West Virginia Haunted Roadtrip
Haunted Places, Ghost Towns, and CRYPTIDS!
Cryptids of West Virginia: from Mothman to Ogua and beyond
A Wonderful Roadtrip for Wild Encounters!
500 Miles of Spook. Pre-planned.
At a Glance
- Thrifty Mountaineer
- Cryptid Mountain Mini Golf
- Grafton Monster
- Bat Boy / Hellhole Cave
- Blue Devil/Grassy Creek
- Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
- The Haunted Haymond
- West Virginia Bigfoot Museum
- Flatwoods Monster Museum
- Mothman Museum
- Blennerhassett Hotel
- Moundsville Penitentiary
- **Bonus** Mythical Pizza
Start the Spook
Roadtrips are fun! Seeing different places, exploring new territory. West Virginia is almost Heaven. Beauty for miles! Wild and wonderful! And a few wild things that make you wonder..
As you go deep into the forest, tales emerge from the woods. Tall tales, folk lore, Mountain stories. There’s a few creatures that are well-known. Go on a hunt and find ’em all on this roadtrip!
Discover the West Virginia Paranormal Trail
Morgantown
This Haunted Roadtrip begins in Morgantown, WV. NCWV is the corridor for cryptids! Ogua, Veggie Man, Grafton Monster.. All within a radius.
The list of 153 Things to do in Morgantown, WV is filled with fun! This list includes Cryptid Mountain Mini Golf and The Thrifty Mountaineer. These are must-do for Cryptid fanatics!
The Thrifty Mountaineer
The very first stop of the tour! The Thrifty Mountaineer combines two of my favorite things: Good deals and randomness. Most of the randomness is cryptids. One side of the store is hand-made cryptid keepsakes, memorabilia, and crafts. The other side is bottom-dollar deals! There’s something for everyone here. Get’chu a random cryptid shirt, and hit the road!
Cryptid Mountain Mini Golf
On the other side of the downtown Morgantown outskirts: Cryptid Mountain Mini Golf. There’s creatures everywhere you turn! These tales and fables become par for the course. Standing right beside you!
Exploring the Cryptid Mural in a Morgantown Tattoo Parlor
Also, be sure to check out the Cryptid Mural in a Morgantown Tattoo Parlor.
Grafton
The Grafton Monster was first spotted in 1964. It’s popularity boomed after the release of Fallout 76 video game. However the story goes; it’s quite interesting.
Seneca Rocks
Way back in 1992: A headline emerged from the checkout lines. Before the internet, self check-out, and cell phones. Tabloid magazines were set out on display in grocery stores. Waiting in line, we’d catch up on the National Enquirer or Weekly World News.
The old way or “the better way”: The path from simplicity to modern convenience.
The location of Bat Boy, Hellhole Cavern, remains pretty unexplored. It’s part of the Germany Valley cave system. Tourists are more than welcome to explore nearby Seneca Caverns. Bring a jacket and $20 for the tour! The gift shop is quite fun, too!
Seneca Rocks, WV
Grassy Creek
The tale of The Blue Devil in Webster county raises wonder and suspicion. Many livestock were mysteriously killed. Some folks thought it was the last remaining grey wolf. Others called it The Blue Devil.
According to WVDNR, the last kill in West Virginia was in 1900.
‘Blue Devil’ Scare of 1939-1940
Weston
One of the most popular haunted attractions in the state of West Virginia is Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. The historical building is a marvel. It’s the largest hand-cut stone building in the world, next to the Kremlin. In October, they do a really impressive “Haunted Attraction”.
Next to the “Looney Bin” is The Museum of American Glass. Which is totally FREE and super unique.
American Glass Museum, Weston, WV.
Sutton
Welcome to Sutton! This particular town is a hot bed for Cryptid activity. The Haunted Haymond is right across the bridge from the Flatwoods Monster Museum. Which is right down the street from the WV Big Foot Museum.
The Haunting of Haymond House (Sutton, WV)
Scattered throughout town are Monster Chairs, see if you can find all five! Braxton county is also home to the West Virginia Big Foot Festival. Held annually in June.
Be sure to check Sutton Lake nearby. The crystal clear waters make for a pleasant swimming spot. One of the cleanest lakes in the state!
Sutton Lake, Sutton, WV.
Point Pleasant
Head westward and go visit the Mothman! There’s plenty of cool shops, stores, and museums to explore.
From here, you can roam downtown Point Pleasant, walk along the Ohio Riverfront, see the site of the collapsed Silver Bridge.
I urge you.. You MUST go to Hillbilly Hotdogs while you’re in the area! It’s about 30 minutes south of Mothman.
Parkersburg
Take a jaunt up North! Parkersburg is home to the oldest restaurant and hotel in West Virginia. The Blennerhassett Hotel is rich in history, and likely haunted. North End Restaurant and Brewery has been serving food and spirits since 1899.
One of the lesser known cryptids, Indrid Cold, aka “Grinning Man” hails from Parkersburg. In fact, John Keel, the author of the Mothman prophecies, says Mothman and Grinning Man are linked.
Local Lore: Woodrow Derenberger and the Legend of Indrid Cold
Moundsville
The West Virginia State Penitentiary isn’t known for any legendary cryptids. The structure itself is an old, old architectural marvel. It is creepy looking on the outside. On the inside, super informative tour guides (most are retired former guards) will share the craziest prison stories. Also, you may encounter live bats.
**BONUS **
Berkeley Springs
If you’ve got more time to spare: head Eastward. Visit Mythical Pizza: A Cryptid themed restaurant! Order some Bigfoot Bread and Batsquatch Wings. Sodas galore, too! They’ve got so many unique flavors and brands.
If you keep heading East: Harpers Ferry, Charles Town, and Shepherdstown are rich in history. This river-border town was the junction of many battles and raids. Many men died here in the Civil War. There’s quite a few ghost tours available.
This is the most haunted place in West Virginia, study says
End the Scare
Whether it’s October or June: Roadtrips can planned out in advance. Or spur of the moment. As long as you keep going, and keep doing.
How to Carve like a Pro!
I am an advocate for traveling, getting out, seeing new places, meeting new faces. Discovering and exploring: that’s the beauty in life.
Start to Finish
This trip could be feasibly done in three or four days. It’s important to plan ample time to enjoy the scenery and meander the sights. But, if you need a spot to rest…
Spinnanight
(if you dare..):
Elk River Hotel (Sutton)
Hotel Morgan (Morgantown)
The Historic Hotel Morgan In West Virginia Is Notoriously Haunted
Blennerhassett Hotel (Parkersburg)
Oldest Hotel in West Virginia haunted by ghosts
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