Texas Hill Country may be known for bluebonnets, BBQ, and small towns, but it’s also home to some seriously creepy spots that’ll make your hair stand.
We’re talking ghost brides, haunted hotels, phantom footsteps, and a few legends that are way too weird to be made up.
These are all real places you can visit, from graveyards and old jails to one where your steak might come with a ghostly tap on the shoulder.
Whether you’re chasing ghosts, craving spooky stories, or just in it for the goosebumps, you’re in for a wild ride.
1. Driskill Hotel – Austin
The Driskill Hotel is a fancy old hotel in the heart of downtown Austin, located at 604 Brazos Street.
Built in 1886 by a cattle baron named Jesse Driskill, this place is packed with marble floors, stained glass, and spooky stories.
People say it’s haunted by Jesse himself, plus a little girl who fell down the grand staircase in the 1880s and still roams the halls with a bouncing ball.
Watch out if you stay in Room 525, where two brides are said to have died in the same bathtub, two decades apart.
2. Dead Man’s Hole Historical Landmark – Marble Falls
If the Driskill gave you chills, wait until you hear about Dead Man’s Hole in Marble Falls as it’s way creepier and way more out in the open.
Located an hour from Austin, this 155-foot-deep limestone shaft was used during the Civil War as a dumping ground for bodies (yes, it’s as messed up as it sounds).
Locals claim you can still hear moans and whispers floating up from the pit, especially on quiet nights when the wind dies down.
You’ll find a historical marker here, but the real history is what’s buried deep beneath your feet.
3. Baby Head Cemetery – Llano
As unsettling as Dead Man’s Hole is, Baby Head Cemetery in Llano is on another level of disturbing.
You’ll find it along Highway 16, marked by a small sign and a setting that feels straight out of a horror movie.
The name comes from a brutal 1800s legend, when settlers said Native Americans took the life of a toddler and left her head on a stake by the trail.
This small cemetery also has weathered gravestones, and some visitors report seeing shadows or hearing a baby cry when no one is there.
4. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Enchanted Rock might seem like a peaceful escape, but its massive pink granite dome holds eerie secrets of its own.
Rising 425 feet and spanning 640 acres just north of Fredericksburg, this place was once believed by Native tribes to be full of spirits.
Even today, hikers report hearing whispers, seeing glowing orbs, or feeling as though they are being watched along the 4.6-mile Loop Trail.
The rock actually makes weird creaking noises at night from the heat shifting inside it, but honestly, that doesn’t make it any less spine-tingling.
5. Historic Jail (Jail of 1885) – Fredericksburg
Then there’s the Historic Jail in Fredericksburg, also known as the Jail of 1885, where things take an even weirder turn.
This two-story stone building in the center of town was built in 1885 and now operates as a museum (it’s open for monthly public tours!).
People say the cells have cold spots, footsteps echo when no one’s there, and sometimes the lights flicker even though there’s no electricity running inside.
Some even claim they’ve seen a man in a cowboy hat staring out from the second-floor window, except no one’s been upstairs in years.
6. Kerr County Courthouse – Kerrville
If haunted courthouses are your thing, the Kerr County Courthouse in Kerrville is guaranteed to give you goosebumps.
Built in 1926, this historic courthouse at 700 Main Street is known for its classic limestone exterior and its share of scary ghost stories.
Locals whisper about a former judge who still roams the halls, slamming doors and leaving cold drafts in locked rooms.
Security guards have reported hearing typewriters clicking in empty offices late at night, even though the building’s gone fully digital.
7. Frio River
A float down the Frio River might sound like the best way to spend a summers day, but you might want to think again.
Winding through Garner State Park and Leakey, the Frio may be crystal clear and refreshingly cool, but there’s something spooky beneath the surface.
Locals talk about a ghostly woman in white who walks the riverbank at night, said to have been murdered by her jealous brother-in-law.
Campers have also reported hearing splashing when the water’s perfectly still and spotting figures standing knee-deep in the river… then vanishing.
8. Menger Hotel – San Antonio
Head to San Antonio and you’ll find the Menger Hotel, which is basically the haunted hotel jackpot.
Located right next to the Alamo, this place has been around since 1859 and is rumored to be haunted by more than a dozen ghosts.
The most famous is Sallie White, a chambermaid who was murdered by her husband and still shows up in full uniform, fluffing pillows and walking the halls.
Even Teddy Roosevelt is said to make the occasional ghostly appearance at the bar (probably still recruiting for the Rough Riders).
9. Grey Moss Inn – Helotes
Just when you thought dinner would be the safe part of your haunted Hill Country adventure, along comes the Grey Moss Inn in Helotes.
Shaded by twisted oak trees, this steakhouse has been serving sizzling ribeyes and spooky tales since 1929.
Staff say lights flicker, glasses slide off tables, and a ghostly woman in a long dress sometimes floats past the kitchen like she’s late for her reservation.
Oh, and don’t be surprised if while you’re enjoying your perfectly cooked filet, you might feel a cold chill down your spine.
10. The Kendall – Boerne
The Kendall may look like a picture-perfect boutique hotel in Boerne, but its lovely white porches hide some haunted secrets.
Built in 1859, this historic inn has hosted everyone from President Eisenhower to—you guessed it—ghosts.
One of the most talked-about spirits is Sarah Reed, the inn’s original owner, who is said to make her presence known near the lobby and some rooms.
Guests have also reported flickering lights, mysterious footsteps, and even bedsheets tugging in the middle of the night.
11. Old Blanco County Courthouse – Blanco
Next up, if you’re passing through Blanco, the Old Blanco County Courthouse is a stop that’s well worth a look (and maybe a shiver).
Built in 1885 and sitting on Main Street, this grand limestone building once held courtrooms, county offices, and, according to some, a few restless souls.
Visitors have reported shadowy figures in the upstairs windows long after the building has closed, along with the faint sound of strange music.
Fun fact: The movie True Grit was filmed here, so if the ghosts don’t spook you, maybe imagining John Wayne stomping through will.
12. Devil’s Backbone Tavern – Fischer
And if you like your ghosts with cold beer and country music, head straight for Devil’s Backbone Tavern in Fischer.
Located along the winding Devil’s Backbone ridge, this iconic spot is known for its live music, drinks, and paranormal stories.
Bartenders have reported hearing boots stomping on wooden, empty floors, and jukeboxes starting on their own.
Some folks even say you can hear phantom horses galloping outside on quiet nights so maybe don’t hang around the parking lot too long after closing.
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