Summary

• Ghost Adventures episodes balance humor and skepticism, leaving viewers to decide the legitimacy of paranormal evidence.
• The show has shed its embarrassing habits, focusing on evidence collection and earning better ratings.
• Despite being a niche genre, Ghost Adventures is well-received and worth watching for believers and casual viewers alike.

Ghost Adventures is polarizing, but some of the best Ghost Adventures episodes feature a balance of what audiences love and hate. Viewers tend to either laugh at the sometimes theatrical character of ghost hunter and show creator Zak Bagans and the questionable validity of some of the paranormal evidence, or they appreciate the show and suspend their disbelief. As the seasons progressed, Ghost Adventures shed its more embarrassing habits and focused primarily on collecting evidence, garnering better ratings.

It’s left to viewers to decide the legitimacy of said evidence. This is a niche genre in company with other great paranormal TV shows like Sightings and Paranormal Witness. But for believers and casual viewers alike, Ghost Adventures is well-received and worth the watch. The best Ghost Adventures episodes have stuck with fans for years and are likely to haunt them for years to come. Though the favorite episodes may change over time, the scariest parts of Ghost Adventures show just how engaging the series can get.

27 Halloween Special: Horror At Joe Exotic Zoo

Wynnewood, Oklahoma

One of the best Ghost Adventures episodes crossed over with a 2020 docuseries hit. Tiger King, the entertaining and horrifying Netflix documentary about Joe Exotic and exotic animal zoos in America, went completely viral early in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Netflix series showcased some of the worst things Joe Exotic ever did, including animal cruelty and setting up a hit on rival Carole Baskin. For the 2020 Halloween special, it was fitting that Bagans and his team traveled to the infamous Oklahoma location.

They were even able to interview Jeff and Lauren Lowe and employees who were also featured in the documentary. A large part of the investigation and interviews centered around Travis Maldonado, who tragically died on the property. A team of cadaver dogs picked up the scent of human remains in a body of water, and the overnight investigation featured a deep echo tube experiment headed by Bill Chappell. The results, however, were less than stellar.

26 Curse Of Ranch Island

Las Vegas, Nevada

Back in Bagans' hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada, the Ghost Adventures team sets up shop in a communal compound named "Ranch Island" in the excellent paranormal reality show. Following a tragedy on the property the year before, residents started experiencing paranormal activity. During the beginning of the overnight investigation, Bagans begins to feel sick and dizzy and takes off in his car.

In an interesting EVP session on the rooftop lounge area, the team tells the spirit that they're there to listen to it, and it calls back, "Sure, got it." As the episode progresses, Bagans continues to be affected by negative energy, even having to lie down. Stark cold spots and more male voices being heard on devices develop throughout the night. While not one of the very top Ghost Adventures episodes, the EVP work proved fruitful, but it wasn't quite as scary as other installments.

25 Cerro Gordo Ghost Town

Cerro Gordo, California

In one of the best Ghost Adventures episodes, which first debuted in November 2019, the gang investigates a mysterious and supposedly haunted old mining town. The name Cerro Gordo loosely translates to "Fat Hill," and it's a ghost town located in the Inyo Mountains of California. While the area has a lurid history, the sprawling town proved to be difficult to explore fully.

Fittingly, it is located close to Death Valley, and it's not easy to get to since it is hidden away in the cliffs. Many murders occurred there as it was a classic "Old West" town complete with shootouts, mining accidents, and more. The town had brothels, gambling houses, and saloons, but no sheriff or church to speak of.

24 Upper Fruitland Curse

Upper Fruitland, New Mexico

One of the best Ghost Adventures episodes takes the group to Upper Fruitland, New Mexico, where they help a family investigate an ominous haunting that includes the spectral appearance of a faceless young boy. One reason this episode is so popular is that it features horrifying video footage of a chair seemingly moving of its own accord.

There is further investigative evidence of something being amiss inside the house when the video captures strange figures on tape, and snarling sounds are picked up on the devices. Even Jay begins to feel sick while inside the home. However, the haunted house isn't quite as famous as other houses the team has explored in the past.

23 Lewis Flats School

Deming, New Mexico

This investigation is set at a school that burned down and became a taxidermy-filled steakhouse. One of the best Ghost Adventures episodes almost immediately gets straight to the evidence, rather than the typical half-interview formula. It’s pretty intriguing, with EMF spikes, intelligent audio responses, and even the classic horror staple of fluctuating lights.

The most alarming moment is the extraordinarily distinct shadow behind a doorway, which is clear enough to suggest a living intruder who left some animal bones. That kind of threat is equally disconcerting as any alleged ghost. Still, after a couple of thrown objects, Aaron Goodwin is left by himself. He’s scared out of his mind by some strange sounds, later jumping at his reflection which is both compelling and pretty amusing. However, Goodwin's reactions are a bit too exaggerated.

22 The Washoe Club: Final Chapter

Virgin City, Nevada

This was featured in the original Ghost Adventures documentary from 2004 and is one of the creepiest locations the Ghost Adventures crew has visited. That history is inherently appealing for longtime fans. It’s especially moving that two people who helped with the previous Washoe investigation have since passed on. And according to some strangely coincidental and intelligent communication, the team believes those friends are reaching out.

It’s one of the more personal investigations, with intriguing visual and audio evidence, making it one of the best Ghost Adventures episodes. Audiences see a strange SLS figure, the full spectrum camera captures an odd mist, and there’s a long sequence of alleged footsteps. Also, a brief visit to a candy shop provides some surprisingly good humor, which rarely works on this show. Mist and footsteps are enough to make this one of the best installments ever.

21 Mayhem In Millville

Millville, Utah

The Ghost Adventures crew visited the home of a descendant of the infamous Jessop polygamist cult in Utah that had over 200 family members — leader Joe Jessop had five wives and 239 grandchildren. Bagans and his team investigated one of the oldest homes in Millville, Utah, owned by Cindy Lou Hensen. To start, there's a voice that can be heard telling them to "get out" during their tour of the house. Later on, they capture a shot of light coming out of a closet that had been nailed closed for 40 years.

Suffering from an upper respiratory infection, Bagans headed the investigation via walkie-talkie from a van outside. When he asked the malevolent force about Jesus, it answered back, "Let God thank." One of the greatest pieces of evidence in Ghost Adventures is when he asked what the spirit wanted, it said "James," which is the name of the tenant who had been greatly affected by the house and even burst into tears upon entering it. That said, vocal evidence was about the only evidence found.

20 Twin Bridges Orphanage

Twin Bridges, Montana

The GAC visits the town of Twin Bridges, Montana in one of the best Ghost Adventures episodes. They were reportedly the first paranormal team to investigate the old Twin Bridges Orphanage, which was supposedly haunted by hundreds of spirits. However, the evidence was somewhat scant in this episode, which is why it's not considered the best.

Since the orphanage first opened its doors in 1894 it supposedly had several strange deaths of children and while locked inside, the crew tried to make contact with them and the old matrons. In any paranormal TV show, child spirits are easily some of the eeriest spectators the crew could come up against, and it doesn't get much scarier than a spooky old orphanage.

19 Old Lincoln County Hospital

Fayetteville, Tennessee

In one of the best Ghost Adventures episodes, the crew travels to Tennessee to investigate an abandoned hospital. That’s simply an innately creepy setting, anywhere. But this episode has a fascinating turn of events — the police get involved. Briefly, while attempting an interview, the police arrive at the scene of filming.

A local commander in the police department describes the potential paranormal activity, which is welcome testimony. Still, a single piece of evidence can make all the difference in fan appreciation. The presence of a potential shadow figure is a compelling piece of footage. There’s a reason some of the best horror movies are set in hospitals. The episode is paced well, and the crew also uses some interesting new gear. Despite this, a shadow figure alone isn't enough to make it the very best Ghost Adventures episode.

18 McPike Mansion

Alton, Illinois

The McPike Mansion is a rather legendary old residence tucked away in Alton, Illinois. It is considered to be one of the scariest places in America and has been featured on multiple television shows in addition to being one of the best Ghost Adventures episodes. However, the evidence simply wasn't compelling enough to make it the best, but it remains a great installment.

The old Victorian mansion has a very long history of strange activity and reported paranormal phenomena. A few members of the crew thought that satanic worship might have taken place on the property at some point, but that was never proven. It is supposedly haunted by its former owner and domestic servant.

17 Benson Grist Mill

Stansbury Park, Utah

Whether the ghost-hunting paranormal show is real or fake, another stop in Utah for the team was the 150-year-old Benson Grist Mill in Stansbury Park. Built under the direction of Brigham Young, the famous Mormon for whom the university is named, the mill was the site of the drowning of a young girl. Other than EVP activity, however, there wasn't much evidence.

Upon entering the Booth barn on the property, some members of the crew had a negative and nauseous feeling. Eyewitnesses reported a man dressed in black in the upstairs part of the mill. During the night, Bagans collects a Class A EVP of a man's voice in the mill saying "bicycle." When he asks the spirit why he said that word, it answers, "I was thinkin' about it."

16 Stone Lion Inn

Guthrie, Oklahoma

The adventurers travel to Oklahoma in one of the best Ghost Adventures episodes to investigate a small bed and breakfast that was once used as a mortuary. Now, the owner runs a murder mystery show there and is purportedly enacting genuine satanic rituals. Besides this silliness, there’s some really interesting history. The episode recounts the true story of a train robber’s corpse ending up as a mummified tourist attraction for decades.

It’s fairly disturbing, with real photos of the remains on display. However, this episode also compiles some pretty incredible evidence, including alleged poltergeist activity. Doors move on their own, and a camera’s tripod is completely knocked over. Poltergeist footage is the crown jewel of such investigations and prompts entertaining discussion among viewers. Though the history itself is interesting, some of the episode's sillier moments detracted from the overall story.

15 Petrified In Pahrump

Pahrump, Nevada

The Ghost Adventures series' team heads out to rural Nevada to investigate a winery plagued by paranormal phenomena in one of the best Ghost Adventures episodes. Reportedly constructed atop an old burial site, strange accidents and rumors of a curse have the staff on edge.

While most spirit sightings on Ghost Adventures are blink-and-you'll-miss-it moments, this episode was full of obvious scares. In particular, the crew saw a lot of activity in a second-floor apartment. There, they captured various loud and unexplained crashes and bangs, a TV turned on by itself, and what may have been a being crawling across a wall. This was easily among the scariest of the paranormal series' more recent outings.

14 Disturbed In Wickenburg

Vulture City, Arizona

After a paranormal conference, attendees reported a dark energy in the town of Vulture City, Arizona in one of the best Ghost Adventures episodes. The crew made its second trip back to the Vulture City to investigate what might be going on. A previously abandoned mine where many people died that was recently reopened looks like it may be the culprit, according to local Native Americans that the crew consulted.

During a ceremony by the Navajo being filmed by the crew, Bagans captures a very clear shadow of a soldier in the background of a picture. In lockdown, the team gets an SLS shot of a spirit shooting through Jay Wasley. Soon after, Bagans feels a sharp pain in his shoulder and a feeling of pure rage, prompting him to pause and tell the energy that it does not have permission to enter him. Al this drama ranks the episode relatively high.

13 Industrial District Of The Damned

Salt Lake City, Utah

In one of the best Ghost Adventures episodes, a break-in led the owners of a 120-year-old building in Salt Lake City, Utah, to discover an apparent ritual that took place in the basement. Oddly enough, nothing was stolen, but the contents of the building were in disarray. Although the ritual included a pentagram made of sticks and flowers, which is traditionally Pagan and not evil, as they incorrectly assume on the show, most of their investigation is about the spirit that was already in the building previously.

Many of the workers in the building claimed that things had attached to them and followed them home. The crew searches for evidence of a supposed "old hag" spirit in the basement and captures the voices of other spirits upstairs. While the evidence wasn't as compelling as in other episodes, the setting itself was arguably more terrifying than other entries.

12 Haunted Harvey House

Las Vegas, New Mexico

It’s always interesting when the crew is the first team allowed to officially investigate an establishment, which is why this is one of the best Ghost Adventures episodes. At the very least, it adds some credibility to them, given that certain locations have particular reputations at stake. This episode features two very old buildings in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

And once again, apparent shadow figures are the most alarming and memorable encounters in the episode. Two dark, fleeting shadows whoosh past a doorway. It’s some pretty startling footage, akin to anything in a Paranormal Activity movie. But the GAC also collects a wide range of voices, and they utilize a good range of tech.

11 Halloween Special: Curse Of The Harrisville Farmhouse

Burrillville, Rhode Island

After the very successful first Halloween special, GA continued the tradition with one of the best Ghost Adventures episodes. This 2019 special episode involved Bagans and the crew traveling to the infamous Harrisville Farmhouse to investigate the Perron family haunting. The name and subject may be familiar to viewers because the 300-year-old farmhouse served as the basis for The Conjuring films.

The farmhouse is just one of many real-life haunted places that have inspired movies. The Perron family was formerly the subject of an investigation by famed demonologists, Lorraine and Ed Warren. The case is as famous for the pair as other notable hauntings such as Amityville and Annabelle the doll. The fact that the area attracted the attention of the Warrens is one of the many reasons why this episode is so good.

10 Steinbeck House Haunting

Salinas, California

In a 2022 episode of Ghost Adventures, the team heads to the birthplace of famed author John Steinbeck, who had, decades prior, claimed to feel a dark presence in the home. Paranormal activity seems to have been present for quite some time, and the crew takes an interest in a psychomanteum that was powerful enough to shut off one of their cameras.

In one of the most iconic Ghost Adventures locations, their equipment also picks up some fairly chatty spirits, one of which seemed to relate the residents to Steinbeck and claimed that the presence of a witch could still be felt in the area. Spooky happenings combined with the famous location itself made this a special episode.

9 Panic On Pine Street

Paso Robles, California

Hauntings at the Paso Robles saloon in California have reached such an extent that the staff is terrified to remain in the building for extended periods, and their palpable terror makes this one of the best Ghost Adventures episodes. The crew is called in to investigate and is met with shadowy figures and some surprisingly talkative spirits.

The highlight of the episode arguably comes when the Ghost Adventures team picks up a string of words on the polterpod. They hear a male voice greeting them with the word "Howdy," as well as a woman saying "no, no" and a very clear pronunciation of the name "Lincoln."

8 Ireland's Celtic Demons

Ireland

This two-hour special and one of the best Ghost Adventures episodes appropriately travels to the birthplace of Halloween and tells a brief origin of the holiday. It’s a fun way to get in the mood for spooky season and an inviting time to watch the show. The team undergoes an entry ritual to appease an old Celtic goddess, and there’s a story about a demonic cat. It’s all a bit stylized, but the specials usually are.

The Irish setting is fascinating, and although the first half doesn’t offer much beyond an EVP scream, Loftus Hall, built in 1350, delivers much more interesting activity. The team captures a white mist in a doorway, and they also get an extensive SLS figure standing on Aaron’s shoulders. The evidence, combined with the intriguing location, is why this episode is so great.