Texas isn’t just known for its cowboy culture, barbecue, and sprawling landscapes—it’s also home to some of the most haunted places in the United States. From abandoned hospitals and historic hotels to desolate towns and battle-scarred forts, the Lone Star State is rich with ghostly legends and spine-tingling lore.
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, history buff, or just love a good scare, here are the 12 most haunted places in Texas you shouldn’t visit alone.
1. The Alamo – San Antonio
One of the most iconic landmarks in Texas is also one of the most haunted. The Battle of the Alamo in 1836 left hundreds dead, and their restless spirits are said to linger. Visitors and staff report hearing whispers, phantom footsteps, and seeing apparitions of soldiers in period uniforms.
2. Hotel Galvez – Galveston
Known as the “Queen of the Gulf,” Hotel Galvez has a luxurious exterior hiding a haunted history. The most famous spirit is the “Lovelorn Lady,” a woman who hanged herself in Room 501 after her fiancé died at sea. Guests report flickering lights, cold spots, and mysterious phone calls from unoccupied rooms.
3. Yorktown Memorial Hospital – Yorktown
Abandoned since the 1980s, this old Catholic hospital is the stuff of nightmares. Ghost hunters claim to hear growling voices, screams from long-gone patients, and sightings of shadowy figures. Some say the spirits of nuns still roam the halls, watching over the building, or guarding something sinister.
4. The Baker Hotel – Mineral Wells
Once a glamorous retreat for celebrities and politicians, the now-shuttered Baker Hotel is infamous for its hauntings. A woman in white is said to wander the halls, and visitors have reported hearing laughter, slamming doors, and even being pushed by unseen forces.
5. Presidio La Bahía – Goliad
This 18th-century Spanish fort turned mission saw bloodshed during the Texas Revolution. Many of the soldiers executed during the Goliad Massacre are buried on site. Today, visitors have reported ghostly apparitions, eerie music, and unexplained cold drafts in the chapel.
6. The Driskill Hotel – Austin
This elegant hotel in downtown Austin is home to more than fine dining and luxury—it also houses several spirits. One of the most famous is a young girl who died after falling down the stairs in the 1880s. Guests report sightings of her playing with a ball and laughing down empty hallways.
7. Goatman’s Bridge – Denton
Also known as Old Alton Bridge, this creepy iron structure is said to be haunted by the spirit of a half-man, half-goat creature. Legend has it that a local black man accused of witchcraft was lynched here in the 1930s. His ghost—and possibly something darker—now haunts the woods and bridge.
8. La Carafe – Houston
The oldest bar in Houston also claims to be the most haunted. This candlelit wine bar operates out of a 19th-century building, and patrons have heard voices, witnessed glasses flying off shelves, and seen shadowy figures dart across the second floor.
9. Marfa Lights – Marfa
The small West Texas town of Marfa is famous for its mysterious orbs of light that float, split, and merge across the desert. Scientists have failed to fully explain the phenomenon, and many locals believe the lights are ghostly spirits from the past or even alien entities.
10. The Jefferson Hotel – Jefferson
In one of Texas’s most haunted small towns lies the Jefferson Hotel. Guests have fled in the middle of the night after hearing whispers, slamming doors, and encountering ghostly apparitions. Room 19 is said to be the most paranormally active.
11. Bragg Road Ghost Lights – Saratoga
Also known as the Ghost Road, this long, tree-lined path in East Texas has been the site of countless ghost light sightings. Legend tells of a railroad worker decapitated in a tragic accident—now, his ghostly lantern floats through the darkness in search of his head.
12. Fort Phantom Hill – Abilene
This Civil War-era fort stands in ruins, but the spirits haven’t left. Witnesses report seeing spectral soldiers standing at attention, campfires burning with no one nearby, and hearing the echo of marching footsteps when no one is around.
Why Is Texas So Haunted?
Texas has a deep and often violent history, from bloody battles and frontier justice to deadly storms and mysterious disappearances. Its sheer size and diverse landscape also lend themselves to isolation and lore, making ghost stories part of the culture. Many believe these spirits remain tethered to the places where their lives ended in trauma, revenge, or sorrow.
Conclusion
Whether you’re daring enough to stay overnight in one of these haunted hotels or just want to pass by and peek through the iron gates of an old asylum, Texas has no shortage of paranormal activity. These 12 haunted places offer a glimpse into the past—one where the dead may not be entirely gone. If you decide to visit, bring a flashlight, a brave heart, and maybe a little salt… just in case.
