Who knows what spirits might lurk in the nearby forest? The first settlers to the area, John and Lucretia Oliver were involved in establishing the Cades Cove Baptist Church in 1827 which would later become the Primitive Baptist Church. My husband and I hiked on a local trail, we heard people talking behind us, and I backed tracked and couldnt find anyone behind us, and that upset me because I felt a hand on my shoulders!! Haunted Cades Cove Probably the most - Carolina's Unknown | Facebook When the smoke cleared, she found Basil, lying on the floor, burnt to a crisp, where the metal bed had once stood. There were generations of people who called this land their home and, unfortunately, they were forced out when it was decided that part of the land would be flooded in order to create the lake that sits there today. Several pictures on the internet depict orbs in the graveyards, cabins, and other buildings at the historical site. Our site produces editorial content for the purpose of entertainment. guests staying in Gatlinburg cabin rentals, How to Plan a Weekend Getaway for Couples in Pigeon Forge, Best Meals to Cook on Vacation in the Smoky Mountains, Additional information regarding your stay. Established in 1830, this cemetery boasts the graves of several of Gatlinburg's early settlers as well as several unmarked graves. We hope that you enjoyed reading one of the classic Cades Cove ghost stories! The Esteps enjoyed a reasonably happy life in the valley, although Mavis was plagued with a persistent fear: she was absolutely terrified of being struck by lightning. Spearfinger was a shapeshifter who would pose as family members of her child victims before cutting them open and eating their livers! Some people who tour Cades Cove say they get an eerie feeling around certain buildings or have even seen apparitions floating around the historic site. You may just see a phantom criminal and his rope, a terrifying sight. The Smoky Mountains, for all their beauty, are still wild and are one of the few places left in the Eastern US where someone can seemingly disappear without a trace. The park is now permanently closed, which means he may have peace and quiet for a long, long time. Thanks to the rich tradition of storytelling from the Irish and Scottish immigrants that settled the Smoky Mountains, there are plenty of spooky stories to go around. 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(WATE) - Many spooky stories come from Cades Cove, but one is especially electric. There is a chill from these spirits and their stories that has lingered from those who have passed tragically or with unfinished business. The cabins that were built long ago look exactly the same (with a bit of wear and tear, of course, due to the elements and the factor of time passing) and the cemeteries that were dug centuries ago have not been moved or relocated. Within thirty years by 1850, the valley had reached a population of 685 residents. Here are the spookiest places in the isolated valley: The Primitive Baptist Church has a rich history in the area! The Spooky Side of the Smokies - Blount Tourism The church that stands today in Cades Cove was built in 1887. The number next to the Favorites tab, left sidebar, will increase up to 99 possible Favorites. While its up to you to decide what to believe, its worth a trip to the Smokies to check out these spooky spots! The eerie thing about the Blackwell House is the blood stains in the parlorno matter how many scrubbings the patrons manage, the stains left by a young man murdered by his father still speckle the flooring. While Lydia's tragic death is enough to make Greenbriar one of the most haunted places in the Smokies, her false-hearted fiance's body was found days later mangled by what appeared to be a mountain cat. The eerie thing? View List: Displays a full list of all your Favorites with some details. Well, if youre us. As a result, this fearful presence could take the form of a seemingly harmless squirrel or a faint shadow in the forest. Said to roam Noland Creek Trail and Whiteside Mountain, Spearfinger may be one of the creepiest Cherokee folklore traditions.You might want to stay clear of these haunted places in the Smoky Mountains as Spearfinger is one frightening spirit to encounter. Many people claim they see a barefoot woman walking along the road, seeming looking for a ride. When finished, an email will be sent to confirm your email address. Keep in mind the email used to create your guest account must match the email provided on your reservation. She was looking over the balcony. Some residents signed life-leases, which allowed them to live out their lives on their land, with restrictions on hunting and logging. In Cades Cove, its the spirits thatll get you, if you dont watch out. Do you think Cades Cove is haunted? The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. Spearfinger had a song that shed sing as she moved through the mountains, Liver, I eat it.. The woman locked eyes with Trulie and started to scream. Another place where many people have reported paranormal sightings is the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. Shortly after opening as a lodge in 1939, a young woman named Lydia, who lived at the lodge, was jilted by her fiance at the altar of a Gatlinburg church. Not only are strange experiences common in the Cove as a whole due to its extensive history, but freak thunderstorms have been reported here as well. Cades Cove: Excellent views - See 5,510 traveler reviews, 6,306 candid photos, and great deals for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, at Tripadvisor. While we do our best to bring you the most up-to-date information, TheSmokies.com LLC makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content contained within. Said to have a long blade of obsidian as her right forefinger, Spearfinger lurks in the shadows, her mouth stained with blood from the livers of small children she managed to lure away from their parents. People have reported strange sounds or an eerie feeling of being watched in this area. Next time you visit, let us know if you experienced a haunted Cades Cove! Whether or not the devil makes Huggins Hell his stomping ground, there's no doubting that these remote, inaccessible regions of the park give visitors a spooky, uneasy feeling. The specter locked eyes with Trulie and started screaming and cussing up a storm. There has been a great amount of history that has occurred in the Smoky Mountains and particularly in Cades Cove. Open from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.; there are indoor and outdoor haunts. Stay Away From Tennessees Most Haunted Street After Dark Or You May Be Sorry, 5 Haunted Hayrides In Tennessee That Will Scare You In The Best Way Possible, This Overnight Ghost Hunt In Tennessee Is The Creepiest Thing Youll Ever Do, Tennessees Most Notorious Haunted House Is Even Scarier This Year Heres Why, Not Many People Realize These 10 Little Known Haunted Places In Tennessee Exist, We Checked Out The 10 Most Terrifying Places In Tennessee And Theyre Horrifying, The Most Terrifying Ghost Story To Ever Come Out Of Tennessee Is Truly Chilling, The Story Behind This Haunted Battlefield In Tennessee Is Truly Creepy. See winners from every year of the contest. It's said to be haunted by the Pigman, a man with the face of a pig who terrorizes campers once the sun goes down. For your next cabin vacation in the Smokies, be sure to explore some of these spooky places in the mountains! Before it was a popular tourist day attraction of the Great Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove was a place that hundreds of people called their permanent home. These mountains make up the most popular mountain range in the U.S. and with so many people visiting on a yearly basis, there's no shortage of stories that go with their trips. Want even more scares and goosebumps? Add to Favorites: As you visit individual property pages or pages with listings of several properties on them, you have the The Cussing Cover: This Smoky Mountain legends, tells the story of Mavis and Basil Estep, a married couple who lived in Cades Cove a very long time ago. Noland Creek Trail makes this list of haunted places in East Tennessee for several reasons. Don't Read These Ghost Stories Before You Go, The Smoky Mountains is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, Mansions, Hotels, And Lighthouses: Canada's Most Haunted Destinations Have Us Rethinking These Trips, most well-known stories that have been passed down for centuries, These Haunted Roads Are The Last Places We'd Want To Be Stuck With A Flat. As fate would have it, she picked The Cussing Cover, as she was quite taken by the beautiful red flannel patterns. After the owner of the estate left Wheatlands Plantation to her grandson, his jealous father confronted him and in turn was murdered by his son with an iron poker. Trulie Jane and Basil bought a new metal bed to sleep in. After you've signed all reservation documents and paid the balance in full, you'll receive an email with your active stay information 8 hours prior to arrival, which includes the following: Note: If the reservation documents have not been signed electronically and/or the balance has not been paid three days prior to arrival via the credit card on file, you must check in at our 2140 Parkway office. Within the request, provide a reason for cancellation and click submit. It's been said a man dressed in his formal attire walks the halls at night and lights flicker on and off when no one is around. Some guests have reported seeing glowing orbs from the graves in Cades Cove at night (Illustration of Cades Cove by TheSmokies.com). Early settlers in the Smokies named this barren, craggy rockface "The Devil's Courthouse" for its sinister appearance which led them to create a tale that the Devil himself held court in the cave underneath the diabolical-looking cliff. If youre not the biggest fan of the scary aspect, take an insiders look at the history of the area: Feeling a bit scared? It's a 3-story haunted house located in downtown Gatlinburg and has live actors. For example, Ripleys Haunted Adventure features Fright Nights throughout October, which is an extra scary and spine-chilling version of the already-spooky attraction. The parking area for the historical Elijah Oliver Place and homestead, is on the left side of Cades Cove Loop Road just past Cooper Road Trail (approximately 4.6 miles from the beginning of the loop). Hours later, a rogue bolt of lightning struck the bed and killed Basil Estep. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Usually, old folklore traditions are at the root of Smoky Mountain ghost stories. Of her many beautiful quilts, Maviss favorite creation was a patchwork made up of pieces of one of Basils favorite red flannel shirts. Many of these homes were vacation homes but were still homes nonetheless, and after the last residents passed on, their houses were simply left there. They were forced to leave their homes as the highway that led to those communities was buried by the lake. Cades Cove is a very old part of the Smoky Mountains and it's not surprising that there are so many stories to come out of this area. Supposedly she can be heard whining around campsites at night, searching for livestock. informational purposes only. After some prodding, Basil agreed to buy a new metal bed for the couple to sleep on. S -, Copyright 2013-2023, Cabins USA LLC, Pigeon Forge, TN. Cades Cove was once home to a lively population but is now an . October 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Top ways to experience Cades Cove and nearby attractions. All you need to know about the most visited national park in the country. Occasionally, visitors have reported strange sightings of figures near grave sights. _______________________________________________. The area and the communities that used to occupy the communities in Swain County actually has several Smoky Mountain legends to tell. Those looking for haunted places in Gatlinburg or the Smokies may need only to drive down to Roaring Fork Motor Trail. Cades Cove Quite a few people have reported that the churches, graveyards, and other historic structures in Cades Cove are haunted. Mavis, her husband Basil, and their children lived in a cozy two-room cabin along the Whistling Branch stream. Also, consider a walking ghost tour in Gatlinburg, where youll be guided by a professional to explore the spooky, haunted corners of town on a stroll. Cades Cove is a very old part of the Smoky Mountains and it's not surprising that there are so many stories to come out of this area. A.M.S. But perhaps the most active place for ghostly activity is White Oak Flats Cemetary in Gatlinburg. Think; bright and sunny day turned dark grey with downpours within a matter of minutes. Many people say they see a sad woman on the staircase. Lydia was apparently so distraught, she left the church and went back to the Greenbrier Lodge, threw a rope over a rafter, and hung herself. Rumor has it that the quilts are still around the Smoky Mountains. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. (2507 Boyds Creek Highway), As one of the oldest jails in Tennessee, you would almost expect the place to be haunted. Oddly enough, there were no thunderstorms that night in the Cove, just a single bolt of lightning that happened to land right on Basil.