If you’ve ever driven along Highway 95 through the Nevada desert, chances are you’ve passed one of America’s most bizarre roadside attractions — The Clown Motel. Nestled in the historic mining town of Tonopah, this motel is more than just a place to rest your weary head. With hundreds of clown figurines watching over you and a century-old cemetery next door, it’s a hotspot for thrill-seekers, road trippers, and paranormal investigators alike. Whether you’re drawn to its quirky decor or the ghost stories that surround it, The Clown Motel is a destination like no other. So pack your EMF detector, steel your nerves, and get ready to dive into the creepiest overnight stay the Silver State has to offer.
The History
From Mining Boomtown to Desert Oddity
To understand the eerie charm of The Clown Motel, you have to begin with the town it calls home—Tonopah, Nevada. Founded in 1900 after prospector Jim Butler accidentally discovered silver-rich ore, Tonopah quickly blossomed into one of Nevada’s mining capitals. At its peak, the town was home to thousands of miners chasing fortunes deep below the desert surface. As with most boomtowns, the prosperity didn’t last forever. By the mid-20th century, the mines began to close, and Tonopah’s population dwindled, leaving behind a landscape peppered with abandoned buildings and echoes of its bustling past.
The Birth of The Clown Motel
The Clown Motel was built in 1985 by siblings Leona and Leroy David as a tribute to their late father, Clarence David, whose final resting place is in the adjacent “Old Tonopah Cemetery.” The motel quickly gained notoriety thanks to its long hallways lined with clown portraits and rooms containing smiling—and sometimes downright sinister—clown dolls of all sizes. The original owners had a modest dream: provide a unique roadside stop for travelers and pay homage to a dearly missed family member. Unintentionally, they created one of the most unsettling travel experiences in the American West.
A Collection That Keeps Growing
What started with a modest display of clown memorabilia has evolved into a full-blown museum. The Clown Motel now boasts over 2,000 clown figurines, paintings, and toys scattered across the property. Guests have donated items over the decades, either out of enthusiasm for the theme—or perhaps just to rid themselves of a particularly unwelcoming piece from home. Every room has clown artwork, some cheerful, others unnervingly lifelike. And the lobby? It’s a technicolor fever dream of wide grins and glassy eyes.
The Haunt
Resting Beside the Dead
Much of The Clown Motel’s haunted reputation stems from its next-door neighbor—the Old Tonopah Cemetery. Established in 1901, the cemetery is the final resting place for over 300 souls, many of whom died from tragic mining accidents, mysterious illnesses, and even the 1911 Belmont Mine Fire that killed 17 men. With so much death condensed into a small plot of desert land, it’s no wonder visitors claim to feel an ominous presence while walking among the wind-worn gravestones.
Ghostly Encounters
- Room 108: Perhaps the most infamous room in the hotel. Multiple guests have reported unexplained knocking, sudden temperature drops, shadowy figures, and disembodied voices late at night. Paranormal investigators believe it may be a hotspot for spiritual activity.
- The Lobby: Staff and guests alike have witnessed the clown dolls moving slightly of their own accord, lights flickering, and eerie laughter with no apparent source. Is it electricity playing tricks—or something paranormal?
- Midnight Visitors: Some guests claim to see specters roaming the hallway, dressed in miner’s clothing. Cold drafts will pass through closed windows, and muffled footsteps echo down empty corridors. Spirits from the cemetery might just be checking in.
Paranormal Investigations
The Clown Motel is no stranger to ghost hunters. The motel has been featured on numerous paranormal TV shows and YouTube investigations, including “Ghost Adventures” and “Destination Fear.” Paranormal teams have recorded EVP sessions indicating intelligent responses, strange audio recordings, and temperature fluctuations, particularly near objects rumored to carry spiritual energy—such as certain clown dolls guests have donated with foreboding backstories.
Even skeptics leave with a tale to tell. Whether it’s imagination fueled by the eerie decor or genuine contact with the other side, most people agree on one thing: The Clown Motel has an energy that can’t easily be explained.
Plan Your Visit, If You Dare
The Clown Motel may not be for everyone—it’s gained a reputation as “America’s Scariest Motel” for good reason. But for ghost hunters, lovers of the odd and eerie, or even just curious road-trippers, this is a must-visit destination. The owners now lean heavily into the haunted appeal, offering themed horror rooms, ghost tours, and even partnerships with paranormal groups for overnight investigations.
Rooms are clean and comfortable, despite the unsettling ambiance. Wi-Fi, television, and air conditioning come standard—but don’t expect a peaceful night’s rest. If you’re sensitive to spiritual energy or highly tuned to paranormal presences, bring your gear. But even if you only come armed with a smartphone and flashlight, you’re in for one unforgettable experience.
Whether you’re investigating the whispers of lost miners, deciphering EMF spikes among the clowns, or just passing through for a one-of-a-kind photo op, The Clown Motel delivers on its chilling promise. So gather your team, load your car, and prepare for a night unlike any other—with spirits watching closely and clowns grinning wide.