Charleston: USS Yorktown Ghost Tour with Night Access

Summary

USS Yorktown at night, ghost stories echoing on steel decks and silent corridors

You’ll walk through shadowy corridors of the USS Yorktown with a local guide after dark, hearing real stories of WWII heroes and mysterious disappearances. Explore areas closed to daytime visitors—including the flight deck at night—and catch moments when history feels strangely close. Expect laughter, goosebumps, and maybe a little superstition sticking with you after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me stepping onto the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point wasn’t fear—it was this weird mix of salt air and old metal, like the ship’s still breathing under the Charleston sky. Our guide, Jamie (who grew up just across the bridge), handed out little flashlights and grinned, “Don’t wander off—she’s got a way of swallowing folks.” I laughed, but honestly, that echo in the hangar bay? It gets under your skin fast. There were only a dozen of us, shuffling past closed-off hatches and pipes that looked like they hadn’t been touched since WWII. The flight deck was just…dark. Not pitch black, but enough to make you squint at every shadow.

Jamie told us about Captain Jocko Clark and this sailor named Smokey Stover—names I’d never heard before but now can’t forget. She paused by a dented bulkhead and said it’s where someone vanished once. I caught myself glancing over my shoulder more than once. The stories weren’t cheesy; they felt heavy, like you could almost hear boots on steel if you listened hard enough. Someone in our group asked about maritime superstitions and Jamie just nodded—“You don’t joke about whistling on ships,” she said. I tried it anyway (quietly). Probably shouldn’t have.

There was this moment up on the flight deck where we all went quiet—not because Jamie told us to, but because the wind picked up and you could smell rain coming in off the harbor. Just for a second, it felt like time folded over itself; I swear you could almost see those old crews moving around in the dark. My shoes squeaked on the slick metal stairs—kind of ruined the mood—but nobody seemed to mind. We finished up near midnight, blinking back into regular life at Patriots Point’s gate. Still think about that silence sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Night tour of USS Yorktown ship

• Meet at Patriots Point Admission Gate
• Enter through front gates only
• Board USS Yorktown ship
• Hear stories of American heroes
• Explore restricted ship areas at night
• Access flight deck after dark
• Learn about maritime superstitions
• Discover unusual ship christening
• Hear about Captain Jocko Clark
• Learn about Smokey Stover
• Explore mysterious sailor disappearance

Top questions

Where does the USS Yorktown Ghost Tour start?

The tour meets at 40 Patriots Point Rd in Mt. Pleasant inside the Admission Gate.

How long is the USS Yorktown Ghost Tour?

The guided ghost tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Is there exclusive access during this ghost tour?

Yes, you get nighttime access to areas usually closed to the public, including the flight deck after dark.

Are there any physical requirements for joining?

You should be moderately fit; there are narrow stairways and ladders throughout the ship.

Is hotel pickup included for this Charleston ghost tour?

No hotel pickup is included; guests meet directly at Patriots Point Admission Gate.

Can I bring food or water on board during the tour?

You’re encouraged to bring bottled water, especially during summer heat; no purchases available onboard during tour hours.

Is this tour accessible for wheelchairs or strollers?

No, due to narrow passageways and ladders, it’s not handicapped accessible.

Does the USS Yorktown Ghost Tour run in bad weather?

Tours run rain or shine; dress accordingly as ship interiors are not climate controlled.

What’s included

Your evening includes guided entry onto USS Yorktown with exclusive nighttime access to hidden ship areas like the flight deck after dark. You’ll hear true stories from your local guide about heroism, sacrifice, maritime superstitions, and mysterious disappearances—all while exploring spaces closed to daytime visitors before returning to Patriots Point’s gate late at night.