New Hampshire ghost towns offer an intoxicating blend of woodsy charm and historic malevolence. No matter which town you choose to explore, you’re in for a treat. This state is full of ancient abandoned buildings and fascinating tales to go along with them.

Be sure to pack your walking shoes, as most of these locations require a bit of hiking. If you prefer a watery grave—er, watery day—then head to Isle of Shoals instead. Either way, prepare carefully for your adventure and pack plenty of food and gear. Ghosts aren’t nearly as dangerous as getting lost in the woods.

Ready to explore the best of New Hampshire’s paranormal? Make sure your

car insurance

is up-to-date before you go (Jerry can help you find, save, and switch).

Jerry

offers roadside assistance, too, in case you get stuck in the White Mountains with a flat tire.

Let’s dive into the best New Hampshire ghost towns.

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Isle of Shoals

The View from Star Island, Isles of Shoals in New Hampshire. Blue cloudy sky, rocky coast, and a white sailboat on the sea.

What is the story of Isle of Shoals?

If you’re not a fan of gruesome murder stories, then stop reading now. Isle of Shoals is the location of several violent events in the late 1800s. Supposedly, ghosts still haunt this area today.

In 1873, the Smuttynose Murders occurred here when two women were found killed.

Maren and Karen Christiansen were Norwegian sisters living on Smuttynose with their sister-in-law Anethe. Their husbands were caught up in Portsmouth, and they were alone in the house. A man snuck in, attacked and killed two of them, and stole money.

Luckily, Maren was able to escape and hide. She later identified the murderer as Louis Wagner. The man promptly fled back to Boston but was caught and hung in Maine. Their home is no longer standing.

Locals claim that visitors to the ghost town can sense the spirits—and hear the howls—of the victims near the rocky islands. More specifically, you should head to Maren’s Rock, where the third victim hid during the attack.

What makes Isle of Shoals special?

Isle of Shoals is located on the border between New Hampshire and Maine. No one lives here year-round but it’s a fascinating seasonal destination with a museum, hotel, and other historic monuments.

Park in Rye Harbor and book a harbor cruise over to Isle of Shoals for a stress-free glimpse at the haunted Isle of Shoals.

The islands are privately owned, so no public docking is allowed.

The Weight of Water is a 2000 film directed by Kathryn Bigelow that is based partially on the Smuttynose murders.

If you can’t get out to the actual deserted islands, it’s still worth a visit to Rye, New Hampshire. The locals will be happy to share the lore about the haunted spirits and mysterious islands visible on the horizon.

Pro Tip: The islands are open seasonally from approximately June to September, so plan your adventure accordingly.

How to visit Isle of Shoals

Head for the town of Rye, New Hampshire, just 15 minutes south of Portsmouth on NH 1A-S. For a nice view of the islands, head to Ocean Boulevard and enter “Scenic View of Isles of Shoals” into your navigation app. Rye Harbor State Park is another nice viewing area that looks out onto the Atlantic Ocean (and the islands).

If you want to get a closer look at the haunted island, head to Rye Harbor and book a harbor cruise that goes by Smuttynose.

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Zealand

Abandoned rail road tracks leading to nowhere.

What is the story of Zealand?

Zealand was a major logging and lumber boomtown in New Hampshire in the 19th century. It was founded in 1880 by J.E. Henry in the White Mountains.

With a mill and hundreds of citizens, Zealand remained a popular town for many years—until forest fires and over-logging decimated the town. Henry moved his operation to a new location but, once again, forest fires destroyed the entire operation.

In 1898, Zealand’s bad luck came to a head and it was finally deserted. Railroads stopped serving the town and soon people were leaving in droves. The post office closed, charcoal kilns were abandoned, and the old mill closed its doors.

Today, the remains of the ghost town are visible—including the remnants of the old mill—if you visit the Zealand Falls Trail or

Zealand Campground

in Bethlehem.

What makes Zealand special?

New Hampshire is very proud of its forests and state parks. This makes it extra spooky to observe the spate of bad luck that drove Zealand into oblivion in the late 1800s.

The old mill is partially standing, specifically the foundation of the engine house on the southern side of the Ammonoosuc River.

You can catch a glimpse of the old railroad bed in Zealand.

Nestled deep in the White Mountains, you won’t be competing with other tourists on your ghost-hunting adventures.

Get up close and personal with the abandoned site by spending the night at Zealand Campground.

You could easily spend a week exploring the many trails located in this area of New Hampshire. Before you head into the woods, be sure you have the appropriate gear and training.

How to visit Zealand

The old ghost town of Zealand is not far from Bethlehem, New Hampshire. However, you will need to walk into the woods to find the exact location.

Zealand Campground is a good place for your base camp, as it’s only a 15-minute drive from town on US-302 E. Park here and explore the riverside to find the old mill foundation. If you’re up for a hike, take the Zealand Trail to Zealand Falls. This is a six-mile hike that takes you through old logging territory.

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Livermore

View from a snowy mountain near White Mountains.

What is the story of Livermore?

Livermore is the perfect backdrop for a horror movie. It is a former logging town in the White Mountains that was established in 1876.

Home to hardworking lumberjacks, resilient families, and blustery winters, Livermore led the way in New Hampshire’s forestry industry for many years. The town was owned by a family of lawyers by the name of Saunders and they named the town after a New Hampshire senator Samuel Livermore. For a time, diatomaceous earth was mined nearby as well.

The beginning of the end came in the 1920s. First, a flood in the late 1920s wreaked irreparable havoc on Livermore’s infrastructure. Then, a smallpox epidemic swept through the town. By 1928, the last mill had closed, and by 1946, Livermore was officially abandoned.

By 2010, the population of Livermore was zero. Visitors today can explore the ghost town’s old ruins, and it’s said that you can still hear the grunts of ghostly loggers amidst the trees.

What makes Livermore special?

If you love exploring deserted sites where nature has reclaimed what men have built, then you need to visit Livermore. Note that you will have to travel on foot to reach the most interesting parts of this ghost town.

Old foundations give clues about the layout of Livermore.

A historic graveyard is hidden from sight—but open to bold adventurers who are willing to explore.

The foundations of the famous Saunders Mansion are visible onsite, which officially closed in 1965.

The remains of Little East Pont mill stand amidst the trees and brush.

Spot the shadow of old railroad tracks on the ground.

Don’t expect to find a fully established town or even well-marked ruins. Today, Livermore is mostly overgrown masonry. The remains of a bridge, red bricks jutting out of the ground, and creepy vibes by the river are what make this ghost town special.

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How to visit Livermore

Go to the White Mountain National Forest in northern New Hampshire. Head for Sawyer River Road and you’ll find the remains of Livermore about a mile and a half off down US-302. Take the Sawyer River Trail and you’ll walk directly by the ruins.

Pro Tip: There is one remaining modern residential home in Livermore, owned by the Shackford family.

Monson

What is the story of Monson?

Monson is a colonial-era ghost town located near Milford, one of the first inland settlements in the state of New Hampshire. That means you can explore buildings dating back to the 1700s!

While Monson was officially abandoned in the 1770s, the remains of the original town offer plenty of exciting vistas for curious visitors. Today, it’s part of a historic park that preserves its ruins and fields for future generations. There are 2.5 miles of trails here, with woods that lead to open fields.

Today, you can hike amidst Monson’s fascinating ruins while learning more about this important time in New Hampshire’s history.

What makes Monson special?

There’s nothing worse than wandering around and trying to find markers of a ghost town. Luckily, Monson is well-marked. Locations have signs that describe what you’re looking at—and even genealogical information if it’s available.

Monson is part of a 200-acre park highlighted as a place of interest by

Atlas Obscura

Stone foundations of old mills and residences are open to the air.

The nearby town of

Hollis

has a ton of interesting historic buildings and displays when you’re done exploring the woods.

Monson was nearly razed and developed into a housing complex in the 1990s.

It’s rare to find a colonial attraction on the east coast that isn’t overrun by tourists. Monson is special because it’s bursting with history but you won’t have to compete with other visitors for access—especially if you visit during non-peak hours.

Explore the area and let your mind relax, imagining what life might have been like for the settlers here before the American revolution.

How to visit Monson

Monson is just 20 minutes west of Nashua or 10 minutes south of Milford.

If you’re coming from Nashua, take Pine Hill Road out of town and then turn right onto Farley Road. Keep left onto Farley Road after about two miles and then turn left onto S Merrimack Road. Turn right when you see Hollis Montessori School and follow signs for Monson Village.

From Milford, take Route 13 S, turn left onto Emerson Road, then right onto Federal Hill Road. After 2.5 miles, you’ll see the Monson Village parking lot.

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Finding affordable car insurance

A full tank of gas, a great playlist, and a creepy destination—what more do you need for a successful ghost town road trip? You need great car insurance, of course!

Ghost towns are often in remote locations. You need a policy that protects you with roadside assistance, comprehensive coverage, and other defenses. Most policies won’t cover any paranormal-related incidents, but it’s still a good idea to make sure your policy is up-to-date before you drive off.

Jerry

can help you compare rates so you can find the coverage you want at a price you deserve. Most people are overpaying for coverage. If you’re like the average Jerry user, you could enjoy up to $900 in annual savings just by switching to a cheaper policy. It only takes 45 seconds and the app makes it easy to switch to a new policy.

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