Amargosa Opera House and Hotel – Haunted Hotel in Death Valley Junction, California

Deep in the desolate, sun-scorched expanse of Death Valley Junction stands the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel, a place steeped in mystery and lingering spirits. Originally built as part of a booming mining town, it has since faded into near-ghost town status, save for the eerie echoes of its past.

Visitors and staff alike have reported paranormal activity, making it one of California’s most haunted locations. With strange whispers, shadowy figures, and ghostly apparitions, the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel has gained a reputation as a paranormal hotspot.

Historical Background

• Year Built: 1923
• Original Purpose: Built by the Pacific Coast Borax Company as a company town for miners

Significant Events:

• The building fell into disrepair after the mining industry declined, leaving behind an abandoned, eerie atmosphere.
• In the 1960s, artist Marta Becket restored and revived the opera house, but rumors of supernatural encounters persisted.
• A former hotel wing was allegedly used to house transient workers, some of whom met tragic ends under unknown circumstances.

Paranormal Activity Summary

• Guests and visitors frequently report disembodied voices, shadowy apparitions, and phantom footsteps echoing through the halls.
• A dark entity is said to lurk in Room 32, where people feel an oppressive presence, experience sudden chills, and even wake up to find their bed shaking.
• Cold spots, flickering lights, and unexplained movements of objects have been reported throughout the opera house and hotel.
• The spirit of Marta Becket, the opera house’s former owner and performer, is said to linger, watching over her beloved stage.

Ghost Stories & Reports

• Room 32: Perhaps the most terrifying spot, guests who stay here report waking up paralyzed with fear, sensing a shadowy figure looming over them. Some claim to have seen a spectral figure sitting on the edge of the bed, staring silently.
• The Opera House Specter: The ghost of a little girl has been spotted in the opera house, playfully running through the aisles before disappearing into thin air.
• The Phantom Dancer: Some say Marta Becket herself remains in the building, occasionally seen or heard performing on stage, even in death.
• Hallway Shadows: Hotel corridors are infamous for dark, fast-moving shadows and an unnerving sense of being followed.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

• Room 32 is widely considered the most haunted location in the hotel, with reports of intense paranormal experiences, including an aggressive unseen presence.

Can You Visit?

• Open to the Public? Yes
• Entry Fee: Free for general visits; overnight stays vary in price
• Tour Availability: Self-guided and occasional paranormal tours
• Photography Allowed? Yes
• Visiting Hours: Open year-round, hotel check-in required for overnight stays

Best Time to Visit

• Paranormal activity is reported most frequently in the late-night hours. Some visitors claim the spirits are most active in fall and winter, when the desert nights are cold and quiet.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

• Featured on several ghost-hunting TV shows, including Ghost Adventures, where investigators captured unexplained sounds and shadowy figures.
• EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) sessions have recorded whispering voices and strange, unidentifiable noises.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

• No trespassing outside designated visitor areas. Certain sections of the hotel are closed off due to structural concerns.
• Guests are warned about Room 32’s unsettling atmosphere and potential paranormal encounters.

Would you dare spend a night at the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel? Many have tried, but not all made it through until morning.