Explore Tennessee's Ghost Towns

Tennessee is rich in history, and its ghost towns and haunted sites offer you a captivating glimpse into the past. These haunted places in Tennessee invite exploration of their supernatural lore and storied histories, making them must-visit destinations for both history buffs and ghost enthusiasts alike. Add these ghost towns and underwater towns to your Tennessee exploration list.

Ghost Towns in East Tennessee

Elkmont Ghost Town - Gatlinburg, TN

Elkmont, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is a fascinating remnant of a once-thriving logging community and a popular vacation spot in the early 20th century. Now the area is largely abandoned, a true Gatlinburg, Tennessee ghost town which offers a glimpse into the past with its dilapidated cabins and historic structures. The National Park Service has been in the process of restoring many of these historic buildings since the early 1990s, with 16 cabins now preserved, restored, and open for total public access. As you wander through the overgrown paths and old homes, the eerie silence is often interrupted by whispers of the town's former residents, believed to linger in the shadows. Ghost stories abound, with visitors reporting mysterious sounds and apparitions, especially in the old resort buildings. Elkmont is a must-visit for those intrigued by both nature and the supernatural, inviting exploration of its haunted tales.

Hales Bar Dam - Guild, TN

Located along the Tennessee River, the Hales Bar Dam in Guild, TN is steeped in history and haunting tales. Once a revolutionary hydroelectric facility, it was plagued by construction accidents and later decommissioned and abandoned in the 1960s. As the dam was constructed, the flooding of the area below the dam submerged an entire city, including the town cemetery. Known as Long Cemetery, it was not emptied of bodies before the flooding, and many say the spirits of those buried still haunt the site to this day. Visitors often speak of ghosts and unexplained phenomena near the Powerhouse and surrounding waters. With its combination of historical significance and supernatural lore, Hales Bar Dam invites exploration for paranormal enthusiasts and curious guests alike. Also onsite is the Dam Whiskey Corp, offering their own spirits and tours of the distillery.

Loyston Sunken Underwater Town at Big Ridge State Park - Maynardville, TN

Loyston is in Big Ridge State Park in Maynardville and is an underwater town that tells a story of loss and nostalgia. Once home to a vibrant community called Loyston in the early 19th century, it was submerged in the mid-1900s when the area was flooded to create a reservoir, leaving behind remnants of homes and buildings beneath the water’s surface. At the time, around 70 residents were displaced and relocated to surrounding counties. Remnants of the structures, including several businesses, schools and churches, were covered by water and still remain below the surface of the lake to this day. As you explore the area, the eerie stillness of the lake often gives way to whispers of the past, with tales and struggles of those who once lived in the town surfacing in the minds of visitors. Many report sightings of old structures just below the water. The combination of serene natural beauty and ghostly lore makes Loyston Sea at Big Ridge State Park a fascinating destination to add to your itinerary.

Ghost Towns in Middle Tennessee

Tharpe Community, TN

Nestled in the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee, Tharpe was once a thriving community originally known as “Iron Mountain”, named for the giant furnace that was constructed in the mid-1800s due to the discovery of iron ore deposits in the area. The small town had a post office, general store, school, mills, churches, and even a doctor’s office, which still stands today. Eventually, after the Civil War, a lumber company purchased the old furnace lands and eventually a railroad tie company used the area to make railroad ties. Though the town never incorporated, by the early 1900s, Tharpe had a blacksmith shop and even a tobacco prizing factory. However, by the late 1960s, when the Land Between the Lakes was created, the small but active town seemingly disappeared off the map. You can still visit the area today via Tharpe Road and find remnants of this once thriving small Tennessee community.  

Willow Grove, TN

Willow Grove, Tennessee was a small community situated along the Cumberland River, and was Clay County’s second largest town at its peak with a gristmill, school, several churches, and a few businesses. The town's promising future was halted in the 1940s when the plan to build the Dale Hollow Reservoir was announced. Residents were forced to relocate prior to the demolition of their homes and businesses and the flooding of the area. The townspeople even held a farewell celebration at a community picnic in the school yard in 1942. Today, the area is still submerged, and the remnants of Willow Grove, now known as "the town that drowned," are hidden beneath the reservoir’s surface, making it an underwater ghost town, remembered by local history and the occasional tale from old residents. With a visit to the area, you may spot the tops of buildings and structures still intact under the surface. Newly built Willow Grove Campground and Willow Grove Resort & Marina are nearby if you're looking for a place to stay.

Old Jefferson – Murfreesboro, TN

Old Jefferson, once a small town located at the original seat of Rutherford County, was abandoned and burned down in anticipation of a flood that never came. In the 1950s, when engineers told residents their town would be permanently flooded to create Percy Priest Reservoir, the town was torn down, hauled away, and what was left was burned. However, as the new reservoir filled up, the water did not extend as far as originally projected due to underground caves at what is now Long Hunter State Park. Rumors are that old foundations and some remnants of the town can still be found in the area, though a visit to the site of Old Jefferson wouldn’t be complete without checking out Percy Priest Lake and other sites like Long Hunter State Park.

Ghost Towns in West Tennessee

Victorian Village - Memphis, TN

The Victorian Village located in Memphis is a hauntingly beautiful reminder of the city’s rich history. Once a vibrant neighborhood filled with stunning Victorian mansions dating back in the mid-to-late 1800s, this collection of ornate homes is now a popular spot for visitors to explore and enjoy. Today, it retains an air of peculiar mystery, with many grand homes standing silent, echoing the whispers of a bygone era. Legends of ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena abound, particularly at notable sites like the Woodruff-Fontaine House, which was constructed in 1871 and now open to the public for self-guided tours. Rumored to be home to the spirit of Mollie Fontaine who lived and died in the mansion, visitors often report hearing disembodied female voices and believe to be interacting with Mollie herself. This charming village draws ghost hunters and history enthusiasts alike, inviting exploration of its haunted past. Whether wandering the streets or peering into the windows, you can uncover the secrets woven into its rich history. 

Old Danville Grain Elevator – Stewart, TN

Danville, Tennessee was once a thriving river town situated on the banks of the Tennessee River, near Kentucky Lake and a central link between Memphis and Louisville. The town was an important commercial center, known for its bustling docks and recognizable grain elevator, which was a major hub for local agriculture. However, when the construction of Kentucky Lake in the 1940s led to the flooding of the area, much of Danville became an underwater town. Despite the town’s disappearance, the large, iconic grain elevator still stands tall above the waters of Kentucky Lake, a striking reminder of the town’s past and a notable landmark for those visiting the area.

Fort Henry - Dover, TN

Located near Dover, Fort Henry was a key military site during the Civil War. Built in 1861, the fort was part of the Confederate defense along the Tennessee River. It played a significant role in the Battle of Fort Henry in February 1862, which resulted in a decisive Union victory and the eventual capture of the fort. After its surrender, the fort was abandoned and largely dismantled. Today, little remains of Fort Henry, but its historical significance is commemorated at the Fort Henry State Memorial, where visitors can explore the site and learn about its role in the Civil War. 

If you want to discover even more mysterious locations in Tennessee, check out these historic haunted places.