7 Mysterious Places in Tennessee (And the Stories Behind Them)

Tennessee holds more than just country music and rolling hills. Hidden beneath its surface and scattered across its landscape are places that defy easy explanation, where history blends with the unexplainable.

From underground wonders to buildings that refuse to let go of their past, these mysterious locations continue to fascinate visitors and locals alike.

1. The Lost Sea (Sweetwater)

America’s largest underground lake stretches far beyond what the eye can see, holding secrets that even modern technology hasn’t fully uncovered. During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers used these caverns for shelter and possibly storage, leaving behind signatures that still mark the walls today. Some say they hid supplies in chambers that have never been found.

The lake itself covers over four acres, but that’s only what’s been mapped. Divers have explored underwater passages that seem to go on forever, yet no one knows the true extent of this subterranean wonder. Local legends speak of additional rooms sealed off by cave-ins, potentially hiding artifacts or treasures from the past.

Visitors today can take boat tours across the eerie, still waters, but guides admit there’s much more beneath the surface than anyone fully understands.

2. Ruby Falls (Chattanooga)

Leo Lambert was searching for a new entrance to a popular cave in 1928 when his drill broke through to something nobody expected. A 145-foot waterfall plunged through complete darkness, hidden inside Lookout Mountain for who knows how long. He named it after his wife Ruby, but the discovery raised more questions than answers.

How did such a massive waterfall remain concealed for centuries? The cave system around Ruby Falls contains passages that were sealed by ancient rockslides, and some believe there are entire networks of tunnels still waiting to be found.

People who work there sometimes report odd occurrences—unexplained sounds echoing from deeper in the mountain and cold spots that appear without reason. The falls themselves create a constant roar that masks other noises, making you wonder what else might be happening in the darkness.

3. Hale Springs Inn (Rogersville)

Three presidents slept here, but they’re not the ones who refuse to leave. Built in 1824, Hale Springs Inn has hosted countless guests over nearly two centuries, and some apparently enjoyed their stay so much they decided to stay permanently. Room 210 is particularly active, with guests reporting the feeling of someone sitting on their bed in the middle of the night.

Footsteps echo through empty hallways when no living person walks there. Staff members have heard conversations in vacant rooms and found objects moved from where they were carefully placed.

One recurring ghost is believed to be a former guest who died in the building, though records from that era are incomplete and mysterious.

4. Old South Pittsburg Hospital (South Pittsburg)

Empty hospital buildings always feel unsettling, but this one takes it to another level entirely. Operating from 1959 until the 1990s, South Pittsburg Hospital saw births, deaths, and everything in between during its decades of service. Now the halls stand silent except for the sounds that shouldn’t be there.

Paranormal investigators flock here, drawn by reports of shadow figures darting between rooms and disembodied voices calling out in the darkness. Some claim to hear gurneys rolling across floors in empty wings, while others report the smell of antiseptic in areas that haven’t seen cleaning supplies in years.

Former employees have shared stories about strange occurrences even when the hospital was operational—elevators moving on their own and lights flickering in patterns that seemed almost intentional. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, spending time in this decaying structure will definitely test your nerves.

5. The Greenbrier Restaurant (Gatlinburg)

Not all ghosts are scary—some just want to make sure you’re having a good time. The Greenbrier started as a lodge in the 1930s and later served as a speakeasy during Prohibition, which probably explains why the resident spirit seems so comfortable around guests. Lydia, as she’s affectionately called, has been moving objects and photobombing pictures for decades.

Staff members tell stories of place settings rearranging themselves overnight and chairs being found stacked in ways that would require considerable effort. Lydia seems particularly fond of the dining areas, where servers report feeling gentle taps on their shoulders when no one is nearby. She’s never threatening, just playfully present.

The restaurant embraces its friendly ghost, and many regulars claim they can sense her welcoming presence when they walk through the door.

6. Lookout Mountain Battlefields (Lookout Mountain)

Battles leave scars on the land that time doesn’t fully heal. In November 1863, Union and Confederate forces clashed on Lookout Mountain in what became known as the Battle Above the Clouds due to heavy fog that day. Thousands of soldiers fought across these slopes, and many never made it home.

Visitors and park rangers report seeing figures in period uniforms walking the battlefield, especially near dawn or dusk. Some hear distant cannon fire or the sounds of men shouting commands when the area is completely quiet.

The misty conditions that gave the battle its name still occur regularly, creating an eerie atmosphere that makes the past feel very close. History buffs and paranormal enthusiasts both find reasons to visit, though they’re looking for different kinds of evidence. Either way, standing where so many fought and died leaves most visitors with an undeniable sense that something lingers here.

7. Thomas House Hotel (Red Boiling Springs)

This peaceful-looking hotel hides a reputation that’s anything but restful. Originally built as a health resort in the early 1890s, people came here seeking healing from the mineral springs nearby. The Thomas House has changed hands many times, but its permanent residents seem to stick around regardless of ownership.

Room 19 is notorious for activity, with guests reporting children’s laughter and the sensation of small hands tugging at blankets. Shadow figures glide through hallways, and objects have a habit of relocating themselves when no one’s looking. One particularly active spirit is believed to be a woman in period dress who appears in mirrors and reflective surfaces.

The hotel doesn’t hide from its haunted history—it celebrates it with ghost tours and paranormal investigation nights. Staff members have countless stories, and many guests check in specifically hoping for an encounter.