Colorado is a haven for lovers of the eerie, the haunted, and the downright unsettling. If you crave dark history, ghostly encounters, and spine-tingling sights, these ten destinations will satisfy your curiosity—and maybe give you chills.
1. The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park)
The inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining, this historic hotel is infamous for ghost sightings, mysterious piano music, and spectral children in the halls. Take a ghost tour or even stay overnight if you dare.
2. Museum of Colorado Prisons (Cañon City)
Housed in a former women’s prison, this museum features chilling exhibits like the last hangman’s noose, a gas chamber, and confiscated murder weapons. Visitors report cold spots, strange scents, and the ghost of a female prisoner haunting Cell 19. Paranormal investigation nights are offered in October.
3. Cheesman Park (Denver)
Once a graveyard, this city park is said to be haunted by spirits whose bodies were never properly relocated. Ghostly figures and unexplained phenomena are frequently reported, making it one of Denver’s creepiest spots.
4. Black Forest (El Paso County)
Known as one of Colorado’s most haunted locations, visitors to this dense woodland have experienced shadowy figures, unexplained noises, and flickering lights. Brave souls can even camp overnight.
5. Cripple Creek & Its Haunted Casinos
This old mining town is filled with haunted sites, including Buffalo Billy’s Casino and the Colorado Grande Casino. Ghostly children, flying glasses, and the scent of rose perfume (from the spirit “Maggie”) are just a few of the eerie tales here.
6. Central City Masonic Cemetery
A classic haunted cemetery, visitors have seen orbs, shadowy figures, a woman in black, and a young boy hiding behind trees. It’s a favorite for paranormal investigators and those seeking a brush with the supernatural.
7. Phantom Canyon Road
This winding, remote road is notorious for ghost sightings, especially the apparition of a prisoner in uniform. The abandoned mining towns and eerie tunnels make this a must-visit for thrill-seekers.
8. Hotel Colorado (Glenwood Springs)
Once a hospital for wounded soldiers, this grand hotel is reportedly haunted by the spirits of those who died within its walls. Guests have seen a woman in white and heard unexplained noises, especially in the former crematorium basement.
9. Outlaws and Law Men Jail Museum (Cripple Creek)
Located in a 1901 jail, this museum is haunted by former prisoners, jailers, and even a little girl. Visitors have reported cold spots, shadowy figures, and other paranormal activity.
10. Highlands Ranch Mansion (Denver Suburbs)
This Victorian mansion is said to be haunted by the ghost of Julia Kistler, the former owner’s daughter. Guests report hearing sobs and seeing mysterious silhouettes. Ghost tours are available for those who want to explore its haunted halls.
Sources:
- https://traveltriangle.com/blog/haunted-places-in-colorado/
- https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/haunted-places-in-colorado.htm
- https://www.visitcos.com/blog/ghosts-and-spirits/
- https://denverterrors.com/the-top-10-most-haunted-places-in-colorado/