CHARLESTON, W.Va.- West Virginia’s popular Paranormal Trail is back for a second fall season, drawing visitors interested in the state’s famously haunted locations. Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby announced the trail’s return, highlighting its success in attracting both domestic and international travelers.
Launched after research indicated strong public interest, the trail has already welcomed explorers from 48 states and eight countries since its inception. “Our team kept coming to me each year saying, ‘We want to do a paranormal trail. We have so much going on in West Virginia,’ so I finally leaned into the research and said, ‘This is a thing that people want to do,'” Ruby explained. “We’re in year two. We just started the second year.”
The West Virginia Paranormal Trail features destinations like the West Virginia Penitentiary, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, the Mothman Museum, and Seneca Caverns, among others. Participants who check in at various stops along the trail are eligible for prizes. ”If you go to a couple, you get a holograph sticker, a keychain, a lantern. you eventually can get a glow-in-the-dark hat so all kinds of fun prizes for exploring West Virginia,” Ruby said.
The trail adds to West Virginia’s growing reputation as a fall destination for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking unique experiences. Ruby encouraged West Virginians to appreciate the state’s offerings. ”We’re just used to it all, so my challenge to all West Virginians is to be appreciative of your state this fall,” she stated.
A complete list of locations on the West virginia Paranormal Trail can be found at wvtourism.com.
