13 Haunted Places in the Pacific Northwest
Explore the mysterious side of the Pacific Northwest in this haunting episode as we uncover 13 of the region’s most haunted places. From a deserted psych hospital, a storied old pub to shadowy lighthouses and long-forgotten hotels, each location carries its own tale of history, loss, and lingering mystery.These locations offer more than ghost stories; they reveal the deep, sometimes dark past of the region that shaped the land we know today.
We’ll journey through historic hotels said to host lingering spirits, quiet coastal inns where guests report strange sounds, and abandoned mining towns frozen in time. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of unexplained footsteps, flickering lights, and places where history refuses to rest. Each stop offers a glimpse into the haunted past of the Pacific Northwest, inviting you to explore the mystery for yourself.
Perfect for RVers and road trippers, this episode blends adventure and the supernatural, highlighting destinations you can actually visit across the Pacific Northwest. Tune in to discover the legends, history, and spine-tingling tales that make these 13 haunted places unforgettable, this episode might just inspire your next haunted road trip.
SHOW NOTES
Explore the haunted side of the Pacific Northwest in this chilling episode of RV Out West. From fog-shrouded lighthouses and historic hotels to eerie ghost towns, we uncover 13 of the region’s most haunted destinations to add to your next PNW RV road trip.
Each stop reveals a fascinating mix of history, mystery, and paranormal encounters—perfect for curious travelers and ghost-story lovers alike. Discover restless spirits in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho while traveling through breathtaking landscapes and timeless towns.
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Podcast Episode Transcript (EP171):
13 Haunted Places in the Pacific Northwest
Brooks, Host Thirteen haunted spots. Ghosts, legends and chills. Dare to explore the Pacific Northwest spooky side. Welcome to RV Out West. I'm Brooks, based in the Pacific Northwest. My family of four hits the road to explore the best of RV life out west. From hidden gems and epic destinations to helpful tips and real road stories. So grab your coffee and join the journey! There's something about the Pacific Northwest that lends itself to ghost stories. Maybe it's the way the mist curls through the evergreens at dawn, or how the fog rolls in off the coast, swallowing the world in gray silence. Beneath that natural beauty lies a darker undercurrent. Stories of restless spirits, eerie happenings, and ghostly whispers that have echoed through the forests and small towns for generations. The land here holds its secrets close, but if you listen carefully, you might just hear them calling from lighthouses perched on storm battered cliffs to forgotten mining towns deep in the Cascades. The Pacific Northwest is steeped in legends that blur the line between history and haunting. Old hotels still creak with the weight of unseen guests, and lonely highways have their share of phantom travelers. Each location tells its own chilling tale, reminding us that even Paradise has its shadows, and sometimes the past refuses to stay buried. So pack your courage along with your camping gear, because we're taking you on a haunted RV road trip through the Pacific Northwest in this journey. We're going to visit thirteen haunted places you can roll right up to, from Washington's ghostly coastal outposts to Oregon's mysterious mountain ends. Whether you're a believer or just in it for the thrill. These stories are guaranteed to send a shiver down your spine and make you see the PNW in a whole new and haunting light. Here are thirteen of the creepiest haunted spots in the Pacific Northwest. Places where history, myth, and the unexplained collide. Some are hotels, lodges, or seaside lighthouses. Others are abandoned trails, ghost towns, or old theaters. If you're into ghost hunting on the road, these all will make excellent stops. Coming in at number thirteen, Saint Helens, Oregon. Perched along the Columbia River, the quaint town of Saint Helens has an eerie charm that seems almost cinematic and fittingly so, since it's the filming location for cult classics like Halloweentown and Twilight. But beyond the festive facade and Hollywood fame lies a town steeped in real ghost stories. Founded in the mid eighteen hundreds as a bustling port. Saint Helens was once a rough and tumble hub for sailors, loggers and prospectors, many of whom met grim fates in fires, bar brawls and tragic accidents along the waterfront. The Klondike restaurant and bar, housed in an eighteen nineties hotel, is the most notorious haunt. Staff and guests have long reported cold drafts, flickering lights and the ghostly image of a man in a turn of a century clothing wandering the halls. Some say he's a former innkeeper who still checks on his guests after closing time. Others believe he's one of the countless travelers who never left. Just down the street, the Columbia Theatre, once the town's entertainment jewel, has its own residential spirits, patrons who appear in balcony seats long after the doors are locked. Perhaps still waiting for the next act to begin. Number twelve. Montgomery House bed and breakfast. Kalama, Washington. Built in nineteen oh eight, the Montgomery House has lived many lives and none of them without tragedy. Perched above the small river town of Kalama, this stately old house first opened its doors as a hospital serving loggers and railroad workers who poured into the region during Washington's early industrial boom. Built in nineteen oh eight, the Montgomery House has lived many lives, and none of them without tragedy. Perched above the small river town of Kalama, this stately old house first opened its doors as a hospital, serving loggers and railroad workers who poured into the region during Washington's early industrial boom. Many of those men met violent ends, and it said that not all of them left the building when they passed. Later, the property transferred into a bordello, a place where desperation, danger and secrecy intertwined, further deepening the home's sorrowful energy. Over the years, guests and paranormal investigators have described unnerving activity within the house, footsteps echoing along through empty hallways, doors that open and close on their own, and whispered voices that seem to drift from room to room. Some have even captured eerie electronic voice phenomena, pleas and phrases too faint for the human ear. Locals say the energy here isn't malicious but mournful, a reflection of the suffering and loneliness that once filled its walls. Visitors come seeking comfort and curiosity in equal measure, and while many leave with stories of warmth and hospitality, nearly all agree on one thing. There's something or someone still residing in that house who's not quite ready to let go. Number eleven, Shelbourne Hotel in Long Beach, Washington. Standing proudly along Washington's misty coast since eighteen ninety six, the Shelbourne Hotel is the oldest continuously operated hotel in the state, and some say it's never truly empty. Originally built to serve travelers arriving by stagecoach and a steamer, the Shelbourne became a refined seaside escape for the adventurous and affluent. Over the decades, it has weathered fierce coastal storms, prohibition raids and countless renovations. Yet the echoes of its past remain firmly in place. The hotel's most enduring resident is said to be one of its early owners, Sarah C Corbett, Who lovingly manage the property with her husband. Guests and staff alike believe her spirit still lingers. Keeping watch over the place she poured her heart into. Visitors report gentle but unmistakable signs of her presence. Silverware rearranged after dinner service. Faint perfume drifting through the parlor. And soft whispers in unoccupied rooms. Some have even felt the brush of an unseen hand. Or glimpsed a figure in period dress. Gliding silently through the corridors. While the activity can be unnerving, it's rarely malevolent. Those who have experienced it describe it as maternal, even protective, as if Sarah is ensuring her beloved inn continues to welcome guests with grace and care. Number ten Lake Quinault Lodge in the Olympic National Forest along the tranquil shores of Lake Quinault and the heart of the Olympic National Forest. The Lake Quinault Lodge has been welcoming guests since nineteen twenty six. Built in just fifty three days after the original hotel burned down, the Grand Cedar Lodge has stood as a rustic escape, surrounded by mist, moss and towering evergreens. But beneath its cozy charm lies a story that has chilled visitors for generations. According to legend, a young woman named Beverly met a tragic end in one of the upper floor rooms, some say by her own hand. After a heartbreaking love affair. Since then, guests and staff alike have reported strange occurrences linked to her lingering spirit. Lights flicker when no one is near. The switches. Doors close softly on their own, and objects mysteriously shift across tables. Some visitors claim to have felt a sudden cold draft or heard faint weeping in the night when the halls are otherwise silent. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there's no denying that Lake Quinault Lodge carries an air of timeless mystery, its haunting beauty matched only by the secrets it keeps. Number nine. Northern state mental hospital in Sedro-woolley, Washington. Hidden in the rolling farmland outside Sedro-woolley, the northern State Mental Hospital once stood as one of Washington's largest and most self-sufficient institutions. Opened in nineteen twelve, it was designed to be a progressive facility where patients could heal through work and nature, complete with its own dairy farm and gardens. Yet, like many asylums of its era, it soon became overcrowded and underfunded. Thousands of patients lived and died there over the decades, many buried anonymously in the hospital's on site cemetery. The facility was closed in the nineteen seventies, but its abandoned buildings, tunnels and remnants still whisper of a darker past. Today, the grounds are quiet but carry an unsettling energy. Visitors report shadowy figures moving through the trees, sudden cold spots and disembodied screams echoing across the fields at night. Some say the spirits have forgotten patients still wandering the site. Trapped between the world of the living and the memories of their suffering. Number eight Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham, Washington. Opened in nineteen twenty seven, the Mount Baker Theatre in Bellingham was built at the height of the Golden Age of cinema, dazzling visitors with its grand spanish-moorish design and lavish interior. Originally a vaudeville and movie palace, it has hosted everything from silent films to Broadway shows and concerts. But as the curtains rose over the decades, whispers of something otherworldly began to take root. The most famous tale centers on Judy, a spirited apparition said to have lingered in the theater since the early days. Perhaps a former performer, usher or patron who never left her seat. Staff and guests describe Judy's presence as playful rather than menacing. She's known to make her presence known with sudden cold spots, the faint rustle of fabric, or the delicate scent of floral perfume drifting through the balcony. Some have even heard soft laughter echoing through the empty aisles, or glimpsed a fleeting figure in a vintage dress near the stage lights. Whether she's a remnant of the theater's glamorous past or simply a spirit enchanted by its beauty, Judy ensures that the Mount Baker Theater remains as lively after dark as it is under the spotlight. Number seven University Heights Center in Seattle. Built in nineteen oh two as the University Heights Elementary School. This historic building has stood at the heart of Seattle's University District for more than a century. After serving generations of students, the school closed in the late nineteen eighties and was transformed into the University Heights Center, a thriving community hub. Yet despite its new purpose, the echoes of its past linger. Staff and visitors often report the unmistakable sounds of children laughing and running down empty hallways, as if the former students never truly left their beloved school behind. The hauntings are said to be gentle but unmistakable. Lights flicker without cause. Doors open on their own and the faint patter of small footsteps can be heard when no one is around. Some late night visitors have even felt a light tug on their sleeve, or caught that fleeting glimpse of a child in period clothing before vanishing into thin air. Regardless of the spirits or playful remnants of the building's past, or simply echoes of the generations who passed through its halls, the University Heights Center remains one of Seattle's most quietly haunted landmarks. You think these stories are scary? You know what's even scarier when you can't find a campsite? It sold out campgrounds. But luckily, our friend and longtime supporter of the show can help you with that. So be sure to check out camper alerts dot com. It's summertime and the great outdoors are calling. But did you forget to book a campsite? Nine months ago? Well don't worry. Say goodbye to sold out campgrounds with camper alerts. With camper alerts. You can choose your campground, select your site type and set a personalized alert. And when a site becomes available, they will notify you. It's that simple. Visit camper alerts dot com today and start setting your alerts. Number six. Pike Place Market in Seattle. Few places in Seattle are as storied or as spirited as Pike Place Market. Established in nineteen oh seven, the market has long been the city's beating heart, where farmers, fishermen and artisans have gathered for more than a century. But beneath the bustling energy and bright stalls lies a deeper, older history. Long before Seattle became a city, this land was home to the Duwamish people and one of their most revered figures. Princess Angeline, the daughter of Chief Seattle, lived nearby in a small waterfront cabin. When she passed away in eighteen ninety six, it said her spirit stayed behind, watching over the land that was once hers. To this day, vendors and early risers claim to glimpse a quiet woman in tattered clothing, wandering the market's lower levels before dawn, her presence accompanied by a gentle calm or the faint sound of rustling fabric. Some say she smiles softly before fading away into the morning mist alongside Princess Angeline. Other spirits are rumoured to linger in the old basements and tunnels below the market. Remnants of the neighbourhood's layered past Pike Place may be alive with energy, but its soul is rooted in the echoes of those who came before. Number five Kells Irish pub in Seattle. Tucked into Seattle's historic Pike Place Market in Post Alley, Kells Irish pub occupies the basement of what was once Butterworth Building, the city's first full service mortuary built in nineteen oh three. In its early days, the mortuary handled thousands of bodies, including victims of disease, mining accidents and the Great Seattle Fire. The building's lower levels once housed embalming rooms and storage for the deceased before funerals were held upstairs. When Kells opened in the nineteen eighties, it embraced the old world charm of its setting. But some say not all of its former residents were ready to leave. Over the years, staff and patrons have reported eerie and unexplained happenings. Mirrors have been known to crack on their own. Glasses slide off the shelves and ghostly faces appear in the pub's windows after hours. One of the most famous spirits is said to be that of a young girl who occasionally appears near the staircase. Her laughter echoing faintly through the air. Others described sudden cold drafts and the uneasy feeling of being watched, all while enjoying a pint. Whether it's the building's dark history or simply the spirits drawn to its lively atmosphere, Kells Irish Pub remains one of Seattle's most spirited places. Number four Heceta Head Lighthouse B&B in Florence, Oregon. Perched dramatically on the cliffs of Oregon's central coast, the Heceta Head Lighthouse has guided mariners safely since eighteen ninety four. Today, the original lighthouse keeper's house serves as a charming bed and breakfast, offering guests breathtaking ocean views and a glimpse into the life of those who tended the light. But amid the cozy rooms and sweeping coastal scenery, tales of the supernatural persist. Many believe that the spirit of a Victorian woman in gray haunts the property. Wandering the halls and appearing unexpectedly in mirrors her sorrowful presence, a reminder of lives touched by tragedy along these stormy shores. Legend says she is forever searching for a child she lost long ago, and those who stayed late into the night have reported hearing soft footsteps, the creak of floorboards or catching a glimpse of her fleeting figure at the edge of a doorway. Objects sometimes move inexplicitly, and guests have felt sudden chills even on sunny days. The lighthouse's glowing beacon, a symbol of safety and guidance, now shares its light with lingering spirits, making a stay at Heceta Head both enchanting and eerily unforgettable. Number three Walker Almshouse in Port Gamble, Washington. The Walker Almshouse dates back to the nineteenth century and stands as a testament to the town's thriving lumber industry. Port gamble was founded in eighteen fifty three as a company town for the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and the Walker Almshouse became home to some of the town's most prominent families. Over the decades, the house witnessed the comings and goings of generations, preserving not only its architectural charm, but also the memories and perhaps the spirits of its former inhabitants. Visitors and paranormal enthusiasts report a host of strange occurrences within the house. A shadowy man is often seen peering from the attic windows, while the joyful laughter of a child echoes goes through the rooms long emptied of furniture. Doors creak open on their own. Objects shift mysteriously and cold draughts sweep through the halls without warning. These unexplained phenomena have made the Walker Ames House a central piece of Port Gamble's reputation as one of Washington state's most haunted towns, where the echoes of history definitely continue to linger alongside the living. Number two man. Ray's Castle. Port Townsend, Washington Perched overlooking Port Townsend, Manresa Castle was built in eighteen ninety two as a private residence before eventually serving as a seminary retreat center, and in its Gothic inspired architecture and sprawling brick facade, give it a stately, almost otherworldly presence. Over the years, the castle has borne witness to both devotion and heartbreak, its halls echoing with the lies of those who lived and worked within its walls. From the dedication of monks to the tragic tales of young residents. The castle's history is as rich and layered as its ornate rooms. Guests today report unsettling paranormal activity, particularly in rooms three hundred and two and three hundred and six. Many have woken to whispers in the night, the sensation of unseen hands brushing against their shoulders or fleeting glimpses of shadowy figures. Legend speaks of a devoted monk who never left the castle, and a heartbroken young woman whose sorrow keeps her tethered to the upper floors. Whether drawn by love, loss or lingering duty, these restless spirits ensure that Manresa Castle remains not just a historic landmark, but a haunted destination. And coming in at number one, Hotel Sorrento in Seattle opened in nineteen oh nine. Hotel Sorrento is one of Seattle's most iconic and elegant historic hotels located in the heart of the city's First Hill neighborhood. It has hosted countless artists, writers, and travelers over the decade. The hotel's rich history, filled with glamorous events and literary gatherings, also carries whispers of the supernatural. Among its most famous spectral residents is Alice B Toklas, the partner and famed writer Gertrude Stein, whose presence is said to linger, particularly in room four hundred and eight. Guests and staff report glasses moving on their own, lights dimming unexpectedly, and the occasional sense of being watched with a playful, knowing air. Some even claim to hear soft, witty remarks or footsteps pacing the room when it's otherwise empty. Unlike many hauntings, Toklas spirit is described as charming rather than malevolent. An elegant echo of the hotel's storied past. Staying at the Hotel Sorrento offers not just luxury in history, but a rare glimpse into the playful mysteries that haunt its halls. And that wraps up our spine tingling tour of thirteen most haunted places in the Pacific Northwest. From misty lighthouses to historic hotels, abandoned asylums and even lively pubs with ghosts of past still lingering. Whether it's playful presence or a Victorian lady in gray, the restless spirits of former students, or the mischievous apparitions of long gone mill workers, these stories remind us that the PNW is rich not just in natural beauty, but in history and a few lingering mysteries. If you're planning your next RV adventure, why not add a few of these haunted hotspots to your route? Imagine pulling into a historic lodge, a foggy coastal lighthouse, or a centuries old theater, knowing that the past might just be watching you. Ghost stories aside, Exploring these destinations is a perfect way to mix thrills, history and the breathtaking landscape of the Pacific Northwest. So until next time, keep your lights on, your cameras ready and your sense of adventure alive, because you never know what or who might be sharing the road with you. If you got value from this episode, please share it with one person you know. Also, give us a follow on Instagram and Facebook where you can join in on the conversation. I sure would appreciate it. Did you also know that you can text the show directly from your podcast app? Just click that link right there below the episode description. You can share a topic idea, ask a question, or just say, hey, I'd love to hear from you. So go ahead, tap that link and ask away. And if you'd like a response, please be sure to include your email. Thank you again for listening to RV Out West, I really appreciate it. Next week we're heading off the beaten path and into the past. From crumbling mining towns hidden in the Cascades to deserted coastal sediments reclaimed by nature, we're exploring thirteen ghost towns of the Pacific Northwest. So tune in as we uncover the stories of these forgotten places that still whisper with tales of gold rush, dreams, timber booms, and the people who simply vanished when the work ran out. So dust off your sense of adventure. Because this one's a little eerie. And be sure to tune in next Monday. Thanks for listening to RV Out West. Be sure to follow the show so you never miss an episode. And if you enjoyed the show, tell a friend and please leave a rating or review. It would mean a lot. Special thanks to Scott Home Music for our intro song. We are one. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to join in on the conversation. Now get out there, explore and go see what's beyond the horizon.
