Bell Witch Cave
The site of America's most famous 19th-century haunting — cave tour, replica cabin, and a story locals still take seriously.
Wooded entrance to Bell Witch Cave near Adams, Tennessee
What to expect at Bell Witch Cave
The Bell Witch is the ghost story that America built. From 1817 to 1821 the John Bell family of Adams, Tennessee, was tormented by what neighbours, visiting militia and, allegedly, future president Andrew Jackson all described as a malevolent spirit. John Bell died in 1820, poisoned by the witch, according to family accounts — the only case in American history where a court officially recorded a death by supernatural cause. The cave sits on the original Bell property along the Red River bluff and today is privately owned and operated as a tour.
The visit has two parts. The replica Bell cabin, built from period logs on roughly the original site, holds family artifacts, period furniture and a slightly hokey but genuinely informative talk about the events of 1817-21. The cave itself is a short walk downhill through woods — a modest limestone cave, maybe 500 feet of walkable passage, cool year-round at about 58°F. Tour groups run every 30-40 minutes in season. The guide will tell you the family stories; whether you find the cave itself uncanny is your own business.
Book ahead in October — the site sells out most weekends leading up to Halloween and the price rises. Off-season (November to April) is only open weekends and the atmosphere is much better; skip peak Halloween week unless you like queues. Bring a light jacket for the cave. It is worth combining with Port Royal State Historic Park (10 minutes west) and the Bell family cemetery, which is signposted from the road.
Questions about Bell Witch Cave
$20 for the combined cabin and cave tour; $15 for cabin only. Cash or card at the gate.
No — this is a private site with no free entry days.
About 60 minutes for the cabin talk and cave walk together.
Closed Monday and Tuesday year-round; November-April weekend-only; closed Christmas week.
Recommended in October; walk-ins usually fine April-September and mid-week.
Off Keysburg Road in Adams, 20 minutes northwest of Springfield. Free on-site parking.
Hotels near Bell Witch Cave
Every hotel we cover in Adams
- Quality Inn & Suites Joelton Nashville 2★ · 4.7/5 · 9746 km away
- Hampton Inn Pleasant View TN 2★ · 4.6/5 · 9746 km away
- Hampton Inn by Hilton Springfield 2★ · 4.4/5 · 9746 km away
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Nashville North Springfield by IHG 2★ · 4.4/5 · 9746 km away
- Quality Inn Pleasant View 2★ · 3.9/5 · 9746 km away
- Quality Inn White House 2★ · 3.7/5 · 9746 km away
- Springfield Inn TN 2★ · 3.2/5 · 9746 km away
- Charming Springfield Escape with Furnished Deck 3★ · 9746 km away
- Family friendly Home w Yard: 27 Mi to Nashville 3★ · 9746 km away
- Comfort Inn White House 2★ · 9746 km away
- Hampton Inn White House 2★ · 9746 km away
- Holiday Inn Express White House by IHG 2★ · 9746 km away
- Motel 6 White House TN 2★ · 9746 km away
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