Haunted Hotels in Arkansas You Can Stay In
Discover the most haunted hotels in Arkansas with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
Cities in Arkansas with haunted hotels
8 Haunted Hotels Found in Arkansas
The Baker
501 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114, United States
The Baker is one of several haunted inns that can be found scattered across Arkansas. It was built between 1916 and 1917 and is believed to be haunted by several different spirits, all of whom have some historical connection to the property. Two of the most frequently spotted ghosts are a construction worker named Jefferson and the woman in white. Some of the paranormal activity reported by guests staying at the inn includes cold spots, the sound of children playing when none are present, and doors opening or closing all by themselves.
The Empress of Little Rock Bed and Breakfast
2120 Louisiana St, Little Rock, AR 72206, United States
At least four different spirits are alleged to be haunting the Empress of Little Rock Bed & Breakfast. The first is the ghost of an African American maid who is said to be spotted in the maid’s closet. There is also the apparition of a well-dressed gentleman wearing a humbug hat who appears on the stairs and the lady in pink who stands in the hall outside of the guest rooms. Finally, an old sea captain is seen in several guestrooms. Aside from the apparitions, there have also been reports of phantom footsteps, disembodied voices, and other ghostly phenomena.
Capital Hotel
111 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72201, United States
Two ghosts are reported to haunt Little Rock's Capital Hotel. The first of the spirits is a laborer who more or less keeps himself to himself. The second and most prolific is the ghost of a young woman who fell to her death from one of the upper floors. She has been heard throughout the hotel, wailing or screaming. She often appears in guestrooms and moves guests' luggage around.
Inn at Carnall Hall
465 N Arkansas Ave, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, United States
When it was built back in 1905, the Inn at Carnall Hall was a women's dormitory. Guests spending the night in one of the hotel's 50 rooms have reported various spooky encounters. The most common reports are sightings of a woman without a head or feet floating in mid-air dressed in a white gown. Guests have also reported indentations appearing on their bed as though someone has just sat down on it. There are also unexplained noises, flickering lights, and several photographs that have been taken that show an apparition reflected in the polished surface of the furniture!
1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa
75 Prospect Ave, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, United States
Known as "America's Most Haunted Hotel," built in 1886. Hauntings stem from its varied history, including its construction (a mason named Michael fell to his death in/near room 218) and its dark period as Baker Cancer Hospital (1937-1940) under Norman Baker. Reported spirits include Michael, patients from the hospital era, "Dr." Baker himself, Nurse Theodora in room 419, ghostly figures in Victorian attire in the Crystal Dining Room, and more. Paranormal activity reported includes hands emerging from mirrors, cries, slamming doors, moved objects, apparitions, and mysterious happenings in the former morgue area. Ghost tours are a major attraction. Recent archaeological finds in 2019 unearthed human tissue samples linked to Baker's "treatments," further cementing its grim history.
Basin Park Hotel
12 Spring St, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, United States
The Basin Park Hotel is certainly not shy about the fact that it has a reputation for being haunted accommodation! There are regular ghost tours offered around the property. Guests have experienced various paranormal experiences here, including strange orbs of light and items moving around by themselves. Several ghosts are haunting the property, but the two spotted with the greatest frequency are a young woman with long blonde hair and a little girl with pigtails who wears a yellow dress.
Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa
239 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901, United States
Staff may deny it, but guests report numerous paranormal activities. These include sightings of apparitions in old-fashioned clothing, a little girl in pink, a woman in a wedding gown staring from a tower, and a spectral bellman. Room 824 experiences items falling, lights and taps turning on/off spontaneously (especially between 3-4 am). Al Capone's favored room, 443, reports phantom cigar smells and doorknobs turning on their own. Flickering lights and mysterious footprints are noted on the 7th floor, and a ghostly man is seen in the men's bathhouse.
Park Hotel
211 Fountain St, Hot Springs, AR 71901, United States
Although there is not much known about who or what haunts the hotel, guests and employees have had several paranormal encounters. It is common for people to feel something is brushing past them in the hotel corridors, and many guests say they have experienced being touched or poked by some unseen presence during their stay.
Haunted History of Arkansas
The haunted history of Arkansas is deeply rooted in the misty hollows of the Ozark Mountains and stained by the blood of the Civil War. The state's rugged, isolated geography has cultivated a rich tradition of folklore, with tales of spectral panthers, mysterious lights, and legendary creatures like the Ozark Howler whispered around campfires for generations. This ancient, eerie landscape provides the perfect backdrop for the countless spirits who are said to wander "The Natural State."
As a pivotal border state during the Civil War, Arkansas was the site of numerous brutal battles, including Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove. The ghosts of thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers are said to still roam these battlefields, forever replaying the final, tragic moments of their lives. This history of conflict is complemented by the poignant sadness of the state's spa towns, like Eureka Springs and Hot Springs. There, countless invalids came seeking miracle cures, many of whom died far from home, leaving their hopeful and heartbroken spirits to linger in the historic hotels and bathhouses.
Other Haunted Attractions in Arkansas
- Crescent Hotel Ghost Tours (Eureka Springs): No haunted tour of Arkansas is complete without a visit to "America's Most Haunted Hotel." The official Crescent Hotel Ghost Tours guide visitors through the chilling history of Norman Baker's fraudulent cancer hospital and into the infamous morgue. This tour is a cornerstone of Arkansas paranormal tourism and a must-see for any ghost enthusiast.
- Pea Ridge National Military Park (Pea Ridge): This well-preserved battlefield was the site of a crucial and bloody Civil War battle where over 3,500 soldiers were killed or wounded. Visitors and staff at Pea Ridge National Military Park report hearing phantom cannon blasts, seeing shadowy soldiers moving through the woods at dusk, and feeling an overwhelming sense of sorrow in the fields where the fighting was fiercest.
- The Allen House (Monticello): This historic home is the site of a deeply personal tragedy that has given rise to a famous haunting. In 1948, the daughter of the family, Ladell Allen, died by suicide within the house, and her spirit is said to have never left. Now open for tours and paranormal investigations, The Allen House is known for apparitions, disembodied voices, and objects that seem to move on their own.
- Old State House Museum (Little Rock): As the original state capitol, this historic building has witnessed some of the most dramatic moments in Arkansas history, including a deadly knife fight between two legislators on the chamber floor. The spirit of the murdered lawmaker, Rep. Joseph Anthony, is said to still haunt the Old State House Museum, along with several other spectral residents from the building's long past.
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in Arkansas
- Listen to the Locals: Arkansas has a rich oral tradition of storytelling. For the best ghost stories, strike up a conversation in a small-town cafe or general store. You're likely to hear a local legend or a personal paranormal experience that you can't find online.
- Explore the Ozarks: The heart of Arkansas's spooky folklore is in the Ozark Mountains. Venture off the beaten path to explore the winding roads, historic cemeteries, and small towns where eerie legends feel most alive.
- Prepare for the Weather: Arkansas weather can be unpredictable and often very humid. This heavy atmosphere can add to a spooky night of ghost hunting, but be sure to dress in layers and bring rain gear.
- Visit a Battlefield at Dusk: To connect with the state's Civil War spirits, visit a historic battlefield like Pea Ridge or Prairie Grove near sunset. As the light fades and the mist rises in the fields, the veil between worlds can feel incredibly thin.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in Arkansas
Are haunted hotels in Arkansas safe to stay in? Yes, absolutely. The state's haunted hotels are professionally managed properties that prioritize guest safety and comfort. The ghosts are part of the history, but the service and security are entirely modern.
What is the most haunted part of Arkansas? The mountain town of Eureka Springs in the Ozarks is widely considered the most haunted destination in the state, if not the entire region. However, the Civil War battlefields of Northwest Arkansas and the gangster-era city of Hot Springs also have very strong paranormal reputations.
Are the ghosts in Arkansas just Civil War soldiers? While soldier spirits are a major part of the lore, Arkansas's paranormal population is diverse. You'll find stories of heartbroken Victorian invalids, Ozark folk legends, murdered politicians, and even the ghosts of famous gangsters like Al Capone's crew in Hot Springs.
What's the best time of year for a haunted trip to Arkansas? Autumn is the perfect season. The weather is cool and comfortable, the fall foliage in the Ozark Mountains is spectacular, and the overall atmosphere is ideal for a spooky getaway.