Ghosts of Gatlinburg: 10 Haunted Places to Visit this Fall

Gatlinburg takes its name from Radford Gatlin, a controversial figure in the town’s history. In the mid-1800s, Gatlin moved to the area previously known as White Oak Flats and opened a general store and then the first post office where the town name changed to Gatlinburg. However, his fiery temper and brash personality quickly made him enemies and he clashed with many of the town’s residents.

He was eventually run out of town, but his legacy—and possibly his spirit—lives on. Some say Radford Gatlin haunts the area around the site of his former store located in the middle of downtown Gatlinburg, causing mischief and unsettling feelings for those who pass by. Some have reported strange occurrences in this part of Gatlinburg, such as mysterious sounds and the feeling of being watched by unseen eyes. Could it be Radford Gatlin's spirit seeking revenge on a town that banished him?

As you walk through downtown and explore the shops and spooky things to do, can you feel the presence of Radford Gatlin?

One of Gatlinburg’s most famous ghost stories revolves around the Greenbrier Restaurant, a former lodge that is now a fine-dining establishment - not just famous for its delicious cuisine, but also for its ghostly resident, Lydia. The story dates back to the early 1900s, when legend has it that Lydia was a bride-to-be, but was abandoned by her fiancé on her wedding day. Heartbroken and devastated, she tragically took her own life still wearing her wedding dress. The wooden rafter used in the tragic event is now a part of the Greenbrier restaurant and if you look closely, you can still see the markings on the beam. 

Patrons and staff claim Lydia’s spirit still lingers, haunting the place where she met her tragic end. Reports of ghostly apparitions of a woman in white, unexplained cold spots and noises late at night, plus objects moving on their own have become part of the restaurant’s eerie charm. Lydia's tragic love story continues to captivate the imaginations of visitors who hope to catch a glimpse of the heartbroken bride. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, Lydia’s presence adds an extra layer of intrigue to dining at this historic upscale establishment.

Perched high atop Mount LeConte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is LeConte Lodge. Established in 1925, it is one of the most remote, rustic lodges in the country blanketed by clouds and mist. There are no roads to the lodge and it is accessible only by a strenuous hike on one of five trails. Despite its isolation, the lodge has its own ghost story that lingers in the cool mountain air. One of the first caretakers of the lodge lived in solitude and developed a deep connection to the land. It is said that even after his death, the caretaker still watches over the area. Hikers have reported feeling an invisible presence or hearing footsteps following them along the trail. Even at the summit, hikers claim to get an eerie sensation in such a remote and tranquil spot.

Some of the guests who have stayed at this lodge also reported a little girl appearing at the end of their bed at exactly 3:33 in the morning, and can sometimes be found sitting at the end of one of the beds in a guestroom. It is said the little girl will disappear as soon as you wake but that she means no harm, even though it's definitely a little spooky.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park which surrounds Gatlinburg, is not just a natural wonder; it is also steeped in ghostly legends. Before becoming a national park, the area was home to settlers who battled both the elements and each other. Many of those settlers’ spirits are said to still linger in the park.

One of the most infamous ghost stories is that of Spearfinger - a Cherokee legend about a witch with a stone finger who roamed the mountains preying on unsuspecting hikers. While this is rooted in folklore, some visitors have reported encountering strange and unexplainable phenomena while hiking the trails through the Smoky Mountains. From mysterious lights seen flickering through the trees to the faint voices that seem to whisper in the wind. Some hikers have even reported feeling an ominous presence following them along the trails, adding an element of supernatural fear to the already challenging terrain.

Tucked away in downtown Gatlinburg, the White Oak Flats Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Tennessee, and the final resting place for many of the town’s early settlers. Established in 1830, the cemetery is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who endured hardships during their lives. These pioneers braved disease, hunger, and the harsh mountain environment, and some believe their souls are still tethered to the land.

Visitors have reported hearing voices and seeing apparitions near the older graves, especially at night. The restless spirits here are believed to be connected to the hardships and untimely deaths that marked life in the early days of settlement.

The abandoned town of Elkmont is just outside Gatlinburg in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. First settled in the 1840s, this town was once a thriving logging community, but became deserted when the Park was established in 1934. Today, it stands as a ghost town, with only a few cabins and structures left. 

When exploring the ruins of Elkmont at dusk or night, many visitors have reported eerie feelings of being watched, hearing footsteps when no one else is around, and even catching glimpses of a ghostly figure. When visitors explore these abandoned buildings, particularly the spot where the Wonderland Hotel once stood, they report hearing strange noises and the feeling of being watched. As you walk around this beautiful area, take in the eerie historic atmosphere of this once-bustling town. 

As you take a scenic drive along Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, note that it was once a thriving mountain community, and many of its former residents are buried in nearby cemeteries. Visitors to this area have reported ghostly sightings, including figures dressed in period clothing and phantom carriages that seem to appear out of thin air. Some claim the spirits of the early settlers still roam the area, perhaps keeping watch over their former homesteads. 

One of the most well-known spirits in this area is that of Lucy, a woman who disappeared mysteriously many years ago. According to legend, Lucy’s spirit haunts the area around where her former cabin once stood, and visitors claim to have seen her ghostly figure standing in the doorway of one of the old cabins or wandering the surrounding woods.

Cades Cove, nestled within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich history, but also carries eerie legends of hauntings. The isolated valley, once home to early settlers, has become the source of ghostly tales passed down through generations.

Visitors and locals alike have reported strange occurrences, from unexplained lights to eerie sounds in the dead of night. Some claim to have seen shadowy figures wandering near old homesteads and cemeteries, believed to be the spirits of those who lived and died in the cove. The Primitive Baptist Church, one of the oldest structures in Cades Cove, is rumored to be particularly haunted, with reports of eerie voices and footsteps echoing through its walls. These tales, combined with the cove’s history and remote setting, give Cades Cove an air of mystery and intrigue, attracting both history buffs and ghost hunters alike.

Known as one of the scariest haunted houses in the US, the Mysterious Mansion which opened in 1980 is known as the oldest haunted house in the surrounding area. According to legend, this Victorian-style house is haunted by the ghosts of a family that met a tragic end in 1903. The family's descent into madness led to a series of events where they turned on each other, resulting in their untimely deaths. Face your deepest fears as you find your way through secret passageways, eerie dark corridors, winding staircases and spine chilling chambers in this terrifying, three story haunted mansion.

In 1926, the abandoned casket manufacturing business, Grimsby & Streaper Casket Company, suddenly shut down after the owners disappeared. Ripley bought the empty, decrepit building in 1991 and filled it with even more haunting personality than already lurked within its aged walls. Since then, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure has scared hundreds of thousands of visitors in Gatlinburg. Inside the abandoned coffin factory, you will navigate your way through dark hallways and pitch black corridors with live actors, special effects, and scary hauntings.