Located in the Western United States, Colorado is quite popular for its outdoor beauty, breathtaking hiking trails, and river canyons. But sometimes, skiing, hiking, and snowboarding aren’t enough to fulfil that need for a thrill. For travellers seeking a thrilling yet eerie experience, there is also another side to this amazing state that only the bravest can explore. From reports of an ethereal woman dressed in black who vanishes if you get too close to unexplained flashes on top of mountains. These are the top haunted places in Colorado that are sure to give you the fright of a lifetime. Are you brave enough to find the truth behind these legends?
The Top 11 Most Haunted Places In Colorado
Uncover the unsettling mysteries of Colorado and delve into some of its most haunting stories. From accounts of shadowy figures to unknown voices. Here are the top 10 best haunted places in Colorado that will raise the hair on your neck.
1. Black Forest
Image Credit: Jeffrey Beall for Wikipedia Commons
In recent times, Black Forest has often been recognised as one of the most haunted places in Colorado Springs. As per legend, the haunting began in 1991 when Steve and Beth Lee purchased their dream home in the woods. But soon it became clear that there was more to this house than what was initially thought by the family. Soon they started experiencing strange occurrences including unexplainable noises foul odours, and flashing lights. You can visit Black Forest in Colorado and even opt for an overnight camp if you are brave enough to do so.
Address: El Paso County, Colorado, United States
Best Time To Visit: The forest is accessible 24 hours
Things You May Encounter: Unexplained noises, voices, shadowy figures, flickering lights, cries, unexplained cold breeze
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2. The Stanley Hotel
Image Credit: Amy Aletheia Cahill for Wikimedia Commons
Located in Estes Park, the Stanley Hotel is quite famous among paranormal investigators and tourists looking to experience something supernatural. Constructed in 1909, Stanley Hotel has been the ground zero for countless eerie stories and legends. One of the hotel’s most infamous rooms, Room 217, is especially considered to be haunted. Guests at the hotel have reported seeing spectral children, unexplained sounds, cries of children in corridors, and even shadowy apparitions. So if you are looking to experience the paranormal, Stanley Hotel may be perfect for you. You can wander the halls in search of apparitions if you’re brave enough. There’s even an underground tunnel that many believe holds even more secrets and mystery.
Address: 333 E Wonderview Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517, United States
Best Time To Visit: The Hotel is open 24 hours. Check-in anytime after 4:00 PM, check out anytime before 11:00 AM
Things You May Encounter: Apparitions of children, flickering lights, mysterious voices, the sound of a mysterious piano playing, shadowy figures.
3. Central City Masonic Cemetery
When it comes to haunted places, cemeteries are often to be expected. The Central City Masonic Cemetery is one such place that deserves its reputation as one of the most haunted places in Colorado. From unexplained orbs to a little boy who has been seen following visitors. The cemetery is quite infamous for its paranormal nature. Another strange character, a woman in black, is said to sometimes appear and vanish into thin air when visitors come too close. These incidents have made Central City Masonic Cemetery quite popular among paranormal investigators and tourists.
Address: Central City, CO 80427, United States
Best Time To Visit: The cemetery is open 24 hours
Things You May Encounter: Strange orbs in pictures, bizarre figures, disembodied voices, shadowy figures, apparition of a woman in black, apparition of a young boy hiding behind trees
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4. Phantom Canyon Road
Located on a small detour from the Gold Belt Tour, Phantom Canyon Road is a road trip not for the faint of heart. This driveway is an exhilarating experience that goes through winding roads, eerie mountain tunnels, and long-abandoned mining towns. One of the most talked about ghost sightings at Phantom Canyon Road is that of a prisoner. Some people have reported seeing the apparition of a man in prison uniform walking along the tracks. The stories of this encounter have made Phantom Canyon Road quite popular among travellers and is often regarded as one of the most haunted places in Colorado.
Address: Phantom Canyon Road is approximately one hour from Colorado Springs between the cities of Florence and Victor.
Best Time To Visit: The road is open 24 hours
Things You May Encounter: Apparition of a man seen in prison uniform
5. The Broadmoor Hotel
Often referred to as one of the most haunted places in Colorado Springs, The Broadmoor Hotel is an expansive 5-star hotel with every amenity a guest can imagine. However, this luxurious hotel also harbours a dark mystery. Both staff and guests at the hotel have reported having glimpses of a woman in the penthouse area which belonged to the co-founder of the hotel, Julie Penrose. Julie’s departure from the world has been known to be a mystery and hence, it is said that her ghost still wanders the hotel. Could it be that her spirit continues to linger in the penthouse of her hotel, driven by her desire to unearth the mystery of her own demise?
Address: 1 Lake Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA
Best Time To Visit: Check-in start time: 4 PM; Check-in end time: midnight.
Things You May Encounter: Apparition of a ghost in the penthouse area which is said to be that of Julie Penrose
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6. Gold Camp Rail Tunnels
These tunnels were originally constructed to serve the rail needs during the Gold Rush. While three of the initial nine tunnels have tragically collapsed, the rest have found new purposes as auto passages. This is where the story, however, takes a haunting turn. According to local legends, a set of workers met their demise during the tunnel’s construction. Another story revolves around the tunnel collapsing upon a school bus carrying children. Visitors of the tunnel report hearing echoes of children’s laughter and hearing unknown voices. Some people have also reported feeling a dark presence inside the tunnel and even handprints on their car windows.
Address: 4415 Gold Camp Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Best Time To Visit: The Gold Camp Rail Tunnels are open 24 hours
Things You May Encounter: Echoes of children laughing, disembodied voices, a dark presence, handprints on car windows
7. Museum Of Colorado Prisons
Situated in Canon City, the Museum of Colorado Prisons is often referred to as one of the best haunted house in Canon City Colorado. Originally built in 1935 as a women’s prison, it now offers guided tours to paranormal enthusiasts and history buffs. Reports recount sighting orbs, hearing distant voices, and experiencing unexplainable phenomena, often accompanied by the lingering scent of tobacco. Some speculate that these peculiar events are linked to the prison’s history, which boasts a roster of notorious inmates, including a convicted cannibal and a 12-year-old incarcerated for murder.
Address: 201 N 1st St, Cañon City, CO 81212, USA
Best Time To Visit: 10 am–5 pm
Things You May Encounter: Strange orbs, mysterious voices, unexplained scent of tobacco
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Top Haunted Places In Colorado Denver
Some of the most haunted places in Colorado Denver that are worth exploring are mentioned below. If you are brave enough.
1. Denver International Airport
As weird as it may sound, the Denver International Airport is considerd to be one of the most haunted places in Colorado Denver. It is said that the airport was built on the grounds which were once a sacred burial ground for Native Americans. While there have been ghost sightings at the airport, passengers and staff at the airport often report a feeling of uneasiness at the airport. Some people also report feeling as if they are being followed by a presence. Could it be the altitude? Or does this busy airport have some dark mystery behind it? That is for you to decide.
Address: 8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, CO 80249, USA
Best Time To Visit: The Denver International Airport is open 24 hours
Things You May Encounter: A feeling of uneasiness, feeling as if you are being followed
2. Molly Brown House
Named after a woman named Molly Brown and her husband JJ Brown, this home was famously known as “Unsinkable” because of her heroic deeds of looking for survivors of the Titanic. This once a home has now been turned into a museum to honor the Browns and their efforts. However, employees of the museum have reported several instances of paranormal occurrences. J.J. Brown was known to be a heavy cigar smoker when he resided here. Some guests have also reported the sound of a piano being playad without anyone touching the keys and seeing shadowy figures move around the house.
Address: 1340 Pennsylvania St, Denver, CO 80203, USA
Best Time To Visit: 10 am–4:30 pm
Things You May Encounter: Smelling cigars around the house, sound of a piano being played, shadowy figures, unexplained noises and voices
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3. The Patterson Inn
Built in the 1890s by a man named Thomas Croke, Patterson Inn is also referred to as the Patterson-Croke mansion. After the place was completed, Thomas stayed at the mansion once and left it the next day, never to return again. Croke himself said that he had some uneasy feeling inside the house. Throughout the years, there have been several strange occurrences at the Patterson Inn. One of the incidents was the death of two Doberman Pinscher dogs that plunged out of a third-story window. There was no explanation as to how it happened or why. There have also been reports of apparitions of Patterson and his wife are said to haunt the halls of this mansion.
Address: 420 E 11th Ave, Denver, CO 80203, United States
Best Time To Visit: Check-in at Patterson Inn is from 4:00 PM, and check-out is until 11:00 AM.
Things You May Encounter: Strange orbs, mysterious voices, shadowy figures, apparitions of Patterson and his wife, strange sounds
4. The Denver Children’s Home
Image Credit: Jeffrey Beall for Wikimedia Commons
The Denver Children’s Home was once an orphanage. However, in 1888, a fire broke out on the buildings 3rd floor killing many children. Since them the Orphan Home was renamed to the Denver Children’s Home. At night, the sounds of the cries and whimpers of children can be heard. There have been stories of a specter that belonged to a young bride that is said to descend from the stairs at times. Some have said that the bride can also be seen somewhere in the hallway on the building’s second floor
Address: 1501 Albion St, Denver, CO 80220, USA
Best Time To Visit: The Denver Children’s Home has varying hours when you can visit the site.
Things You May Encounter: Sounds of children, sounds of crying children, shadowy figures, ghost of a young bride
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Popular Colorado Ghost Tours & Events
Image Credit: LuckyLouie for Wikipedia Commons
If the idea of exploring these haunted places in Colorado all by yourself leaves you cold, you can opt for group tours or take part in events that are held around these haunted places. Some of the Colorado ghost tours and events surrounding these haunted places are given below:
- The Victorian Death Experience in Denver offers a eerie tour through the depths of time
- Explore Aspen’s creepy past and history with DarkSide Tour
- Embark on a journey through the dark and mysterious side of Denver’s Rocky Mountains with Paranormal Research Society which provides visitors with haunted tours hosted by real paranormal investigators.
- Participate in one of the many Halloween-themed events and tours at the immaculate Highlands Ranch Mansion
- Join a Ghostly Tales tour in Breck to learn about the town’s creepy past, including the historic Brown Hotel & Restaurant’s resident ghost
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Colorado is a state that is primarily known for its mesmerising views and fun, adventurous activities. However, for the inquisitive explorers, Colorado is also home to some dark mysteries. From ghostly apparitions to disembodied voices, these top 10 most haunted places in Colorado are sites that only the bravest can conquer. So what are you waiting for? Plan your next trip to the USA today and find out how much of these legends and stories hold true. And maybe, you will come face to face, with a bone-chilling reality. Plan your next vacation to Colorado today
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Frequently Asked Questions About Haunted Places In Colorado
Are there any haunted places in Colorado?
Yes, Colorado has places that are said to be haunted, including hotels, ghosts towns, and roads. Some of the most haunted places in Colorado include:
- Hotel Jerome
- Riverdale Road
- The Stanley Hotel
- Colorado Prison Museum
- Cripple Creek
What is the most haunted road in Colorado?
Riverdale Road in Thornton, Colorado is often considered to be one of the most haunted roads in Colorado. People have reported seeing ghostly bodies hanging from trees, demon children, and phantom joggers on this 11-mile stretch.
What is the most famous ghost town in Colorado?
Located 20 miles south of Buena Vista in Chaffee County, St. Elmo is one of Colorado's most famous and well preserved ghost town.
Whats the most haunted place in Colorado Springs?
There are several haunted places in Colorado Springs that are worth exploring for thrill seekers and paranormal enthusiasts. Some of the most popular haunted places in Colorado Springs are:
- Evergreen Cemetery
- North Cheyenne Canyon
- Gold Camp Tunnels
- Hotel Colorado
- The Boradmoor
How many ghost towns are in Colorado?
Colorado has more than 1,500 ghost towns, and over 600 of them have some remains. Some of the most notable ghost towns in Colorado include:
- St. Elmo
- Animas Forks
- Carson
- Capitol City
- Ashcroft
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