6 Dog-Friendly Haunted Places to Visit with Your Pup

If you love all things spooky, you might be excited to find out that there are dog-friendly haunted places you can visit. Dogs might not understand the stories behind spooky places, but most pups love exploring new areas. By taking your dog to one of these places, you will both find some enjoyment in your own ways.

While I’m a big scaredy cat who can’t handle haunted houses or horror movies, I’m fascinated by real-life ghost stories and paranormal encounters. I’m not sure how well I would do in a haunted place, but I love the idea of visiting one. So, I compiled a list of cool haunted places you can visit with your dog.

Best Dog-Friendly Haunted Places

There are lots of places around the world that people believe are haunted. Some places just have an eerie feeling to them while others have ghost sightings. Below are some iconic haunted spots that dogs can visit with you.

1. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg National Military Park is full of ghost stories featuring the ghosts from the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place from July 1st to July 3rd in 1863. Over 50,000 soldiers were dead, injured, or missing by the end of the gruesome battle, so people have shared ghost encounters near the battlefield ever since.

Visitors of Gettysburg have witnessed unexplainable battle sounds like gunshots. Others have reported sightings of ghostly soldiers, and some have even captured bizarre figures on camera. One of the most haunted areas is a rock formation known as the Devil’s Den. 

According to the National Park Service, pets are welcome at the Gettysburg National Military Park as long as they’re leashed and well-behaved. While they cannot go inside park buildings, a lot of the ghost sightings happened outside, so you and your pup can still experience the eerie vibes together.

2. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, West Virginia

Despite being indoors, this place is very dog friendly. Dogs can come on the daytime tours, but they must remain leashed at all times. Just keep in mind that there are stairs on the tour, so your dog should be comfortable walking up and down stairs.

This eerie building is the largest hand-cut stone masonry building in North America, and its construction started in 1958. It was created as a mental health facility that focused on fresh air and light, meant to house 250 patients. However, it quickly became overcrowded with over 2,400 people, leading to inhumane conditions. 

Due to the number of patients that suffered in this asylum, people believe there are still souls trapped in the building. Visitors have noticed shadowy figures and unexplainable sounds during their tours. Even during the day, there’s an unsettling feeling to the place.

3. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Harpers Ferry is known for being a haunted town because many tragedies occurred there. People believe that spirits from the Civil War, John Brown’s raid, and fires still wander the area, making it a fascinating place to explore.

Many visitors have reported sightings of ghostly figures across Harpers Ferry, including some recognizable individuals. For example, Dangerfield Newby is the name of a ghost with a scar across his throat. There’s also a drummer boy who people have heard crying for his mother. Some have even seen a whole phantom army.

Dogs are welcome to explore the town with you as you search for ghosts, but of course, they’re not allowed in most buildings. BringFido has a great list of dog-friendly things to do in Harpers Ferry, which includes ghost tours.

4. Toronto Distillery District, Canada

The Toronto Distillery District is a beautiful area of the city that’s for pedestrians only, so it’s a great place to walk your dog without worrying about busy car-filled streets. Dogs are free to walk around the cobblestone paths as long as they’re leashed and you clean up after them. They can’t go inside places serving food, but some galleries may allow them.

While the Toronto Distillery District is a charming little area, it also has a haunted history. There are many ghost tours around the area because of many ghost sightings. Visitors have spotted ghosts and captured figures on camera, including the ghost of James Worts Sr., who came from England to Canada to open a grist mill in 1831.

However, Worts is far from the only ghost that supposedly roams the area. The district has a long industrial past where many people died tragically, leaving some of their souls trapped and restless.

5. Clown Motel, Nevada

The Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada is creepy enough without being haunted. As the name implies, it’s a hotel full of clown decorations. The lobby has tons of eerie clown figurines, and the rooms have all kinds of clown paintings and bed sheets. You couldn’t pay me to stay there, but if you like staying in haunted places, you may want to check it out.

Visitors of this motel have experienced flickering lights and unexplainable noises. Some have claimed to see clown figurines move on their own in the lobby. The motel is also right beside an old graveyard, so visitors have claimed to see ghostly figures roaming that area.

Rooms 108, 111, 210, and 214 are known for having the most paranormal activity. So, if you want a higher chance of experiencing something spooky, be sure to request one of those. Unfortunately, those rooms aren't one of the four pet-friendly rooms. In the pet-friendly rooms, two pets can stay in the room for no additional cost, but a $20 fee will be added if you have a third pet.

6. Dinosaur Park, South Dakota

If you love dinosaurs like I do, Dinosaur Park is a fun little stop in South Dakota. It has several dinosaur statues along an outdoor path, so dogs are welcome to explore the park with you. The dinosaurs are cute and silly, so you might be surprised to hear that this place is known for ghost sightings.

Dinosaur Park is in a location that used to be known as Hangman’s Hill. Legends say that three men were hung there, one of which ended up being innocent. People have claimed to see figures and hear hoofbeats when visiting this spot. If you’re visiting as it gets dark, look away from the dinosaurs for a bit to see if you can notice anything unusual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it Safe to Visit Haunted Places with Dogs?

Yes, it can be safe to visit haunted places with dogs, but it depends on the place. Make sure the weather isn't too hot or too cold, and ensure the path materials are gentle on your dog’s paws. Whenever you visit somewhere with your dog, make sure you bring water and a travel bowl with you.

Can Dogs See Ghosts?

There’s no scientific evidence that dogs can see ghosts, but that’s because there’s no scientific proof of ghosts in general. Some people believe dogs and cats can see ghosts because pets often stare at nothing, as if they’re seeing something we can’t.

What are the Best Halloween Activities for Dogs?

The best Halloween activities for dogs are the ones where your dog feels comfortable and content. Haunted tours, costume parties, and corn mazes can all be good options for certain dogs. Just make sure you avoid scary activities where people jump out at you since that could stress your dog out.

Love All Things Spooky? Visit Haunted Attractions with Dogs

It’s best for dogs to stay home for haunted houses, but places that are actually haunted are often fun for both humans and dogs. When visiting these places, you can enjoy the eerie feelings and potential ghost sightings while your dog can enjoy all the new smells.

Above is only a small list of haunted dog-friendly places in the world. Feel free to research options near you to find a convenient place that you and your pup can visit.