You can immerse yourself in authentic Rocky Mountain history at St. Elmo Guest House, where three rooms overlook a preserved 1885 mining town at 10,000 feet, or experience paranormal investigations at Victor Hotel’s all-night ghost hunts for $160 per couple. For luxury seekers, Dunton Hot Springs transforms thirteen historic cabins into an exclusive resort with natural 108°F geothermal pools and private rentals available. The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park offers Victorian elegance alongside its legendary Room 217, while Georgetown’s Rose Street B&B combines 1882 charm with spectral encounters that’ll reveal Colorado’s haunted mining heritage.
Key Takeaways
- St. Elmo Ghost Town Guest House offers three rooms at 10,000 feet elevation among 40+ preserved historic buildings dating to 1879.
- Victor Hotel provides overnight ghost hunts with paranormal investigation equipment at 10,000 feet elevation for $160 per couple.
- Dunton Hot Springs Resort features thirteen luxury cabins in a restored 1885 mining ghost town with natural hot springs.
- The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park offers Victorian accommodations in the 1909 building that inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining.”
- Rose Street Bed & Breakfast provides overnight stays in an 1882 Victorian home within Georgetown’s National Historic Landmark District.
St. Elmo Ghost Town Guest House: A Handcrafted Historic Retreat
Tucked into the remote Colorado mountains at 10,000 feet elevation, the St. Elmo Ghost Town Guest House offers you an authentic escape into 1880s mining history.
Chuck Cole and Sharon Glidden-Cole spent ten years handcrafting this three-story bed and breakfast using reclaimed materials, completing it in 2007.
A decade-long labor of love, built from reclaimed treasures and finished in 2007 by dedicated owners Chuck and Sharon Cole.
You’ll find rooms named after historic mining companies like the Gold Queen, each featuring queen beds, claw-foot tubs, gas fireplaces, and Main Street views through corner desk windows.
While haunted legends swirl around this former boomtown that peaked at 2,000 residents in 1881, preservation efforts have maintained over 40 original buildings since its 1979 National Register designation.
Original wallpapers, vintage mining posters, and period furnishings transport you back to Colorado’s silver rush era.
The guest house accommodates visitors with three guest rooms plus an overflow family room, along with a top-floor TV area and kitchenette for added comfort.
The town served as a supply hub for nearby mines including Mary Murphy, Gold Queen, and Boss Tweed during its prosperous years.
Victor Hotel Ghost Hunts: All-Night Paranormal Adventures
If you’re seeking more than just atmosphere, the Victor Hotel in Victor, Colorado transforms your overnight stay into an active paranormal investigation. Perched at 10,000 feet in the Rockies, this 1900 establishment hosts all-night ghost hunts led by American Hauntings.
You’ll explore the notorious fourth floor, which served as a temporary morgue when frozen ground prevented winter burials. Eerie legends surround the spirits of miners who died in accidents, and paranormal research teams have documented persistent activity throughout the building.
Your $160 package includes sleeping accommodations for two, historical presentations, and investigation equipment. The hotel preserves original fixtures and maintains its haunted reputation as one of the West’s most active paranormal sites. The building features original architecture from the early 19th century, including vintage decor that enhances its nostalgic vibe. The original bird cage elevator, installed in 1900, still operates and is known for its autonomous activity.
Book early—these ghost hunts consistently sell out.
Dunton Hot Springs Resort: Luxury Meets Mining Town History
Step back in time at Dunton Hot Springs, where an 1885 mining ghost town has been meticulously restored into an exclusive luxury resort nestled in Colorado’s remote Rocky Mountains.
You’ll sleep in authentic relocated cabins—each equipped with modern comforts like private hot spring tubs and fireplaces—while surrounded by original structures including a saloon bar where Butch Cassidy once carved his name.
The resort’s natural effervescent spring feeds multiple pools with indoor and outdoor soaking options for year-round relaxation. Located at an elevation of 8,921 feet, the springs emerge at a soothing 108°F along the west fork of the Dolores River.
For the ultimate Old West experience, you can rent the entire town, transforming this carefully preserved piece of mining history into your private mountain retreat.
Restored 1800s Ghost Town
Deep in a valley between Telluride and Dolores, twenty-five miles of winding mountain roads lead to what was once a bustling mining camp that drew prospectors, trappers, and fortune-seekers in 1885.
This settlement thrived until 1918, when the mining bust left it abandoned.
What makes Dunton’s ghost town preservation remarkable isn’t just what’s saved—it’s how. When Christoph Henkel and Bernt Kuhlmann purchased the property in 1994, they meticulously disassembled each cabin, catalogued every log, and reassembled them closer together.
They distinguished new additions with vertical siding against original horizontal logs, preserving authentic mining history while creating walkable accessibility. Some buildings were even transported from other locations, including Colorado Springs and Parachute, to enhance the historical settlement.
Before its transformation, the property sat largely undeveloped for two decades after being purchased by investors in 1974, becoming a lawless hangout where locals, bikers, and hippies gathered among bullet-riddled structures and skunk-infested cabins.
You’ll find 1800s graffiti still etched in the bathhouse walls and Butch Cassidy’s carving on the saloon bar—tangible connections to Colorado’s untamed past.
Rustic Cabins, Modern Amenities
Thirteen meticulously restored cabins prove that roughing it doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort. You’ll find heated slate floors warming your feet, hand-picked antiques adding character, and unique bathtubs perfect for soaking after mountain adventures. Luxury amenities include iPod docks, REN bath products, and high-speed Wi-Fi throughout your space.
The rustic charm shines through hand-hewn logs and original 1880s architecture, while modern touches pamper you completely. Some cabins feature private geothermal-fed baths and fireplaces.
Beyond your cabin, you’ll access a fitness center, yoga studio, climbing wall, and boxing gym. All meals and drinks are included, showcasing locally grown organic ingredients served communally in the original saloon.
Twenty-four-hour concierge service, daily housekeeping, and valet parking guarantee you’re free to explore without constraints. The outdoor hot tub and sauna provide perfect spots to relax muscles after a day of mountain activities. Choose from 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, or larger units with connecting rooms available for families and groups.
Exclusive Venue Rental Options
When German investor Christoph Henkel discovered this abandoned 1885 mining camp in southwestern Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, he saw beyond the weathered cabins and overgrown paths. His 1994 transformation created something unprecedented: an entire ghost town you can rent exclusively for your gathering.
You’ll find unmatched flexibility for your event:
- Complete buyouts for corporate retreats, family reunions, and weddings
- Day and overnight packages tailored to your group’s needs
- Exclusive access to all five mineral hot springs ranging from 85-106°F
- Authentic mining relics throughout 13 hand-built cabins arranged around the original saloon
- Secluded outdoor terraces where you’ll disconnect from crowds, not connectivity
The resort accommodates intimate groups seeking privacy in the Colorado Rockies, where high-speed internet coexists with century-old history.
The Stanley Hotel: Where The Shining Came to Life
You’ll recognize the Stanley Hotel’s Georgian facade from the 1997 miniseries adaptation of *The Shining*—the very place where Stephen King’s 1974 nightmare in Room 217 sparked his iconic horror novel.
This 1909 masterpiece wasn’t a mining town, but its reputation as one of America’s most haunted hotels earns it a permanent spot on any Rocky Mountain ghost tour.
Behind its elegant Victorian architecture and sweeping views of the Rockies lies a century of paranormal encounters that continue to draw both ghost hunters and literature enthusiasts to its doors.
Stephen King’s Haunted Inspiration
Perched in the mountain town of Estes Park, Colorado—about an hour’s drive north of Boulder—The Stanley Hotel stands as one of America’s most famous literary landmarks. When Stephen King checked in during late September 1974, the hotel was closing for winter.
That night, he dreamed of his three-year-old son running through empty corridors, screaming. A pink clawed-foot bathtub sealed the deal—he knew he’d a book.
Haunted hotel tales born from that visit include:
- Grand corridors echoing with phantom footsteps
- Empty hallways perfect for supernatural encounters
- Winter isolation amplifying paranormal history
- Architecture designed in 1909 by Freelan Oscar Stanley
- A literary ghost story that became The Shining
Three years later, his novel transformed this historic tuberculosis retreat into fiction’s most terrifying destination.
Infamous Room 217 History
At 7:50 PM on June 25, 1911, a thunderous explosion ripped through the Stanley Hotel’s second floor—a blast so powerful that residents over a mile away bolted from their homes in alarm.
Head chambermaid Elizabeth Wilson had entered Room 217 with a lit candle during a power outage, igniting accumulated gas from a leak.
The explosion launched her through the floor into the MacGregor Room below and obliterated the historical architecture above the dining hall.
Wilson survived, remarkably returning to work until age 90. She’d die decades later in that very room.
Since the late 1950s, guests report belongings mysteriously unpacked and refolded—modern ghost stories attribute this to Wilson’s meticulous spirit.
Unmarried couples feel an invisible force separating them at night.
Room 217 remains the hotel’s most requested accommodation.
Victorian Elegance Meets Paranormal
When F.O. Stanley opened this $500,000 masterpiece on July 4th weekend 1909, he created the Mountain West’s premier summer destination. You’ll discover Victorian decor throughout the 101-foot-wide lobby and spiral staircase, where East Coast elites once sought restful rejuvenation.
Today, this architectural marvel blends historic grandeur with paranormal investigations.
Experience the supernatural fusion through:
- Fourth floor children’s laughter echoing through elegant hallways
- Room 428’s friendly cowboy spirit appearing at bedside corners
- The Grand Staircase Vortex where opposing mirrors trap wandering souls
- Cold spots and dizziness as entities pass through you
- Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures filming unexplained phenomena
Stephen King’s 1974 nightmare here transformed this Victorian jewel from potential demolition into horror’s most iconic landmark, forever intertwining its architectural splendor with otherworldly encounters.
Rose Street Bed & Breakfast: Georgetown’s Ghostly Guardian
Towering 8,590 feet above sea level in Georgetown’s National Historic Landmark District, the Rose Street Bed & Breakfast stands as a beautifully preserved relic of Colorado’s silver mining era. Built in 1882 as the Taylor-Dewey House, this adults-only retreat blends Victorian architecture with modern comforts—think iPod docking stations alongside antique furnishings and hand-carved woodwork.
But you’re not just here for the full breakfast service or three communal living rooms. You’re chasing the haunted history that’s earned this property its paranormal reputation. Guests report encountering a spectral woman on the landing, while unexplained crying echoes from abandoned rooms.
With a 9.5 rating despite its supernatural residents, this bed and breakfast proves you can have both comfort and spine-tingling encounters in Colorado’s high country.
Historic Windsor Hotel: Silver Plume’s Haunted Hideaway
Just fifteen minutes down the canyon from Georgetown, the Historic Windsor Hotel rises from Silver Plume’s mining history like a phoenix—because it literally did. After burning down in its original 1884 incarnation, it was rebuilt in 1902 with stunning Victorian architecture that’s hosted everyone from Tesla to Edison.
Today’s ghost hunters report far more than just historical charm:
- Stick-like figures materializing in clawfoot tub bathrooms
- Phantom cold hands brushing past guests in darkened hallways
- Unexplained smells drifting through eight unique guest rooms
- Multiple deaths throughout the Lampshire family’s century-long ownership
- Active paranormal investigations drawing enthusiasts year-round
You’ll find modern comforts like WiFi nestled within authentic 1900s surroundings, where haunted legends aren’t just stories—they’re experiences waiting in every creaking floorboard and shadowed corner.
Hotel Colorado: Victorian Elegance in Glenwood Springs
For $850,000—over $23 million in today’s currency—silver baron Walter Devereux transformed Glenwood Springs into a destination rivaling Europe’s finest resorts.
Opening in 1893, this Italianate masterpiece mimics Rome’s Villa de Medici with Peach Blow sandstone and Roman brickwork.
You’ll discover Victorian architecture that housed presidents—Teddy Roosevelt visited multiple times—and served as a temporary White House during World War II.
Historic preservation efforts since the 1990s have restored the hotel’s legendary features using original photographs.
Today’s 142 renovated rooms blend marble-topped desks and Victorian mirrors with modern WiFi and premium TV.
You can dine where gilded-age millionaires once gathered, explore the 185-foot courtyard fountain, and sleep in a building that’s been electrifying guests since 1893—one of the world’s first electrified hotels.
Capital Prize Mine Tours: Underground Paranormal Encounters
While Georgetown’s Victorian hotels offer refined comfort above ground, the Capital Prize Mine beckons you 1,000 feet beneath the Rocky Mountains for Colorado’s longest underground walking tour.
Operating since 1867, this historic site lets you explore authentic mining tunnels where guides share subterranean legends amid flickering candlelight.
Your journey into darkness reveals:
- Seven gold veins and original mine equipment from 1800s operations
- Hands-on experience swinging picks in actual stopes
- Authentic working conditions miners endured by candlelight
- Modern prospecting techniques using dredges and sluice boxes
- Souvenir rocks you’ve mined yourself
Tours run year-round from Georgetown’s 1016 Biddle Street, just 35 miles from Denver.
At $30 per adult, you’ll spend two hours discovering why these tunnels harbor paranormal encounters—where century-old hardships still echo through abandoned depths.
Planning Your Rocky Mountain Ghost Town Adventure
How do you secure a bed in these remote mountain sanctuaries where rooms vanish faster than miners’ ghosts? Book early—Ghost Town Guest House’s three rooms fill months ahead, and Stanley Hotel’s Shining-inspired quarters disappear quickly at (800) 976-1377.
Victor Hotel’s February ghost hunts ($160 per couple) sold out fast.
Timing matters. St. Elmo welcomes visitors from late spring through early October, while Victor’s paranormal investigations run through winter.
Dunton Hot Springs operates year-round, accessible when mountain flora blooms or snow blankets the San Juan peaks.
You’ll encounter wildlife sightings along these remote routes—elk, deer, and mountain birds claim these territories as theirs. Pack accordingly for elevation changes, unpredictable weather, and the freedom of exploring Colorado’s untamed backcountry without crowds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Ghost Town Accommodations Suitable for Young Children or Families With Babies?
Ghost town stays work well for older children but aren’t ideal for babies. You’ll find historic preservation often limits modern safety features, while cultural authenticity means rustic conditions. Properties lack baby-specific amenities, though some offer family-friendly activities for older kids.
Do These Remote Locations Have Reliable Cell Phone Service and Emergency Access?
Cell phone coverage varies wildly—expect spotty service in remote St. Elmo and Victor, while Dunton offers high-speed internet. Emergency access depends on seasonal roads and isolation, so you’ll need self-reliance and preparedness before venturing out.
What Medical Facilities Are Nearby in Case of Emergencies at These Locations?
I don’t have specific medical facility data for these locations. Before visiting ghost towns with historical preservation and cultural significance, you’ll need to research nearby hospitals and emergency services independently, as healthcare access varies considerably across remote Rocky Mountain areas.
Are Pets Allowed at Any of These Ghost Town Lodging Properties?
Unfortunately, you’ll hit a dead end here—none of these historic properties specify pet policies in their lodging amenities. You’ll need to contact each ghost town accommodation directly to confirm whether your furry companions can join your adventure.
What’s the Cancellation Policy if Weather Prevents Access to Remote Ghost Towns?
No standardized cancellation policies exist for weather-blocked access. You’ll need emergency preparedness planning and should contact individual properties about their weather contingency terms before booking. Most remote ghost town stays don’t explicitly cover weather-related cancellations.
References
- https://touristish.com/ghost-town-guest-house/
- https://www.bumpinthenight.net/night-at-the-victor-hotel
- https://www.mycoloradoparks.com/where-to-stay-camp-eat/hotels-cabins/unusual-places-stay/
- https://visitclearcreek.com/haunted-clear-creek/
- https://www.ghosttownguesthouse.com
- https://www.duntondestinations.com/hot-springs/
- https://www.historichotels.org/us/destinations/the-rockies.php
- https://www.stanleyhotel.com
- https://www.visitgrandcounty.com/blog/haunted-places/
- https://www.ghosttownguesthouse.com/historic-st-elmo
