State Tourism Department Announces Expansion of its West Virginia Paranormal Trail with Four New Stops
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on October 30, 2024 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Just in time for Halloween, the West Virginia Department of Tourism has announced an expansion to the new West Virginia Paranormal Trail. The popular trail now has four new stops bringing the total number of spine-chilling locations to 18. Since its launch just two weeks ago, the eerie expedition has already received nearly 5,000 participant sign-ups, with visitors checking in from 39 states and three countries.
To experience the haunts of West Virginia and uncover chilling tales, travelers can register to participate in The West Virginia Paranormal Trail online and instantly receive the digital passport via email or text. For a sneak peek of all that’s in store along the trail, click here. As exploration is underway, visitors check in to spooky spots around the state to earn points and unlock exclusive Paranormal Trail prizes – including an official sticker, beanie, and limited-edition print by West Virginia artist Liz Pavlovic.
New Spooky Stops
- West Virginia Bigfoot Museum – Discover the undiscovered at the West Virginia Bigfoot Museum in Sutton, featuring the Mid-Atlantic’s largest collection of Bigfoot casts, hair samples, research and documented sightings.
- Silver Run Tunnel (North Bend Rail Trail Mile Marker 22.8) – An unsettling stretch of the North Bend Rail Trail, the Silver Run Tunnel in Cairo is rumored to be haunted by the spectral figure of a woman in white, drawing in visitors intrigued by ghostly tales.
- Cryptid Mountain Miniature Golf – Experience the creepy atmosphere of Cryptid Mountain Miniature Golf, an indoor course in Morgantown featuring 13 cryptid-themed holes designed to test your putting skills amidst mysterious creatures.
- Hempfield Tunnel (Wheeling Heritage Trail) – Believed to be haunted by the souls of those buried beneath its tracks and those who met tragic ends within its walls, the Hempfield Tunnel in Wheeling serves as a chilling reminder of the area’s dark history. The tunnel can be accessed via the Wheeling Dog Park on 17th Street in East Wheeling.
“We are thrilled to see the love the Paranormal Trail is receiving from both in-state residents and travelers near and far,” said West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby. “These four new stops give folks even more mysterious locations to explore, just in time for Halloween. I can’t wait to hear more stories of the one-of-a-kind adventures guests experience as they make their way through some of West Virginia’s most haunted attractions.”
Accessing the Paranormal Trail Passport is easy
- Navigate to wvtourism.com/paranormal.
- Register to get your West Virginia Paranormal Trail Passport by filling out your contact information.
- After signing up, the digital passport for the Paranormal Trail will be delivered to your phone via text or to the email provided.
- Explore the haunts of West Virginia! Open the passport on your phone, scroll to find the location you’re visiting and check in to mark it off your list.
For more information on West Virginia’s Paranormal Trail or to register for a digital passport, please visit wvtourism.com/paranormal.
Editor's Note: Top photo is from the Cryptid Mountain Miniature Golf site, while the Silver Run Tunnel is in the second photo.