When the sun sets in downtown Clayton, a different side of the town awakens with whispers of the past, ghostly tales, and mysteries that refuse to fade away. History and hauntings collide at Clayton Ghost Walks, a new tour company bringing locals and visitors on an unforgettable journey through the town’s most storied streets. Each tour is guided by owner Doug Pawlak and his assistant Kara Shoup, who weave together Clayton’s rich history with eerie legends that have stood the test of time.
“At Clayton Ghost Walks, we guide you through downtown Clayton, NC, sharing spine-chilling ghost stories intertwined with the rich history of our town. Join us for an unforgettable experience. Come explore the mysteries that linger in our streets,” (https://claytonghostwalks.com/)
I was immediately intrigued when I first heard about Clayton Ghost Walks and wanted to share the unique experience with my family. Doug greeted us with a flickering candle-lit lantern in hand, setting the stage for the tales ahead. Over the course of the 60-minute tour, he revealed the darker side of Clayton’s past and shared more recent unexplained encounters reported in some of the town’s familiar establishments. We learned a lot along the way, with a few goosebumps thrown in for good measure.
Meet the Storyteller Behind the Tours
Doug Pawlak is a ghost tour guide by night, but by day he’s a longtime social studies teacher. With more than 24 years of experience teaching history to middle and high school students, Doug is passionate about making history come alive.
That same passion for history and storytelling is what sparked the idea for Clayton Ghost Walks. About 7-8 years ago, Doug began researching local legends and collecting stories of unexplained happenings in Clayton. The idea grew quietly over the years, until finally, in July 2025, he decided it was time to bring those stories to the community.
Having lived in Clayton since 2000, Doug has deep roots in the area. “I love this town. It’s a great place to raise a family, and so many exciting things are happening here. But beneath all that, there are also dark secrets and mysteries worth exploring,” he shares.
A Unique Way to Experience Clayton
Clayton Ghost Walks brings chilling stories to life while connecting the community to the town’s history in a whole new way. The tours highlight the charm of downtown while peeling back the layers to reveal its spookier side.
Even better, the experience is growing. Doug will be adding more tours in October to meet the Halloween-season demand, and he’s already researching new stories to keep future walks fresh and fascinating.
Tours are scheduled regularly, but for those looking for something extra special, private tours may also be arranged. It’s a perfect idea for birthdays, group outings, or anyone wanting a more personalized dive into Clayton’s haunted past.
With a love for history and a flair for the mysterious, Doug Pawlak has created an experience that’s part education, part entertainment, and completely unforgettable. Whether you’re a history buff, a ghost story lover, or just looking for a fun night out, Clayton Ghost Walks invites you to see your town in a whole new light, or maybe, in its shadows. Definitely an experience I'd rate a 5 out of 5, and one I'll be telling all of my friends and neighbors about!
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How to Join the Walk
Ready to discover Clayton’s haunted history for yourself?
Where: Downtown Clayton, NC (Horne Square)
When: Regularly scheduled tours + private tours upon request
How: https://claytonghostwalks.com/
Contact: claytonghostwalks@gmail.com
Feedback from my children:
14 year old daughter: “I loved how interesting it was! He was so good at telling stories. He had great details and sound effects. He made it spooky, but really fun at the same time.”
10 year old daughter: “He made the stories sound really scary but interesting, like you want to hear the ending. I liked how we went to the spots where the things happened. And he made me picture how it would be if you were in that situation. It was really good. He did a really good job with the storytelling.”
13 year old friend: “It was really interesting. I liked how it told us the history of Clayton, along with the scary stuff that happened. It was a bit scary, but fun!”
11 year old son: “It was good.” (Parental disclaimer: coming from him, that’s really high praise! Haha! After the tour he wanted to drive around and check out some of the other haunted spots in Clayton that were mentioned - which we did! He was thrilled!)
*We received free tours in exchange for our honest reviews
