List of reportedly haunted locations in Canada

Western Canada: Alberta and British Columbia

Alberta and British Columbia host some of Canada's most frequently visited reportedly haunted locations. In Alberta, the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff National Park reports hauntings including a ghostly bride and a bellman. The Charles Camsell Hospital in Edmonton, a former tuberculosis sanatorium, is regarded as one of the province's most haunted buildings. The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton is reported to be haunted by a spectral horse that dropped dead during its 1914 foundation pouring. The Frank Slide was the site of a massive rockslide in 1903 that claimed 76 lives. In British Columbia, Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, built for coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, is a site of frequent ghost sightings. The British Columbia Penitentiary in New Westminster operated for 102 years. Its Boot Hill graveyard, first used in 1916, holds the numbered graves of up to 62 inmates. The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is allegedly haunted by a 'lady in red,' believed by some to be socialite Jennie Pearl Cox. Hatley Castle in Colwood is said to be haunted by a maid named Annabelle and James Dunsmuir Jr. Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver is considered by some to be the city's most haunted building. The Tranquille Sanatorium near Kamloops opened in 1907 as a tuberculosis sanatorium.

• Banff Springs Hotel (AB): Reports of a ghostly bride, bellman, and a sealed haunted room.
• Charles Camsell Hospital (AB): Decommissioned tuberculosis sanatorium considered highly haunted.
• Craigdarroch Castle (BC): Historic Victoria mansion with frequent ghost sightings.
• British Columbia Penitentiary (BC): Former prison with Boot Hill inmate graveyard used from 1916.
• Hatley Castle (BC): Haunted castle used as a university and film set for Marvel movies.
• Waterfront Station (BC): Considered Vancouver's most haunted building.
• Tranquille Sanatorium (BC): Former TB treatment centre near Kamloops.
• The Empress Hotel (BC): Reports include ghosts of its designer Francis Rattenbury and a maid.

The Prairies and Northern Territories

The Prairie provinces and the northern territories feature hauntings connected to theatrical history, early settlement, and vast landscapes. In Manitoba, the Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg has been featured on Creepy Canada. The Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg is infamous for room 202, where a woman reportedly committed suicide. Former Liberal MP Brenda Chamberlain believed this story. The Mallard Lodge and Delta Marsh Field Station in Portage la Prairie is believed to be haunted by a groundskeeper named Murray and a construction worker sealed in the foundation in 1932. The St. Norbert Monastery, a former Trappist monastery burned in 1983, is now an arts centre. In Saskatchewan, Government House in Regina, the former lieutenant governor's residence, is known for multiple hauntings. The Marr Residence in Saskatoon was featured on Creepy Canada. The Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford's original early 20th century buildings witnessed extreme overcrowding. A new hospital opened on 14 March 2019. The Souris Valley Mental Health Hospital in Weyburn, demolished in 2009, was notorious for experimental LSD treatments. The village of St. Louis near Prince Albert has reports of the St. Louis light, attributed to a railroad accident. In the Northwest Territories, Nahanni National Park Reserve in Fort Simpson is a vast wilderness area with its own legends.

Atlantic Canada: Legends and Maritime Ghosts

Atlantic Canada's haunted lore is deeply intertwined with the sea, shipwrecks, and early colonial history. New Brunswick is home to the legend of the Fireship of Baie des Chaleurs, a 16th-century Portuguese vessel set ablaze, reportedly seen every few years. The Miramichi River Valley is the reputed domain of the Dungarvon Whooper, originally thought to be a murdered camp chef but later linked in folklore to an American Civil War veteran. The Charlotte County Court House in St. Andrews, built in the 1840s, is believed to be haunted by executed convicts. In Nova Scotia, Acadia University in Wolfville is reportedly haunted by the ghost of a 19th-century Baptist girl who died by suicide, with phenomena including strange visions and self-operating doors and lights. The Young Teazer, a ghostly burning schooner, is said to appear in Mahone Bay near the anniversary of its 1813 explosion. Seal Island is reportedly haunted by the legend of Annie Lindsey, a stewardess from the 1891 SS Ottawa shipwreck. The Fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island was featured on Creepy Canada. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Wabana Iron Ore Mines on Bell Island are said to have apparitions such as shadow figures and lights, and unexplained noises. On Prince Edward Island, the Ghost Ship of Northumberland Strait is described as a beautiful flaming schooner seen as a storm warning. The Kings Playhouse in Georgetown is said to be haunted by a naval captain and spirits lost at sea.

• Fireship of Baie des Chaleurs (NB): 16th-century ghost ship seen as a bad omen.
• Dungarvon Whooper (NB): Legendary entity haunting the Miramichi River Valley.
• Acadia University (NS): Haunted by the ghost of a 19th-century student.
• Young Teazer (NS): Ghostly burning schooner in Mahone Bay.
• Ghost Ship of Northumberland Strait (PEI): Flaming spectral ship seen as a storm warning.
• Wabana Iron Ore Mines (NL): Reports of apparitions and noises in the mines.
• Kings Playhouse (PEI): Theatre haunted by a naval captain and spirits lost at sea.
• Fortress of Louisbourg (NS): Massive 1700s fortress featured on TV.

Ontario: A Concentration of Reported Hauntings

Ontario contains a high concentration of reportedly haunted locations, ranging from urban landmarks to historic sites. In Ottawa, the Bytown Museum is said to be haunted by Colonel John By, builder of the Rideau Canal, and his assistant General Duncan McNab. The Ottawa Jail Hostel is another frequently cited site. In Toronto, the Fairmont Royal York hotel has reports of children's footsteps, shadow figures, and a ghost bellboy. The Gibraltar Point Lighthouse on the Toronto Islands is haunted by its first keeper, John Paul Radelmuller, who was murdered by soldiers on 2 January 1815. Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake was a stronghold during the War of 1812. The Screaming Tunnel in Niagara Falls is linked by local legend to the ghost of a young girl who died from burns. The Grand Theatre in London is reputedly roamed by the apparition of Ambrose Small. Algonquin Provincial Park is associated with the spirit of painter Tom Thomson. The Merritton Tunnel, also known as the Blue Ghost Tunnel, is rumoured to be haunted by ghosts from a nearby cemetery and two firefighters who died in a train collision.

Quebec and Cultural Context

Quebec has many reportedly haunted historic sites and buildings. The Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City is a famous location. The Auberge Le Saint-Gabriel in Old Montreal is allegedly haunted by a 19th-century little girl who died in a fire. John Abbott College in Montreal, about 100 years old, has reports of spirits opening doors. The Grey Nuns Motherhouse in Ville-Marie, Montreal, and McGill University in Montreal are also cited. The Plains of Abraham in Quebec City and the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, featured on Creepy Canada, are other notable sites. The cultural context of Canadian hauntings often involves tragic historical events. Many locations are former institutions like sanatoriums, prisons, and hospitals, such as the Charles Camsell Hospital and Tranquille Sanatorium. Others are linked to industrial disasters like the Frank Slide or maritime tragedies like the Young Teazer. Television programs have played a significant role in popularizing these stories, with Creepy Canada featuring numerous sites across the country.

Questions about List of reportedly haunted locations in Canada

Are there any haunted lighthouses in Canada?

Yes, several lighthouses in Canada have reported hauntings. The Gibraltar Point Lighthouse on the Toronto Islands is haunted by its first keeper, John Paul Radelmuller, who was murdered on 2 January 1815. The West Point Lighthouse on Prince Edward Island, which is now an inn, also has reports of lights flickering attributed to the original keepers. These locations are among the many sites across the country with supernatural legends.

What is the story behind the Screaming Tunnel in Niagara Falls?

The Screaming Tunnel in Niagara Falls, Ontario, is the subject of a local legend about a young girl who died from burns. The story varies, suggesting the fire was either in her home or set by her father. Her ghost is said to haunt the tunnel, and screams are reportedly heard there. This location is a well known spot for those interested in paranormal stories from the region.

Is there a famous ghost ship legend in Canada?

Canada has several famous ghost ship legends. The Ghost Ship of the Northumberland Strait, seen off Prince Edward Island, is a flaming schooner considered a storm warning. In Nova Scotia, the Young Teazer is a ghostly burning schooner seen in Mahone Bay. In New Brunswick, the Fireship of Baie des Chaleurs is a 16th-century vessel seen aflame.

Have any haunted places in Canada been on TV?

Many Canadian haunted locations have been featured on television programs. Shows like Creepy Canada, Mystery Hunters, The Girly Ghosthunters, and Knock Knock Ghost have visited numerous sites. Specific locations featured include the Bytown Museum, Fort George, the Ottawa Jail Hostel, and the Miramichi River Valley. These programs have documented the stories and alleged paranormal activity at these places.

What is the most famous haunted hotel in Canada?

The Banff Springs Hotel in Banff National Park, Alberta, is arguably the most famous. It reports hauntings including a young bride and a bellman, and a sealed room. It has been featured on Creepy Canada. Other famous ones include the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton and the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg.

Which Canadian university is reportedly haunted?

Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, is reportedly haunted. The primary entity is said to be the ghost of a 19th century Baptist girl who died by suicide in a large open area called 'the well'. Reported paranormal activities at Seminary House include people having strange visions, lights and doors operating on their own, and disembodied voices. Objects are also said to move by themselves, and strange unexplained noises are heard.

Sources and further reading

• List of reportedly haunted locations in Canada (Wikipedia)
• The 17 Most Haunted Places in Canada (hauntedrooms.com)
• 8 reportedly haunted places in the Ottawa Valley (insideottawavalley.com)
• Haunted Places in Canada (thecanadianencyclopedia.ca)
• Nine allegedly haunted places in Durham (durhamregion.com)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-10-28.