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If you're an adventure enthusiast with a fascination for the supernatural, New Mexico is the perfect destination. Known for its rich history and legendary ghost stories, this state offers countless opportunities to experience the paranormal firsthand.
Discover a collection of the most haunted spots in New Mexico, ranging from eerie hotels to mysterious cemeteries. Each location has its own chilling story, from the site of a famous outlaw’s execution to the remnants of an old asylum. Prepare for a spine-chilling adventure as you explore these unforgettable sites in the Land of Enchantment. Don’t forget your ghost-hunting gear!
10. Hotel Parq Central
Hotel Parq Central, situated in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a stunningly restored historic hotel that combines luxury with timeless elegance. Originally constructed in 1926 as a hospital, it later served as a mental health facility in the 1980s before being transformed into a hotel in the 2010s. Despite its serene appearance, the hotel’s history is rumored to be far from peaceful. Numerous guests and staff have reported eerie and unexplained events, fueling beliefs that the hotel is haunted.
Among the most frequently reported paranormal encounters at Hotel Parq Central is the sighting of a spectral nurse. Many visitors have claimed to see a woman in a nurse’s uniform roaming the hallways, only to vanish when approached. Some speculate that this apparition is the spirit of a nurse who worked at the facility during its time as a World War II hospital.
Another ghostly figure said to linger in the hotel is believed to be a former employee. Staff members have recounted sightings of a man in a suit wandering the corridors and even appearing in guest rooms. Some have described feeling an unsettling presence or the sensation of being watched in specific areas of the hotel.
9. The Double Eagle (Stabbed Lovers Haunted Restaurant)
The Double Eagle, located in Mesilla, New Mexico, is a renowned dining destination famous for its exquisite cuisine and eerie ambiance. However, the restaurant’s history extends beyond its menu, as it is said to be home to ghostly residents.
The restaurant is rumored to be constructed on the grounds of a tragic double homicide that occurred decades ago. Local folklore tells of a couple who were fatally stabbed on the very land where the restaurant now resides. Some believe the spirits of the slain couple remain on the premises, unable to move on.
Numerous patrons and staff have recounted bizarre and inexplicable events at the Double Eagle, fueling speculation that the spirits of the murdered couple continue to haunt the establishment.
8. Haunted RV Campground
The campground in the Santa Fe National Forest is shrouded in tales of a grim history. Legend has it that in the late 1600s, a priest arrived and mercilessly slaughtered the Native American inhabitants of the area. Many believe the spirits of the victims still roam the land to this day.
This campground has become infamous for its paranormal activity, with numerous visitors reporting eerie and unexplainable phenomena. From sightings of vanishing state troopers to shadows darting among the trees and the sound of chanting echoing from the forest, the site has attracted the attention of paranormal investigators and enthusiasts alike.
In 2019, Outside Magazine named the campground as one of the 15 Most Haunted Campgrounds in the United States, solidifying its status as a must-visit location for paranormal enthusiasts.
7. Dawson, New Mexico
Dawson, New Mexico, once a vibrant community, now serves as a somber testament to its tragic history. The town was centered around the Dawson coal mine, established in 1901. However, the mine’s legacy is overshadowed by two catastrophic explosions that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of miners.
On October 22, 1913, a mine explosion claimed the lives of 263 miners and two rescuers. A second explosion a decade later killed 123 more men. Despite these disasters, the mine remained operational until its closure in 1950.
The mine was the heart of Dawson, and its shutdown led Phelps Dodge to sell the entire town. Today, only a cemetery remains, where many of the explosion victims are laid to rest. Visitors often report eerie and unexplained phenomena, believed to be the spirits of those who perished in the mine tragedies.
6. The KiMo Theatre
The KiMo Theatre was constructed by Oreste Bachechi, who fulfilled his vision of establishing a cultural hub for the community. Sadly, he passed away just a year later, leaving his sons to manage the theater. Under their leadership, the venue became a hotspot for Vaudeville performances, films, and appearances by stars like Vivian Vance, Gloria Swanson, Tom Mix, and Ginger Rogers.
Despite its success, the KiMo Theatre faced a tragic incident in 1951 when a boiler explosion in the basement damaged part of the original lobby and claimed the life of a six-year-old boy named Bobby Darnall. Bobby, who had been watching a movie in the balcony with friends, ran to the lobby after being frightened by something on the screen and was tragically caught in the explosion caused by the boiler under the concession stand.
Since the tragedy, theater staff have observed an unusual tradition: performers must leave small offerings, such as toys, pictures, doughnuts, or candy, to avoid strange incidents or mishaps during shows. To accommodate this, the theater has set aside a specific area for these offerings, ensuring performances go smoothly.
Bobby’s memory remains alive at the KiMo Theatre, and many believe his spirit still haunts the venue to this day.
5. Casa Real Health Care Center
Casa Real Health Care Center, situated at 501 Galisteo Street in Santa Fe, is a senior care facility that has been the subject of numerous unsettling reports since its establishment in 1985. Constructed on the grounds of an old prison cemetery, the center is often described as having a dense, foreboding atmosphere.
Since its opening, staff, patients, and visitors have recounted bizarre occurrences, such as cold spots shifting through rooms, unexplained moans echoing in the north and south wings, and an overwhelming sense of unease. The center’s location atop an ancient graveyard and adjacent to another reputedly haunted building likely contributes to its eerie ambiance.
4. Clayton, New Mexico
Clayton, New Mexico, holds the title of the most haunted town in the state. The Herzstein Museum, which features exhibits on the Santa Fe Trail and the Dust Bowl, is considered one of the town’s most paranormally active sites. In March 2018, paranormal investigators documented unusual sounds and phenomena in the area.
The tale of Black Jack Ketchum, a notorious outlaw who was executed and buried in Clayton, enhances the town’s spooky reputation. Legend has it that Ketchum’s spirit roams the courthouse where he was hanged and the jail where he was held before his execution. His grave is believed to lie in the dirt path separating the Catholic and Protestant sections of the local cemetery.
3. The Penitentiary of New Mexico (PNM)
The Penitentiary of New Mexico, situated in Santa Fe County, is a maximum-security facility with a grim history. A violent riot in 1980 led to numerous deaths and hostages taken by inmates. While the prison officially dismisses ghost stories, many visitors and staff have shared accounts of unsettling encounters.
Cell Block 4, the epicenter of the riot, is regarded as one of the most haunted sections of the prison. Witnesses have reported sightings of a shadowy figure and unexplained sounds, such as cell doors slamming. Other areas with paranormal activity include Cell Block 3, the Tool Room, and the Laundry Room. Staff and even members of the New Mexico National Guard have claimed to see the ghostly shadow.
2. Otero County Courthouse
Employees at the Otero County Courthouse in New Mexico have reported bizarre and inexplicable events they attribute to paranormal activity. Over time, they’ve even attempted to document these ghostly occurrences on video. One notable incident involved a donation jar falling to the floor without any visible cause. Surveillance footage captured the strange event, and staff claim similar incidents are common in the courthouse.
“Something yanked my hair back, and there’s nothing here that could have caught it, so I immediately said, ‘Stop pulling my hair,’” recounted Teresa Gonzalez, a courthouse employee.
Many staff members have speculated about the ghost’s identity, but no definitive conclusion has been reached. Kenneth Shaffer, another courthouse worker, mentioned, “They say a man hanged himself here in the late 1960s or early 1970s, so we think it might be him.”
Both locals and visitors have shared their theories online, with many claiming to have seen the apparition of a young man dressed in early 1900s-style attire.
1. The Hotel Eklund
The Hotel Eklund in Clayton, New Mexico, is rumored to host several spirits. Established in 1892, the hotel has a long history that has allowed it to accumulate paranormal activity. Originally a mercantile, it now functions as a three-story sandstone boutique hotel, complete with a saloon and restaurant. The saloon’s tin ceiling still displays bullet holes, remnants of its rowdy past.
Co-owner Keith Barras remarks, “Old buildings carry stories,” when discussing the hotel’s ghostly inhabitants. He, along with his wife, Jeannette Vigil Barras, and sister-in-law, Jo Beth Vigil Price, acquired the hotel in 2011. Jeannette’s family has deep roots in Clayton, and her great-uncle Cipriano was involved in a gunfight in the saloon while working as a bartender, resulting in the death of a man who had knocked her great-grandfather unconscious.
Adding to the hotel’s eerie reputation is the ghost of a maid named Irene, who is said to haunt Room 307. Legend has it that Irene’s spirit causes floorboards to creak and strange faces to appear in the wallpaper. There are even accounts of her gently stroking a guest’s hair as they slept.
