Alaska Ghost Walks

On a ghost walk, you join a guided tour that blends history with chilling stories of hauntings. Guides lead you through historic sites, sharing legends, unexplained events, and accounts of ghostly activity. The goal is less about scares and more about experiencing local folklore and unique cultural tales.

Alaska has more than 100 abandoned settlements, many left behind after gold rushes faded or natural disasters struck. These ghost towns include old mining camps, canneries, and frontier communities. Exploring them offers a glimpse into the boom-and-bust cycles that shaped Alaska’s rugged history.

Many consider the Alaskan Hotel in Juneau one of the state’s most haunted spots. Guests and staff have reported strange sounds, ghostly figures, and unexplained events. Other famously haunted places include the Buckner Building in Whittier and old mining towns scattered across the state.

Ghost walks are designed to be more atmospheric than terrifying. They usually combine storytelling, history, and a touch of suspense. While some tales may send a shiver down your spine, most tours are meant to entertain and intrigue rather than frighten participants.

The first recognized ghost walk is believed to be the Original Ghost Walk of York in England. It began decades ago and set the standard for combining history with ghostly storytelling. Since then, ghost walks have become popular worldwide, including in Alaska.

The “hidden city” often refers to the legendary underground tunnels beneath Anchorage and other Alaskan towns. Stories claim they were used for smuggling, secret passageways, or even linked to mysterious disappearances. While much remains folklore, the legend fuels Alaska’s haunted reputation.

In folklore, many ghost stories describe spirits passing through doors or walls. This detail often symbolizes a ghost’s ability to move beyond physical boundaries. On ghost walks, such tales highlight the mysterious and eerie nature of hauntings.

Centralia, Pennsylvania, is the most famous U.S. town that is off-limits. A mine fire that started in the 1960s still burns underground, forcing residents to leave. While not in Alaska, it’s often mentioned alongside discussions of ghost towns and abandoned places.