Would You Dare to Stay in a Clown-Themed Hotel?

Located three hours from Las Vegas, the historic mining town of Tonopah, Nevada, is home to various desert curiosities, including the Mitzpah Hotel—reputed to be the most haunted hotel in the United States. According to anyone familiar with the film It, this place is merely the second-scariest lodging in town.

Just a minute’s drive down the road lies the World Famous Clown Motel, an unmistakable landmark with its vibrant candy-striped neon sign and towering 19-foot clown cutouts that greet arriving guests. It might just earn the title of America’s spookiest motel.

Step into the front office, and you’ll soon see why. It houses a vast collection of around 3,000 clown dolls, ceramics, posters, prints, and various unsettling items, ranging from the oddly friendly to the truly terrifying and grotesque. The assortment includes painted and porcelain figures, oversized stuffed clowns, and some that are well over a century old.

The Clown Motel's history traces back to Tonopah’s founding in 1900 when a man named Jim Butler discovered silver-rich ore in the region. Mining companies quickly flocked to the area, but the town’s fortune soon faded. Alongside the Tonopah Plague—a pneumonia outbreak that struck from 1902 to 1905—a series of mine fires claimed many lives, resulting in numerous burials at the Tonopah Cemetery. Among the deceased was Clarence David, who passed away in 1942 and, as fate would have it, owned a significant collection of clowns.

In 1985, approximately 43 years later, David’s children chose to establish a motel adjacent to the cemetery where their father was laid to rest, incorporating his antique collection into the design. (Naturally, any seasoned hotelier understands that clowns make particularly cheerful overnight companions.)

After a few ownership changes, a webcomic, two independent films, and a memorable episode of Ghost Adventures, the Clown Motel has emerged as a landmark in this once-thriving desert town.

To enhance the spooky ambiance, the motel’s current managers—brothers Vijay Mehar and Hame Anand—have remodeled several rooms with themes inspired by The Exorcist, Halloween, and Friday the 13th. Each room is said to be haunted by various spirits, with legends as unsettling as the clowns themselves. One story recounts a guest who tragically shot himself after being driven insane by a ghostly presence during his stay. There are also accounts of guests who checked in, only to spend years living at the motel before passing away in their rooms. Additionally, the spirits of 20th-century miners and plague victims still haunt the cemetery next door.

If you find yourself too frightened to stay overnight (you certainly wouldn’t be the first), don’t fret: the motel’s iconic clown collection is housed in the main office building, which you can visit for free, even if you don’t plan on booking a room.

There’s no shortage of activities in and around Tonopah, particularly for those who enjoy unusual travel experiences. Not only is it one of the best locations in the U.S. for stargazing, but the town is also a notable stop on Nevada’s Extraterrestrial Highway. This scenic route leads you to various UFO-themed rest stops, the meeting grounds for enthusiasts and alleged abductees, and the nearest town to Area 51.

If you’re in search of a restful night, we recommend visiting the local museum and then heading to the Comfort Inn nearby. However, if you choose to spend the night, be advised: as stated on the property’s website, the Clown Motel disclaims any responsibility for emotional distress arising from “spiritual and/or unexplained phenomena and/or other unusual or paranormal activities” you might experience during your stay.