Here are 5 of the most haunted places in New Mexico

Ranging from a haunted cemetery, a hotel with a chilling past, or ghost tours around the state, there are some very spooky places across New Mexico.

To discover the scariest, we have rounded up the five most haunted places in New Mexico below.

Dawson Cemetery

Dawson Cemetery, established in 1913, is a historic site in Dawson, a former coal mining town near Cimarron. In 1913, a devastating explosion at the mine claimed the lives of more than 250 men, marking one of the worst coal mining disasters in American history. A second tragic explosion in 1923 killed 122 miners. Today, the cemetery is the only remaining part of the once-thriving town.

Many New Mexicans consider Dawson Cemetery to be one of the state's most haunted locations. Visitors have reported seeing lights resembling those on miners' helmets and even apparitions wandering the grounds. These figures are believed to be the spirits of the miners who perished in the disasters. The tragedy was also featured in the Emmy-winning Netflix series Godless.

La Fonda

La Fonda restaurant, La Plazuela, is believed to be the site of a 19th-century lynching and a shooting. Located at the end of the Santa Fe Trail, the hotel features Southwestern décor and ghostly apparitions for visitors. According to legend, in 1857, a gambler was taken from the gambling hall and hanged in the hotel's backyard by a mob. The site of the lynching is now the patio of La Plazuela. Just 10 years later, Chief Justice of the Territorial Supreme Court, John P. Slough, was shot in the hotel lobby.

Guests have reported seeing what they believe to be the shadow of a man swinging from a tree while dining on the patio, as well as a judge wearing a long black coat wandering the hotel lobby. Another haunting tale involves a young bride who was murdered on the night of her wedding and continues to haunt the hotel's wedding suite. So, be mindful when walking through the lobby at night; you never know who—or what—you might encounter.

Santa Fe Ghost Tour

Explore the most haunted places in Santa Fe on this 105-minute walking tour. Led by Stefanie Beninato, a well-known tour guide in the area, you’ll hear the stories of the apparitions behind the walls of Santa Fe’s historic buildings—some of the most likely locations to encounter ghosts and other haunting spirits.

Tours are offered every Thursday and Sunday, as well as on the first Saturday of each month. In October, tours start at 6:30 p.m. and will shift to 5:30 p.m. beginning in November. Pricing varies by age: $18 per person for participants ages 15 and under and $35 per person for those over 15. A group is required, as the minimum ticket total is $95.

Ghost tour of Old Town Albuquerque

Over the course of three centuries, people have lived and died around Old Town Plaza. The historic buildings and alleys hold many untold stories. Discover tales of lost loves, Civil War battles, murders, hangings, and hidden cemeteries on this guided tour, which lasts between 75 minutes and two hours and takes you through the Old Town Albuquerque area.

You can choose from two different public tours: the public ghost tour or the public moonlight ghost tour. The public ghost tour begins at 8 p.m. and is offered on most days, welcoming participants of all ages for a cost of $30 per person. For those 13 years or older, the moonlight ghost tour takes place on select nights, starting at 10 p.m. and costing $30. October dates for the moonlight tour are the 18, 19, 25, 26, and 31.

You also have the option to take a private tour with you and four friends. Tours are as follows:

• 4 p.m. Private Daytime Ghost Tour: Up to 5 people for a total price of $100 (75 minutes).
• 6 p.m. Private Ghost Tour: Up to 5 people for a total price of $125 (90 minutes).
• 8 p.m. Private Ghost Tour: Up to 5 people for a total price of $150 (105 minutes).
• 10 p.m. Private Moonlight Ghost Tour: Up to 5 people for a total price of $175 (2 hours).

Extra guests beyond the included 5 people can be added to private tours for $25 each.

Shakespeare Ghost Tour

Shakespeare, located in the southwestern part of the U.S. in New Mexico, offers Shakespeare's Ghost Tour, which gives you the chance to walk the streets once traveled by notorious figures such as Billy the Kid, John Ringo, Curley Bill, the Clantons, Jim Hughes, and Sandy King.

During the tour, you'll walk a portion of the Butterfield Trail, hear captivating stories of the Old West and enter eight historic buildings. According to local lore, Shakespeare had no formal laws—just the unwritten rule that "if you kill someone, you have to dig the grave."

Tours are offered daily at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Ticket prices vary by age: adult admission is $15, children aged 6 to 12 are $7, and children under 6 are free. Please note that participants must spend a minimum of $30 to be eligible for a tour.