Haunted Hotels in Utah You Can Stay In
Discover the most haunted hotels in Utah with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
Cities in Utah with haunted hotels
6 Haunted Hotels Found in Utah
The Cottage @ 241 North
241 N 100 W, St. George, UT 84770, USA
The Cottage @ 241 North is one of St. George's oldest homes, dating back to 1863. Local lore suggests that due to its age and history within a pioneer settlement, residual energies may linger. Some anecdotal accounts speak of unexplained cold spots, faint whispers, or the feeling of being watched, particularly in the older sections of the house. No specific traumatic events are widely publicized, but its sheer age contributes to speculation about lingering presences from past inhabitants over its nearly two centuries of existence.
Moore's Old Pine Inn
110 S Main Street, Marysvale, UT 84750, US
Built in 1882, Moore's Old Pine Inn has long been considered a peaceful place, attracting guests seeking privacy. Before modern medicine, death tolls were high from various causes. Guests and owners report encounters with benign spirits: an older female entity and two little children spirits are seen and heard. A psychic medium reportedly communicated with these spirits, who indicated they once lived in some rooms and remain considerate of current guests. Spirit women have also been seen on the porch swing.
Imperial House
531 Main St, Park City, UT 84060, USA
The Imperial House building dates back to Park City's silver mining boom days. While now upscale residences/rentals, the historic structure on Main Street is associated with ghost stories linked to its past. One popular tale involves 'Lizzy,' believed to be the spirit of a woman who either died in a fire or had connections to the saloons once prevalent in the area. Guests and staff in businesses/residences within the building have reported seeing apparitions, hearing unexplained footsteps or voices, and objects being moved, especially during quieter hours or late at night. The restaurant 'Riverhorse on Main' within the same structure is particularly noted for ghostly encounters.
Holiday Inn Express Salt Lake City Downtown
206 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
The building currently operating as the Holiday Inn Express Salt Lake City Downtown (formerly Shilo Inn and International Dunes Hotel) is linked to a tragic event from 1978. Rachel David, reportedly influenced by religious extremism, threw six of her seven children from an 11th-floor balcony before jumping herself. Rachel and six children perished; one daughter survived. Since this mass murder-suicide, visitors and staff have reported paranormal activity. Claims include hearing children crying, laughing, or running in hallways, especially near the pool area. A pinball machine was also said to operate on its own. Maintenance staff have reported tools being moved and light bulbs being unscrewed on the 13th floor (equipment area).
Silver Fork Lodge & Restaurant
11332 E Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Brighton, UT 84121, USA
Silver Fork Lodge has origins dating back to the mid-20th century, built near an old mining area. Stories suggest it might be haunted by individuals connected to the canyon's past, possibly miners or early settlers. Reported phenomena include disembodied voices, items being moved mysteriously, and doors opening or closing unexpectedly. Some claim to feel unseen presences or experience sudden temperature drops. The dense woods and isolation of the canyon location amplify the eerie atmosphere.
The Peery Hotel
110 W Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, USA
The Peery Hotel, built in 1910, is one of Salt Lake City's historic landmarks and is claimed to be haunted by several spirits. A frequently mentioned ghost is that of a woman in a long, dark dress, sometimes seen wandering the hallways, particularly on the second floor. Another story tells of mysterious occurrences in the elevator, where it reputedly stops on floors for no reason or moves between floors seemingly on its own. Some accounts attribute these hauntings to past guests who met untimely deaths or had strong attachments to the hotel during its long operational history.
Haunted History of Utah
Utah's haunted history is a story of faith, hardship, and survival in a beautiful but unforgiving landscape. The state's paranormal lore is deeply intertwined with the journey of the Mormon pioneers in the mid-1800s. The immense struggles they faced crossing the plains and settling the harsh, arid desert left a powerful spiritual imprint. The ghosts of Utah are often those of pioneers who succumbed to disease, starvation, or the elements, their spirits forever tied to the land they worked so hard to tame.
Beyond the pioneer era, Utah's history was shaped by the boom-and-bust cycle of mining. Towns like Park City and Alta sprang up overnight, filled with prospectors seeking their fortunes. These were dangerous places, rife with mining accidents, saloon brawls, and vigilante justice, leaving behind a legacy of haunted mines, theaters, and saloons. From the notorious graverobber said to haunt the Great Salt Lake to the lingering spirits in Salt Lake City's oldest buildings, Utah's deserts and mountains hold many chilling secrets.
Other Haunted Attractions in Utah
- Rio Grande Depot: This beautiful, historic train station in Salt Lake City is notoriously haunted. Staff and visitors have reported numerous encounters, but the most famous ghost is the "Purple Lady," the spirit of a woman who was supposedly killed over a dispute about a wedding ring. Her apparition is often seen in the women's restroom and wandering the grand hall of what is now the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement.
- Asylum 49 (Old Tooele Hospital): Widely considered the most haunted building in Utah, this former county hospital and nursing home is now a full-contact haunted attraction that also hosts legitimate paranormal investigations. Asylum 49 is known for its aggressive spiritual activity, with reports of disembodied voices, shadow figures, and physical contact from the spirits of former patients and a particularly menacing male entity.
- Salt Lake City Cemetery: This sprawling, historic cemetery is the final resting place of many early pioneers and has numerous ghostly legends. The most famous is the grave of Lilly Gray, which bears the cryptic inscription "Victim of the Beast 666." Visitors to the Salt Lake City Cemetery also seek out the story of the "wandering crypt" of Jean Baptiste, a 19th-century graverobber whose casket supposedly could not be contained.
- Mercur Cemetery: All that remains of the once-booming mining town of Mercur is this lonely, windswept cemetery. The town was plagued by fires and disease, and the spirits of its residents are said to still wander the desolate hillside. Visitors report seeing strange lights, hearing disembodied whispers, and feeling an overwhelming sense of sorrow among the weathered headstones.
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in Utah
- Explore Park City's Main Street: Take a trip to the historic mining town of Park City. A stroll down its beautifully preserved Main Street will take you past numerous Victorian-era buildings, many of which have ghostly tales from the silver boom.
- Be Mindful of the Altitude and Climate: Whether you're in the mountains or the desert, Utah's climate can be extreme. Drink plenty of water to combat the high altitude and dry air, and be prepared for hot days and cold nights.
- Discover Salt Lake's Spooky Side: Salt Lake City's clean and friendly reputation hides a surprisingly spooky past. Taking a ghost tour is a great way to uncover the dark secrets and pioneer ghosts of the capital city.
- Take a Scenic Ghost Drive: Drive a route like the Alpine Loop or Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway in the fall. The stunning autumn colors and isolated mountain roads create a perfectly eerie atmosphere for a haunted road trip.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in Utah
Are haunted hotels in Utah safe to stay in? Absolutely. All hotels, from historic inns in mining towns to modern lodges in the cities, must adhere to strict safety standards. The pioneer spirits are just part of the local color!
What is the most haunted hotel in Utah? Several of the grand historic hotels in Salt Lake City and Ogden, like the Ben Lomond Hotel, have long and storied paranormal histories. The old mining-era inns of Park City are also legendary. Browse our listings to see which Utah ghost you'd like to meet.
Do haunted hotels in Utah offer ghost tours? Many of the more famous haunted hotels are key stops on local ghost tours, especially in Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Park City. Some may also have staff who are happy to share their own ghostly experiences.
Can kids stay in haunted hotels? Most hotels are family-friendly. However, parents should be aware that the stories behind some of Utah's most famous haunts, particularly locations like the Old Tooele Hospital, are extremely intense and not suitable for children.
What time of year is best for haunted hotel stays in Utah? The fall is the perfect season. The weather is crisp and pleasant, the fall foliage in the mountains is world-class, and the spooky atmosphere leading up to Halloween is ideal for exploring the state's pioneer and mining town ghosts.