If you’re drawn to the eerie, mysterious, and macabre, New Mexico offers a treasure trove of haunted sites, ghost towns, and chilling legends. Here are 11 things to see in New Mexico for fans of the creepy and unexplained, each with a brief description and a source.
1. Dawson Cemetery (Near Cimarron)
Once a thriving coal mining town, Dawson is now a ghost town with a cemetery that’s considered one of the most haunted in the state. Over 250 men died in a 1913 mine explosion, followed by another tragedy in 1923. Visitors report ghostly lights, apparitions, and unexplained cries among the graves.
2. Hotel Parq Central (Albuquerque)
Built as a hospital in 1926 and later a psychiatric facility, this hotel is said to be haunted by a ghostly nurse and a man in a suit. Guests and staff report unexplained occurrences and a lingering sense of being watched.
3. KiMo Theatre (Albuquerque)
The historic KiMo Theatre is haunted by the ghost of a young boy named Bobby, who died in a tragic explosion. His spirit is known to play pranks, open and close doors, and disrupt performances.
4. The Double Eagle (Mesilla)
This restaurant is built on the site of a double murder. Guests and staff report moving furniture, unexplained whispers, and glasses breaking on their own. The spirits of the murdered lovers are said to linger here.
5. St. James Hotel (Cimarron)
Several rooms in this historic hotel are haunted, with one permanently closed due to a particularly hostile spirit. Reports include strange perfume scents, tapping on windows, and lights turning on and off.
6. Dona Ana County Courthouse & Jail (Las Cruces)
No longer in use, this courthouse is a hotspot for paranormal activity. Investigators report violent spirits, shadowy apparitions, cold spots, and even being scratched by unseen hands.
7. Herzstein Museum (Clayton)
This museum is known for strange noises, stairs rattling with no one on them, and objects moving on their own. Paranormal investigators have confirmed unexplained activity.
8. Bonito Lake (Near Ruidoso)
A popular spot for camping and fishing, Bonito Lake is also known for paranormal activity. Visitors report unexplained lights and sounds, believed to be linked to abandoned mines and a ghost town beneath the lake.
9. Legal Tender Saloon (Lamy)
This historic saloon is haunted by several spirits, including “the man in black,” who was shot at the bar, and the “Lady in White.” Guests report ghostly sightings and eerie experiences.
10. Luna Mansion (Los Lunas)
Formerly a restaurant and event venue, Luna Mansion is haunted by Josefita Otero, who oversaw renovations and died in the 1950s. Her ghost is seen in a room named after her.
11. Cloudcroft (Lincoln National Forest)
Cloudcroft is famous for its haunted lodges and supernatural events. Visitors report high EMF readings, EVPs, orbs in photos, missing objects, phantom drum beats, and encounters with cryptids like skinwalkers and strange creatures.
Sources:
- https://www.newmexico.org/haunted/
- https://www.hauntedrooms.com/new-mexico/haunted-places
- https://listverse.com/2023/07/14/10-haunted-places-to-visit-in-new-mexico/
- https://www.newmexicohauntedhouses.com/real-haunts/