Do you love a good ghost story or crave spine-tingling adventures on the open road? A haunted road trip near Plano, Texas offers the perfect blend of eerie history, small-town legends, and paranormal hotspots. Whether you’re a casual thrill-seeker or a dedicated ghost hunter, the haunted sites around Plano will send chills down your spine—and they’re all within an easy drive.
In this guide, you’ll uncover the most haunted cemeteries, abandoned bridges, historic mansions, and strange roadside attractions that make North Texas a hidden gem for ghostly road trips.
Why Plano Is a Great Base for Haunted Texas Explorations
Plano’s location in North Texas makes it the ideal launching point for paranormal road trips. With quick access to historic towns, rural cemeteries, and frontier-era buildings, Plano travelers can explore decades of ghost lore, Civil War spirits, tragic legends, and haunted hotels—all without driving too far.
Fall is the most atmospheric time for these road trips, but many locations are open year-round for brave souls who don’t mind wandering after dark.
Haunted Places to Visit Near Plano
1. The Goatman’s Bridge (Old Alton Bridge – Denton)
One of North Texas’s most famous haunted landmarks, this 19th-century iron bridge is said to be cursed. According to legend, a local goat herder was lynched here in the 1930s by white supremacists. Since then, the Goatman’s spirit has been seen stalking the area, and visitors report strange sounds, cold spots, and glowing eyes in the woods.
Address: Old Alton Bridge, Hickory Creek, TX 75065
Hours: Open access (daylight and evening recommended)
Approx Cost: Free
Famous For: Creepy bridge legend and paranormal activity
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Bring a flashlight and go in a group—locals say the Goatman targets solo wanderers.
2. Hill House Manor (Gainesville)
This Victorian home just over an hour north of Plano is infamous for apparitions, disembodied voices, and shadow figures. Now a paranormal research site, Hill House Manor offers overnight investigations and has been featured on TV ghost-hunting shows.
Address: 501 W Broadway St, Gainesville, TX 76240
Hours: By reservation
Approx Cost: Tours from $25–$75; overnights available
Famous For: Full-body apparitions and violent spirit activity
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Book a nighttime investigation for the full experience—but don’t go in expecting sleep.
3. Granbury Opera House (Granbury)
Rumored to be haunted by the spirit of John Wilkes Booth, Granbury’s historic opera house is home to mysterious footsteps, phantom laughter, and unexplainable cold drafts. The theater dates back to 1886 and still hosts plays and tours.
Address: 133 E Pearl St, Granbury, TX 76048
Hours: Open for shows and tours
Approx Cost: Show tickets $20–$40
Famous For: Civil War spirits and thespian ghosts
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Ask for a behind-the-scenes tour—they often share stories not listed in the program.
4. Anderson Cemetery (Allen)
Hidden between subdivisions, this small and historically significant cemetery is rumored to host ghostly children and lantern-bearing figures. The graves date back to the 1800s, and visitors often hear voices or experience tech glitches near the fence line.
Address: Anderson Cemetery, Allen, TX 75002
Hours: Daylight hours recommended
Approx Cost: Free
Famous For: Eerie EVP recordings and shadowy figures
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Visit during late afternoon and record audio—you might pick up voices you didn’t hear in person.
5. Downtown McKinney Historic District
This charming area hides dozens of haunted buildings, including antique stores, restaurants, and even the old courthouse. Some business owners claim to share space with former residents who never left.
Address: E Virginia St, McKinney, TX 75069
Hours: Daily
Approx Cost: Free to explore
Famous For: Poltergeist activity in shops and whispering in alleys
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Join a McKinney ghost walk—local guides share juicy stories that add context to your photos.
6. White Rock Lake Ghost (Dallas)
Near East Dallas, White Rock Lake is home to the Lady of the Lake, a well-known urban legend. Drivers have reported picking up a soaked woman in white who disappears from their car, leaving only water in her wake.
Address: White Rock Lake Park, Dallas, TX 75214
Hours: Daily, 6 AM – 11 PM
Approx Cost: Free
Famous For: Vanishing hitchhiker legend
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Cruise the lake road at dusk for an extra spooky atmosphere—just be sure to drive safely.
7. Plano Mutual Cemetery
Plano’s oldest cemetery, established in 1881, is the resting place of early settlers, veterans, and some unmarked graves. While not as notoriously haunted as others, locals have reported strange mists, whispers, and unexplainable chills—especially after sunset.
Address: 2128 18th St, Plano, TX 75074
Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset
Approx Cost: Free
Famous For: Creepy ambiance and historic headstones
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Visit near Halloween for spooky inspiration, but respect the grounds—no ghost hunting after dark allowed.
Where to Stay on a Haunted Road Trip Near Plano
1. The Ashton Hotel (Fort Worth)
This historic hotel blends elegance and ghost stories. Guests have reported strange noises, flickering lights, and sudden cold spots.
Address: 610 Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Hours: Check-in 3 PM, Check-out 11 AM
Approx Cost: $150–$200/night
Famous For: Paranormal elegance in a boutique setting
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Ask for a room on the third floor—where most eerie events are reported.
2. The Grand Hotel (McKinney)
This beautifully restored hotel dates back to 1885 and is rumored to have a ghostly woman in white who walks the halls. Located in the heart of McKinney’s historic district, it’s perfect for a haunted night’s stay.
Address: 114 W Louisiana St, McKinney, TX 75069
Hours: Check-in 3 PM, Check-out 11 AM
Approx Cost: $120–$180/night
Famous For: Charming decor and soft ghost sightings
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Some say Room 401 has extra energy—approach with curiosity!
3. The Renaissance Dallas at Legacy West
Not haunted—but after a day of ghost-chasing, this modern Plano hotel offers a calm, upscale retreat where you can recharge and edit your EVP files in peace.
Address: 6007 Legacy Dr, Plano, TX 75024
Hours: Check-in 4 PM, Check-out 11 AM
Approx Cost: $180–$250/night
Famous For: Stylish comfort after spooky adventures
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Great location if you’re starting or ending your haunted route in Plano.
Packing Tips for a Spooky Road Trip
Flashlight or headlamp for exploring rural sites
Voice recorder or ghost hunting app for EVP sessions
Camera with night mode or infrared
Comfortable walking shoes and layers
Printed directions or offline maps in case of low signal
Notebook and pen for logging sightings or strange events
Protective crystals or sage (if you believe in spiritual precautions)
Local Tips for Paranormal Travelers
Respect the sites—especially cemeteries and private property
Go with a group if exploring at night
Bring snacks and water—some locations are remote
Check for local ghost tours for insider stories
Be skeptical but open-minded—it adds to the fun
Final Thoughts on Haunted Road Trips Near Plano
Whether you’re chasing shadows across old bridges, recording mysterious whispers in cemeteries, or just enjoying eerie tales on the road, a haunted road trip near Plano is the perfect blend of history and thrill. These local legends add depth to North Texas culture—and just might make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
So fuel up the car, grab your bravest friends, and get ready to explore where the veil is thinnest. Just don’t forget to check your rearview mirror on the way home.
