Haunted Hotels in Arizona You Can Stay In
Discover the most haunted hotels in Arizona with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
23 Haunted Hotels Found in Arizona
Buford House Bed & Breakfast
113 E Safford St, Tombstone, AZ 85638, USA
The Buford House, built during Tombstone's peak, is said to be haunted by multiple spirits. One may be a young man named George Buford who died in the house or connected to the family. Another reported spirit is that of a lady. Guests and owners speak of disembodied voices, furniture moving, phantom smells (like perfume or cigar smoke), and feelings of an unseen presence, keeping with Tombstone's 'too tough to die' motto.
Clawson House Inn
116 Clawson Ave, Bisbee, AZ 85603, USA
As a historic Bisbee residence (built 1895), the Clawson House Inn is subject to local paranormal claims. Stories suggest spirits tied to the families who lived and died there over generations. Renters have reported minor unexplained phenomena: feeling watched, subtle noises like soft voices or footsteps, and flickering lights, consistent with gentle residual hauntings rather than active entities.
Noftsger Hill Inn
425 North St, Globe, AZ 85501, USA
Originally a schoolhouse, the Noftsger Hill Inn is said to be haunted by former students and teachers. Guests report hearing children playing, laughing, or running in the hallways when no one is there. Objects might move, and shadows are seen. Specific rooms, formerly classrooms, seem to retain spectral energy from their educational past. Some believe the spirits are friendly and mischievous.
Ghost City Inn
500 Main St, Jerome, AZ 86331, USA
Living up to its name, the Ghost City Inn has reports of paranormal activity. A prominent story involves a spirit known as 'The Lady in Red' or 'Spanish Woman,' believed to have been a madam in Jerome's heyday. She is reportedly seen, or her presence felt, particularly in certain rooms. Guests also mention hearing disembodied voices, knocks, and seeing objects move, consistent with Jerome's overall haunted reputation.
The Hermosa Inn
5532 N Palo Cristi Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, USA
The ghost associated with The Hermosa Inn is believed to be its original builder and owner, cowboy artist Lon Megargee. He built tunnels beneath the property for quick escapes during Prohibition. Staff and guests report seeing a figure resembling Lon, sometimes wearing a cowboy hat, near his original studio or in the casitas. Others report lights flickering, objects moving, or feeling his presence, especially if something displeases him (like changes to the property).
The Red Garter Inn
137 W Railroad Ave, Williams, AZ 86046, USA
Originally a saloon and bordello, The Red Garter Inn carries echoes of its lively past. The primary spirit reported is 'Eve,' believed to have been a working girl tragically murdered, possibly pushed from an upstairs window. Her presence is felt through cold spots, disembodied footsteps especially on the staircase, items moving, and spectral sightings. Room 16 & 17 are often noted as having more activity.
Hotel Vendome
230 S Cortez St, Prescott, AZ 86303, USA
The Hotel Vendome is said to be haunted by Abby, a woman who owned the hotel in the early 1900s, and her cat, Noble. Abby reportedly fell ill and died in Room 16, possibly after her husband failed to pay bills, leading to her being confined. Guests report seeing Abby's apparition or feeling her presence, particularly in Room 16. Noble the cat is sometimes felt brushing against legs or heard purring.
The Connor Hotel
160 Main St, Jerome, AZ 86331, USA
Rebuilt after fires, The Connor Hotel echoes Jerome's mining town past. Staff and guests report encountering spirits believed to be former patrons or residents from its early days. Activity includes voices in empty rooms, objects moving on their own (especially in the bar/Spirit Room), and apparitions described as 'miners' or 'ladies of the night.' Room 1 & 2 are frequently mentioned as paranormal hotspots.
Hassayampa Inn
122 E Gurley St, Prescott, AZ 86301, USA
The Hassayampa Inn is best known for the ghost of Faith, a young bride abandoned by her groom on their honeymoon in 1927. Distraught, she reportedly hanged herself or died of grief in Room 426. Her spirit is said to remain, often appearing as a crying woman in hallways or specific rooms, sometimes felt as a cold spot or heard sobbing. Guests have also reported flowers appearing unexpectedly and lights turning on/off.
Hotel La More at The Bisbee Inn
45 OK St, Bisbee, AZ 85603, USA
Operating since 1917 as miners' lodging and potentially a boarding house, Hotel La More likely accumulated spiritual residents. Guests speak of typical haunted hotel phenomena: shadowy figures in hallways, doors creaking open/closed, fluctuations in temperature, and distant voices or music. No single dominant spirit story exists, suggesting general residual energy from its long history in lively Bisbee.
Bisbee Grand Hotel
61 Main St, Bisbee, AZ 85603, USA
The Bisbee Grand Hotel is reported to house several spirits, common in historic Bisbee buildings. Guests speak of a female entity, possibly from its days as a boarding house. Another commonly reported ghost is a male figure seen in the saloon area or hallways. Typical paranormal claims include unexplained noises like footsteps and voices, cold spots, and items being moved. Some activity is associated with specific themed rooms capturing past eras.
El Tovar Hotel
Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA
El Tovar is said to have a few spectral residents connected to its long history. One common story involves Fred Harvey, the hotel chain's founder, or an associate, ensuring standards are kept. Staff report feeling observed or finding things rearranged. Another presence is described as a 'Lady in Black' seen roaming the hallways or near certain rooms. Given its age and numerous guests over decades, other unidentified energies are also reported.
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort
11111 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020, USA
While primarily a modern resort, local legends suggest paranormal activity stems from older incidents on the land BEFORE the resort was built, possibly involving tragic accidents or burials in the remote desert landscape. Staff have occasionally reported strange feelings or fleeting shadows in less-trafficked areas, especially at night. It's not a focal point of the resort, but whispers persist about underlying energies.
Hotel Congress
311 E Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701, USA
Hotel Congress experienced a major fire in 1934 which led to the capture of John Dillinger and his gang. Some say spirits from that era or before linger. Room 242 is particularly noted, where a guest reportedly died. Guests report seeing shadowy figures, feeling cold spots, and hearing voices. A woman dressed in early 20th-century clothing has been reported looking out windows or in hallways. There are also stories of a handyman spirit who tidies rooms.
Jerome Grand Hotel
200 Hill Street, Jerome, AZ 86331, USA
Formerly the United Verde Hospital where an estimated 9,000 deaths occurred, the Jerome Grand Hotel is widely regarded as extremely haunted. Guests and staff report hearing unexplained coughing, labored breathing, and disembodied voices. One prominent spirit is believed to be Claude Harvey, a hospital maintenance worker found dead under suspicious circumstances near the elevator in 1935; his ghost is often sensed or seen in the basement, boiler room area, and near the elevator. Another commonly reported phenomenon is a spirit child seen running and heard laughing or crying on the third floor, occasionally appearing at guests' bedsides. A 'Spirit Cat' is frequently experienced, brushing against people's legs, being heard meowing or scratching, or leaving visible indentations on beds. Apparitions resembling former nurses and doctors, sometimes with a clipboard, are also seen roaming the halls.
Oatman Hotel Restaurant & Bar
181 Main St, Oatman, AZ 86433, United States
The Oatman Hotel is the paranormal epicenter of a town steeped in a history of gold fever, sudden abandonment, and legendary tales. The building, originally the Durlin Hotel, survived a devastating town fire in 1921 and was rebuilt, continuing to serve miners and travelers. When the mines closed and Route 66 was bypassed, the town dwindled, but the stories within the hotel's adobe walls only grew, cementing its status as one of Arizona's most haunted locations. The hotel's most glamorous spectral residents are Hollywood legends Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. According to a widely promoted, albeit disputed, local legend, the couple spent their honeymoon at the hotel in 1939 after marrying in nearby Kingman. Following Lombard's tragic death in a 1942 plane crash, it is believed their joyful spirits chose to remain in the place where they shared happy memories. Staff and visitors frequently report hearing the faint sounds of whispering and laughter emanating from their empty second-floor suite. In stark contrast to the Hollywood glamour is the melancholic tale of an Irish miner affectionately nicknamed "Oatie". His story represents the hardship of the mining era; distraught after his family perished on their journey to America, he drank himself to death behind the hotel.[9] His restless spirit, sometimes identified as William Ray Flour, is now one of the hotel's most active, said to haunt his former room where visitors report hearing mournful, disembodied bagpipes and finding the bedsheets pulled off the display beds. The hotel is also home to other enigmatic spirits. On the second floor, the ghostly figure of a former chambermaid makes her presence known by leaving distinct outlines of a sleeping body in the undisturbed dust on the beds, leading to speculation that she was murdered in the hotel.[9, 8] Downstairs in the saloon, unseen forces are known to engage in whimsical activity, with bartenders and guests reporting dollar bills levitating off the bar and glasses lifting into the air on their own.
The Oliver House
26 Sowles Ave, Bisbee, AZ 85603, USA
The Oliver House proudly acknowledges its haunted status, hosting paranormal investigations. Built in 1909, it saw many lives pass through. Stories claim up to 27 spirits reside here, stemming from murders and natural deaths within its walls. Notable figures include miners and ladies from Bisbee's rough past. Activity includes apparitions, EVPs, objects moving, and feelings of being touched or watched throughout the building.
Weatherford Hotel
23 N Leroux St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
The Weatherford Hotel claims several resident ghosts. One story tells of a murdered bride or jilted lover whose spirit haunts the upper floors, sometimes causing disturbances in rooms. Another tale involves 'The Lady in White' seen near the Zane Grey ballroom or on balconies. Staff and guests have reported apparitions, unexplained noises, and eerie feelings, particularly tied to areas restored after past fires.
Copper Queen Hotel
11 Howell Ave, Bisbee, AZ 85603, USA
The Copper Queen Hotel boasts several spirits. The most famous is Julia Lowell, a prostitute who reportedly took her life at the hotel. Her presence is felt most strongly in her room (Room 315), where male guests report hearing whispering or feeling a presence. Another ghost is a young boy named Billy, who supposedly drowned in the San Pedro River; he's heard playing or crying. An older gentleman with a top hat is also sighted.
Gadsden Hotel
1046 G Ave, Douglas, AZ 85607, USA
The Gadsden Hotel has numerous ghost stories. Some involve unknown miners or cowboys from its rowdy past. A more distinct story mentions a spirit seen on the grand marble staircase or in the basement. There are also accounts related to Room 333, though specifics vary, often mentioning unexplained noises or objects moving. The hotel's long history suggests multiple spectral residents.
Mile High Inn
301 Main St, Jerome, AZ 86331, USA
Being in Jerome, the Mile High Inn shares in the town's haunted reputation. While less documented than larger hotels, guests have reported typical paranormal activities: unexplained noises (footsteps, voices), doors opening or closing by themselves, and feelings of being watched. These are often attributed to lingering spirits from Jerome's bustling and often dangerous mining days.
Hotel Monte Vista
100 N San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
The Hotel Monte Vista is famed as one of America's most haunted locations. Among its spectral residents is a 'Phantom Bellboy,' reportedly encountered by John Wayne outside room 210, who knocks and announces room service only to vanish. Room 306 is said to be haunted by the spirits of two prostitutes murdered there; male guests sometimes report feeling watched or prevented from sleeping. In room 305, an apparition of an elderly woman has been seen in a rocking chair by the window. Additionally, phenomena such as phantom band music from the lounge, unexplained voices, items moving, and the ghost of a bank robber who died in the lounge in the 1970s contribute to its haunted reputation.
Hotel San Carlos
202 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
The Hotel San Carlos stands on the site of Phoenix's first schoolhouse (1879). Its most famous ghost is Leone Jensen, who jumped from the roof in 1928, supposedly heartbroken over a relationship. Guests report seeing her white apparition roaming the halls and stairwells, particularly near room 720 or on the rooftop. Other spirits, possibly children from the original schoolhouse era, are also reported with sounds of giggling or balls bouncing.
Haunted History of Arizona
The haunted history of Arizona is forged in the furnace of the Wild West and baked under the relentless desert sun. This is a land of vast, unforgiving landscapes where life was often short and brutal. The spirits of Arizona are the ghosts of gunslingers, prospectors, and outlaws who lived and died by their own code. Legendary towns like Tombstone, the site of the infamous O.K. Corral shootout, are forever haunted by the cowboys who drew their last breath on dusty streets, their spectral forms still seen in saloons and theaters.
Beyond the Wild West legends, Arizona's boom-and-bust mining towns are spectral magnets. Places like Jerome and Bisbee, once teeming with thousands seeking their fortune in copper and silver, are now home to the ghosts of miners killed in catastrophic accidents and the restless spirits of those who lived hard and died young. The state's history is also deeply connected to ancient Native American cultures, with many legends of spirits and supernatural beings tied to the sacred canyons and monoliths that dominate the landscape, adding a layer of profound, ancient mystery to its paranormal identity.
Other Haunted Attractions in Arizona
- Bird Cage Theatre (Tombstone): Deemed "the wickedest nightspot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast," the Bird Cage Theatre was a saloon, theatre, and brothel that never closed its doors from 1881 to 1889. Over 26 people were killed within its walls, and their spirits have seemingly never left. Visitors and staff report seeing the full-bodied apparition of a stagehand, hearing phantom music, and feeling the spectral presence of the ladies of the night in the upstairs boxes.
- Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park (Yuma): This notoriously harsh prison operated from 1876 to 1909, and its sun-baked cells housed thousands of Arizona's most dangerous criminals. The suffering and despair were so immense that they soaked into the very walls. Visitors to the Yuma Territorial Prison often report hearing ghostly moans, feeling touched by unseen hands, and sensing a dark, oppressive energy, especially near the infamous "dark cell."
- Vulture City Ghost Town (Wickenburg): The site of Arizona's richest gold mine, Vulture City is a remarkably well-preserved ghost town with a violent past. The spirits of prospectors and miners are said to wander the dusty buildings, and the "Hanging Tree" on site was used for the summary justice of 18 men. You can explore this eerie location on one of the Vulture City Ghost Tours, where EVPs and shadow figures are commonly reported.
- Lowell Observatory (Flagstaff): Not all of Arizona's ghosts are cowboys. This historic Lowell Observatory, famous for discovering Pluto, is said to be haunted by its founder, Percival Lowell. His spirit is sometimes seen wandering the grounds or near his mausoleum, eternally watching over the stars and his life's work. It's a place where cosmic mysteries and earthly spirits collide.
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in Arizona
- Stay Hydrated, Even at Night: The Arizona air is incredibly dry. While you're waiting for a ghostly chill, the desert is actively trying to dehydrate you. Always keep a bottle of water handy, day or night.
- Plan a Ghost Town Road Trip: Arizona is famous for its historic mining towns. You can easily plan a spooky trip that connects the haunted hotels of Bisbee, the shootouts of Tombstone, and the vertical ghost city of Jerome.
- Look Up at the Stars: While you're exploring a haunted cemetery or desolate patch of desert after dark, take a moment to look up. Arizona's clear, dark skies offer some of the best stargazing in the country and are also a noted hotspot for UFO sightings.
- Embrace the Dry Heat: Forget the damp, clammy cold spots of other haunted places. In Arizona, a paranormal encounter might manifest as a sudden, inexplicable cold breeze on a sweltering night, a chilling touch that defies the desert heat.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in Arizona
Are haunted hotels in Arizona safe to stay in? Absolutely! They are operational hotels that meet all modern safety standards. While you might get a spectral chill, you can rest assured that you'll have all the modern comforts, including robust security and, most importantly, air conditioning.
What part of Arizona is the most haunted? It's a tough competition! Southern Arizona is legendary for the Wild West ghosts of Tombstone and the mining spirits of Bisbee. However, the central Arizona mountain town of Jerome, which bills itself as "America's Largest Ghost Town," has one of the highest concentrations of paranormal activity anywhere in the U.S.
Are all the ghosts in Arizona cowboys? While the spirits of outlaws and lawmen are famous, Arizona's paranormal population is incredibly diverse. You'll find tales of ghostly miners, Victorian ladies, tormented prisoners, and spirits from ancient Native American folklore.
What's the best time of year for a haunted trip to Arizona? Fall (October-November) and Spring (March-April) offer the most pleasant weather for exploring ghost towns and cemeteries. While summer can be very hot, the dramatic monsoon thunderstorms can provide an incredible, spooky soundtrack for an evening ghost hunt.