Ghosts in Every State Part 3: Arizona – A Desert Full of Secrets---Top 15 Hauntings
Ghosts in Every State, Part 3: Arizona – A Desert Full of Secrets
There’s something about Arizona that doesn’t feel quite real. Not in a bad way—more like a glitch in the simulation. You can’t drive through the red rocks of Sedona, pass the Superstition Mountains, or stare too long at a desert sunset without getting the feeling that something is hiding just beneath the surface. This state feels like it’s holding secrets.
And according to some, it is.
Arizona has its own deep roster of conspiracy theories. A great summary of them lives here: http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/state-pride/arizona/az-conspiracy-theories/. Among the strangest? People claim Sedona sits on an energy vortex that affects time. There’s the legend of the Phoenix Lights, a massive unidentified flying object seen by thousands. Then there are theories about an underground base near Dulce, New Mexico, that might extend into northern Arizona. Whether it’s natural energy fields or shadowy government experiments, these stories create the perfect atmosphere for something else to take root: hauntings.
So with that eerie foundation laid, let’s move into the ghost stories—15 of the most haunted places in Arizona, sourced from:
- http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/arizona/10-az-hauntings/
- http://www.azhauntedhouses.com/real-haunts/
- http://www.hauntedus.com/arizona/
1. Jerome Grand Hotel – Jerome, AZ
Once the United Verde Hospital, the Jerome Grand Hotel is perched above the historic mining town of Jerome. Built in 1927, the hospital saw countless deaths—some under mysterious circumstances. Today, guests hear phantom footsteps in the halls, voices whispering in the dark, and even elevators moving on their own. The spirit of a maintenance man allegedly killed in the boiler room still roams the basement. From http://www.azhauntedhouses.com/real-haunts/jerome-grand-hotel.html
2. The Bird Cage Theatre – Tombstone, AZ
This old Wild West saloon and gambling den was known for its lawlessness and violence. Bullet holes still scar the walls, and over 26 deaths reportedly happened there. People claim to hear ghostly laughter, piano music, and see apparitions dressed in 1800s garb. Spirits of gamblers, dancers, and prostitutes reportedly still linger. From http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/arizona/10-az-hauntings/
3. Hotel Monte Vista – Flagstaff, AZ
Built in 1927, this hotel has a haunted reputation spanning decades. Guests report TVs turning on by themselves and knocks at the door with no one there. A phantom bellboy appears at Room 210. There’s also a legend of a pair of murdered women whose spirits haunt Room 306. The hotel's charm hides a heavy supernatural presence. From http://www.hauntedus.com/arizona/
4. Copper Queen Hotel – Bisbee, AZ
Arizona’s longest-running hotel, the Copper Queen, hosts several spirits. The most famous is Julia Lowell, a sex worker who took her life after being rejected by a client. Her flirtatious spirit supposedly whispers to male guests and brushes up against them. Staff also report a ghostly young boy who roams the halls playing tricks. From http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/arizona/10-az-hauntings/
5. Casey Moore’s Oyster House – Tempe, AZ
This restaurant and bar is a favorite haunt in more ways than one. A woman allegedly murdered in an upstairs room still lingers. Employees report flying glasses, disembodied footsteps, and the feeling of being watched. Once a private residence, the building’s energy remains charged. From http://www.azhauntedhouses.com/real-haunts/casey-moores-oyster-house.html
6. Vulture City – Wickenburg, AZ
Now a ghost town, Vulture City was once the site of a booming gold mine. Over 18 hangings occurred here, and the spirits of long-dead miners are said to roam the ruins. Visitors hear disembodied voices, and some report being pushed or scratched. The old assay office is particularly active. From http://www.hauntedus.com/arizona/
7. Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine – Superstition Mountains, AZ
This legendary mine is said to be cursed. Jacob Waltz, the Dutchman, reportedly took its location to the grave. Dozens who’ve tried to find it have vanished. Locals talk about shadowy figures and lights in the mountains, along with whispers from unseen forces. It’s more than myth—it’s menace. From http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/arizona/10-az-hauntings/
8. Orpheum Theatre – Phoenix, AZ
Built in the 1920s, the Orpheum is a grand venue with a ghostly twist. A little girl named Maddie supposedly haunts the theater, seen skipping in the aisles. Staff report doors slamming and lights flickering. It's said she appears most often when children perform onstage. From http://www.azhauntedhouses.com/real-haunts/orpheum-theatre.html
9. Yuma Territorial Prison – Yuma, AZ
This old prison housed murderers and outlaws from 1876 to 1909. Visitors report cold spots, phantom voices, and shadows slipping through the cells. One ghost, the spirit of a prisoner who hanged himself in his cell, is said to still torment the area. From http://www.hauntedus.com/arizona/
10. Hotel San Carlos – Phoenix, AZ
Opened in 1928, the San Carlos was once a high-society hangout. Just weeks after opening, a young woman named Leone Jensen jumped to her death. Her ghost, in a white dress, has been spotted on the rooftop and in hallways. Staff say she’s not the only spirit to check in and never leave. From http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/arizona/10-az-hauntings/
11. Rosson House – Phoenix, AZ
This 1895 Victorian mansion is now a museum, but some believe the spirits of past residents remain. Visitors report cold spots, phantom footsteps, and glimpses of a man in a top hat. Even with all the renovations, the energy in the house feels like it belongs to another time. From http://www.azhauntedhouses.com/real-haunts/rosson-house.html
12. The O.K. Corral – Tombstone, AZ
The site of the infamous gunfight is said to still echo with tension. Ghost hunters have picked up EVPs and captured images of what appear to be full apparitions. Tour guides speak of unexplainable shadows and the smell of gunpowder with no source. History bleeds through the soil. From http://www.hauntedus.com/arizona/
13. Four Peaks Brewing Company – Tempe, AZ
Housed in an old creamery from 1892, this brewery is known for more than craft beer. Staff report a male ghost named Victor who knocks over glasses and rearranges objects. The second floor is said to be especially active after dark. From http://www.azhauntedhouses.com/real-haunts/four-peaks-brewing-company.html
14. Pioneer Living History Museum – Phoenix, AZ
This recreated Old West town is made up of real historic buildings moved to one place. Spirits from multiple sites now share the same ground. Visitors hear gunshots, children crying, and doors slamming shut in empty buildings. The past literally won’t stay buried here. From http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/arizona/10-az-hauntings/
15. Canyon de Chelly – Chinle, AZ
This sacred site on Navajo land is filled with history—and grief. Battles and massacres happened here, and some say the spirits of the dead still roam the canyon walls. Visitors describe eerie feelings, disembodied chanting, and the sensation of being watched. Respect is mandatory here. From http://www.hauntedus.com/arizona/
Arizona isn’t just strange—it’s haunted. Whether you're chasing ghosts or trying to understand why this state seems so spiritually charged, the desert doesn’t give up its secrets easily. But if you listen carefully, you might just hear them whispering back.
