Ontario is full of charming lakes, forests, and small towns but … when night falls, some of these places become haunted and their beauty turns chilling. The province’s oldest inns, churches, and historic sites carry more than just memories. They hold whispers, legends, and restless spirits who refuse to leave.
If you love a good scare mixed with a dose of local history, these haunted places are worth adding to your travel list.
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Here are 19 of the most haunted places across Ontario, from Muskoka and Simcoe County to Kingston and Niagara, that might just make you believe in ghosts.
1. The Kee to Bala (Bala, Muskoka)
The Kee to Bala is one of Muskoka’s most famous landmarks. It’s a summer concert hall that’s hosted everyone from The Tragically Hip to Blue Rodeo.
But when the crowds go home, staff say the energy shifts and the music lingers long after the lights go out.
Late at night, the sound of phantom footsteps can be heard pacing across the stage. Lights flicker without reason, and some workers have even reported hearing the faint echo of instruments tuning up in an empty hall.
Local legend claims a performer from decades past may still be keeping rhythm, forever tied to the stage that made them a star.
Whether you visit for a live show or just to admire its history, you might feel that extra presence in the room.
2. The Bala Bay Inn (Bala, Muskoka)
Built in 1910, this iconic red-brick inn has seen generations of travelers pass through. Some guests, however, seem to have checked in permanently.
Visitors report doors opening on their own, lights dimming mysteriously, and shadowy figures standing at the ends of long hallways. Room 319 is particularly infamous, with guests waking to a cold chill or the feeling of being watched.
Staff believe one of the original owners may still roam the halls, ensuring the building stays in good order. Even if you don’t stay overnight, it’s worth visiting for a drink and a story … just don’t be surprised if your glass moves on its own.
3. Orillia Opera House (Orillia, Simcoe County)
Since 1895, the Orillia Opera House has been the heart of the city’s cultural scene. But behind the curtain lies a darker story. Performers and stagehands have reported unexplained cold spots, whispers from empty dressing rooms, and shadows moving across the balcony.
Legend has it that a stagehand died tragically during a renovation in the early 1900s and never truly left the building. Today, some say his ghost still roams the catwalks, making sure every performance runs smoothly.
The Opera House welcomes visitors for shows year-round, so you can catch a live performance … and maybe an encore from the other side.
4. Gravenhurst Opera House (Gravenhurst, Muskoka)
The Gravenhurst Opera House has been entertaining crowds since 1901 … but a few of its audience members seem to have never left.
Technicians claim to hear footsteps above them when no one’s there, and performers describe feeling watched from the upper balcony during rehearsals. Some even report a cold, unseen hand brushing their shoulder as they leave the stage.
Despite the strange occurrences, the theatre continues to thrive. For those who love a good ghost story, attending a show here adds an extra thrill.
5. The Briars Resort (Jackson’s Point, Lake Simcoe)
The Briars Resort is one of Lake Simcoe’s most elegant retreats … but it’s also one of its most haunted.
Once a private estate belonging to the Sibbald family, the property dates back to the 1800s and still holds traces of its past residents. Guests have reported seeing figures reflected in mirrors, doors opening without cause, and soft piano music echoing through empty rooms.
Some believe these hauntings are the spirits of the family who built the resort, quietly revisiting the home they loved. If you’re looking for a ghost story with your spa day, The Briars delivers both in style.
6. Beeton Town Hall (Beeton, Simcoe County)
Built in the 1880s, Beeton’s Town Hall has stood through fires, renovations, and countless community events. According to locals, it’s never been empty.
People walking by after dark sometimes see movement in the upper windows or hear faint sounds of shuffling footsteps inside.
It’s said that one of the building’s early caretakers, who spent most of his life maintaining the hall, still watches over it in spirit. If you visit Beeton, take a stroll by after dusk and glance up at the windows before you go.
7. Fort Willow (Springwater, Simcoe County)
Tucked away in the woods of Springwater Township, Fort Willow once served as a vital supply post during the War of 1812. Today, it’s a peaceful heritage site but many visitors say the soldiers who once camped here never truly left.
During evening walks, people have heard rhythmic footsteps marching through the trees, the rustle of uniforms, and even murmured orders on the wind.
On foggy mornings, some claim to have seen figures standing at attention near the old earthen walls. Fort Willow’s annual historic reenactments bring the past to life … but some believe the real soldiers are still standing guard.
8. The Beck House (Penetanguishene, Simcoe County)
The Beck House is one of Penetanguishene’s most notable heritage buildings, and like many old homes, it carries more than memories. Staff and visitors have reported hearing footsteps upstairs, feeling sudden temperature drops, and seeing door handles turn with no one around.
Some say the spirit of a former resident, possibly a housekeeper or family matriarch, still tends to the home, keeping watch over its rooms. It’s now part of the town’s heritage district, where the past seems only a breath away.
9. Penetanguishene Centennial Museum & Archives (Penetanguishene)
Set in a former lumber company’s office from the 1870s, this small-town museum preserves Penetanguishene’s early history. And possibly some of its ghosts.
Employees have heard footsteps on the upper floors, voices calling from empty rooms, and the sound of paper rustling when the building is locked.
With so many relics of the past under one roof, it’s easy to believe that a few spirits have decided to stay and watch over their stories.
10. St. Columbkille Church (Uptergrove, near Orillia)
St. Columbkille is a charming country church surrounded by farmland and tall trees. But after sunset, it takes on a different tone.
Locals whisper about bells that ring without warning and lights flickering in the windows long after the doors are locked. Some visitors report a heavy, almost sorrowful feeling when walking past the adjoining cemetery, as if unseen eyes are watching.
It’s said that one of the church’s early caretakers, deeply devoted to his duties, still returns to ensure everything remains in order.
11. Fort Henry (Kingston)
Standing high above Lake Ontario, Fort Henry is one of the province’s most atmospheric historical sites and one of its most haunted places. Soldiers, prisoners, and laborers once filled these halls, and some believe they never truly left.
Visitors on ghost tours have reported boots marching through empty corridors, whispers in the tunnels, and icy touches on the shoulder. Even the bravest guides admit there are parts of the fort they prefer not to enter alone.
12. The Hermitage Ruins (Ancaster, near Hamilton)
Hidden in the Dundas Valley, the Hermitage Ruins are all that remain of a once-grand mansion destroyed by fire.
The site is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young servant who took his own life after being forbidden to marry. His spirit, locals say, still wanders among the stones, calling softly for his lost love.
If you visit at dusk, the woods grow unnaturally quiet … and some have heard faint weeping carried by the wind.
13. The Don Jail (Toronto)
Once one of Canada’s most feared prisons, the Don Jail was known for its executions and harsh conditions. Today, it’s part of a hospital complex, but staff still report strange happenings: lights that flicker on their own, doors that slam shut, and cold drafts that come from nowhere.
The ghost of an executed inmate is often blamed with a shadowy figure seen pacing the old cellblock late at night.
14. The Prince of Wales Hotel (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
This grand Victorian hotel has hosted royalty, celebrities, and countless travelers … but one guest seems unable to leave. Room 207 is said to be haunted by a woman who appears sobbing in mirrors and whispering softly in the dark.
Even those who haven’t seen her report a strange, heavy stillness in the room, as if the air itself remembers sorrow.
15. Gibraltar Point Lighthouse (Toronto Islands)
Built in 1808, the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse is the oldest existing lighthouse on the Great Lakes … and its history is steeped in blood. Its first keeper, J.P. Radelmüller, was murdered by drunken soldiers, and his body was never fully recovered.
Ever since, visitors have seen a glowing figure near the tower and heard heavy footsteps climbing the spiral stairs. The lighthouse is closed at night … perhaps for good reason.
16. Fort George (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
Fort George saw fierce fighting during the War of 1812, and it’s said the souls of fallen soldiers still stand guard. Guests on guided ghost tours often report cold spots, flickering lanterns, and shadowy shapes moving along the ramparts.
The energy inside the officers’ quarters is especially strong … many have walked in feeling watched, and left convinced they were.
17. The Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
Dating back to 1789, the Olde Angel Inn is both cozy and creepy. Its resident ghost, Captain Swayze, was a British soldier killed by American troops during the War of 1812. Staff say he appears in full uniform in the cellar or near the bar, especially when the British flag isn’t flying outside.
Despite his restless nature, he’s said to be friendly … as long as you raise a glass in his honor.
Dare to explore some of the most haunted places in Ontario
From Muskoka’s mist-shrouded lakes to Niagara’s battle-scarred forts, Ontario is full of haunted places that tell stories of love, loss, and lingering spirits. Each site carries its own personality … some playful, some protective, and some deeply unsettling.
Whether you’re joining a guided ghost tour, exploring small-town legends, or simply chasing a few goosebumps, these haunted places prove one thing: in Ontario, the past is never truly gone.
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