5 Unbelievably Creepy Haunted Locations in Arizona

Tombstone, Arizona is known for its Wild West history, and in the center of all that rowdy action stood a saloon known as the Bird Cage Theatre. This watering hole was witness to no small number of bar fights, shootouts, and murders.

As this locale offered drinks, live shows, gambling, and companionship, it was the place to be. So much so that it seems the departed aren't so keen on actually departing.

One spirit belongs to a murdered prostitute, who was killed by a rival who cut her heart out of her chest with a stiletto. An array of patrons and performers also still haunt the building.

Visitors report seeing visible apparitions, hearing disembodied voices, and experiencing strange music floating through the air. Various ghost hunters and mediums report being attacked upon entering the saloon, with one psychic even claiming they were strangled.

Bisbee is a small mining town close to the Mexican border. As such, the Copper Queen Hotel was built in 1902 to house the miners and investors who were constantly passing through town.

With so many colorful characters staying here and so many raucous parties bringing in the crowds, its no wonder there's a plethora of unsettled spirits that remain in the hotel.

One of the more famous ghosts is a prostitute named Julia Lowell, who's allegedly known to seduce men who book rooms on the second and third floors. Described by those who see her as a beautiful woman in her 30s, she died by suicide in the bathtub of her hotel room after she fell in love with a client and got her heart broken.

There's also the ghost of a young boy named Billy on the grounds. He died by drowning in the San Pedro River, and now entertains himself in the afterlife by playing pranks on the hotel's guests.

Billy isn't typically seen, but he can frequently be heard through childish giggling and small footsteps running down the halls. Guests report that items in their rooms have moved around on their own, and the trickery is usually attributed to little Billy.

One less intrusive ghost is that of an older man, described as having a beard and long hair. He's seen walking around the hotel in a top hat and a cape, accompanied by the smell of cigar smoke.

He's known to pace the fourth floor, and sometimes appears as only a shadow in some of the rooms. Though he often frightens guests with his sudden appearances, he means no harm.

While these are the three most popular ghosts, it's believed there may be up to 16 different spirits in the haunted hotel.

Visitors report doors slamming on their own, phantom phone calls, pictures flying off the wall, and inexplicable malfunctions in electronics like cameras and cell phones.

The Yuma Territorial Prison was operational from 1876 to 1909, housing some of the most notorious criminals of the Old West. Today, it stands as a museum where visitors can tour the abandoned cells and corridors.

This outdoor prison was a brutal place that even the baddest of the bad feared being sent to. Beyond the ungodly heat, spiders, and scorpions, the prison was run by sadistic guards who would send misbehaving inmates to the Dark Room, a pitch-black enclosure where they were chained up for days.

In its 33 years of operation, there were a recorded 111 deaths. Most losses were attributed to tuberculosis, as the prisoners were constantly subject to dark and dank conditions.

Those who visit the museum may hear ghostly whispers, rattling chains, or even echoes of the old prison band guitars. Some report the sensation of cold spots, and others have even seen full phantoms on the premises.

It's not just the spirits of prisoners haunting the grounds, however. There's allegedly the ghost of a young girl who plays pranks on those who visit the museum, poking and pinching them as they pass.

During the gold rush, the Vulture Gold Mine was Arizona's most prosperous mine. It produced more than 340,000 ounces of gold and 260,000 ounces of silver.

Naturally, with that much precious metal being pulled from the ground, the area was rife with thieves. When these criminals were caught, they were sent directly to the gallows.

Today, the ghosts of hanged thieves are said to haunt tourists who tread too close to their graves.

Other areas are also paranormal hotspots, including the mess hall. Here, visitors claim they can still smell food being cooked, and can even hear the banging of pots and pans.

The mineshafts are haunted by a spirit by the name of Jimmy Davis. He died in a gruesome freak accident, and his ghostly wails for help can be heard at night.

Other apparitions and disembodied whispers have also been reported in the area.

The Superstition Mountains lie just outside of Apache Junction, Arizona. A major attraction for tourists due to its breathtaking beauty, the area is also home to a flurry of paranormal activity.

Those who hike the mountain trails claim to encounter the specters of both lost miners and departed Native Americans. Among the typical array of ghostly phenomena, visitors also report seeing unexplained lights off in the distance.