gives off a serous post-apocalyptic vibe, and certainly deserves a spot on any list of Pennsylvania’s spookiest-sounding destinations.

Office inside the Sideling Hill Tunnel in Fulton County.
Office inside the Sideling Hill Tunnel along the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike.

From the foreboding tunnels to the long stretches of eerily-silent highway in between, the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike is truly a remarkable destination to explore.

Bicycling the Abandoned PA Turnpike in September 2020.
Bicycling the Abandoned PA Turnpike in September 2020.

6. The Abandoned Alvira Bunkers

The abandoned Alvira bunkers in Union County are literally built on top of a ghost town – how’s that for spooky!

Inside one of the abandoned Alvira bunkers.
Inside one of the 149 abandoned munitions bunkers at Alvira.

In 1942 the US government used the courts and eminent domain to force the residents of Alvira to sell their land and homes, so that the town could be leveled and converted into a TNT factory and munitions storage facility for the war effort.

Sign at the site of Alvira and the abandoned munitions bunkers in Union County PA
Sign at the site of Alvira and the abandoned munitions bunkers in Union County

But less than a year after the Pennsylvania Ordnance Works opened, it was shut down and eventually abandoned.

Entrance to one of the bunkers on State Game Lands 252 along Alvira Road.
Entrance to one of the bunkers on State Game Lands 252 along Alvira Road.

All that remains of the town now are the cemeteries, the remnants of roads, and 149 concrete bunkers that were built to store TNT.

Doorway to Alvira bunker number 2.
Doorway to Alvira bunker number 2.

Wandering the abandoned, overgrown roads of Alvira gives you a disquieting feeling that you’re not alone.

Remnants of a road through the Alvira bunkers on State Game Lands 252.
Remnants of a road through the Alvira bunkers on State Game Lands 252.

And of course the cemeteries are a reminder that some of the original residents really are still here, if only in spirit.

Old Alvira cemetery on State Game Lands 252.
Old Alvira cemetery on State Game Lands 252.

The abandoned Alvira bunkers on State Game Lands 252 are another deserving member of the “spookiest-sounding places in Pennsylvania” club!

View from the back of one of the abandoned Alvira bunkers.
View from the back of one of the abandoned Alvira bunkers.

7. The Abandoned Nuclear Jet Engine Bunkers

In something right out of a James Bond flick, the secretive nuclear jet engine testing bunkers in Cameron County were originally built with intentions to develop a Cold War super-weapon – jet-powered fighter planes and bombers that never needed to land for refueling!

Abandoned nuclear jet engine testing bunker entrance.
Entrance to one of the jet engine testing bunkers.

By 1960, the project had been scrapped and the testing area abandoned.

Trees growing up around one of the abandoned nuclear jet engine testing bunkers in the Quehanna Wild Area.
Trees growing up around one of the abandoned nuclear jet engine testing bunkers in the Quehanna Wild Area.

Now all that remains where scientists once worked are stark concrete walls, creaky steel doors, and 60 years worth of graffiti.

Interior of the northern nuclear jet engine testing bunker in the Quehanna Wild Area.
Interior of the northern nuclear jet engine testing bunker in the Quehanna Wild Area.

Time and the Earth are slowly swallowing up the abandoned nuclear jest engine testing bunkers in the Quehanna Wild Area, only adding to the spooky vibe this destination gives off.

The southern Curtiss-Wright nuclear jet engine testing bunker in the Quehanna Wild Area.
The southern Curtiss-Wright nuclear jet engine testing bunker in the Quehanna Wild Area.

8. Hell’s Hollow Falls

Despite the spooky-sounding name, Hell’s Hollow Falls at McConnells Mill State Park is a very heavenly scene!

Stream-level view of Hell's Hollow Falls at McConnell's Mill State Park.
Stream-level view of Hell’s Hollow Falls.

The name Hell’s Hollow refers to the limestone kiln that once operated in the hollow near the falls, giving off a foul odor, belching smoke, and producing an ominous red glow as limestone was burned in the kiln to produce lime.

Looking into the lime kiln on the side of Hell's Hollow Falls from the bottom opening in the kiln.
Looking into the lime kiln on the side of Hell’s Hollow Falls from the bottom opening in the kiln.

Today the only thing spooky about Hell’s Hollow Falls is the name itself – the waterfall is quite pleasant!

The author at Hell's Hollow Falls.
The author at Hell’s Hollow Falls.

9. Shades of Death Trail

One of the spookiest-sounding places in all of Pennsylvania, the Shades of Death Trail is actually a peaceful stream-side hike with numerous idyllic scenes along the way.

Shades of Death Trailhead at Hickory Run State Park
Shades of Death Trailhead at Hickory Run State Park

The highlight of the Shades of Death Trail at Hickory Run State Park is Stametz Dam, a man-made spillway that looks more like a graceful waterfall.

Stametz Dam along the Shades of Death Trail at Hickory Run State Park.
Stametz Dam Spillway along the Shades of Death Trail at Hickory Run State Park

The most frightening thing about the Shades of Death trail is trying to find a parking spot on a summer weekend – the hike itself is a sheer pleasure!

Reflections on the reservoir above Stametz Dam.
Reflections on the reservoir above Stametz Dam along the Shades of Death Trail in Carbon County.

10. The Ghost Town of Scotia

On the outskirts of State College in Centre County lie the remains of the ghost town of Scotia.

Remains of the ore washer at Scotia near State College Pennsylvania.
Remains of the ore washer at Scotia.

This iron-mining boomtown prospered for nearly 30 years, then disappeared as the quantity and quality of iron ore dried up, leaving the ruins to be reabsorbed by what is now State Game Lands 176.

The ruins of Scotia are a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers near State College.
The ruins of Scotia are a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers near State College.

Scotia and the area around it is supposedly haunted by the ghost of confessed murderer Bert Delige, the last person publicly hanged in Centre County and buried in an unmarked grave nearby.

A rendering of what the Black Ghost of Scotia is rumored to look like.
A rendering of what the Black Ghost of Scotia is rumored to look like.

The so-called “Black Ghost of Scotia” is rumored to be most active around the anniversary of his hanging, which occurred on April 25th, 1911.

Graffiti resembling the Black Ghost of Scotia painted on the ore washer ruins.
Graffiti resembling the Black Ghost of Scotia painted on the ore washer ruins.

11. The Abandoned Cresson State Prison

The massive, decommissioned Cresson State Prison complex in Cambria County is one of the spookiest places I’ve ever personally explored!

Natural light illumintaes a cell block at the abandoned Cresson State Prison in Cambria County.
Natural light illuminates a cell block at the abandoned Cresson State Prison in Cambria County.

With dozens of buildings to see, spread out over acres of land, a visit to the abandoned Cresson State Prison makes for a fantastic adventure.

Aerial view of the abandoned Cresson State Prison complex.
Aerial view of the abandoned Cresson State Prison complex.

Unfortunately, as of the summer of 2023, a legal battle is playing out in the courts between the folks that operate the tours of the grounds and the landlord of the property, so all visits are on hold.

Cresson Sanatorium and Prison social media announcement in August 2023.
Cresson Sanatorium and Prison social media announcement in August 2023.

But if and when these legal issues are resolved, DO make an effort to explore this maze of buildings, some dating back more than 100 years.

Interior of Grace Chapel at the abandoned Cresson State Prison.
Interior of Grace Chapel at the abandoned Cresson State Prison.

12. The Austin Dam Ruins

When the Austin Dam in Potter County burst on September 30, 1911, it lead to massive devastation downstream and the deaths of at least 78 people.

Freeman Run passing through the ruins of Austin Dam in Potter County PA.
Freeman Run passing through the ruins of Austin Dam in Potter County.

Today, 110 years later, the ruins of Austin Dam still stand in a park dedicated to the memory of those victims.

Memorial to the victims of the Austin Dam Flood at Austin Dam Memorial Park.
Memorial to the victims of the Austin Dam Flood at Austin Dam Memorial Park.

Austin Dam Memorial Park is a beautiful but sobering destination to explore, with trails through the towering ruins of the dam providing an up-close look at what caused the second-deadliest flood disaster in Pennsylvania history.

Remains of Austin Dam in Potter County PA
Remains of Austin Dam in Potter County.

A hiking trail leads from the ruins of the dam to the ruins of the Bayless paper mill a mile downstream, the reason the dam was built in the first place.

View of the abandoned Bayless Paper Mill from Route 872.
View of the abandoned Bayless Paper Mill from Route 872.

The now-abandoned paper mill was rebuilt after the flood in 1911, but ultimately succumbed to fire in 1944.

Holes in the floor and ceiling at the Bayless Paper Mill ruins in Potter County.
Holes in the floor and ceiling at the Bayless Paper Mill ruins in Potter County.

13. The Ghost Town Trail

A natural fit for a list of the spookiest-sounding places in Pennsylvania, the Ghost Town Trail is composed of 46 miles of rail trails in Indiana and Cambria Counties.

The Ghost Town Trail is composed of 46 miles of rail trails in Indiana and Cambria Counties.
The Ghost Town Trail is composed of 46 miles of rail trails in Indiana and Cambria Counties.

The Ghost Town Trail gets its name from numerous mining towns that once existed along this railroad corridor turned rail trail, and while it sounds spooky, it’s actually quite pleasant!

The Ghost Town Trail derives its name from numerous mining towns that once existed along this railroad corridor turned rail trail.
The Ghost Town Trail derives its name from numerous mining towns that once existed along this railroad corridor turned rail trail.

14. Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia is America’s most-historic (and some say most-haunted) prison!

Eastern State Penitentiary was designed with a neo-Gothic look to instill fear into those who thought of committing a crime.
Eastern State Penitentiary was designed with a neo-Gothic look to instill fear into those who thought of committing a crime.

This was the world’s first true “penitentiary,” a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true remorse, in the hearts of prisoners.

Cells at Eastern State Penitentiary were constructed to allow prisoners to enter and exit their cells through metal doors that were covered by a heavy wooden door to filter out noise.
Originally all prisoners at Eastern State Penitentiary were held in solitary confinement, which drove some prisoners to madness.

Opened in 1829 and known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, Eastern State Penitentiary closed in 1971, and slowly descended into ruin over the next 20 years.

The halls at Eastern State Penitentiary were designed to have the feel of a church.
The halls at Eastern State Penitentiary were designed to have the feel of a church.

Saved from the wrecking ball and now owned by a non-profit organization, Eastern State Penitentiary operates as a year-round museum and historic site.

Eastern State Penitentiary was designed by British architect John Haviland, one of the most notable architects working from Philadelphia in the 19th century.
Eastern State Penitentiary was designed by British architect John Haviland, one of the most notable architects working in Philadelphia in the
19th century.

15. The Haunted Quaker Church

The “haunted Quaker Church” just outside of Perryopolis in Fayette County is much more famous for what allegedly happened there than what actually happened there!

Cemetery gates at the historic (and supposedly haunted) Quaker Church in Fayette County, PA.
Cemetery gates at the historic (and supposedly haunted) Quaker Church in Fayette County, PA.

During the “Satanic Panic” of the 1980s, rumors surfaced that a local witch had been secretly tried and executed in the former Quaker meeting house, and that (predictably) the ghost of the witch now haunted the current chapel and cemetery in Fayette County!

What appears to be a ghostly face burned into the boards covering a back window at the Haunted Quaker Church in Fayette County.
Interior of the Haunted Quaker Church in Fayette County.

To this day, if you look closely at the boarded-up back window, you can see what appears to be a Shroud of Turin-like image of a woman’s face, with a pronounced mouth, nose, eyes, and hair burned into the next-to-top board.

A ghostly face on the interior of the "haunted Quaker Church" in Fayette County, near Perryopolis.
A ghostly face on the interior of the “haunted Quaker Church” in Fayette County, near Perryopolis.

16. Yellow Dog Village

Yellow Dog Village is a collection of 26 buildings and a park where people lived and played for nearly 100 years.

Yellow Dog Village is Pennsylvania's Best Ghost Town.
Scenes from Yellow Dog Vilage.

Abandoned in 2009 due to water contaminantion issues, the town is now run as a tourist attraction.

One of the single family homes in Yellow Dog Village.
One of the single family homes in Yellow Dog Village.

Appealing to both history buffs and “urban explorers”, Yellow Dog Village is often referred to as “Pennsylvania’s best ghost town!”

The family room of a home at Yellow Dog Village.
The family room of a home at Yellow Dog Village.

So there you have it – 16 of the spookiest-sounding places in Pennsylvania!

Approaching the Grace Chapel on the grounds of the former SCI-Cresson in Cambria County.
Approaching the Grace Chapel on the grounds of the abandoned Cresson State Prison in Cambria County.

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.