Locals and tourists looking for a scary experience will certainly find one in Vermont.
However, not every destination you read about is worth visiting.
Today, we’re bringing you seven haunted Vermont attractions sure to offer a spine-tingling time.
Let’s get spooky!
What’s So Spooky about Vermont’s Haunted History?
The Green Mountain State was formally established in 1791, but its history dates back much further. In fact, Indigenous Americans lived here as long as 10,000 years ago.
This state has truly seen it all. Industrial disasters, wars, and outbreaks of disease are just the beginning. Some locations within its borders were also part of the Underground Railroad, while others were the sites of witch hunts.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that scary occurrences are common throughout Vermont.
From ghostly apparitions to unexplainable sounds, this area’s creepy attractions aren’t for the faint of heart. After all, if a seasoned local tour guide refuses to enter a historical building, there’s probably a good reason.
Whether you’re taking an October leaf-peeping expedition through the area or visiting at a different time of year, you can act out your inner ghost-hunting dreams at spots throughout the state. We suggest wearing your grown-up pants and putting on a brave face because these destinations will test even the toughest among us.
7 Scary Vermont Locations to Visit… If You Dare
Before planning your next trip to Vermont, check out some of the state’s most haunted destinations. Here are seven places you won’t want to miss.
#1 Green Mountain Inn
Nestled in the heart of Stowe, Vermont, is a humble hotel with a haunted history. The Green Mountain Inn has hosted guests for nearly 200 years. During that time, at least one unusual ghost has made himself comfortable.
According to legend, “Boots” Berry was the son of a chambermaid at the inn. He was born on the property in room 302. He cared for the horses and managed the stagecoaches traveling to and from the establishment. At one point, he spent time in New Orleans, where he learned to tap dance.
After Boots returned to Vermont, an intense snowstorm enveloped the inn, somehow trapping a little girl on the roof. The man lowered the girl to safety but lost his footing and plunged to his death. Locals say you can still hear the sound of the hero tap dancing on the roof on stormy nights.
If you want to experience this phenomenon, book a room at the Green Mountain Inn.
#2 Ricker Basin
Ricker Basin was once a bustling milling community between Burlington and Montpelier. For a brief time in the 1900s, folks flocked to the barren area in search of work. However, the rocky terrain, poor soil, and inhospitable environment weren’t accommodating, and many soon abandoned the region, leaving a ghost town in their wake.
Today, the property is part of Little River State Park. In addition to the Ricker Cemetary, only one original structure still stands.
However, many strange occurrences here hint at the Vermont destination’s haunted past. Campers and anglers tell tales of mysterious, unexplainable events. We suggest booking a campsite and exploring the forest to see for yourself.
Think Vermont is haunted? Check out our Road Trip Guide to Satan’s Kingdom in Connecticut!
#3 West Castleton Ghost Town
If one ghost town turned state park isn’t enough for you, you’ll want to explore the Bomoseen Slate History Trail.
West Castleton was home to a booming industrial hub. The mining industry brought tons of hopeful workers to the area, and many died as a result. Today, you can see foundations, rubble piles, and remnants of the former town throughout Bomoseen State Park.
Visitors often experience scary incidents. At least one camper claimed to see a phantom rowboat carrying three miners who vanished into the lake during the boomtime.
Don’t skip the Slate History Trail when you head to the park! It’ll give you better insight into the area’s past and the ghosts you may meet along the way.
#4 Emily’s Bridge
Gold Brook Covered Bridge, known to locals as Emily’s Bridge, has long attracted curious ghost hunters. Legend has it that a lovesick young woman named Emily ended her life at the site after the man she intended to marry failed to meet her there for their elopement.
Since the tragic incident, visitors have reported hearing screams and receiving scratches on their vehicles or bodies as they pass over the structure. Some have even seen a ghostly white figure pacing up and down the bridge.
We can’t say for sure whether this scary Vermont attraction is haunted, but you can cross the passage yourself and see if any spooky sights or sounds grab your attention.
Learn more about Why People Visit Emily’s Bridge in Vermont!
#5 Old Stagecoach Inn
Built in 1826, Waterbury’s Old Stagecoach Inn has seen many visitors come and go over the years. Many believe this establishment is home to particular guests who refuse to leave.
According to one tale, a manager at the inn was surprised to see an unfamiliar couple descend the stairs. When she inquired about their stay, they claimed an older woman had checked them in. Further research shows that the “older woman” resembled Nettie Spencer, former owner of the boarding house.
Other guests have reported odd electrical events like flickering lights after asserting this haunted Vermont inn is actually ghostless. You’ll have to stay here to see what spooky apparitions appear.
#6 Dutton House
The Shelburne Museum is an iconic historic complex in Vermont containing at least one haunted house. Beyond the 20+ gardens, lighthouse, and massive round barn, you’ll find the Dutton House.
Multiple museum staff members have gone on record with their experiences. They say an older man and a little girl frequently follow them during tours, often crouching in unsuspecting parts of the home. Some guides flat-out refuse to work in the Dutton House after hearing mysterious cries and witnessing unexplainable phenomena.
Of course, we think visiting for yourself is the best way to find out whether or not the museum is really haunted.
#7 The Tomb of Doctor Timothy Clark Smith
Our final scary Vermont destination offers a literal glimpse into the past.
Doctor Timothy Clark Smith had a crippling fear of sleeping sickness, a disease that made it appear the ill were actually dead. To avoid being buried alive, he constructed an elaborate tomb that included a window into his grave. His son, Harrison, ensured the crypt included stairs and tools his father would need to dig himself out in the event of his greatest fear.
You can see this unsettling creation at Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven.
We can’t blame the doctor for his fear of premature burial. After all, hundreds of verified reports from this period exist, confirming his concern was valid.
Snag a copy of Vermont Haunted History: Ghost Stories, Folklore, Myths, Curses and Legends!
Are These Scary Vermont Spots Worth It?
Vermont has a rich history dating back thousands of years, so we’re not shocked to hear reports of many haunted destinations. In fact, we’re surprised we haven’t heard more.
Vermont’s scary and authentic traditions won’t disappoint. After all, you never know what might go bump in the night!
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