The Lodge at Cloudcroft – Haunted Hotel in Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Perched high in the Sacramento Mountains at 9,000 feet elevation sits an elegant Victorian retreat. The Lodge at Cloudcroft has welcomed guests since the late 1800s with its stunning views and mountain charm. But beneath the rustic elegance and warm hospitality lurks something far more unsettling than thin mountain air. Visitors frequently report encounters with Rebecca, a beautiful redheaded chambermaid who refuses to leave her post even in death.

This historic mountain resort has earned its reputation as one of New Mexico’s most actively haunted locations. Guests and staff alike experience unexplained phenomena throughout the property on an almost nightly basis. The Lodge embraces its ghostly resident rather than shying away from the paranormal reputation that draws curious visitors. Room 101 remains the epicenter of supernatural activity where Rebecca makes her presence unmistakably known.

The elegant Victorian architecture and antique furnishings create an atmosphere that feels frozen in time. Walking through the ornate hallways feels like stepping back into the Gilded Age of American luxury. Yet that nostalgic charm comes with an eerie undercurrent that keeps guests glancing over their shoulders. The Lodge maintains its historic character while offering modern amenities to those brave enough to book a stay.

Historical Background

The original Lodge opened its doors in 1899 as a retreat for railroad workers and executives. The Alamogordo and Sacramento Mountain Railway Company built the grand structure to accommodate travelers and tourists. The pristine mountain air and breathtaking views made Cloudcroft a popular destination for wealthy Texans escaping summer heat. The Lodge quickly became the crown jewel of the Sacramento Mountains resort community.

Tragedy struck on a cold night in 1909 when fire consumed the entire original structure. The blaze reduced the magnificent Victorian building to smoldering ruins and ashes within hours. Guests and staff barely escaped with their lives as flames engulfed the wooden structure. The devastating fire destroyed everything except the determination to rebuild something even more spectacular.

Construction began immediately on a new Lodge that opened in 1911 with enhanced grandeur and safety features. The rebuilt structure featured the same Victorian elegance but incorporated more fireproof materials and modern conveniences. The new Lodge attracted an even more prestigious clientele including politicians, celebrities, and wealthy industrialists. Judy Garland, Gilbert Roland, and Clark Gable all stayed within these walls during Hollywood’s golden era.

The Lodge has undergone several renovations and ownership changes throughout its 110-plus year history. Each restoration carefully preserved the original Victorian character and historic architectural details that define the property. The current owners maintain meticulous records of the building’s colorful past and embrace its haunted heritage. Historical photographs line the hallways showing the Lodge’s transformation from frontier outpost to luxury mountain retreat.

During Prohibition, the Lodge allegedly served as a speakeasy and gambling den for local elites. Secret passages and hidden rooms supposedly facilitated illegal activities away from prying eyes and law enforcement. These clandestine operations attracted a rougher crowd alongside the respectable guests seeking mountain relaxation. Some believe the violent events of this era contributed to the paranormal energy that permeates the property.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Guests report a wide range of supernatural phenomena occurring throughout the Lodge at all hours. Disembodied footsteps echo through empty hallways in the dead of night with no visible source. The scent of roses and perfume wafts through rooms where no flowers or fragrances exist. Objects move on their own accord, lights flicker without electrical issues, and doors open and close by themselves.

Cold spots manifest suddenly in specific locations, dropping temperatures by 20 degrees or more within seconds. Guests feel unseen hands touching their shoulders, arms, or faces when completely alone in their rooms. The elevator operates independently, traveling between floors with no one inside and no buttons being pressed. Staff members find freshly made beds rumpled and disturbed minutes after completing their housekeeping duties.

Apparitions appear primarily in Room 101 and the Governor’s Suite on the third floor. A beautiful woman in 1930s-era clothing manifests most frequently near the staircase and in the Red Dog Saloon. Shadowy figures drift through walls and disappear into areas where doors once existed in earlier floor plans. Guests capture strange orbs, mists, and unexplained shapes in photographs taken throughout the property.

The most commonly reported phenomenon involves Rebecca’s playful yet sometimes unsettling interactions with male guests. She particularly favors handsome men staying alone and makes her presence known through various means. Music from the 1930s plays from unknown sources in empty rooms and hallways late at night. The piano in the Tower Room occasionally produces melodies when no one sits at the keys.

Electronic devices malfunction inexplicably within certain areas of the Lodge, particularly around Room 101. Cell phones drain completely within minutes, cameras refuse to function, and recording equipment captures strange voices and sounds. Motion sensors trigger repeatedly in empty corridors where security cameras show no physical presence. Staff members experience the phenomena so frequently they’ve simply accepted Rebecca as part of the Lodge family.

Ghost Stories & Reports

Rebecca Atkinson remains the Lodge’s most famous and active spirit haunting the property for nearly a century. She worked as a chambermaid during the 1930s, known for her stunning red hair and vivacious personality. Rebecca allegedly had a passionate affair with a lumberjack named Stanley who worked in the surrounding forests. Their romance burned hot but ended in tragedy that bound her spirit to the Lodge forever.

According to Lodge legend, Rebecca discovered Stanley in the arms of another woman one fateful night. The betrayal devastated the young chambermaid who had given her heart completely to the unfaithful lumberjack. Some versions claim she confronted the couple in a jealous rage that turned violent and deadly. Others suggest Rebecca took her own life in Room 101 after discovering Stanley’s infidelity and lies.

The exact details of Rebecca’s death remain murky with several conflicting accounts circulating among staff and locals. One version states Stanley murdered Rebecca during an argument and hid her body in the crawlspace. Another claims she fell or was pushed from a window during the confrontation with her lover. The most widely accepted story suggests Rebecca’s spirit simply refused to leave the place where she experienced her greatest joy and deepest heartbreak.

Guests staying in Room 101 report the most intense and frequent encounters with Rebecca’s restless spirit. She appears as a beautiful woman in her late twenties with flame-red hair and period clothing. Rebecca seems particularly drawn to attractive men staying alone, often manifesting at the foot of their beds. She’s been seen combing her long red hair in the mirror and rearranging items on dressers.

One businessman reported waking at 3 AM to find Rebecca sitting on the edge of his bed. She smiled at him seductively before vanishing into thin air, leaving behind the strong scent of roses. A honeymooning couple experienced Rebecca’s jealous side when she allegedly threw items across their room and slammed doors. The bride felt distinctly unwelcome while Rebecca showered the groom with perfumed attention and ghostly caresses.

Rebecca’s presence extends beyond Room 101 into other areas where she worked during her employment. Staff members encounter her in the hallways carrying fresh linens even though she casts no reflection in mirrors. The Red Dog Saloon experiences activity attributed to Rebecca flirting with male patrons from beyond the grave. She allegedly enjoys moving drinks, touching shoulders, and whispering in ears of unsuspecting men at the bar.

A prominent politician staying in the Governor’s Suite reported an intense encounter during a 1998 visit. He awoke to find a redheaded woman in vintage clothing standing by the window gazing at the moonlit mountains. When he spoke to her, she turned with sad eyes and disappeared through the solid wall. The experience so unnerved the official that he checked out immediately despite having reserved the suite for a week.

Paranormal investigators document Rebecca’s playful nature through various electronic voice phenomena and recordings captured throughout the Lodge. She responds to questions asked during vigils and seems to enjoy the attention from ghost hunters. Rebecca has allegedly spelled her name using dowsing rods and indicated she remains at the Lodge because it felt like home. One investigator reported Rebecca touching his face gently before leaving a rose-scented handprint on the thermal camera.

Most Haunted Spot

Room 101 stands as the undisputed epicenter of paranormal activity at the Lodge at Cloudcroft. This corner room on the main floor reportedly served as Rebecca’s personal quarters during her employment in the 1930s. Guests brave enough to request this specific room rarely make it through the night without experiencing unexplained phenomena. The Lodge staff maintains the room as a tribute to Rebecca while fully disclosing its haunted history to potential guests.

The Governor’s Suite on the third floor ranks as the second most actively haunted location within the property. This luxurious accommodation features a turret room offering panoramic mountain views and Victorian elegance throughout. Guests report seeing Rebecca near the windows and feeling unseen presences watching them from darkened corners. The suite’s bathroom experiences particularly intense activity with faucets turning on independently and mirrors fogging with mysterious messages.

The Red Dog Saloon serves as Rebecca’s favorite haunt when she ventures from her room to socialize. Male patrons sitting alone at the bar frequently report feeling someone sit beside them on empty stools. The scent of roses and vintage perfume announces her presence before cold spots and touching sensations manifest. Bartenders witness glasses sliding across the bar and bottles reorganizing themselves when the saloon sits empty after hours.

Can You Visit?

The Lodge at Cloudcroft operates as a fully functional hotel welcoming overnight guests year-round. Reservations can be made through their website or by calling the front desk directly for any available room. Room 101 books months in advance due to its notorious reputation among paranormal enthusiasts seeking firsthand encounters. The Governor’s Suite offers another haunted option for guests wanting luxurious accommodations with supernatural possibilities.

Room rates vary by season with summer and fall commanding premium pricing due to ideal weather conditions. Overnight accommodations typically range from 150 to 400 dollars depending on room selection and time of year. Special paranormal investigation packages are available for serious ghost hunters wanting extended access to haunted areas. The Lodge does not charge extra fees specifically for staying in haunted rooms like Room 101.

The Red Dog Saloon and Rebecca’s Restaurant remain open to the public for dining and drinks without requiring overnight stays. Visitors can tour the public areas of the Lodge freely during business hours and view historical photographs. Staff members willingly share Rebecca stories and point out locations where significant paranormal events occurred. The Lodge gift shop sells books about Rebecca’s legend and various haunted history memorabilia.

Photography is fully permitted throughout the public areas and within guest rooms during your stay. Many visitors specifically come to capture potential paranormal evidence on cameras and recording devices. The Lodge encourages guests to share their experiences and any unusual photographs captured during their visit. Several framed guest photos displaying orbs and mysterious shapes hang in the hallways as testament to ongoing activity.

Official ghost tours are not regularly scheduled but the Lodge occasionally hosts special paranormal investigation events. Private paranormal groups can arrange after-hours access for serious investigations with advance notice and proper insurance. The staff proves remarkably accommodating to ghost hunters who approach them professionally and respectfully. Check the Lodge website for special Halloween events and paranormal-themed packages offered during peak haunting season.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity at the Lodge occurs consistently throughout the year with no particular seasonal pattern emerging. Late night hours between midnight and 4 AM produce the most frequent and intense supernatural encounters. Rebecca seems most active during these quiet hours when fewer guests roam the hallways and public spaces. Staff working overnight shifts report regular interactions with the resident ghost during their solitary rounds.

Weekend visits tend to generate more reported phenomena possibly due to increased guest occupancy and energy. The full moon phases coincide with heightened activity levels according to longtime staff members and frequent visitors. September through November sees a spike in paranormal reports as enthusiasts specifically book haunted rooms for Halloween season. Winter months bring fewer tourists but those who brave the snow often experience more intense one-on-one encounters.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

A couple from Texas documented their 2015 stay in Room 101 with video and audio recordings. They captured the distinct sound of a woman humming a 1930s love song at 2:30 AM. The footage shows their door handle turning and the door opening slowly while they watched frozen in their bed. When the husband called out asking if someone was there, a female voice clearly responded “I’m here” on the recording.

A paranormal investigator from California spent three consecutive nights in Room 101 during October 2018. She reported waking each night to the sensation of someone sitting on the bed beside her. The investigator photographed an unexplained mist forming near the closet that appeared to take humanoid shape. Her EMF detector spiked repeatedly in the corner where Rebecca allegedly died despite no electrical sources existing in that area.

The head housekeeper at the Lodge shared her personal experiences accumulated over 15 years of employment. She claims Rebecca helps with cleaning duties by straightening already-made beds and organizing toiletries into perfect arrangements. The housekeeper once found a single red rose placed on the pillow in Room 101 despite no flowers being delivered. She’s heard her name called by a female voice when alone in the service corridors numerous times.

A skeptical journalist checked into the Governor’s Suite intending to debunk the Rebecca legend in 2012. He experienced such intense paranormal activity that he left at dawn and published a retraction of his skeptical article. The journalist reported doors slamming violently, objects flying across the room, and the overwhelming sensation of being watched. He captured photographs showing mysterious shadows and light anomalies he couldn’t explain away as natural phenomena.

Multiple guests report dreams of a redheaded woman who introduces herself as Rebecca and shares details about the Lodge. These dreams feel unusually vivid and visitors wake with specific historical information they later verify through Lodge records. One guest dreamed of Rebecca showing her a hidden compartment in Room 101 that staff subsequently discovered during renovations. The compartment contained old photographs and personal items belonging to a chambermaid from the 1930s.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Lodge appeared on a 2014 episode of a popular paranormal television series featuring celebrity ghost hunters. The investigation team captured compelling electronic voice phenomena throughout their overnight stay in Room 101. Thermal imaging revealed unexplained cold spots moving through rooms and a human-shaped heat signature appearing where no person stood. The lead investigator declared the Lodge legitimately haunted based on the evidence gathered during filming.

Southwest Ghost Hunters Association conducted a comprehensive investigation spanning three nights in 2016 with a full team of researchers. They documented over 40 separate paranormal events including doors opening independently, objects moving, and distinct female voices on audio recorders. The team captured a full-body apparition on night-vision cameras walking through the hallway near Room 101. Their final report concluded Rebecca’s presence was genuine and the Lodge ranked among the most active locations they’d investigated.

A team from the University of New Mexico’s parapsychology department studied the Lodge for a research paper in 2010. They approached the investigation with scientific skepticism and controlled testing methods to rule out natural explanations. The researchers documented statistically significant electromagnetic field fluctuations corresponding with reported paranormal activity in Room 101. Temperature variations occurred without any environmental factors that could account for such dramatic and localized changes.

Numerous independent investigators visit the Lodge annually armed with equipment ranging from basic to sophisticated. Many publish their findings on paranormal websites and social media documenting orbs, shadow figures, and EVP recordings. The consistency of reports across different investigation teams adds credibility to the Lodge’s haunted reputation. Rebecca seems to particularly enjoy interacting with investigators who treat her respectfully and acknowledge her presence openly.

Local Legends & Myths

Local residents share stories of other spirits haunting the Lodge beyond the famous Rebecca. A former governor allegedly returns to his namesake suite seeking rest from eternal political battles. Some claim the spirit of a young boy plays pranks in the kitchen area where he once worked washing dishes. These secondary ghosts receive less attention but contribute to the overall paranormal atmosphere surrounding the historic property.

Cloudcroft locals whisper about secret tunnels beneath the Lodge used during Prohibition for illegal alcohol smuggling operations. Some believe violent deaths occurred in these hidden passages during disputes between bootleggers and rival gangs. The tunnels allegedly connect to other historic buildings in downtown Cloudcroft but remain sealed for safety reasons. Paranormal investigators theorize these tunnels may harbor additional spirits beyond Rebecca in the Lodge’s underground depths.

A darker legend suggests Stanley the lumberjack never left the area after Rebecca’s death haunting him. Some claim his guilty spirit roams the forests surrounding Cloudcroft seeking Rebecca’s forgiveness for his betrayal. Guests occasionally report seeing a flannel-clad man watching the Lodge from the treeline before vanishing into thin air. Whether Stanley’s ghost truly exists or remains merely local folklore continues to fuel speculation and ghost stories.

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