Arizona is a state with a rich and storied history, with a diverse landscape that has played host to a wide range of cultures and communities over the years. From the towering red rocks of Sedona to the lush forests of the White Mountains, Arizona is a place that is full of natural beauty and wonder.
However, it is also a place that is home to a number of haunted places, its history dotted with tales of ghosts and otherworldly beings. From abandoned amusement parks to hotels and even restaurants, Arizona is full of spooky and mysterious locations that are sure to send shivers down your spine. Here are 10 haunted places in Arizona that are worth exploring if you’re feeling brave enough.
Related: Top 10 Hotel Rooms With A Dark Past
10 Jerome Grand Hotel
Nearly 9,000 lives came to an end at the Jerome Grand Hotel during its time as the United Verde Hospital. It opened in 1927, closing its doors in 1950. After sitting vacant for over forty years, it reopened as the Jerome Grand Hotel in 1996. It is truly a dark, haunted place, especially room 32. This room has been visited by many ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts over the years. EMF readers, infrared cameras, and even Ouiji boards have been used to try to communicate with whatever may haunt the room.
However, the hauntings aren’t just confined to that one room. Lobbies, rooms, hallways, and even bathrooms at the hotel have all experienced a level of paranormal activity. Hotel guests have reportedly heard coughing, wheezing, and labored breathing. These sounds are assumed to be from patients who may have suffered from tuberculosis, a prevalent ailment during the hospital’s lifetime.[1]
9 The Oliver House
This spooky spot presents such an unassuming appearance that you might doubt it’s haunted. The red-sided, nine-room bed and breakfast in Bisbee, Arizona, sits on a hill overlooking the town. While the building is charming, it houses a dark past, home to about 26 deaths throughout the years. The inn claims that nearly every room is haunted.
Its most famous spook is Nathaniel “Nat” Anderson, who was shot by someone seeking to collect a debt. Visitors can meet up with this famous spirit in Room 13—if they dare. But alas, Nat is not alone. He is joined by more, including the calm spirit of an elderly woman who could be found in the former Grandma Room. Head to the Blue Room if you care to confront the jealous cop who went on a murder spree, or visit the Purple Sage Room, where doors and windows open and close on their own. Guests also report phantom footsteps, feelings of being watched, and the occasional echoes of party sounds from rooms that are supposed to be empty.[2]
8 Hotel San Carlos
The Hotel San Carlos in Phoenix, Arizona, is reportedly haunted by the ghost of a woman named Leone Jensen, who died by suicide in the hotel in 1928. According to legend, Jensen was a guest at the hotel who jumped to her death from the roof. Since her death, several guests and staff members at the hotel have reported strange occurrences, including the feeling of being watched, the sound of footsteps in the halls and rooms, and the sight of a woman’s ghostly figure. Some have even claimed to have seen Jensen’s ghost in the window of the room where she died.[3]
7 Flintstones Amusement Park
Bedrock City was a themed roadside attraction that housed the Flintstones amusement park, a beloved attraction for many years. It was a place where families could come and experience the fun and whimsy of the popular animated TV show. Located halfway between Williams, Arizona, and the Grand Canyon, the park featured a number of rides and attractions based on the show’s characters, as well as a replica of the iconic Flintstones home. However, the park was eventually closed down, and it remained abandoned for many years.
If you know anything about Bedrock, you would know that it’s a ghost town that no longer exists. But the amusement park still stands—signs, buildings, games, and all. Although ghosts have not been proven to live at the park, many speculate that the ruins of the park are haunted. If you take a look at the giant Flintstones statues that remain, the wear and tear on the park, and the fact that the place is desolate, it’s easy to understand how many came to that conclusion. Whether or not these stories are true, the Flintstones Amusement Park remains a popular destination for those seeking a glimpse into the state’s haunted past.[4]
6 Casey Moore’s Oyster House
Casey Moore’s Oyster House in Tempe, Arizona, is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman who was murdered by her crazed boyfriend up on the second floor. Some have claimed to have seen her ghostly reflection in the restaurant’s mirrors or heard the sound of her footsteps in the empty dining room. Others have reported strange occurrences, such as objects moving on their own or the feeling of being touched by an unseen presence. Despite the rumors of paranormal activity, Casey Moore’s Oyster House remains a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.[5]
5 The Hotel Congress
After the fire at Tucson’s Hotel Congress in 1934, there were reportedly numerous accounts of paranormal activity at the hotel. According to legend, the ghost of a former employee named Frieda, who died in the fire, haunts the hotel. Guests and staff members have claimed to have seen her ghostly figure or smelled the scent of burning cigarettes, which were reportedly Frieda’s favorite. Other strange occurrences that have been reported include the feeling of being watched, the sound of footsteps in the empty halls, and the sight of ghostly figures in the mirrors.[6]
4 The Copper Queen Hotel
Three ghosts haunt the rooms of the Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, Arizona. According to legend, the most famous ghost at the hotel is that of a young woman named Julia Lowell, who died by hanging herself in room 315 after a man she had an affair with refused to leave his wife for her. Many guests have reported strange occurrences in the room, including the feeling of being watched, the sound of footsteps, and the sight of ghostly figures.
Another ghost rumored to haunt the Copper Queen Hotel is an older man who is usually seen wearing a top hat and a cape. He has no name but makes his presence known by the smell of a cigar burning in room 401. The third ghost is named Billy, and he haunts room 412. He was a young boy who drowned in the San Pedro River and usually messes with the guests by moving around their belongings.[7]
3 The Bird Cage Theatre
The Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone, Arizona, is rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of former performers and patrons who died in the theater. According to legend, the most famous ghost at the theater is that of a dancer named Jennie Lawrence, who died of a heart attack on stage in the late 1800s. Jennie’s ghost is said to haunt the theater, often appearing as a ghostly figure or the sound of dance music.
Other ghosts rumored to haunt the Bird Cage Theatre include a former owner who was shot and killed in the theater’s bar and the ghost of a patron who was trampled to death in a stampede. Some have even claimed to have heard the ghosts singing and performing on stage. Despite the reports of paranormal activity, the Bird Cage Theatre remains a popular tourist destination and event venue.[8]
2 Jefferson Park
The last place you’d think would be haunted is a children’s park. However, Jefferson Park in Mesa, Arizona, is claimed to be haunted. Legend has it that a girl was assaulted and then murdered in the park years ago and that her spirit never left. Her ghost isn’t active during the day, but it is most often seen between 11:30 pm and midnight. It is not a commonly known haunted location, but it is well known among the locals who try to see her ghost between the trees and hear her cries.[9]
1 The Old Gadsden Hotel
The Old Gadsden Hotel in Douglas, Arizona, is a historic building that has been a fixture of the city’s downtown area for over a century. Built in the early 1900s, the hotel has a rich and storied history, with a reputation for luxury and refinement. However, it is also a place that is rumored to be haunted, with many guests and employees reporting strange and unsettling occurrences over the years.
The most infamous of these is Room 333, a third-floor suite that is believed to be home to a malevolent spirit. In this room, guests and employees alike have experienced televisions turning on and off and have heard strange knocks coming from the radiators. Paranormal investigators have stayed and filmed at the hotel in the past and have caught what they claim to be images of the spirits and apparitions which haunt the halls. If you go onto any trip advisory website, you will find countless reviews from guests who continue to claim the hauntings are true.[10]
