Haunted Hotels in Alaska You Can Stay In
Discover the most haunted hotels in Alaska with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
12 Haunted Hotels Found in Alaska
At the White House Inn
831 Major St, Skagway, AK 99840, United States
While generally presented as a charming historic inn, 'At the White House Inn' in Skagway occasionally gets mentioned in connection to the town's rich, and sometimes dark, Gold Rush history. Skagway was a town of high hopes and frequent tragedies. Some suggest that buildings from that era inherently hold residual energy. Specific documented ghost stories for 'At the White House Inn' itself are scarce compared to more infamous locations, but vague mentions circulate about feelings of presence or fleeting shadows, possibly spirits tied to the Gold Rush era struggles.
Silverbow Inn Hotel & Suites
120 2nd St, Juneau, AK 99801, United States
The Silverbow Inn, housed in one of Juneau's oldest buildings (dating back to 1898/1914), naturally collects ghost stories. While not aggressively 'haunted,' it shares Juneau's general spectral landscape tied to the Gold Rush era. Some staff and guests have mentioned minor, unexplained occurrences like sounds of footsteps on empty floors, items slightly out of place, or quick, fleeting shadows in peripheral vision. These are generally attributed to the building's age and history, possibly linked to former occupants or bakery workers from its long past.
Hotel Captain Cook
939 W 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, United States
While primarily known for luxury, Hotel Captain Cook has persistent rumors of a ghost in the women's restroom near the restaurant/bar area in Tower I. Reports often mention a stall door locking and unlocking on its own, lights flickering, or the sound of a woman crying or humming. The spirit is sometimes associated with a woman who supposedly died tragically in the hotel, though concrete details are elusive, forming more of a local urban legend within Anchorage.
Tonsina River Lodge
1 Richardson Hwy, Copper Center, AK 99573, United States
The Tonsina River Lodge area has ties to the region's Gold Rush trails and native history. While specific, widely publicized ghost stories about the lodge itself are less common, its location near historical routes suggests potential for residual spiritual energy. Anecdotes passed locally might include feelings of being watched when alone near the river or woods, unexplained noises, or connections to tragedies along the old trails. These stories tend to be more folklore and less documented events within the lodge buildings.
Historic Anchorage Hotel
330 E St, Anchorage, AK 99501, United States
The Historic Anchorage Hotel is known for several spirits, most famously Anchorage's first Chief of Police, John J. 'Black Jack' Sturgus, who was mysteriously shot in front of the hotel in 1921; his presence is reported near the site of his death. Guests and staff have reported strange occurrences such as flickering lights, items moving on their own, spectral figures, and children's laughter. Room 215 is often cited as a hotspot. The hotel embraces its haunted reputation, chronicling stories in a guest journal.
Gakona Lodge & Trading Post
1 Tok Cutoff, Gakona, AK 99586, United States
Established in the early 1900s as a trading post, Gakona Lodge carries strong ties to the region's stern past, involving indigenous people and rugged settlers. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and often cited as one of Alaska's haunted locations. Staff and guests have reported phenomena typical of historical hauntings: disembodied voices, unexplained footsteps (especially upstairs), items moving, apparitions of former owners or residents, and a general feeling of strong presence. The spirits are generally considered tied to the building's long history and the many lives that passed through it.
Westmark Fairbanks Hotel & Conference Center
813 Noble St, Fairbanks, AK 99701, United States
The Westmark Fairbanks Hotel is sometimes associated with unspecified paranormal activity, often linked to its age and numerous past guests. Some sources mention general feelings of being watched, cold spots, or faint noises, especially during off-season or quieter periods. One anecdotal tale speaks of a former employee or long-term resident whose spirit remains, occasionally making their presence known subtly. No single prominent ghost story defines its reputation, rather scattered reports of minor eerie occurrences.
Chena Hot Springs Resort
17600 Chena Hot Springs Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712
According to online discussions, Chena Hot Springs Resort is rumored to be haunted. Some attribute supposed paranormal activity, such as flickering lights, strange noises, and malfunctioning appliances, to potential infrastructure issues like faulty wiring and plumbing, giving it a creepy reputation rather than specific ghostly figures or events. Others mention hearing second-hand stories of hauntings but haven't experienced them directly.
Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites
1200 L St, Anchorage, AK 99501, United States
Formerly a medical building/hospital, the Inlet Tower is associated with residual energy from its past. Guests and staff have reported stories ranging from apparitions in hallways, disembodied voices or cries (particularly on upper floors previously used for patients), elevators behaving erratically, and general feelings of unease. One recurring story involves the ghost of a former patient who tragically died, seen looking out windows or wandering halls. Its history as a place of illness and death fuels its haunted reputation.
Alaskan Hotel and Bar
167 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, United States
Built during the Gold Rush in 1913, the Alaskan Hotel catered to miners and operated illicitly during Prohibition and as a brothel at times. Its history is colored by the desperation and violence typical of the era, leading to numerous tales of ghostly encounters. Visitors and staff report unexplained phenomena, attributing them to spirits tied to the hotel's tumultuous past, including stories associated with Room 315 linked to a tragic story of a jilted bride or prostitute, and general feelings of presence throughout the building, especially connected to its days as a brothel and speakeasy.
Van Gilder Hotel
308 Adams St, Seward, AK 99664, United States
The Van Gilder Hotel is reputedly haunted by 'Fannie,' believed to be the spirit of a woman murdered in room 202 in 1947. Her story inspired a novel, and guests report occasional sightings. Other guests have felt an unexplained presence or urge to leave, particularly noting the hotel's old, creaky atmosphere contributes to its haunted reputation, especially in designated 'haunted' rooms.
Kennicott Glacier Lodge
#15 Kennicott Millsite, Kennicott, AK 99588
Kennecott, once a bustling copper mining town abandoned abruptly in the 1930s, is now considered one of Alaska's most iconic ghost towns. The massive, empty mill building evokes a skeletal presence over the glacier. Visitors report a 'charged' atmosphere, as if something lingers from the past. Legends and anecdotal accounts suggest the spirits of former miners still inhabit the site, with some people claiming to feel their presence or even see figures within structures that have remained untouched for decades. While Kennicott Glacier Lodge itself isn't specified as the direct site of hauntings, its location is within this historic and reputedly haunted Kennecott area.
Haunted History of Alaska
On the "Last Frontier," the vast, untamed wilderness of Alaska is home to ghost stories as rugged and extreme as the landscape itself. The state's paranormal history is deeply tied to the brutal Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s, a period when tens of thousands of prospectors flooded the territory, facing starvation, freezing temperatures, and rampant lawlessness. The desperate and often tragic lives of these "stampeders" have left behind a host of ghosts who are said to still wander the old mining camps and historic boomtowns.
Beyond the Gold Rush, Alaska's haunted lore is enriched by the ancient traditions of its Native peoples. Chilling tales of supernatural creatures like the Kushtaka—terrifying, shape-shifting otter-like men who are said to steal the souls of the lost—are woven into the fabric of the local culture. The profound isolation of the Alaskan wilderness, combined with its long, dark winters and the constant presence of a powerful, unforgiving nature, creates a haunted landscape unlike any other in America.
Other Haunted Attractions in Alaska
- The Red Onion Saloon (Skagway): This historic bar and museum was one of the most famous brothels in Skagway during the Gold Rush. It is notoriously haunted by the spirit of Lydia, one of the saloon's original "good time girls." Staff and visitors frequently report the strong scent of her perfume, hearing phantom footsteps on the floor above, and seeing her sorrowful apparition in what was once her favorite room. Official Website
- Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark: Deep in the wilderness of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park lies this massive, abandoned copper mining camp. Now a ghost town, the towering red mill buildings and silent streets are said to be haunted by the spirits of the miners and their families. Visitors on guided tours have reported hearing phantom machinery, seeing shadowy figures in the windows, and feeling the eerie presence of a bustling town frozen in time. Official Website
- Begich Towers (Whittier): This is one of the most unique and unsettling places in Alaska. It is a single, massive Cold War-era building where nearly all 200-plus residents of the town of Whittier live. The building's past as a military barracks, its extreme isolation (accessible only by a single tunnel or by sea), and the long, dark winters have given it a creepy reputation, with residents reporting phantom footsteps, disembodied voices in the hallways, and a constant feeling of being watched.
- The Jesse Lee Home for Children (Seward): These large, decaying ruins are what's left of a prominent orphanage that was heavily damaged in the catastrophic 1964 Good Friday Earthquake. The abandoned site is said to be haunted by the spirits of the children who once lived and, in some cases, died there. Locals and paranormal investigators report hearing ghostly laughter and crying on the wind and seeing the small apparitions of children playing in the crumbling structure.
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in Alaska
- Embrace the Darkness (or the Light): Depending on the season of your visit, you'll either have near-constant darkness or the "midnight sun." Both can be disorienting and can add a unique and creepy element to your paranormal investigation.
- Get Remote: Many of Alaska's most haunted places require some effort to get to. The feeling of being truly isolated in the vast wilderness, with only the ghosts for company, is a key part of the Alaskan paranormal experience.
- Listen to the Local Legends: The stories in Alaska are a powerful mix of Gold Rush history and ancient Native folklore. Talk to the locals in small towns like Skagway or McCarthy to hear the most authentic and chilling tales that have been passed down for generations.
- Pack for the Elements: Alaska's weather is famously unpredictable and can be extreme. You don't want to mistake a shiver from the cold for a ghostly chill, so always dress in warm, waterproof layers, no matter the season.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in Alaska
Are haunted hotels in Alaska safe to stay in? Yes, of course. They are historic and often rustic lodges, inns, and hotels that provide safe and unique accommodations. Their resident ghosts are part of the state's rugged "Last Frontier" charm.
What is the most haunted hotel in Alaska? Many of Alaska's oldest hotels, especially in former Gold Rush towns like Skagway and Fairbanks, as well as the city of Anchorage, have long-standing paranormal reputations. The stories often involve the spirits of heartbroken prospectors, ladies of the night, or determined pioneers who never left.
Do haunted hotels in Alaska offer ghost tours? Yes, especially in historic tourist towns. Skagway, in particular, is famous for its ghost tours, which make the town's haunted saloons and hotels their main attractions.
Can kids stay in haunted hotels in Alaska? Most historic hotels and lodges are family-friendly. The stories of the Gold Rush can be a thrilling adventure and a great history lesson for older kids and teens who enjoy tales of the rugged north.
What time of year is best for haunted hotel stays in Alaska? Late summer and early fall (August-September) provide a good balance of decent weather and increasing hours of darkness for a spooky atmosphere. For the ultimate eerie experience, a visit during the long, dark winter months offers a truly isolating and chilling ghost hunt.