A haunted campground, you say? Nothing makes us want to pack up the camping gear more than a night in the woods with a couple of GHOULS. Well, if you’re us. The interesting part about this haunted campground is that it happens to be one of the most popular campsites in Tennessee. Known for its sprawling views and light finger on the pulse of Tennessee history, Cades Cove Campground is most likely a spot you happened to visit at one point or another. Did you know it’s actually haunted…?
Let’s check out why!
Buddha Dog - Flickr Cades Cove is known for sprawling views and a stunning close up of Tennessee’s gorgeous scenery. It’s a beautiful gem of a place, tucked up in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - but folks have reported some strange things happening out there.
ditch Mingo - Flickr A historic settlement, Cades Cove was initially settled by John Oliver in 1812. The area had been consistently traversed by Native Americans who trekked two trails through the mountains, threading their way through the woods and the new settlement.
Nick - Flickr The Primitive Baptist Church, well-known and highly regarded by photographers, was built in 1826.
Ken Lund - Flickr The eerie thing? There’s a graveyard on the property. It still garners multiple visitors, and lies right outside the church windows.
Larry - Flickr There are even some tombs that are marked, “Murder Victims.” We know it was a different time, but goodness! What a strange thing to have etched forever on your final resting place.
Olin Gilbert - Flickr Folks that have stayed the night at Cades Cove have repeatedly reported figures in the woods, people that they in no way packed with them and brought to the park. Others have noted strange noises, eerie sounds that echo through the cove at night. Some say it’s Basil Estep, who was supposedly killed by the ghost of his wife.
Brian Wolfe - Flickr There have been multiple books written on the history of Cades Cove, many of which delve into the terror variety. We’re not sure why campers have found themselves dogged by eerie situations - but there always seems to be a ghost where history runs deep. A murder victim, perhaps? A parishioner that has worshipped straight into the afterlife? Perhaps the scariest thing is that we can’t quite put a finger on why there are terrifying things happening…and that’s the worst bit of all.
If you’re not the biggest fan of the scary aspect, take an insider’s look at the history of the area:
Buddha Dog - Flickr
Cades Cove is known for sprawling views and a stunning close up of Tennessee’s gorgeous scenery. It’s a beautiful gem of a place, tucked up in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - but folks have reported some strange things happening out there.
ditch Mingo - Flickr
A historic settlement, Cades Cove was initially settled by John Oliver in 1812. The area had been consistently traversed by Native Americans who trekked two trails through the mountains, threading their way through the woods and the new settlement.
Nick - Flickr
The Primitive Baptist Church, well-known and highly regarded by photographers, was built in 1826.
Ken Lund - Flickr
The eerie thing? There’s a graveyard on the property. It still garners multiple visitors, and lies right outside the church windows.
Larry - Flickr
There are even some tombs that are marked, “Murder Victims.” We know it was a different time, but goodness! What a strange thing to have etched forever on your final resting place.
Olin Gilbert - Flickr
Folks that have stayed the night at Cades Cove have repeatedly reported figures in the woods, people that they in no way packed with them and brought to the park. Others have noted strange noises, eerie sounds that echo through the cove at night. Some say it’s Basil Estep, who was supposedly killed by the ghost of his wife.
Brian Wolfe - Flickr
There have been multiple books written on the history of Cades Cove, many of which delve into the terror variety. We’re not sure why campers have found themselves dogged by eerie situations - but there always seems to be a ghost where history runs deep. A murder victim, perhaps? A parishioner that has worshipped straight into the afterlife? Perhaps the scariest thing is that we can’t quite put a finger on why there are terrifying things happening…and that’s the worst bit of all.
Feeling a bit scared? Here’s something lighter for you: undeniable reasons why Tennessee is most definitely HOME. Check it out!
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