Every historic city has its share of frightening folklore and spine-chilling stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. From tragic and terrifying endings to unexplained phenomena, these tales have a way of inciting fear and fascination within us. Did you know that Asheville is home to some pretty scary ghost stories of its own? The apalachian paranormal activity lore runs deep.
Whether you’re a paranormal pundit, mystery maven, or supernatural skeptic, the haunts below offer bewitching insight into our region’s rich history and culture, and they give you the perfect excuse to explore the stranger sides of this beloved city. Check out these Asheville ghost stories and get ready to be haunted!
Brown Mountain Lights: Aliens, Ghosts, or Natural Occurrence?
Nearby Morganton is home to one of the Blue Ridge Mountains’ biggest mysteries: the Brown Mountain Lights. For over a century, ghostly lights have been seen drifting through the valley, first documented in 1913 by members of the Morganton Fishing Club and reported in the Charlotte Observer.
Intrigued, Congressman E.Y. Webb called on the U.S. Geological Survey, which blamed distant train headlights. But that theory fell apart when the lights reappeared during the Great Flood of 1916, when no trains were running.
From legends of lost settlers and Native American spirits to theories about natural gas or ball lightning, the true cause remains unknown. Some even believe aliens are to blame, as featured in shows like The X-Files.
Brown Mountain Overlook (mile markers 20–21) and Wiseman’s View near Linville Falls are the best places to look for the lights. October and November—especially after rain—offer the best chance to glimpse this eerie phenomenon. Just don’t be surprised if you leave with more questions than answers!
Why Visit / Key Takeaways:
- See one of North Carolina’s most mysterious phenomena.
- Visit scenic overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Best viewing in fall months, particularly after rainfall.
- A favorite for UFO hunters and ghost-story lovers alike.
Chimney Rock Apparitions: Divine Visions or Pure Imagination?
Chimney Rock near Lake Lure is more than a scenic landmark, it’s the site of one of North Carolina’s strangest supernatural events.
In 1806, young Elizabeth Reaves spotted glowing, human-like figures on top of the rock. Later, more witnesses confirmed seeing the same shapes dressed in white. Then in 1811, townsfolk watched what appeared to be two ghostly armies on winged horses clashing above the mountain.
A public meeting concluded that the vision was a divine sign related to the Revolutionary War. No scientific explanation was ever found, and Chimney Rock’s legend still lures the curious.
Why Visit / Key Takeaways:
- Explore Chimney Rock State Park and its sweeping mountain views.
- Discover one of Appalachia’s oldest supernatural stories.
- Perfect for history buffs and ghost-story fans alike.
- Combine a scenic hike with a chilling legend.
Helen’s Bridge
Built in 1909 to access Zealandia Mansion, this stone bridge carries one of Asheville’s most tragic tales. Helen, mourning her daughter’s death in a fire, took her own life by hanging from the bridge. Locals say her ghost still appears when her name is called—often followed by car trouble or mysterious handprints.
Why Visit / Key Takeaways:
- A hauntingly beautiful Gothic bridge near downtown Asheville.
- Known for eerie experiences and ghost sightings.
- Popular stop on Asheville’s ghost tours.
Highland Hospital
The historic district of Montford was once home to many private hospitals known for treating tuberculosis and other ailments. The most well-known of these establishments was Highland Hospital, originally known as "Dr. Carroll's Sanatorium," founded by the distinguished psychiatrist, Dr. Robert S. Carroll. His treatment program for mental and nervous disorders based on exercise, diet, and occupational therapy, attracted patients from all over the country.
The campus included landscaped grounds for patients to walk, a variety of buildings erected in Georgian Colonial, Norman, and Arts and Crafts styles, and Dr. Carroll's personal residence, Homewood. Dr. Carroll's wife, Grace Potter Carroll, was a world-renowned concert pianist and actually ran a music school out of their house for many years. Among her notable students was the “High Priestess of Soul,” Nina Simone.
Apart from its medical legacy, this hospital is known for a tragic event that took place on the night of March 10, 1948. During the late-night hours, a deadly fire broke out in the main building, killing nine women including author Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald.
While most of the campus was destroyed in the fire, folks say that enough of the architecture has been preserved to draw Zelda’s ghost. Those who have spotted her spirit note her “doll-like face, paintbrush in hand and red ballerina shoes, the last things to disappear when Zelda’s ghost vanished progressively from head to feet.” If you visit the Montford area, take time to walk around the neighborhood. Who knows, you might be able to join Zelda on one of her afternoon strolls.
Why Visit / Key Takeaways:
- See where Zelda Fitzgerald spent her final days.
- Walk Montford’s historic district, rich in architecture and lore.
- A must-visit for literature and history enthusiasts.
Clementine's Bridge
Now called the Flowering Bridge, this beloved walkway once carried the tragic legend of Clementine, a water-skier who died in the 1960s after striking the bridge. Locals say her presence still lingers among the blooms.
Why Visit / Key Takeaways:
- Stroll through a gorgeous floral walkway with a ghostly backstory.
- Great photo spot connecting history, beauty, and mystery.
- A gentle blend of romance and tragedy.
Lake Lure Inn
Opened in 1927, the Lake Lure Inn is famous for elegance—and hauntings. In the 1930s, a jealous groom killed his bride here; guests still smell roses or glimpse a woman in white at the foot of their bed.
A 2010 photo also captured what many believe is the ghost of a drowned local boy, adding another layer to the Inn’s eerie charm. While the ghostly activity varies among guests, it has remained a captivating destination since opening its doors in 1927.
Why Visit / Key Takeaways:
- Stay overnight in one of North Carolina’s most haunted hotels.
- Historic 1920s architecture and vintage glamour.
- Paranormal enthusiasts may catch a glimpse—or scent—of the unexplained.
Riverside Cemetery
Located near downtown Asheville in the historic Montford neighborhood, this historic cemetery was established in 1885 and contains the graves of more than 13,000 people. It’s famous for being the final resting place of many notable residents of Asheville, including famous authors like William Sidney Porter (aka O. Henry) and Thomas Wolfe.
Quite a few of the graves are so old that the inscriptions are barely visible, and there are several unmarked graves. Hundreds of veterans are also buried in this cemetery, including a few Confederate generals.
One notable figure of the Confederacy was Zebulon Vance. He was known as “The War Governor of the South,” and a politician who served as a state senator and later a U.S. Senator and Governor of North Carolina. While there are many Confederate soldiers buried in the veteran’s section of the cemetery, there are also 18 German sailors from World War I.
No doubt a hot spot for paranormal energy and activity, Riverside Cemetery is also a place of profound beauty where you can walk, take photographs, paint, read, and contemplate the meaning of life and death.
Why Visit / Key Takeaways:
- Walk among the graves of famous authors and Civil War generals.
- Beautiful landscape perfect for reflection or photography.
- A serene yet mysterious stop on any Asheville history tour.
Legend of Petunia
On July 22, 1956, a guest fell—or jumped—from Room 13 of Abbott Hall at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly at 3:15 AM. Two doctors nearby rushed outside but found her mortally wounded. Later reports identified her as 51-year-old Elsie Larsen Wilson of Shreveport, Louisiana.
Witnesses said she accidentally fell while trying to cool off near an open window, and she reportedly regained consciousness long enough to explain it was an accident.
Local historian Anne Chesky Smith later wrote that guests might still hear mysterious thuds or banging at night—perhaps Elsie, now known as “Petunia,” making sure the windows are safely closed, continuing her care for others even in the afterlife.
Why Visit / Key Takeaways:
- Explore the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, known for its mountain serenity and local lore.
- Learn the true story behind one of Asheville’s most compassionate ghosts.
- A gentle haunting that ties history, tragedy, and caretaking together.
The Pink Lady of the Grove Park Inn
Built in 1913, the Grove Park Inn has hosted presidents, inventors, and entertainers, but one guest has never checked out. In the 1920s, a young woman fell from a fifth-floor balcony, and since then, her spirit, known as The Pink Lady, has appeared as a soft pink mist or a woman in a flowing gown, most often near Room 545.
She’s said to be playful and kind, sometimes tickling guests’ feet or comforting children who see her. Some believe she was pushed, others that she jumped, but her legacy has made the Grove Park Inn one of the most famous haunted hotels in the South.
Why Visit / Key Takeaways:
- Stay in a luxury mountain resort with a paranormal past.
- Ask for Room 545 if you’re feeling brave—or curious.
- Family-friendly legend: The Pink Lady is known for gentle pranks.
- Beautiful architecture and historic charm add to the experience.
The Siren of the French Broad River
One of Asheville’s creepiest tales is that of the Siren of the French Broad River: Lorelei. Rooted in Cherokee legend and first written about in an 1830s poem by William Gilmore Simms (“Tzelica, A Tradition of the French Broad”), the story gained fame in Charles Montgomery Skinner’s 1896 Myths and Legends of Our Own Land.
According to the tale, a beautiful woman haunts the river’s whirling pools. She appears to weary travelers as soft music blends with the sound of water. Gazing into the river, they see her—hair like moss, dark eyes locked with theirs. Entranced, they rise, step forward, and fall into the water.
But as they reach out, her warm skin turns scaly, her face becomes a grinning skull, and icy arms pull them under. A chilling laugh echoes, then all is still.
Whether fact or folklore, Lorelei’s tale is a haunting reminder of the seductive danger that can hide behind beauty. It’s a tale shared across many cultures, but hers has a local Appalachian twist.
Why Visit / Key Takeaways:
- Experience the mysterious allure of the French Broad River.
- Great for folklore lovers and kayakers curious about local legends.
- Connects Cherokee mythology with Appalachian storytelling.
- A perfect spooky tale to ponder during a riverside sunset.
Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria
Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria sits on the site of one of Asheville’s darkest days. In 1906, escaped convict Will Harris went on a rampage, killing several officers and bystanders before being gunned down by a mob near Fletcher.
Today, patrons report ghostly figures in old uniforms, shadowy shapes in alleyways, and even the sound of a barking dog from nowhere. One recurring vision: a man in black calmly walking through the pizzeria’s front door.
Why Visit / Key Takeaways:
- Grab a slice and a pint in a historic, allegedly haunted Asheville landmark.
- Part of Asheville’s rich Prohibition- and crime-era history.
- Visitors have reported multiple paranormal sightings.
- Combines ghost hunting with great local food and craft beer.
Pack's Tavern
Pack’s Tavern was once an epicenter of illegal liquor smuggling during the Prohibition era. You’ll find evidence for this activity on the lower level of the restaurant, where two iron doors serve as an entrance to a dark tunnel, rumored to be a part of the underground web of secret passageways. In addition to bootlegging, this underground system was likely used for even more nefarious purposes, aiding criminal activity linked with prostitution and more.
Officially, Pack’s Tavern was a lumber warehouse back then, which made for the perfect cover. However, under the surface, tunnels were dug, routes were established, and the liquor, partying, and wickedness flowed.
Why Visit / Key Takeaways:
- Enjoy great food and drinks inside one of Asheville’s most historic spots.
- Explore the lower level where old tunnels still remain.
- Learn about Asheville’s Prohibition past and rumored hauntings.
- A fun, spooky stop for history and nightlife lovers alike.
The Granny Witches of Appalachia: A Spiritual Traditional
As European settlers arrived in the colonies during the 18th century, they brought with them the traditional folk magic and healing practices of their home countries. Upon meeting their Native American neighbors, these healers expanded upon the concepts they'd learned in Scotland, England, and Ireland by learning about plants, roots, and leaves indigenous to the region.
In the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Granny Witch became a central figure, described as “living as moss upon a stone,” serving both young and old with remedies from nature, dowsing for water, healing the sick, and guiding births. In the far reaches of Appalachia, Granny Witches were often the sole source of medical care and spiritual guidance for their intimate communities.
Granny Witches used herbal concoctions, laid hands to heal, and relied on the rhythms of the earth to forecast weather and remove curses. Although folk healers essentially disappeared from the hills of Appalachia by the 20th century, their focus on self-reliance continues to have significant appeal. Modern herbalism, midwifery, foraging, and homesteading carry on the spirit of the Appalachian Granny Witches today.
Book Your Paranormal Apalachian Trip Directly with Greybeard Rentals!
Now that you know about all the folklore, you have to come stay with us this halloween! For the faint of heart or for those looking for family-friendly Halloween fun, be sure to check out these enchanting events, spellbinding shows, and fang-tastic fall festivals.
When you book your trip directly witth Greybeard Rentals, you'll save time, money, and stress, and enjoy the best Asheville vacation rentals in the area. So what are you waiting for? Browse our available Asheville cabins and homes now and book your paranormal trip directly with Greybeard!