Point Lookout State Park — Ghosts of the Point
Scotland, Maryland, United States
Natural landmark · local-legend
The Story
At the mouth of the Potomac, Point Lookout’s former wartime prison site and lighthouse are associated with vanishing soldiers and unexplained visitors.
The Hauntings
Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources preserves a classic encounter: a person meets what appears to be a historical reenactor dressed as a soldier, then turns back to find him gone. Other Point Lookout stories cluster around the old lighthouse, where keepers’ lives and the memory of wartime imprisonment have become part of the park’s supernatural reputation. The tradition is tied to a real landscape, but the apparitions remain the accounts of visitors and storytellers rather than identified individuals.
The History
Point Lookout served as a Civil War hospital, garrison and prisoner-of-war camp. The 1830 lighthouse survives, while much of the former prison area has changed or been lost to the shoreline.
A sense of place.
Visitor Experiences
Have you experienced something here?
This future chapter will bring together stories from the PHASM community. An unexpected encounter, a lingering feeling, or a quiet visit—your experience will be welcome.
Submissions are not open yet.
Sources & further reading.
- Maryland DNR: Point Lookout State Park (history)
- Maryland DNR: Spirits of Point Lookout (reports)
- Maryland DNR: Point Lookout State Park (visiting)
Plan Your Visit
Maryland State Parks permits ordinary visitor access during established park hours; the main park is not open for unauthorized nighttime ghost hunts. Lighthouse access and history events vary, so check the state’s posted visitor information.