There are abandoned military bases all across the country.
And, what’s more, several of these installations are quite scary.
Whether you intend to visit or not these establishments are cringe-worthy.
Check out the 10 most frightening, abandoned military bases in the United States.
Related Article – 3 Deep Underground Military Bases In The US
Table of Contents
10 Frightening Abandoned Military Bases in the U.S.
Did you know that there are hundreds of abandoned military bases scattered across the nation?
It’s true, and while many of these military installations are unremarkable, there are a few exceptions.
The most frightening abandoned military bases in the U.S. are found in places like North Dakota, Vermont, New York, and Alaska.
Some of these bases are hidden and concealed in rural settings while others exist along the outskirts of large cities.
From acres of steel and rust to haunted ghost stories, these are places you may be too frightened to visit.
Learn more about the 10 scariest abandoned military bases in the US:
#1. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex
The abandoned military base in North Dakota is technically called the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex.
However, most of the locals refer to it as the “Pyramid of North Dakota”.
Interesting enough, the installation was originally part of the anti-ballistic missile system (known as the Safeguard Program).
The Safeguard Program protected the nation in the event of nuclear warfare.
Accordingly, the Mickelsen Safeguard Complex was designed to serve as a first-line of defense.
Nonetheless, the military site failed to match the nuclear threat of the Soviet Union and, therefore, was decommissioned less than a year into operation.
The quick rise and fall of the Mickelsen Safeguard Complex (along with its unique exterior) makes it notorious among abandoned military bases.
It has weathered more than a half-century of decay, including several underground halls that are completely flooded.
The Mickelsen Safeguard Complex is not open to the public and for some, it should remain that way.
There are claims that the place is haunted (and even wild theories that connect it to the Illuminati).
#2. North Concord Air Force Station
The North Concord USAF Station in Vermont is another legendary abandoned military base.
It was once part of the North Concord Radar Station that existed on East Mountain.
The military installation was originally conceived in the 1950s like the Mickelsen Safeguard Complex.
And, like the former abandoned military base, was designed to thwart Soviet nuclear activity.
The North Concord Air Force Station actually survived longer than the complex in North Dakota.
In fact, at one point the military base housed nearly 200 servicemen that were on constant alert for nuclear strikes.
Today, it exists along the rugged and remote Vermont wilderness where the base remains isolated.
Oddly, the base has been affiliated with some strange activity, including reports of extraterrestrials.
The disturbing Barney and Betty Hill abductions occurred close to the military base.
Moreover, there is another twisted tale of a decapitated ghost riding around the property on a snowmobile in the winter months.
Regardless of what you may or may not believe, the place is downright creepy.
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#3. Fort Pike
Fort Pike is a classic example of a structure that has been around so long it has transformed into something scary or haunted.
The 19th century Army military base was built following the War of 1812.
Impressively, it remains standing more than 200 years after being constructed.
Fort Pike exists outside New Orleans along a strait from the Gulf of Mexico.
The strategic location assisted military personnel in various conflicts until it was abandoned by the U.S. Army in 1890.
Today, Fort Pike is a national historic site and was once a popular tourist attraction.
However, several storms (including Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Isaac) have caused significant damage to the structure.
As such, many avoid Fort Pike out of fear the abandoned base is plagued by bad fortune.
#4. Fort Jefferson
Fort Jefferson is rooted in mystery.
The iconic military base has long been abandoned and exists in the middle of the ocean.
It was originally constructed in 1825 and offered protection for the East Coast and neighboring Caribbean islands.
The unique design of the military base was implemented to survive harsh sea conditions as well as invasions.
Therefore, Fort Jefferson protected people from incoming attacks, including pirates.
Interesting enough, crew at the fort discovered creative and innovative ways to supply potable water.
Nevertheless, living on the military base was not easy for anyone.
Fort Jefferson was also utilized as a makeshift prison following the Civil War.
Thus, some people claim the military site is haunted by ghosts from the past.
Fort Jefferson, unlike many of the abandoned military bases on the list, is open to the public and definitely worth visiting.
Related Article – Military Bases In Florida
#5. Adak Station
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Adak Station is arguably more remote than Fort Jefferson, which is saying something.
The former military base exists on an island outside Alaska.
It was built during the Aleutian Island Campaign in which U.S. forces fought Japan for control over several crucial islands.
Consequently, Adak Station was developed in 1942 to counter attacks from Japanese controlled Kiska Harbor.
Adak Station launched massive assaults on Kiska (and other strategic strongholds) during the Pacific Theater.
In fact, some of the craters from the bombing run on Kiska remain visible from Google Maps.
Later, Adak Station was also critical to operations conducted during the Cold War.
Nonetheless, once the Soviet Union fell so did Adak Station.
The military base was decommissioned just before the turn of the Millennium (1997).
It now sits empty against the frigid Alaskan landscape.
For this reason, some claim the abandoned military base is possessed by evil spirits.
#6. Fort Tilden
Impressively, Fort Tilden was involved in 3 major conflicts.
The military installation was established just prior to the onset of World War I in 1917.
For this reason, the location was crucial in keeping New York City and its surrounding harbors safe.
Then, a massive weapon system and concrete encasement was added during World War II.
Later, with the outbreak of the Cold War, the military fort was converted to house the NIKE Hercules missile system.
The NIKE missile system featured nuclear strike capabilities and was used at other abandoned military bases on the list.
Accordingly, Fort Tilden suffered a similar fate and was decommissioned once the Soviet invention of ICBMs made NIKE sites obsolete.
Fort Tilden was finally completely abandoned in 1995.
Since then, the area has been neglected with vines that dominate the façade.
Moreover, graffiti and other signs of nefarious activity are present.
Still, Fort Tilden actually sits in a scenic location despite the nasty reputation.
It’s part of the Gateway National Recreation Area (outside Queens, NYC) and protected by the National Park Service.
Related Article – Military Bases In New York
#7. Titan Missile Complex
There is nothing extraordinary about a 57-acre plot of land in rural, eastern Washington.
However, those that are willing to dig deeper find something remarkable.
The Titan I Missile Complex exists underground, 155 feet to be precise.
There, several former nuclear silos are concealed.
The military complex was created in the 1960s for Titan I rockets.
Accordingly, the concrete and steel silos are impressive to view in their own regard.
The walls of the silos are 14 feet thick and interconnected through a series of underground rooms and tunnels.
Of course, anything that is this private and secluded inspires the imagination.
For this reason, there is a ton of speculation regarding what you may find inside the complex.
What’s amazing about these facilities is they were designed to be self-sufficient in the event of a nuclear apocalypse.
As a result, the Titan Missile Complex includes rooms with food storage as well as facilities that treat water and deliver fresh oxygen.
Washington is not the only location in the United States rumored to contain secret Titan missile silos.
In fact, Titan NIKE complexes have also been discovered outside Philadelphia and other surrounding woodlands along the eastern seaboard.
Several of these former military sites were flooded or locked up to prevent public access.
Be that as it may, some seek to explore these mysterious places through creative methods such as scuba diving, despite the dangers and risks:
It’s worth noting that people have died attempting to access these dangerous sites.
Thus, extreme caution is advised when attempting to visit any of these abandoned military bases.
#8. The Ghost Fleet
There is nothing more creepy than a fleet of ships wandering the seas without the presence of a crew.
And, it’s not just something out of a Pirates of Caribbean movie.
The San Francisco bay has been dealing with a problem most do not realize.
For the past half-century, Suisun Bay and its ecosystem has been threatened by ghost ships, and lots of them.
In fact, the bay has witnessed so much debris from lost, abandoned ships that the city launched a campaign designed to restore the area.
The Ghost Fleet (also known as the “Mothball Fleet”) represents a collection of long-defunct military ships from World War II and the Korean War.
Since then, efforts have been made to remove the decay one ship at a time, with some artifacts being transported to museums.
Meanwhile, another ship of the U.S. military – the USS Hornet – features a frightening reputation.
It’s rumored to be the most haunted ship in the U.S. Navy since more than 300 people have been killed aboard it.
Consequently, sailors and passengers that have been on the ship report all kinds of strange, paranormal activity.
For example, some claim to have heard strange voices or spotted ghosts in outdated uniforms roaming the halls.
Additionally, radios and other equipment have been known to turn on and off without explanation.
Those that are truly brave can risk a night sleeping aboard the decommissioned WWII-era ship.
Related Article – Air Force Bases In California
#9. Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is currently active yet parts of the military installation have become abandoned.
Why?
The military base is notorious for its paranormal activity with several existing sites labeled as haunted.
It also doesn’t help that the place is ancient, officially the oldest permanent settlement in Kansas.
Furthermore, Fort Leavenworth has a conflicted history.
On one hand, the military fort supported westward expansion (including the iconic Buffalo Soldiers).
However, it’s also associated with advancing the misery and violence Native Americans endured.
Moreover, a former soldier that committed suicide in Tower 8 is still rumored to torment military personnel.
Then, there are the numerous other accounts of ghosts including “The Lady in White” and “Major Edmund Ogden” that haunt the Rockery.
Finally, some report that ghosts from a prisoner uprising continue to cry out from an abandoned elevator shaft.
Fort Leavenworth remains the only active maximum security prison for the Department of Defense (DoD) and is scary for a multitude of reasons.
#10. Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe is another former military base linked to paranormal activity.
The site is currently managed by the National Park Service at Old Point Comfort, the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula.
Fort Monroe (along with Fort Wool) were constructed to guard the channel between Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads.
Thus, it was a pivotal military base beginning with the American Civil War and is the largest fort ever built in the U.S.
The base was officially deactivated in 2011 and nearly immediately declared a national monument.
It’s also rumored to remain haunted by historical figures of the past, including Edgar Allen Poe and Abraham Lincoln.
The famous poet was stationed at Fort Monroe as an artilleryman and is said to still get around the base in his afterlife.
Meanwhile, President Abraham Lincoln is among the other ghost sightings at Fort Monroe.
However, he’s not the only former U.S. President that has paid the military base a visit as a ghost.
It’s also reported that Ulysses S. Grant, Jefferson Davis, and Chief Black Hawk have stopped by.
Related Article – Military Bases In Virginia
Wrapping Up
What are the scariest abandoned military bases in the nation?
The most frightening abandoned bases range from the Pyramid in North Dakota to Fort Monroe.
Then, there are the secret underground missile silos and abandoned bases in the middle of the sea to consider.
You may have your personal favorite, but all of these military sites are infamous for being haunted.
Featured Image Source: www.Wikimedia.org
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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