Haunted Hotels in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania You Can Stay In
Discover the most haunted hotels in Gettysburg with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
9 Haunted Hotels Found in Gettysburg
Baladerry Inn
40 Hospital Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325
The Baladerry Inn property was used as a Union field hospital during and after the Battle of Gettysburg, placing it at the heart of immense suffering. Consequently, it's known for significant paranormal activity. Guests and owners report frequent sightings of soldiers in both Union and Confederate uniforms, particularly in the Main House and surrounding grounds. Sounds of moans, disembodied voices, phantom footsteps, and objects moving independently are common. Cold spots are prevalent, and some sensitive individuals feel strong emotional residues. Activity is also noted near an old spring house and original foundations on the property.
Brickhouse Inn Bed and Breakfast
452 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Situated in Gettysburg's historic downtown, the Brickhouse Inn likely served as support or civilian refuge/staging area during the battle. While not a direct field hospital site, its proximity to intense events leads to paranormal claims. These tend to be more gentle or residual; guests report subtle feelings of presence, occasional unexplained noises like children's laughter or footsteps in empty areas, and small items found moved. The spirits are not generally described as interactive but rather echoes of past lives.
Doubleday Inn
104 Doubleday Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325
The Doubleday Inn's unique location directly ON the Gettysburg Battlefield, specifically near Oak Ridge and the area of the First Day's battle, places it in a highly active paranormal zone. Guests and owners report direct experiences tied to its location: sounds reminiscent of battle (musket fire, cannon distant), apparitions of soldiers in and around the property, feelings of being watched, especially at night facing the battlefield, and phantom lights or mists seen across the fields. The activity is directly attributed to the intense fighting that occurred on the very grounds where the inn stands.
Tillie Pierce House Inn
301 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
The Tillie Pierce House holds profound Civil War significance, being the home of teenager Tillie Pierce who documented the battle. The house was used as a refuge and reportedly for medical purposes. Its haunted reputation is strong, with numerous reports of ghostly soldiers, phantom smells, sounds related to medical procedures or distress, spectral children playing, and encounters with unexplained cold spots and doors moving independently. The experiences are tied to the intense events witnessed and recorded by Tillie.
Battlefield Bed and Breakfast Inn
2264 Emmitsburg Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Located on the historic South Cavalry Field of the Gettysburg Battlefield, the site saw significant action. The Battlefield Bed and Breakfast Inn is known for encounters attributed to the soldiers who fought and died there. Guests and staff report sightings of uniformed soldiers, interactions with a spirit identified as 'Cornelia' (a possible nurse figure), sounds of horses and battle in the distance, doors opening/closing, unexplained lights, and strong emotional atmospheres in certain rooms and areas of the property like the barn.
Dobbin House Tavern
89 Steinwehr Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325
As Gettysburg's oldest building (1776), the Dobbin House Tavern is steeped in history, including serving as a stop on the Underground Railroad and being present during the Battle of Gettysburg. Its reputation for being haunted is widespread. Activity is attributed to escaped slaves who hid (and sometimes perished) in secret 'slave holes,' members of the original Dobbin family, and soldiers from the Civil War era. Reports include apparitions, strong sensations of being touched or watched, phantom smells (like tobacco), objects moving, and unexplained sounds from areas known to be hiding places.
1863 Inn Of Gettysburg
516 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Given its name and location in Gettysburg, the 1863 Inn is often subject to paranormal speculation due to its proximity to Civil War battle sites and historic areas. Guests have reported general paranormal phenomena such as hearing indistinct sounds resembling marching or distant equipment, unexplained noises in rooms or hallways, and occasional feelings of unseen presences. While not tied to specific named entities, the activity is attributed to residual energy from the dramatic historical events surrounding the town.
The Gettysburg Hotel
1 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg, PA 17325
The Gettysburg Hotel is said to be haunted due to its history, potentially serving as a Civil War hospital or lodging. Guests report encounters with a spectral nurse named Rachel, ghostly soldiers wandering hallways, unexplained opening/closing of drawers & doors, and cold spots. Some believe spirits remain tied due to tragic events from the battle.
Farnsworth House Inn
401 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
The Farnsworth House Inn boasts significant Civil War history, having housed Confederate sharpshooters during the battle (evidenced by bullet holes). Its cellar is thought to have sheltered civilians and possibly treated wounded. It is considered intensely haunted with numerous spirits identified, including 'Mary' (a child spirit), deceased soldiers, and former residents. Reported paranormal activity is extensive, ranging from full apparitions in period clothing, sounds of battle, phantom smells of cigars and gunpowder, and tactile experiences. The inn actively promotes its haunted reputation through guided ghost tours.
Haunted History of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The history of Gettysburg is written in blood, and its ghosts are the eternal echoes of the nation's greatest tragedy. For three horrific days in July 1863, this small Pennsylvania town became the stage for the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. Over 50,000 Union and Confederate soldiers became casualties, their suffering so immense and concentrated that it left a permanent spiritual scar upon the land. The entire town was transformed into a massive, open-air field hospital and graveyard, with virtually every home, church, and barn overflowing with the wounded and dying.
This cataclysm of violence and despair is the source of Gettysburg's reputation as one of the most haunted places on Earth. The battle never truly ended; it is said to replay itself in a continuous loop of spectral energy. The phantom sounds of cannon fire, the smell of gunpowder, and the agonizing cries of soldiers are still reported across the fields. The spirits of the young men who fell here are believed to still wander the woods, rocky hills, and farmlands, forever searching for their comrades or re-enacting their final moments.
Other Haunted Attractions in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
- Gettysburg National Military Park: The battlefield itself is the largest and most haunted attraction. This hallowed ground is home to countless paranormal hotspots, and visitors to the Gettysburg National Military Park report seeing full-bodied apparitions of soldiers, hearing disembodied war cries, and capturing inexplicable images and sounds. Key areas like Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, and the "Slaughter Pen" are legendary for their intense activity.
- Devil's Den: A labyrinth of massive boulders on the battlefield, this location was used by Confederate sharpshooters and was the scene of brutal fighting. It is arguably the most haunted single spot in Gettysburg, notorious for causing camera and equipment malfunctions. The spirit of a helpful Texan soldier is often reported here, pointing visitors in the right direction before vanishing.
- The Jennie Wade House: This historic home is a memorial to Jennie Wade, the only civilian killed during the battle. A stray Confederate bullet pierced two doors before striking her as she baked bread for Union soldiers. Her spirit is said to remain in the Jennie Wade House Museum, with visitors reporting cold spots, disembodied voices, and the sorrowful apparition of a woman in the very room where she died.
- Sachs Covered Bridge: This picturesque bridge south of town was used by both armies and is rumored to have been the site where Confederate deserters were hanged. It's a popular stop on ghost tours, and visitors to the Sachs Covered Bridge report being touched by unseen hands, hearing ghostly whispers, and seeing strange mists rise from the creek below.
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
- Tour the Battlefield First: To understand the ghosts, you must first understand their stories. Hire a licensed battlefield guide for a tour by day to learn about the historical events and personal sacrifices before you seek out the spirits at night.
- Be Respectful: You are walking on sacred ground and, in essence, an open-air cemetery for more than 7,000 soldiers. Behave with reverence and respect, especially when visiting the numerous monuments and gravesites.
- Bring Binoculars: Many of the most compelling paranormal sightings on the battlefield happen at a distance—a strange figure on a distant ridge or a shadowy form moving through the trees. Binoculars are a fantastic tool for getting a closer look.
- Join a Reputable Ghost Tour: Gettysburg has a thriving ghost tour industry. A good tour will not only take you to haunted locations but will also provide the rich historical context that makes the stories so powerful and chilling.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Are haunted hotels in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania safe to stay in? Yes, absolutely. Many of the historic inns and hotels served as makeshift hospitals during the battle and have a tragic past, but today they are safe, comfortable, and professionally run accommodations that honor their unique history.
Why is Gettysburg so haunted? The sheer scale of human suffering and violent death in such a concentrated area over three days is almost unparalleled in American history. The immense energy released by the trauma of over 50,000 casualties is believed to have left a permanent spiritual imprint on the town and its surrounding fields.
What is the most haunted place in Gettysburg? The entire battlefield is considered haunted, but specific areas are legendary for paranormal activity. Devil's Den, Little Round Top, the Triangular Field, and Iverson's Pit are all notorious hotspots where investigators and visitors have had profound experiences.
Can I visit the battlefield at night? The main areas of the Gettysburg National Military Park close after 10 PM. While you cannot wander the fields freely after hours, many official ghost tours are licensed to take you to haunted public roads and locations on the periphery of the park after dark.
What time of year is best for a haunted trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania? The anniversary of the battle in early July is a powerful time to visit, but it is extremely hot and crowded. Many paranormal enthusiasts prefer the autumn, when the air is crisp, the crowds are smaller, and a cool mist often settles over the battlefield, creating a perfectly spooky atmosphere.