haunted hotels in South Dakota

The historic Bullock Hotel is one of the most haunted hotels in South Dakota. Staying at the Bullock Hotel was the first time I stayed at a haunted or historic hotel. After watching an episode of Ghost Adventures on the Travel Channel, I learned about the hotel’s past and put it on my list of places to visit.

I planned a trip to South Dakota because I had some vacation time available. During my adventure, I would spend the two nights in Deadwood at the Bullock Hotel. I also invited my father to come along. He had never before stayed at a haunted hotel. It just so happened that we were staying in one of the most haunted hotels in South Dakota.

The Bullock Hotel continues to come up whenever we discuss haunted hotels today. The hotel experience exceeded our expectations and affected my choices for upcoming travels.

A Brief History of the Area

All of the territory west of the Missouri River was under the hands of the Sioux tribes after the United States’ military defeat in Red Cloud’s War. It was referred to as the “Great Sioux Reservation.”

In 1873, financial panic hit the world, and the United States was not immune to the financial struggles other nations faced. Banks had over invested into the expansion of the railroad. As the railroad struggled, so did the banks.

America was still experiencing financial troubles when Colonel George Custer was dispatched on an expedition the next year. Custer’s mission was to find a suitable site for a new fort. Journalists who were on the expedition wrote articles about finding gold, and those articles received widespread media attention.

People looking to strike it rich flocked to the Black Hills. Some did, and others lost everything. Some moved on, and others never left, and their souls remain.

The Hotel

The Bullock Hotel is Deadwood, South Dakota’s oldest hotel.

The hotel has undergone modifications and improvements over time to become more contemporary. The phenomenon of activity escalating after construction is frequently mentioned by paranormal believers.

Employees and visitors have reported orb sightings, hearing disembodied voices, seeing shadow figures move about the hotel, and even seeing Seth Bullock himself. Some people think Seth Bullock is still there, guarding the motel he owned.

The Bullock Hotel should be on your radar if you’re looking for one of the most haunted hotels in South Dakota. If you are brave enough, spend the night in Seth Bullock’s room (211), where he passed away.

The first floor of the hotel, has a casino, a dining area, and a guest service area where guests can check in. Located on the floors above, they include 26 rooms and 2 suites.

Read about other haunted locations I have visited.