Mid-Ohio Valley sites part of new Paranormal Trail in West Virginia
Flinderation Tunnel on the North Bend Rail Trail is an attraction in the West Virginia Paranormal Trail. Other local sites are the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant and the Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)
The Blennerhassett Hotel and Spa is on the new Paranormal Trail in West Virginia. The hotel is ranked among haunted hotels in America. (File Photo)
Flinderation Tunnel on the North Bend Rail Trail is an attraction in the West Virginia Paranormal Trail. Other local sites are the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant and the Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)
The Blennerhassett Hotel and Spa is on the new Paranormal Trail in West Virginia. The hotel is ranked among haunted hotels in America. (File Photo)
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PARKERSBURG -- The new West Virginia Paranormal Trail includes several local attractions.
Sites on the trail are the Blennerhassett Hotel and Spa in Parkersburg and the Flinderation Tunnel on the North Bend Rail Trail.
The Paranormal Trail is designed "to help spook-seekers discover the state's most spine-chilling sites," the Department of Tourism with Gov. Jim Justice said in a release. An accompanying digital passport allows visitors to check in at haunted locations, earning points for prizes along the way.
The launch of the West Virginia Paranormal Trail follows the recent announcement of Haunted Ohio: 24 Must-Visit Places by TourismOhio, the tourism arm of the Ohio Department of Development. The Lafayette Hotel and the Hackett Hotel in Marietta are on the trail. Nearby on the list are Hocking Hills State Park in Logan and The Ridges at Ohio University at Athens.
"The haunted and paranormal stuff is so popular," said Mark Lewis, president and CEO of the Greater Parkersburg Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Lewis cited the popularity of the annual Mothman Festival in Point Pleasant, where the Silver Bridge collapsed in 1967, killing 46 people. According to folklore, the cryptid Mothman is tied to the collapse.
The Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant also is on the Paranormal Trail.
It's late in the tourist season, but not too late to promote the Paranormal Trail and the local attractions, Lewis said. A goal of the trail and its promotion, among others, is to increase room stays, he said.
"We think we can bring in people for the haunted tours and the Paranormal Trail," he said.
The Blennerhassett Hotel is ranked in the Top 10 most-haunted hotels in North America, Adra Johnson, who runs the ghost tours and investigations at the hotel, said. She also is involved with the separate Susan Sheppard's Haunted Parkersburg ghost tour.
Attractions applied to be on the Paranormal Trail, she said.
"We're very grateful to be on it," Johnson said.
Apparitions at the hotel include the specters of children playing tag in the halls, unexplained knocks on the door and hotel builder William Chancellor smoking a cigar, believers believe.
The Paranormal Trail has already generated interest, Johnson said.
"We've gotten several phone calls already," she said.
Activities are held year round at the hotel and are popular, Johnson said. Appalachian ParaCon, a paranormal convention, will be held Oct. 18, 2025, at the hotel, Johnson said.
Lewis will propose two more local attractions to be added to the trail, the Riverview Cemetery in the 1300 block of Juliana Street in Parkersburg and the Silver Tunnel on the North Bend Rail Trail, a 1,376-foot tunnel near Cairo.
"I think the Silver Tunnel is more well known for paranormal activity," he said.
The weeping woman statue overlooking the graves of the Jackson family is located at Riverview Cemetery where many notable citizens in Parkersburg's history are buried.
"Recent trends have shown us that travelers are increasingly interested in spooky and unique destinations," West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby said. "West Virginia has quite a few spots with haunted histories, so we created the Paranormal Trail to tap into the thriving market for themed tours and attractions. Whether learning about local legends or touring notoriously haunted attractions, it appeals to travelers interested in spooky sightings, mystery and local lore."
Other landmarks on the Paranormal Trail are the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, Lake Shawnee Abandoned Amusement Park, Harpers Ferry, the Hotel Morgan in Morgantown, the Flatwoods Monster Museum in Flatwoods, Old Hospital on College Hill in Williamson, the Historic Glen Ferris Inn in Glen Ferris, the Shepherdstown Mystery Walk, the Haunted Haymond, the Elk River Trail between Ivydale and Duck and the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville.
Information about the trail and how to earn points by visiting the site is at wvtourism.com/paranormal.
Travelers can register online to participate in Paranormal Trail and receive the digital passport by email or text. Visitors check in to spooky spots around the state to earn points for an official Paranormal Trail sticker, a beanie and a limited-edition print by artist Liz Pavlovic of West Virginia.
Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.