Nevada is a beautiful state to live in, but it’s definitely got its dark side too. It’s known for its ghost towns, haunted places, spooky old cemeteries, and a rough history during the days of the wild, wild west. Here are 10 spots in Nevada that are sure to disturb you as much as they have us. Yikes!

1. Pyramid Lake
Pyramid Lake
Pyramid Lake, Nevada 89510, USA
MATTEO BITTANTI/Flickr
Pyramid Lake is one of the largest lakes in the state. It's known for it's strange rock formations and the blue-grayish color of the water. The lake has a dark history, though, and was the site of the Pyramid Lake War of 1860 between Native Americans and white colonizers. It's also the source of many dark Paiute legends, who saw the lake as cursed and still to this day avoid it. There's just something creepy about that dark water.
2. Horton Tunnel
Horton Tunnel
Horton Mine, Nevada 89310, USA
Exploring Abandoned Mines/YouTube
This 900-foot mining tunnel was created back in the 1800s but supposedly hauntings were witnessed commonly between 2013 and 2014. While the haunting may or may not be real, it's definitely a creepy place to be, so here it is on our list.
3. Metropolis Ghost Town
Metropolis Ghost Town
By Famartin (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
This ghost town differs from many in the state due to the fact that it was a farming area instead of an abandoned mining town. Settlers left the area after a series of misfortunes including plagues, fires, and drought. All that remains now are the remains of a few buildings, which have a spooky sense of foreboding to them. This historical marker is located near the town of Wells.
4. The Clown Motel
The Clown Motel
The World Famous Clown Motel, 521 N Main St, Tonopah, NV 89049, USA
Jon/Flickr
Nothing freaks people out more than the scariest creature of all - clowns. For the truly coulrophobic, this motel is horrifying. If an all-out clown theme wasn't enough, it's directly nextdoor to an old cemetery full of early Tonopah residents who died from the PLAGUE. The motel has even been featured on the show "Ghost Adventures" and in an independent horror movie. NOPE.
5. Devils Hole
Devils Hole
Devils Hole, Nevada 89060, USA
Ken Lund/Flickr
This limestone cavern can be found in the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. There's a pool at the bottom of Devils Hole that is now completely fenced off as two boys died in it back in 1965. Charles Manson also had a fascination with the place and thought it was a way to get into hell... or so they say.

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6. Pioneer Saloon
Pioneer Saloon
Pioneer Saloon, 310 NV-161, Goodsprings, NV 89019, USA
Haunted Lock Down Facebook Page
Built in 1913, the saloon is one of the oldest operating businesses in Nevada. Located in Goodsprings, the building has a definite Old West feel to it and has been in several movies. The staff has told tales of several hauntings there, and they even host regular "haunted lockdowns" where visitors are locked in from midnight to 4 am. One of the reputed ghosts is of actress Carole Lombard, who died in a plain crash and it's said her husband Clark Gable spent three days waiting for her in the saloon.
7. Nevada State Prison
Nevada State Prison
Pioneer Saloon, 310 NV-161, Goodsprings, NV 89019, USA
Wayne Hsieh/Flickr
This gloomy prison in Carson City was the site of over 40 executions and is rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of criminals who died there. It's yet another site that was featured on the Ghost Adventures TV show, as well as a news station in Carson City that had Northern Nevada Ghost Hunters investigate the place. The prison is now closed because of budget cuts, although the gas chamber has been used for executions since the prison was shut down. You can take a tour of the prison through the Nevada State Preservation Society.
8. ElDorado Valley Pet Cemetery
El Dorado Pet Cemetery
Boulder City, NV, USA
Miss Shari/Flickr
This creepy little cemetery can be found near Boulder City. The cemetery is home to the graves of at least 60 pets, though there's a rumor going around that several victims of the mob are buried here. Another ghost that reportedly has been seen is that of a white cat who follows visitors around. The website Funeralwise.com calls this cemetery the most "haunted pet cemetery on earth."
9. US Highway 50
US Highway 50
U.S. 50, US-50, Fallon, NV, USA
BriYYZ/Flickr
US Highway 50 is was called the "Loneliest Road in America" by Life Magazine, and AAA cautioned people not to drive it unless they had good survival skills. It's definitely a road that seems to go on to nowhere, with few towns far and between to visit. It's also near here where a mining accident occurred in the 1870s and several were trapped and died. Passersby on the highway report seeing glowing lanterns near the area where they died. The highway has also been featured in the novel Desperation by master of horror Stephen King.
10. Silver Terrace Cemetery
Silver Terrace Cemeteries
Silver Terrace Cemetery, 381 Cemetery Rd, Virginia City, NV 89440, USA
RyanSchweitzer/TripAdvisor
Silver Terrace Cemetery was started in the 1800s in Virginia City. The cemetery is worth a visit for the beautiful architecture around the grave site and at night it definitely can feel creepy. Residents in Virginia City say the ghost of the former groundskeeper haunts the cemetery grounds, along with several other ghosts.

Is there a chilling spot in Nevada you’re aware of? Share in the comments! Either that, or tell us about it by filling out this form. We love to hear from you!

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More to Explore

Scariest Places in Nevada

Tori Jane | October 19, 2021

Where are some interesting, abandoned places in Nevada?  

Nebraska is a pretty creepy state, if you ask us. It’s got a number of haunted, creepy, abandoned, dilapidated, cursed, or otherwise untouchable-for-reasons places scattered all over the state, not even counting all the haunted creepiness that is Las Vegas alone! Some notable abandoned places in Nevada include the Israel Beetison House, in Ashland, which is slowly returning to nature as we speak. The town of Roscoe is home to several abandoned places, including homes, a Chamberlain’s store, old shops, and more. In Primrose, if you know where to look, you can find a huge, two-story abandoned schoolhouse. In Milford, you can find a decaying church filled with graffiti. For photos of these places and plenty more, check out this article. You might feel inspired to bring your own camera along!  

Are there any ghost towns in Nevada?  

Absolutely! Incredibly, it is estimated that there are up to 600 ghost towns in Nevada. That means there’s more ghost towns ‘round here than living ones. It’s likely due to the fact that once upon a time, Nevada was a thriving boom town when it came to the mining scene, and tons of small towns popped up around each mine as it was stripped dry. Eventually, for each, the time came when the mines were no longer as productive, or in some places, highways were built elsewhere, leading to the abandonment of these places. Some of our favorite ghost towns in Nevada include Paradise Valley, where some folks do still live, and Blair, which wasn’t alive for a very long time to begin with. There’s also Fort Churchill, Aurora, and Belmont. We can’t even list them all – seriously, there’s 600 of them – but there’s a few to begin with.  

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