Camping in the Land of Enchantment is always a true nature experience, but our state is also home to some of the nation’s creepiest haunted tales. This eerie campground in an unincorporated town outside of Santa Fe is open to the public, and you can spend the night if you dare. While you’ll get goosebumps after hearing just how haunted this campground is at night, this spot is also as hauntingly beautiful as can be during the day to help ease your woes. Get ready to sit around the campfire and tell a truly scary story. Be careful of what ghostly creatures might be hiding in the wilderness at the haunted Holy Ghost Campground in New Mexico in the Santa Fe National Forest.

Welcome to Holy Ghost Campground in the unincorporated town of Tererro in San Miguel County. This campground is run by the Santa Fe National Forest.
Allie Durec/Google Local
If you dare to head out to the haunted Holy Ghost campground in New Mexico, getting there can be a little confusing. It's located about 14 miles northeast of Santa Fe. If you're heading from Pecos, take NM-63 north down an eerie, narrow road for about 13 miles. You'll see a sign for Holy Ghost to the left. From there, you'll take an even creepier road - Forest Service Road 122 - down two miles to the campground.
While this site is the most haunted campground, there are a few different stories as to how it earned that title.
Carson Hammett/Google Local
Some tales say that a priest killed the Pueblo people who settled on this land in the late 17th century. Others say that the priest was killed by the Pueblo people who were defending themselves. Either way, there may be the spirit of a Catholic priest amongst these trees.
Other stories about Holy Ghost are much more recent.
Carson Hammett/Google Local
There have been more recent tales of gruesome car accidents, brawls between bikers due to paranormal activity, and state troopers that disappear altogether. Visitors claim to see moving shadows beyond the trees.
It might be scary to spend the night, but this campground is also hauntingly beautiful during the day.
Kenny Dillingham/AllTrails
Even though this spot is claimed to be haunted and scary, Holy Ghost Campground is a breathtakingly beautiful place to camp. It's set upon Holy Ghost Creek, which offers hiking trails and incredible nature views.
At Holy Ghost Campground, you can relax all day... and tell scary stories around the campfire at night.
Tyler Roberts/Google Local
This campground is also nestled in a canyon surrounded by the Pecos Mountains. It doesn't get more stunning than this, or more spooky.
This campground in unincorporated New Mexico might be a top attraction for a nature stay, but be careful with what lurks in the forest at night from its haunted past. Holy Ghost Campground is as eerie and beautiful as can be.
Michael Romero/Google Local
For more information on camping at Holy Ghost Campground, you can visit the U.S. Forest Service website.

Have you ever braved the night at New Mexico’s most haunted campground? Did you spot anything paranormal? We’d love to hear all about your creepy experiences in the comments.

For more scary adventures in the Land of Enchantment, you can take this hike to an abandoned village in the Gila National Forest.

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Outdoor Adventures And Haunted Places In New Mexico

Jackie Ann | February 24, 2021

What are the most haunted places in New Mexico?

New Mexico is steeped in centuries of fascinating and sometimes violent history making our state a paranormal hotspot for ghost story enthusiasts. Here are some of the most haunted places in New Mexico:

  • In the tiny town of Mesilla, there is a famous story of a secret love between a high-society gentleman and a beautiful servant who met their untimely death when the wealthy family’s matriarch discovered their affair and murdered them. This gruesome event took place in what is now home to the Double Eagle Restaurant where diners have reported ghostly figures moving tables and hearing eerie whispers.
  • The KiMo Theatre in Albuquerque boasts a truly dark decor like cow skulls with glowing red eyes and funeral canoes making the perfect backdrop for hauntings. Performers leave trinkets and sweet treats for the ghost of a young boy who was killed on the theatre grounds in the 1950s in hopes to appease his playful spirit.

 

What are the most unique places to spend the night in New Mexico?

The most unique places to spend the night in New Mexico are as follows:

  • The Kokopelli Cave Hotel, a sandstone cave carved out of a towering cliffside in Farmington, offers guests stunning views of the La Plata River valley with accommodations like a waterfall shower and hot tub, naturally maintaining indoor temperatures year-round between 65-68 degrees.
  • Go off the grid and spend the night in an Earthship at the Greater World Earthship Community in Taos. These extraordinary eco-friendly, fully-furnished stays are sustainably designed with all the modern amenities.
  • For a quirky blast from the past, check out The Motel Safari on Route 66 designed in the ‘Doo-Wop’ architectural style. Originally built in 1959, the motel was renovated with respect for the original decor and updated with top-of-the-line amenities and preserving its classic mid-century modern charm.

 

What are the best outdoor adventures in New Mexico?

Some of the best outdoor adventures in New Mexico include the following:

  • Carlsbad Caverns National Park is an unforgettable way to spend an adventurous day in New Mexico’s breathtaking outdoors. But with the incredible landscapes spanning our borders, there is no shortage of amazing activities for everyone to enjoy.
  • Outside of Nageezi, the otherworldly rock formations of the remote Bisti Badlands are a must-see. The howling wind through the rugged terrain makes for a somewhat eerie soundtrack for exploring the area, too.
  • In Santa Rosa, journey out to marvel at the natural wonder that is The Blue Hole. With 100 feet of visibility in its unfathomably turquoise water, this destination offers unparalleled swimming and scuba diving in maintaining a steady 62 degrees.

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