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Have you ever experienced something that left you questioning what actually happened? Maybe you saw a flickering light, experienced an unexplained chill, or saw a shadow that seemed to move on its own? If so, you’re not alone. The thrill of a good ghost story or a haunting encounter can send shivers down anyone’s spine.
Halloween isn’t just about costumes and candy—it’s the perfect time to indulge in tales of ghosts, ghouls, and things that go bump in the night. As we’re approaching spooky season, I’m thinking about spooky stories like the Ozark Howler and the Gurdon Light and strange things people have experienced at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs and the Plum Bayou Mounds in Scott. It’s got me wondering about the most haunted places in Arkansas.
From historic hotels that whisper of their past to old cemeteries where restless spirits are said to roam, I’ve researched a list of Arkansas’s 10 most haunted places. Each location has its own spooky story. Some have drawn the attention of paranormal experts and ghost hunters, while others are known for their reputation among staff members and brave tourists. Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or just a curious soul intrigued by the supernatural, these spots offer a mix of eerie legends and reported paranormal activity.
#1. The Crescent Hotel | Eureka Springs
Considered “America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” this 1886 Victorian hotel has a chilling history and has played host to some of America’s top paranormal experts. In the 1930s, the hotel operated as the Baker Cancer Hospital where patients underwent experimental procedures under the guidance of “Dr.” Norman Baker. Guests report seeing ghosts of former patients such as Michael and Theadora and a nurse who has been spotted pushing a gurney down a third-floor hallway.
Photo courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
#2. The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa | Hot Springs
Built in 1875, this historic hotel has long been associated with paranormal activity. Guests have reported encounters with ghostly figures and strange happenings, particularly in Room 824. Other guests who have stayed in Room 443, Gangster Al Capone’s former room, have also experienced strange events. For many years, staff were required to deny any paranormal activity over fear it would cause a decline in business.
#3. The Allen House | Monticello
Known for its tragic past, the Allen House has been the subject of ghost sightings, particularly of Ladell Allen, who took her life in the house in 1948 following a sordid love affair with her former high school sweetheart who was married to someone else. Several paranormal experts have toured the home, and as many as six spirits have been identified. The house was sold in 2024 and is no longer open for tours.
#4. Peel Mansion | Bentonville
Built by Col. Samuel W. Peel in 1875, the Peel Mansion is rumored to be haunted by three former residents. Visitors claim to hear disembodied footsteps and voices and witness objects moving on their own. Others claim to hear a piano playing in the parlor only to find the room empty and silent upon entering.
#5. Fort Chaffee | Fort Smith
Once a military base, the haunted barracks of Fort Chaffee are known for ghostly soldiers who are said to still walk the grounds. Over the years, the grounds also housed German POWs, Cuban refugees and has been the site of hundreds of deaths. The site appeared on an episode of the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures.
Photo courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
#6. MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History | Little Rock
Originally a Civil War-era arsenal built in 1840, the historic MacArthur Museum site has had reports of shadowy figures and unexplained noises. The building has been featured on a number of shows about paranormal activity and has been toured by some of the most acclaimed paranormal experts. Deaths occurred during arsenal accidents, Civil war battles, executions and even a duel. People have experienced disembodied voices, apparitions and shadow figures.
Photo courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
#7. The Clayton House | Fort Smith
The Victorian-era Clayton House is now a museum, but visitors have reported strange occurrences, such as the sound of footsteps and voices from empty rooms, as well as sightings of figures dressed in period clothing. The home was built in 1852 and even served as a Civil War hospital, which was likely to be the site of many deaths.
#8. Mount Holly Cemetery | Little Rock
Often called the “Westminster Abbey of Arkansas,” the 19th-century cemetery is known for eerie sightings of spirits roaming the grounds at night. Mount Holly Cemetery is a hall of fame of sorts for some of Arkansas’s most prominent citizens whose bodies rest there eternally. When the cemetery was established, remains were moved to the site from area homes and churches. Disturbing the dead is said to activate spirits and people have reported seeing statues moving, hearing voices, and some even claim to have photographic evidence of ghosts and unexplained lights.
#9. The King Opera House | Van Buren
This King Opera House theater is believed to be haunted by the ghost of a young traveling actor named Charles Tolson, who was murdered at the train station near the theater. Tolson was shot and killed by a well-known local doctor who was afraid his daughter was in love with the actor and was planning to run away with him. Visitors have reported seeing his figure on the stage where he last performed.
#10. The Basin Park Hotel | Eureka Springs
Built in 1905, the Basin Park Hotel has a reputation for being haunted. Guests and staff have reported encounters with shadowy figures, unexplained noises, and ghostly apparitions. The hotel’s most famous ghost is said to be that of a young woman who fell to her death from one of the upper floors. Paranormal investigators have frequented the hotel, claiming to experience cold spots, flickering lights, and other unexplained phenomena.
Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these haunted places in Arkansas offer a thrilling glimpse into the state’s mysterious and paranormal side, and each location has its own spine-tingling story to tell. If you’re looking for an adventure this spooky season, consider visiting one of these haunted sites where you might just encounter something unexpected.
Cover photo courtesy of Tim Reilly.
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