A look at Steamboat Springs' haunted side, featuring historic buildings, local legends, self-guided tour tips, and the best guided ghost walks for travelers who love stories with a spooky twist.
If you're someone who loves a good ghost story or enjoys a little thrill now and then, Steamboat Springs has plenty of year-round spooky fun waiting for you. The town is home to several old buildings and historic spots where locals have reported strange happenings, and you can explore them at your own pace on a self-guided "haunts of Steamboat" tour or with knowledgeable local guides. It's a great way to see a different side of the town's history. After your wanderings, head back to your cozy rental, settle in, and queue up your favorite scary movie for the perfect end to a lightly spooky day.
Here's a quick peek before we jump in:
- Tread of Pioneers Museum: Historic exhibits paired with reports of a curious phantom roaming the halls.
- Rehder Building: Former home of Helen Rehder, whose presence was reportedly felt for years before the building's full renovation.
- Depot Art Center: A cultural hub with decades of stories about flickering lights and unexplained activity.
- Chief Plaza Theater: A 1927 theater where staff have spotted lights switching on and a projector firing up on its own.
At Retreatia, we have extensive local expertise in luxury rental properties, ski-in/ski-out options, and downtown lodging. Many of our rentals are pet-friendly, and all are perfect for any time of the year!
We also consider ourselves local experts, and in our destination blog, we cover everything from hidden gems and indoor attractions to wonderful coffee shops around town. You'll find plenty of tips that will help make your stay in Steamboat Springs a memorable one, no matter the season. Pack your bags, bring your curiosity, and get ready to make memories in this unforgettable corner of the American West!
In this blog post, I've rounded up four of the top haunted spots in Steamboat Springs so you can explore the city's history in a unique and memorable way.
Ready? Let's get into it!
1. The Phantom of the TREAD OF PIONEERS MUSEUM
The Tread of Pioneers Museum is one of the best places to dive into Steamboat Springs' history. It's open year-round and packed with variety, from the Olympian Tribute Display and Western Heritage Exhibit to the Native American collection and a Victorian House with beautifully furnished period rooms.
Along with all that history comes a local legend. Staff and visitors have reported hearing footsteps in quiet halls and catching quick flashes of a phantom roaming the exhibits, especially after displays are rearranged. The spirit seems curious, almost as if it's checking in on what's new.
2. Meet Helen at the Rehder Building
Built in 1905, the Rehder Building has been everything from a Ford Garage office to a dentist's workspace, and today it houses the Steamboat Art Museum. It landed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020, the same year it hit its 115-year mark.
Harry Rehder bought the building in 1937, and later his son Henry and Henry's wife Helen took it over. That's where the ghost stories begin. For years, staff reported lights flicking on and off, footsteps in empty rooms, and the occasional reflection of someone who definitely wasn't there. Locals believed Helen was keeping an eye on the place and that she wasn't thrilled with its condition. After a full renovation, the strange sightings stopped, as if she finally approved.
Stop by the Steamboat Art Museum on your next visit. If anything flickers or shifts in the corner of your eye, you might have just crossed paths with Helen.
3. The Many Ghosts of The DEPOT ART CENTER
The Chief Plaza Theater has been part of Steamboat Springs' story since 1927. It started as the town's second movie house and the first to bring in "talkies," and today it operates as a 320-seat cultural arts venue with space for films, events, conferences, and even rooftop dining.
But behind the scenes, things get a little stranger. Over the years, staff have noticed lights flicking on and off while they clean, and more than a few have walked to the front door after closing only to hear a projector fire up again in an empty theater. Guests rarely notice anything unusual, but employees have plenty of stories.
Some say the mischief comes from Harry Gordon, the theater's original owner, still checking on his place. If you stop by for a show, keep your eyes on the stage and your ears open; the staff might not be the only ones working after hours.
4. The Poltergeist of the Chief Plaza Theater
The Chief Plaza Theater has been part of Steamboat Springs since 1927. It started as the town's second movie house and the first to show "talkies," and today it's a flexible arts space with 320 seats, a restaurant, a rooftop deck, and plenty of room for movies, conferences, parties, and special events.
But the real stories happen after closing time. Over the years, staff have shared a long list of strange moments: lights flicking on and off while they clean, rooms going bright again just as they reach the exit, even a projector springing to life in an empty theater. Visitors usually don't see a thing, but employees know the routine.
Locals say the culprit might be Harry Gordon, the theater's original owner, still keeping an eye on his place. Catch a show, enjoy the rooftop views, and if a light pops on for no reason, just assume Harry's doing his nightly rounds.
Tips for a Great Self-Guided Haunted Tour in Steamboat Springs
- Map out your stops first: The haunted spots are spread around town, so planning your route makes the whole tour smoother and way more fun.
- Go in the late afternoon or early evening: You'll catch that golden-hour glow on the historic buildings, and by the time you're on your last stop, things feel a little spookier.
- Read a little history before each location: Knowing who lived or worked there, and what supposedly happened, makes each stop way more interesting.
- Take your time exploring the outside: Many haunted buildings are fully active businesses or museums, so wandering the exterior and looking at architectural details adds to the vibe.
- Bring a friend or two: Ghost stories are always more fun with company, and it turns the walk into a relaxed, social outing.
- Snap photos along the way: You never know what tiny shadow or weird reflection might show up later when you scroll through your camera roll.
- Pop into nearby shops and cafés between stops: It breaks up the tour and gives you a taste of Steamboat's downtown charm.
- End your tour with a cozy movie night: Head back to your rental, grab a snack, and queue up a scary movie to keep the theme going.
Guided ghost tour operators in Steamboat
US Ghost Adventures
US Ghost Adventures — Steamboat Springs Ghost Tour offers an atmospheric, one-hour evening walk through historic downtown and haunted landmarks of Steamboat Springs, mixing real local history and eerie legends for a spooky, fun night out.
Here's some helpful info about them if you're interested in taking a guided tour:
- Nightly walking ghost tours: Their "Shadows & Sinister Sorrow" tour lasts about an hour and covers roughly one mile. Tours meet at the front of the courthouse in downtown Steamboat.
- Haunted history + real-place visits: The tour shows you some of the town's most storied haunted spots, including buildings like the former hotel/hospital, old museums, and historic downtown structures, with stories tied to real events and local lore.
- No fuss required: You don't need to print a ticket or download a special pass. Just bring a valid ID and show up; the tour runs regardless of the weather.
- History plus ghost stories: The guides weave local history with first-hand accounts of paranormal activity, drawing from interviews, guest experiences, and their own research to give you a ghost tour grounded in real-life stories.
Who Ghost Tours Are Great For (and Why They're Interesting Beyond the Scares)
Ghost tours aren't only about jump scares. They're a fun way to learn quirky local history, hear stories you won't find in museums, and see the town in a completely different light.
Who they're great for
- Travelers who enjoy local legends and oddball stories.
- Families with older kids who like a little mystery.
- Couples looking for a different kind of evening activity.
- Friends who want a light, entertaining outing.
- Solo travelers who enjoy guided walks with personality.
What makes them interesting beyond the spooky moments
- Hidden stories behind historic buildings.
- Architecture details you'd never notice on your own.
- Fun local folklore passed down over generations.
- A relaxed nighttime walk through Steamboat's historic core.
- Engaging guides who know the town's past inside out.
- A chance to connect history, mystery, and place in one experience.
Enjoy every moment of your Steamboat Springs escape
While in town, why not stay in style with the great backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in one of the most iconic rental properties and complexes that Steamboat Springs offers?
Retreatia offers luxury properties, ski-in/ski-out options, and downtown lodgings, many of which are pet-friendly. Staying in one of our properties, we guarantee you'll have nothing less than a 5-star experience, something that will definitely enhance your Steamboat Springs vacation.