Happy Halloween! Spooky season is dawning for another year, but we’re still in the Halloween spirit. And what better way to celebrate than by delving into some of the US’ most haunted states? Nevada is best known for the legalisation of gambling and sex work, but it’s also incredibly haunted. From abandoned hotels to destroyed silver mines, here are seven of the most haunted places in Nevada.

Most Haunted Places in Nevada

1. Mizpah Hotel, Tonopah

The Mizpah Hotel is infamous in the state. It’s known to be one of the most haunted places in Nevada, with a bloody history tied to sex work. It was built in 1907 and was one of the most popular hotels among sex workers, with many living and working there. There are apparently several ghosts that roam the halls of the hotel, but the most commonly told is of the Lady in Red. She was brutally beaten to death by either client or a boyfriend at the hotel and with her unresting spirit unable to move on, she never left. But she isn’t an unfriendly ghost. She’s known to be affectionate, playing with people’s hair. Friendly or not, it’s still creepy! The hotel is still open today to pay a visit, if you dare.

2. Goldfield Hotel, Goldfield

The history of the Goldfield Hotel is long and brutal. It’s garnered such a reputation as one of the most haunted places in Nevada that it’s been featured on several paranormal TV shows. News programs have even run segments on the place, with so much curiosity and speculation circling the abandoned hotel. Maybe because it’s been the sight of such scandal. George Wingfield opened the hotel in 1908 and it wasn’t long after that one of his favourite sex workers, Elizabeth, fell pregnant with his child.

George was afraid for his reputation, so he diabolically lured her into room 109 and chained her to a radiator until she gave birth. Elizabeth sadly died in the room and people speculate that the baby was thrown down a mineshaft. People say they hear the cries of a woman and the clangs of metal. People even say they’ve seen her, wearing a long white dress, looking solemn. Elizabeth isn’t the only unresting soul in Goldfield Hotel. There have been several reports of poltergeists, tormenting staff and visitors.

3. Westgate Hotel, Las Vegas

Given the Westgate Hotel is supposedly haunted by one person, it might not be the most haunted place in Nevada, but that one person certainly makes it interesting. People believe that the hotel is haunted by the King of Rock n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. Elvis apparently loved this hotel, which was called the International Hotel when he used to stay here. He saw a lot of success here and people think that it’s these fond memories that have kept him tied to the place. Ever since his death in 1977, guests and staff say they can hear his recognisable soulful, baritone voice throughout the hotel. Some say they’ve even seen him.

4. Old Washoe Club, Virginia City

The Old Washoe Club was originally built to be an upmarket club for the rich and famous. With sex work spiking in Nevada, particularly in the late 1800s, the club was a hub for sex work. Sadly, one of the sex workers was murdered in the third bedroom – people believe her to be a woman named Lena. After murdering Lena, the man also killed himself. Both Lena and the murderer can be seen throughout the club, wandering around the spiral staircase. People also say they see the apparition of a teenage girl, who too was murdered at the Old Washoe Club. Given its brutal history, the club is one of the most haunted places in Nevada.

5. Yellow Jacket Mine, Silver City

Yellow Jacket Mine was one of the most important silver mines in Nevada until a fire destroyed it in 1869. There have been no plans to re-open the mine, which is possibly due to the 11 spirits that are said to haunt the mine’s enclosed tunnels. The fire unfortunately killed over 35 people, but not all of the miners were found. Eleven people were lost under the rubble. Unable to rest and move on, people say those 11 miners are trapped there.

6. Bonnie Springs Ranch, Las Vegas

Bonnie Springs Ranch was an interesting take on an amusement park. It was a replica of an old Western town, with mock gun fights, horseback riding, and even hangings. Not surprisingly, it closed down in 2019. But while the park was in operation, many visitors say they saw, heard, and felt inexplicable things. People say that a little girl haunts the schoolhouse, appearing to people and making the merry-go-round turn, even on windless days. The opera house is also supposedly high on the paranormal scale, with people witnessing shadowy figures. Even more terrifyingly, people say they heard disembodied voices in the wax museum and even saw the wax figures move. Shudder. With all of those reporting, it’s certainly one of the most haunted places in Nevada.

7. Mackay Mansion, Virginia City

Built in 1860, the Mackay Mansion is one with a long history. It was once owned by John Mackay, one of the ‘Silver Kings’ of Virginia City. Nevada is huge for mining silver, the second in the country after Alaska, so it’s safe to say John Mackay was a well-known man. Now, the house is open to the public as a museum and many visitors say they’ve actually seen apparitions of John in the kitchen. They also say they have seen the ghostly figure of a little girl in a white dress. Staff have also reported hearing what sounds like a little girl playing after hours when the house is completely empty.