If you’re anywhere near Chattanooga and looking for a truly unique experience, make your way to Hales Bar Dam- home to Dam Whiskey Co. and one of the most haunted places in Tennessee. We recently toured this historic (and seriously spooky) abandoned powerhouse turned distillery, and it was hands down one of the coolest stops we’ve made. The full history tour took us through the old tunnels, all three floors of the dam, and into the heart of the distillery itself before ending with a whiskey tasting that hit just right.
Built in the early 1900s on sacred Cherokee land along the Tennessee River, Hales Bar Dam has a wild and eerie past. Allegedly cursed by Cherokee War Chief Dragging Canoe in the 1700s, plagued with structural issues from the start, and eventually decommissioned in the 1960s, this place has seen it all. Now, it’s home to Dam Whiskey Co., where the spirits of the past meet the spirits of today- literally.
How to Visit Dam Whiskey Co.
Location: 1265 Hales Bar Road, Guild, Tennessee 37340
Dam Whiskey Co. is:
- Located at Mile Marker 431.1 on Lake Nickajack / Tennessee River
- Just 15 miles from Downtown Chattanooga
- About 100 miles from Nashville
- Easily accessible off Interstate 24
Website: https://damwhiskeyco.com/
Hours:
- Fridays: 4-9pm Central
- Saturday 9am-9pm Central
- Sunday 11am-4pm Central
Hales Bar Marina and Resort
Whiskey Dam Co. is located at Hales Bar Marina and Resort, and owned by the same folks. Hales Bar Marina & Resort offers a truly one-of-a-kind stay right on the water- with a side of history and a splash of spirits.
What you’ll find here:
- Full hook-up RV camping
- Full-service marina
- Floating cabins
- Land cabins
- Dam Whiskey Co. distillery
- Historical & haunted Hales Bar Dam
Some Dam History
Hales Bar Dam, constructed between 1905 and 1913 on the Tennessee River near the treacherous Tennessee River Gorge, was an ambitious project aimed at improving navigation and generating hydroelectric power. Spearheaded by engineer Josephus Conn Guild and authorized by Congress in 1904, it was one of the first major multipurpose dams in the U.S. Allegedly it was built on sacred Cherokee land once cursed by War Chief Dragging Canoe. Despite its groundbreaking design, the dam was plagued from the start by leaks due to its weak limestone foundation. Engineers made temporary fixes, even using makeshift materials like mattresses and corsets, but by the 1930s, the situation remained unresolved. When the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) took over in 1939, they made improvements, but by the late 1950s the dam was again leaking severely.
Faced with increasing structural risk, TVA opted to build a new dam, Nickajack, six miles downstream. Completed in 1967, the new dam submerged the original dam site and flooded the town of Long, including its cemetery, where some headstones could still be seen above water decades later. Hales Bar ceased operations the next day, and its remains were dismantled to clear the way for navigation. In total, hundreds died during and after construction, including children who passed through a tunnel under the dam to get to school. The dam’s haunted reputation endures, with stories of spirits linked to the workers, children, and graves left behind.
The distillery itself is pretty new. The owners of the marina were looking for something to do with the abandoned powerhouse and decided to try out whiskey!
Dam Whiskey Co. Tour Review
We took the full-length history tour of Hales Bar Dam, and if you’re going to do it, definitely go all in. This tour covers the entire powerhouse, from the upper floors all the way down into the old tunnels. It’s rare to find a place that actually lets you explore areas this old, eerie, and fascinating, and we were totally blown away.
Our guide was great- friendly, knowledgeable, and even asked up front if we wanted more of the paranormal stories or a toned-down version (we went for it, of course). Some parts of the tour still had leftover props from their haunted house setup, which was kind of fun in spots (like the Victorian living room), but a little distracting in others (yes, Jigsaw in the tunnel was a choice). That said, the whole experience was amazing. Some of the floors and stairs felt a little sketchy, and we were honestly surprised they’re able to host tours, and haunted houses, here, but that only added to the vibe.
I’m personally a skeptic when it comes to ghosts, but I still love hearing the history and legends. Some of the darker stories seemed to come more from ghost encounters than actual documented events, but that’s kind of part of the fun. Overall? Solid 5/5. We absolutely loved it.
Dam Whiskey Co. Tasting Review
After the tour, we made our way back to the bar for a whiskey tasting, and it was such a fun way to wrap up the experience. I’m not a big whiskey drinker, but I was genuinely surprised by how smooth these were. The blackberry flavor was easily my favorite, though sadly they were out of stock (of course the best one always sells out!). Josh was all about the maple bourbon, no surprise there, since he’s a maple fan through and through.
The bartender was great- super friendly, shared stories about the distillery and gave us some background on each of the spirits we tried. They were out of apple pie (my usual go-to), but I got to pick my favorite of the others for a second taste, which was a nice touch. Josh even tried a secret “hidden menu” drink the bartender mentioned: a key lime pie concoction that she whipped up just for him. Overall, a really fun and laid-back tasting experience that topped off our visit perfectly.
Tips for Visiting Hales Bar Dam & Dam Whiskey Co.
Tour Info & Schedule
- Tours start at the top of every hour, arrive at least 10 minutes early to check in and purchase tickets at the gift shop
- No tours on Fridays
- Saturday Tours: First tour at 9 AM (Central), last tour at 3 PM
- Sunday Tours: First tour at 11 AM (Central), last tour at 3 PM
- Tour times may vary during haunted house season, holidays, winter months, or special events
Tour options:
- Distillery Tour
- Includes the main floor of the dam, distillery, and barrel room
- No stairs; wheelchair accessible
- 30 minutes | $17 per person
- Distillery + History Tour
- Includes everything above plus the rest of the dam, tunnels, ghost stories, and history
- Not wheelchair accessible (stairs, uneven floors, and dark spaces)
- 1 hour | $32 per person
Tour notes:
- Kids are welcome! Ages 12 and under are half price for tours
- Well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed on tours
- You can bring a drink with you on the tour
What to Bring on Your Dam Tour:
- Weather-appropriate clothing (no heating or cooling inside the dam)
- Sturdy shoes (expect dust, dirt, debris, puddles)
- Flashlight for exploring tunnels
- Camera or phone- photos are allowed and encouraged!
Dam Amenities:
- Gift shop and bar area on-site
- Live music every Saturday (family and dog-friendly- plus you can pet goats!)
- No food at the bar, but there’s a marina concession stand next to the outdoor pavilion with shared seating
Haunted House
Hells Bar Dam Haunted House operates seasonally- visit hellsbar.com for dates and details. General admission starts at $25.
Hales Bar Dam in the Media
Because Hales Bar Dam is so famous for being haunted, it’s been featured in some major paranormal media, including:
- Ghost Adventures Season 4, Episode 24: Hales Bar Marina and Dam
- Ghost Adventures: Aftershocks Season 4, Episode 4: Hales Bar / Ashmore Estates
- Ghost Hunters Season 8, Episode 3: Flooded Souls
- Ill-Equipped History podcast Episode 76: Hales Bar Dam: History and Hauntings
- Haunted Chattanooga by Jessica Penot
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