Texas Ghost Towns – 40 Haunted Places in San Antonio You Can Visit
There’s something exciting and intriguing about exploring abandoned places. They’re rich in history but also have a mysterious and eerie vibe.
If you’re one who loves to dip their toe in the spooky and scary, you should definitely check out Texas ghost towns. Not only do they hold the secrets of the past, but some ghosts of the past might still be roaming the streets.
From counties with alleged haunted places San Antonio offers like hotels and towns with a handful of people, to places with nothing but ruins, you’ll find what you’re looking for here!
Here’s our list of Texas ghost towns near San Antonio.
Editor’s Note: Our staff tries their best to bring you the latest and up-to-date information. However, as always, please call ahead to confirm.
Also check out our post on Free Things to do in San Antonio, Happy Hour San Antonio, Free Museum Days San Antonio 2023, and Outdoor Activities in San Antonio!
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Texas Ghost Towns – haunted places to go that take less than 2 hours to drive from San Antonio
1. Catarina
Description: The town of Catarina was founded as a railroad junction. According to legend, it was named after a woman who was killed in the area, when a standoff occurred during the 1700s. The town had a post office, schools, and a thriving population. Unfortunately, the town’s economic decline is due to a shortage of water and a generally bad economy. There are still residents in the area, but there are just less than a hundred, making it one of Texas’ semi-ghost towns.
Driving Time: 1 hr. & 49 mins.
Area: Dimmit County
2. Helena
Description: Helena, former county seat, was a very auspicious city. For many years it was the most important city between San Antonio and Goliad.
Today, it’s one of Texas ghost towns with several abandoned structures that have been restored into museum pieces: The 1873 courthouse, the old post office, the John Ruckman Home, the Sickenius farmhouse, and the jail.
Helena was once known as “the most violent place in the Old West.” This could be the reason for all the alleged hauntings and ghost sightings.
Driving Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Address: Helena, Karnes County, Texas
Area: South Texas
3. D’Hanis
Description: As of 2000, this small town had a population of 548. It has remnants of its past, including historic buildings and ruins.
Driving Time: 1 hour
Address: D’Hanis, Medina County, Texas
Area: Texas Hill Country
4. Luckenbach
Image credit: Luckenbach Texas FacebookDescription: Although one of Texas ghost towns, Luckenbach is iconic and very well-loved. It’s famous for its country music heritage and laid-back atmosphere. You can listen to country music under majestic oaks.
Driving Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Address: 412 Luckenbach Town Loop, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Area: Texas Hill Country
5. Shiner
Description: Shiner is a small town with a population of 2,127 (as of 2020). It still has remnants of its past, including a historic brewery and abandoned buildings.
Driving Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Address: Shiner, Lavaca County, Texas
Area: South Texas
6. Lobo
Description: Once a lively community, Lobo is now a Texas ghost town with a few ruins and abandoned homes. It was only recently abandoned by the last residents in 1991. But ten years later, a group of friends began rebuilding Lobo. It’s now private property and not intended for settlement or long-term visits, other than the owners and their personal friends.
Driving Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Address: Lobo, Atascosa County, Texas
Area: South Texas
7, Gruene
Image credit: Gruene Historic District Facebook
Description: Gruene is a charming historic district that features an old dance hall, general store, and quaint shops. It’s a “snapshot of Texas culture and history come-to-life.” It carefully balances preservation and progress.
Driving Time: 1 hour
Address: Gruene, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Area: Texas Hill Country
8. Bandera
Description: Known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” this town has lots to offer, despite having a population of only 839 (as of 2021). It has Western-themed attractions and scenic landscapes.
Driving Time: 1 hour
Address: Bandera, Bandera County, Texas
Area: Texas Hill Country
9. Castroville
Description: A historic town with preserved Alsatian architecture, Castroville has charming shops and a rich cultural heritage. However, many claim that this “ghost town” actually has ghosts. Laughter and voices can be heard in some buildings.
Driving Time: 30 minutes
Address: Castroville, Medina County, Texas
Area: South Texas
10. Cotulla
Description: Once a bustling railroad town, Cotulla is now a quiet community with remnants of its past and a historic district. As of 2021, it has a population of 3,725.
Driving Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Address: Cotulla, La Salle County, Texas
Area: South Texas
11. Comfort
Image credit: Visit Comfort
Description: Comfort is a quaint town with a population of 3,018 (as of 2020). Although small, it’s not technically a ghost town. It actually has much to offer, like antique shops, historic buildings, and scenic beauty. They also have a few places that claim to be haunted.
Driving Time: 1 hour
Address: Comfort, Kendall County, Texas
Area: Texas Hill Country
12. Floresville
Description: Floresville is a charming town with a rich history, including Spanish missions, historic homes, and cultural events. However, there have been a few chilling stories to come out of this place.
Paranormal investigators caught an alleged silhouette of a girl in the White House Cafe & Saloon. Some also say that the abandoned psychiatric hospital – Wilson Memorial Hospital – is haunted, with odd and creepy sounds being heard like a heart rate monitor and the voice of a man.
Driving Time: 40 minutes
Address: Floresville, Wilson County, Texas
Area: South Texas
13. Johnson City
Description: Johnson City is the hometown of President Lyndon B. Johnson and features his boyhood home, historic sites, and the LBJ Ranch. As of 2021, its population is 1,717.
But another famous, or more infamous, person can be seen here. The ghost of Al Lackey, a madman who slew six of his immediate family members, is said to roam along a stretch of U.S. 281 south of Johnson City toward Blanco.
Driving Time: 1 hour
Address: Johnson City, Blanco County, Texas
Area: Texas Hill Country
14. Hye
Image credit: Texas Hill Country Facebook
Description: A tiny town known for its wineries, beautiful countryside, and proximity to the acclaimed Pedernales Falls State Park. The population here is undermined, but most reports say it’s only around 100 to 200.
Driving Time: 1 hour
Address: Hye, Blanco County, Texas
Area: Texas Hill Country
15. Uvalde
Description: Uvalde has a population of 15,312, so it can’t really be called a ghost town. But we had to include it in this list because of the Uvalde Grand Opera House.
It’s one of the oldest opera houses in Texas and many claim it’s inhabited by ghosts. Those who work there have some stories, like feeling they’re being watched, seeing a girl near the stage and a woman by the window.
Driving Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Address: Uvalde, Uvalde County, Texas
Area: South Texas
16. Seguin
Description: Seguin also has a big population compared to others on this list but The Haunted Magnolia Hotel Bed and Breakfast puts it on.
Paranormal activity was allegedly so high here that they had to put “haunted” in the name. The owners even say that they can hear clinking in the tavern, smell beer, and hear spurs on the floor.
Driving Time: 40 minutes
Address: Seguin, Guadalupe County, Texas
Area: South Texas
17. Doss
Image credit: Texas Hill Country
Description: Doss is a quiet and picturesque community with rolling hills, vineyards, plenty of flora, fauna, and opportunities for outdoor recreation. As of 2000, its population is 225.
Driving Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Address: Doss, Gillespie County, Texas
Area: Texas Hill Country
18. Cuero
Description: Cuero has a haunted McDonald’s. Yes, their fast-food restaurant allegedly has ghosts.
Before the restaurant was built, there used to be a gas station on the site, and several tragedies transpired there. Today. Workers and diners claim they hear unexplainable sounds, toilets flush on their own, and the walk-in cooler switches off from the inside at night.
Driving Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Address: Cuero, DeWitt County, Texas
Area: South Texas
19. Goliad
Description: Goliad is a historic town with Spanish colonial roots, and features a preserved mission, a charming downtown, and the famous Goliad State Park.
However, it was the site of one of the worst massacres in Texas history. With that, it’s said that the ghosts of the Goliad Massacre remain in Presidio La Bahia. People feel like they’re being watched, some hear the painful screams of the soldiers. They also say that shadows and apparitions can be seen around, even during the day. Museum workers say they can hear footsteps when they close.
Driving Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Address: Goliad, Goliad County, Texas
Area: South Texas
20. Wimberley
Image credit: Devil’s Backbone Tavern
Description: The Devil’s Backbone in Wimberly is a scenic short beautiful stretch of twisting highway running a loop. But you don’t get the Devil’s name attached to yours by being nice.
It has a lot of history involving tragedy. A Civil War battle transpired on the limestone ridge, so many say they see shadowy figures there. One of the more famous stories involves a woman walking down the road carrying her baby and calling out for her husband.
Driving Time: 1 hour
Address: Wimberley, Hays County, Texas
Area: Texas Hill Country
21. Bertram
Description: A small town, Bertram has a population of 1,764 as of 2021. It has a rich railroad history, scenic landscapes, and a preserved train depot museum.
Driving Time: 1 hour
Address: Bertram, Burnet County, Texas
Area: Texas Hill Country
22. Columbus
Description: A historic town with a charming downtown, including antique shops, historic homes, and a museum complex. And among the beauty are a few spots that could send a chill down your spine.
One of those places is the Von Minden Hotel. There were two deaths there, which might explain the two rumored ghostly sightings.
Driving Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Address: Columbus, Colorado County, Texas
Area: South Texas
23. Flatonia
Image credit: Olle Hotel An Historic Inn Facebook
Description: A small town with a rich railroad and Czech heritage, Flatonia features historic buildings, antique shops, and a Czech museum.
But it also features the alleged Olle Museum. Spooky and terrible things are said to have happened here, like an argument between a husband, his wife, and his wife’s lover, and eventually died. People report hearing the angry voices of two men and a woman but disappear when anybody nears the top of the stairs to the second-floor landing– where the fight occurred.
More commonly, staff and visitors claim to see orbs of different colors and sizes.
There are many more accounts of ghostly experiences that go beyond isolated events.
Driving Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Address: Flatonia, Fayette County, Texas
Area: South Texas
24. Llano
Description: A picturesque town located on the Llano River, Llano offers outdoor activities, historic buildings, and a vibrant arts scene.
And it features the Red Top Jail, where many report ghostly sightings. While there are no records of anyone actually being hanged at its gallows. inmates, jailers, and ghost hunters sat they they’ve experienced creepy things.
They can hear odd noises like coughing, little girls laughing, and toilets flushing.
Driving Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Address: Llano, Llano County, Texas
Area: Texas Hill Country
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Texas Ghost Towns – Haunted Places to Go that Take More than 2-3 Hours to Drive from San Antonio
25. Indianola
Description: This port city on Matagorda Bay was founded in 1844 and was originally seen as a possible future competitor to Galveston and New Orleans. The population reached more than 5,000 people in the 1870s, but the town was brutalized by hurricanes in 1875 and 1886. The town was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1963. Although the old city is gone, there’s still a lot to see, including a granite monument dedicated to the French explorer La Salle.
Driving Time: 2 hrs. & 56 mins.
Address: Texas 77979
Area: South Texas
26. Brackettville
Description: Home to Fort Clark Historic District and the famous Alamo Village movie set, Bracketville offers glimpses into the Old West. As of 2021, Bracketville has a population of 1,400.
Driving Time: 2 hours
Address: Brackettville, Kinney County, Texas
Area: South Texas
27. Junction
Description: A gateway to the scenic Texas Hill Country, Junction gives you access to the South Llano River. It also offers plenty of outdoor recreational activities. It has a population of 2,494 as of 2021.
Driving Time: 2 hours
Address: Junction, Kimble County, Texas
Area: Texas Hill Country
28. Leakey
Description: A scenic town surrounded by natural beauty, Leakey has the stunning Lost Maples State Natural Area and majestic Frio River.
While the river is an incredible sight, it holds some eerie stories. Locals and visitors claim to see the misty apparition of the White Lady along the waters. Her wails have also been heard echoing over the river.
Driving Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Address: Leakey, Real County, Texas
Area: Texas Hill Country
29. The Grove
Description: The Grove was founded in the 1850s and named after a grove of beautiful oak trees growing in the area. It’s located about 16 miles southeast of Gatesville and not far from Temple, Texas. Soon after its founding, it had two general stores, a cotton gin, and a church. The church still exists today. The Grove had a population of about 400 people at its peak, but today it’s a ghost town and is listed by The Smithsonian Institute as a historic Texas town.
Today, there are plenty of great photo opportunities around this little ghost town in Texas.
Distance from San Antonio: ~ 2 hrs. & 36 mins.
Address: 453 The Grove Ln, Gatesville, TX 76528
Area: Edwards Plateau
30. Palacios
Description: A coastal town known for its fishing, birdwatching, and beautiful bay views, Palacios offers a laid-back beach experience.
But it’s also home to the Luther Hotel, which many have told ghost stories about. One gues even claims that “someone” was tickling their nose while they slept and made the bed feel like someone was shaking their leg.
Driving Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Address: Palacios, Matagorda County, Texas
Area: Coastal Texas
31. Port Aransas
Description: A popular beach town located on Mustang Island, Port Aransas is known for its sandy beaches, fishing opportunities, and vibrant atmosphere. More than that, it has a few spots that are said to be one of the haunted house in San Antonio with a few supernatural beings.
One of these places is the Tarpon Inn. An employee says that it’s a “hotbed” of paranormal activity. They even refuse to enter a certain room because their chest feels heavy and gets a feeling of dread from it.
Driving Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Address: Port Aransas, Nueces County, Texas
Area: Coastal Texas
32. Camp Wood
Description: A remote town surrounded by nature, Camp Wood has a population of 508 (as of 2021.) It has plenty of opportunities for camping, fishing, and exploring the Nueces River Canyon.
Driving Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Address: Camp Wood, Real County, Texas
Area: Texas Hill Country
33. Bluffton
Description: The Buchanan Dam is a massive and majestic construction built in Hill Country. It effectively sifts the waters of the Colorado River, and when most communities perished because of a lack of water, Bluffton had plenty. However, the abundance led to the town drowning due to rising seas and flooding. When the water levels start to dry up after a few years, the remaining vestiges of the settlement were unearthed. What once was a lively town has now become a place known for driving four-wheelers or going birdwatching.
Have you been to any of these or other ghost towns in Texas? Share your experiences by commenting below.
Driving Time: 2 hrs. & 15 mins
Location: Bluffton, Texas 78607
Area: Edwards Plateau
34. Fort McKavett
Description: Preserved fort ruins and historic structures that offer insights into frontier military life is what this Texas ghost town offers. While this town no longer exists, Fort McKavett holds a lot of history.
Driving Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Address: Fort McKavett, TX 76841
Area: West Texas
35. Langtry
Description: Langtry was once the home of Judge Roy Bean, known as the “Law West of the Pecos” and even has his saloon preserved. Now a ghost town, it still attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Driving Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Address: Langtry, TX 78871
Area: West Texas
36. Thurber
Image credit: Texas State Historical Association Facebook
Description: A once-thriving coal mining town, Thurber is now a ghost town– abandoned with a few remnants of its industrial past, including its cemetery. Visiting the graves of the people who once lived there is even more eerie, given that there are more dead people than alive there.
Driving Time: 3 hours
Address: Thurber, Erath County, Texas
Area: North Texas
37. Ozona
Description: A small town with Western charm, Ozona has historic sites and access to natural wonders like Devil’s River State Natural Area, Pecos Trail, and Caverns of Sonora. It has a population of 2,731 as of 2020.
Driving Time: 3 hours
Address: Ozona, Crockett County, Texas
Area: West Texas
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Texas Ghost Towns – Haunted Places to Go that Take More than 3 Hours to Drive from San Antonio
38. Sherwood
Description: Known as one of the more picturesque ghost towns in the state, Sherwood used to be the county seat in Irion County. It had a post office, courthouse, and other amenities. However, when the railroads were built, they bypassed the town of Sherwood to a new railroad town called Mertzon, and later a new state highway was also established through Mertzon. As a result, Sherwood lost its county seat to Mertzon and eventually, the town became a tiny rural community. However, the beautiful courthouse that features a false clock with its hands set to the hour of Abraham Lincoln’s death still stands.
Driving Time: 3 hrs. & 29 mins.
Address: Texas 76941
Area: Edwards Plateau
39. Marfa
Description: A unique town known for its art scene, mysterious Marfa Lights, and stunning desert landscapes, Marfa has its own unique vibe.
Apart from that, it also has the Hotel Paisano, “one of the most haunted places in the state.” It still has its rooms in their original condition.
James Dean stayed here while filming Giant, which would be his last film. Some say it’s his ghost that haunts the halls. There are reports saying that the beheaded body of a woman screams and terrorizes hotel staff.
Driving Time: 4 hours
Address: Marfa, Presidio County, Texas
Area: West Texas
40. Terlingua
Description: An abandoned mining town near the Mexican border, Terlingua still has tourists flocking to it. It has scenic desert landscapes, an annual chili cook-off, and a candlelit celebration of Dia De Los Muertos, which has thousands of tourists flocking to it.
Driving Time: 5 hours 45 minutes
Address: Terlingua, Brewster County, Texas
Area: West Texas
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Looking for other Ghost Towns in Texas? Check out these articles – Ghost Towns in Houston and Ghost Towns in Austin.
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