There are plenty of eerie locations, ghostly legends, and strange attractions in New Mexico for those who like the macabre, spooky, and spine-tingling aspects of travel. Ten things you shouldn’t overlook are as follows:
Trinity Site (White Sands Missile Range)
On July 16, 1945, the first atomic bomb in history was detonated here. Only twice a year is the gloomy, windswept location accessible to the public, yet the atmosphere—the location of a momentous occasion—remains unsettling.
St. James Hotel (Cimarron)
Over 26 murders took place at this Wild West relic, which is regarded as one of America’s most haunted hotels. According to rumors, room 18 is kept unbooked because gambler T.J. Wright haunts it. The site is full with paranormal encounters.
Dawson Cemetery
The cemetery, one of New Mexico’s most haunted locations, is all that’s left of the sad ghost town of Dawson. Hundreds of people killed in two devastating mining catastrophes (1913 and 1923) are buried there.
New Mexico State Penitentiary (near Santa Fe)
During unofficial tours, people frequently describe ghostly activity and paranormal cold spots near the scene of one of the bloodiest prison uprisings in U.S. history (1980, which resulted in at least 33 deaths).
La Fonda on the Plaza (Santa Fe)
Standing on old graveyards and the scene of several fatalities, this historic hotel is rumored to be haunted by bereaved apparitions and gambling spirits. Unsettling sightings are common at the restaurant and haunted stairs.
Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Albuquerque)
A spectral woman known as “The Lady in Black” is said to pray and weep silently in the church, according to local tradition. Her unexpected appearances are notorious among tourists.
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Union County Courthouse (Clayton)
This courthouse is haunted by ghosts, including the headless outlaw Blackjack Ketchum, who was killed close to the location and is known for mysterious cold spots and apparitions.
Cuervo Ghost Town
Cuervo, a mostly intact ghost town with numerous abandoned houses and structures, is arguably the most eerie in New Mexico. It is well-known for its eerie quiet and rumors of shady activities in the ruins.
Dona Ana County Courthouse & Jail (Las Cruces)
Ghostly activity, including poltergeist activity, cold spots, shadowy forms, and unexpected, inexplicable visitor injuries, has been seen on camera by paranormal TV teams.
New Mexican Folklore—La Llorona, Skinwalkers & Urraca Mesa
Discover the frightful legends that are ingrained in the local culture, such as the “demon gate” Urraca Mesa, which is thought to be a gateway to the underworld; skinwalkers, shape-shifting witches from Navajo lore; and La Llorona, the crying woman who is said to haunt rivers.
For those who enjoy the darker aspects of history and culture, these locations and legends continue to captivate people.
Every adventurous tourist with a taste for the spooky can find something to enjoy in New Mexico, whether they are drawn to haunted hotels, haunted towns, supernatural mythology, or historic horror locations.
