Discover the Top 5 Haunted Places in Arkansas

Arkansas is rich in history and brimming with tales of the paranormal. If you love ghost stories and eerie adventures, these five haunted places in Arkansas are sure to intrigue and send a shiver down your spine. Dive into their haunted histories below, and don’t forget to explore more through my Haunted Arkansas Adventure Lab linked at the end of this post!

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1. Eureka Springs

Known as one of the most haunted towns in America is Eureka Springs. In the late 1800s as a health resort, drawing visitors seeking the healing powers of its natural springs. Many of these visitors were terminally ill, and their untimely deaths often occurred in the town’s hotels. Ghost tours are popular for visitors here.

The Crescent Hotel

Founded: 1886
“America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” the Crescent Hotel was originally built as a luxury resort. Its history took a dark turn in the 1930s. It once was a hospital run by the fraudulent Dr. Norman Baker, who claimed to cure cancer. Many of his patients tragically passed away, leaving their restless spirits behind.

Notable ghosts include Michael, a stonemason who fell to his death during the hotel’s construction. He now haunts Room 218. Michael was reportedly a construction worker who fell to his death during the hotel’s construction in 1886. His presence is often felt through unexplained activity in the room, such as doors slamming, lights flickering, and objects moving on their own. Michael’s playful and mischievous nature makes him a well-known and enduring figure in Arkansas ghost lore.

Theodora, is a former patient who is said to politely request help finding her room. You can often see Theodora on the upper floors. The hotel’s former morgue is also a hotspot for paranormal activity. Guests and staff report chilling apparitions and mysterious sounds.

The Basin Park Hotel

Founded: 1905

The Basin Park Hotel was built near the site of the original Perry House Hotel, which burned down in a fire. Some believe the spirits from this tragic event lingered in the area and became tied to the new hotel.

The ballroom is a hotspot for supernatural activity. Reports include hearing disembodied voices, footsteps, and unexplained noises. Some believe this is tied to the lively events hosted in the space over the decades.

A man with a hat frequently appears in the ballroom or corridors, and a woman in Victorian clothing often roams the upper floors.

The hotel’s elevator has been the site of numerous strange events, including stopping on floors no one has called or moving on its own. Some guests attribute this to mischievous spirits playing pranks.

2. The Gurdon Light (Gurdon)

First Sighted: 1930s
This eerie phenomenon near Gurdon has been baffling residents and visitors for decades. The light appears as a glowing orb, floating and flickering along the railroad tracks.

Legend says the light belongs to the spirit of a railroad worker, William McClain, who loses his head in a violent altercation. His ghost roams the tracks with a lantern, searching for his missing head. Documentaries feature the Gurdon Light, which stands as one of Arkansas’s most puzzling ghostly tales.

3. The King Opera House (Van Buren)

Founded: 1891
This historic theater, originally built as an entertainment venue, holds a chilling history tied to a young actor named Charles Tolson, who meets a brutal end nearby. Evidently, his spirit now haunts the building, especially in the backstage areas.

Gavin Webb, a local film producer, has a documentary on the King Opera House ghost that you can view here.

Visitors often report shadowy figures and the unsettling feeling of being watched. Sightings also include a lady in white seen in the men’s bathroom asking for her husband before she disappears. Consequently, the King Opera House’s haunted reputation draws both theater enthusiasts and ghost hunters alike.

The theater continues to be open and hosts many performances including many produced by the Young Actor’s Guild of Fort Smith.

4. The Clayton House (Fort Smith)

Founded: 1882
This beautiful Victorian-era home was once the residence of William Henry Harrison Clayton, a prominent attorney and federal prosecutor. While its restoration has returned it to its former glory, it also stirred up ghostly activity.

What has happened here to cause this paranormal activity? Some believe it has a connection to the Civil War activity in the area and Fort Smith in general. This location lies within close proximity to the infamous Judge Parker’s Courtroom and the Gallows where many hangings took place.

The most common reports include phantom footsteps, doors opening and closing on their own, and disembodied voices. Some believe the spirits of Clayton’s family members or former residents linger here, unwilling to leave their cherished home. Others believe that restless soldiers or hanging victims stop in for a visit.

5. The Old Arsenal (Little Rock)

Founded: 1840
This historic building, part of the Little Rock Arsenal, played a significant role in Arkansas’s military history and is now home to the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. Its haunting ties stem from its Civil War past and its use as a barracks.

Visitors report hearing ghostly footsteps, whispers, and seeing apparitions of soldiers in 19th-century uniforms. The building’s connection to wartime tragedies has left an indelible mark, making it one of Little Rock’s most haunted sites.

Some visitor’s reports can be read on Haunted Places.

Ghost Hunting Gear for Your Next Spooky Adventure!

Ready to explore haunted locations like a pro? Whether you’re planning a visit to Arkansas’s spookiest spots or searching for ghosts in your own hometown, having the right gear makes all the difference. Check out these ghost hunting essentials including EMF detectors, spirit boxes, and night-vision cameras. Start your own paranormal adventure today!

Explore More with My Adventure Lab!

Want to learn more about these haunted locations? Check out my Haunted Arkansas Adventure Lab, where you can virtually explore these sites through fun and spooky challenges. Link to the Adventure Lab: [Coming Soon].

If you enjoy outdoor adventures, check out our other posts about the sport of Geocaching. For more spooky travel destinations you should read “Spooky Travel Ideas for Families“.

Bookmark this post and share your ghostly Arkansas adventures in the comments. Have you encountered anything paranormal at one of these sites? Let me know! Remember… Life’s Short… Take the Trip!

Ready to start planning your own Dream Vacation? Contact me today: amberh@destinationsinflorida.com. I understand that each family is unique and offer individualized family vacation planning to help you tailor your vacation to fit your family.