Haunted Hotels in Jerome, Arizona You Can Stay In
Discover the most haunted hotels in Jerome with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
4 Haunted Hotels Found in Jerome
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 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.
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.
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.
Haunted History of Jerome, Arizona
Perched precariously on the side of Cleopatra Hill, Jerome, Arizona, isn't just a historic town; it's a vertical graveyard of ambition and tragedy. Once a booming copper mining metropolis, it earned the title "The Wickedest Town in the West" for its saloons, brothels, and violent, lawless nature. Life was cheap, and death was common, whether from a mining accident deep within the earth, a drunken shootout on Main Street, or the devastating Spanish Influenza that swept through the crowded camps.
This combination of immense wealth, danger, and despair created a perfect storm for paranormal energy. When the mines closed for good in 1953, the population dwindled from over 15,000 to less than 100, leaving Jerome a true ghost town. The spirits of the miners, gamblers, and ladies of the night were left to wander the empty buildings and winding streets. Today, the town has been reborn as an arts hub, but its spectral residents have never left, making Jerome one of the most actively haunted locations in the entire country.
Other Haunted Attractions in Jerome, Arizona
- Jerome Grand Hotel: This imposing building looms over the entire town, and for good reason—it was formerly the United Verde Hospital. As the town's main medical facility during its most dangerous years, it witnessed an estimated 9,000 deaths. Now a hotel, it is considered the paranormal epicenter of Jerome, with countless reports of ghostly nurses, spectral children, and the sounds of pained cries echoing from empty rooms. Learn more about its history at the Jerome Grand Hotel website.
- The Sliding Jail: A testament to Jerome's geological instability, this small concrete jailhouse was shaken loose from its foundation by mining blasts in the 1930s. It then began a slow slide 225 feet down the hill to its current resting place. While no specific ghost is tied to it, this eerie, displaced structure is a spooky landmark and a favorite stop on Jerome's ghost tours.
- Audrey Headframe Park: This park preserves the massive 1918 headframe over the Audrey Shaft, a mining shaft that plunges an astonishing 1,900 feet into the earth. Visitors can stand on a glass viewing platform over the abyss, imagining the thousands of men who descended into the darkness below. The sheer scale of the operation and the memory of the miners who toiled and died here make it a profoundly eerie and spiritually charged location.
- Jerome Cemetery: Located on a steep, rocky hillside, the town cemetery is the final resting place for countless miners, outlaws, and early residents. The weathered headstones tell tales of short, brutal lives. Visitors report seeing shadowy figures moving among the graves, hearing disembodied whispers on the wind, and capturing strange anomalies in photographs.
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in Jerome, Arizona
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: Jerome is a vertical town with steep, winding streets and lots of stairs. Exploring its haunted nooks and crannies requires sturdy and comfortable footwear.
- Bring a Jacket: Don't be fooled by the Arizona address! At over 5,000 feet in elevation, Jerome gets chilly, especially after the sun goes down and the spirits come out to play. A jacket is a must for nighttime ghost tours.
- Book a Local Ghost Tour: The local guides are steeped in Jerome's wicked history and know all the best stories and most active paranormal hotspots. A tour is the best way to get a proper introduction to the town's spectral residents.
- Arrive with an Open Mind: Jerome is a place where the veil between worlds feels incredibly thin. Bring your camera, a digital recorder, and be prepared for the unexpected—you have a better chance here than almost anywhere of having a genuine paranormal experience.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in Jerome, Arizona
Are haunted hotels in Jerome, Arizona safe to stay in? Absolutely! Despite their spectral reputations, Jerome's hotels are committed to the safety and comfort of their living guests. You'll get all the necessary modern amenities alongside the chance to share your room with a ghost from the past.
What is the most haunted hotel in Jerome, Arizona? Jerome is packed with paranormal accommodations, and many vie for the top spot. The Jerome Grand Hotel, a former hospital where thousands died, is often considered the most haunted landmark in the state, but other historic hotels on Main Street have just as many ghostly tales to tell.
Is Jerome, Arizona a real ghost town? While it's no longer abandoned, Jerome officially became a ghost town when the mines closed and the population collapsed in the 1950s. Today, it's a vibrant artist community that proudly preserves and shares its haunted "ghost town" legacy.
Can kids stay in haunted hotels in Jerome, Arizona? Most hotels welcome families, but parents should be aware that Jerome's history is famously dark and violent. Tales of mining disasters, saloon brawls, and the "Wickedest Town in the West" might be too intense for younger children.
What time of year is best for a haunted trip to Jerome, Arizona? Spring and fall offer the most pleasant weather for exploring the town's steep streets. Halloween is an incredibly popular and festive time to visit, but for a potentially quieter and more atmospheric experience, consider a winter trip when the crowds are smaller and a rare dusting of snow can make the ghost town feel even more isolated.