Nevada is a goldmine for fans of the eerie, haunted, and downright bizarre. Here are 10 must-see destinations that promise chills, ghost stories, and a taste of the macabre side of the Silver State:
1. The Clown Motel & Old Tonopah Cemetery (Tonopah)
- Dubbed “America’s scariest motel,” this roadside oddity is packed with thousands of clown figurines and sits right next to a cemetery filled with early miners and plague victims. Guests report ghostly whispers, cold spots, and shadowy figures wandering between the motel and the cemetery.
2. Goldfield Hotel (Goldfield)
- One of Nevada’s most infamous haunted sites, this abandoned luxury hotel is said to be haunted by the ghost of Elizabeth, a woman allegedly chained to a radiator by the hotel’s owner. Visitors report cries, shadow figures, and violent poltergeist activity.
3. Mizpah Hotel (Tonopah)
- Known for the ghost of “The Lady in Red,” murdered by a jealous lover, this historic hotel is a hotspot for unexplained noises, apparitions, and doors slamming shut on their own.
4. Pioneer Saloon (Goodsprings)
- The oldest bar in southern Nevada, this saloon is haunted by the ghost of a gambler shot during a poker game, and possibly even Carole Lombard. Reports include phantom cigar smoke, ghostly laughter, and chilling EVPs.
5. Washoe Club & Haunted Museum (Virginia City)
- Once the Millionaires Club, this 1870s saloon is one of the most haunted places in the West. The club features an on-site crypt, frequent ghost sightings, and hosts overnight paranormal investigations.
6. Silver Queen Hotel (Virginia City)
- Haunted by a woman who allegedly took her own life in Room 11, guests and staff report eerie whispers, sudden cold spots, and sightings of her ghost.
7. Mackay Mansion (Virginia City)
- Built in 1860, this mansion-turned-museum is haunted by apparitions of a colonel and a little girl in white. Visitors often hear unexplained footsteps and laughter upstairs.
8. Goldfield Historic Cemetery (Goldfield)
- This cemetery is known for its bizarre epitaphs and the story of the “Official Ghouls” who relocated the bodies under cover of darkness. Some say not all spirits made the move.
9. International Car Forest of the Last Church (Goldfield)
- A surreal sculpture garden of upended, painted cars scattered across 80 acres. The site is open 24/7 and is said to be especially spooky at night, when the deserted landscape and bizarre art installations take on an otherworldly vibe.
10. Rhyolite Ghost Town & Goldwell Open Air Museum
- Explore the ruins of this abandoned mining town and the haunting plaster “ghosts” of Da Vinci’s Last Supper at the nearby Goldwell Open Air Museum. At night, the deserted town and spectral sculptures offer a truly eerie experience.
These destinations combine haunted history, ghostly legends, and weird roadside art, making Nevada a top state for anyone seeking the creepy and macabre. Whether you’re hunting for spirits or just want to experience the state’s strangest attractions, these sites deliver unforgettable chills.
Sources:
- https://travelnevada.com/weird-nevada/
- https://us.easirent.com/road-trip-through-nevadas-most-haunted-places/
- https://hitraveltales.com/getting-weird-in-nevada-with-art-history-ghosts-clowns/
- https://travelnevada.com/haunted-history/ways-to-get-into-nevadas-haunted-history/
- https://www.hauntedrooms.com/nevada/haunted-places
- https://www.gousa.in/experience/6-nevada-ghost-towns-explore-if-you-dare