The Wilds Project.

Filed under: Ghosts, maybe.

So you’re thinking about visiting the Stanley. Or maybe you already have. Maybe you touched the banister and paused a second longer than you meant to. Maybe the light flickered when you stepped into the stairwell and you told yourself it was just old wiring.

Could be.

But also, the Stanley holds on to things.
Here’s a quick guide to who—or what—you might meet along the way:

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Room 217

The room that blew up and made literary history.

In 1911, chambermaid Elizabeth Wilson lit a match during a gas leak and got blasted through the floor. She survived, kept working, and apparently never left. Guests report their clothes folded, lights turning on and off, and feeling tucked in by unseen hands. She has opinions about unmarried couples and will let you know. This is the room that gave The Shining its start.

Room 401

Closets open. People get touched. There’s a heavy presence near the bed.

Locals blame Lord Dunraven, the land baron who never actually built here but had a reputation for creeping around and overstaying his welcome. Seems he still might be.

Room 428

The cowboy. No name, no words—just him, standing at the foot of your bed or pacing across the room. This room wasn’t part of the original hotel, so whatever energy’s here? It found its own way in.

The Concert Hall

F.O. Stanley built this for his wife Flora, and people still hear piano music when no one’s playing. There’s also a spirit named Paul, believed to be a former staff member who tells people to quiet down after hours. Classic Paul.

The Fourth Floor

Once the servants’ quarters. Now full of unexplained kid energy.

Running footsteps. Laughing. Toys moving. Doors slamming. Even the staff avoids this one after dark.

The Grand Staircase

They call it a spiritual vortex.

If you feel dizzy here, that’s not just altitude. This staircase has a long history of orbs, anomalies, and strange misty figures caught on camera. Everyone slows down here. Some don’t know why.

The Tunnels

Yes, there are tunnels. And yes, they’re creepy.

Originally built so staff could move unseen beneath the hotel, they’re now mostly closed off. Shadow sightings, cold spots, and “nope” energy all around. Staff won’t go alone. That’s enough for me.

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👻 Notes if You’re Visiting

• Want activity? Ask to stay on the fourth floor or book Room 217 (if you’re brave). The hotel takes special requests—but book early, these rooms go fast.
• Don’t want it? You can still wander the lobby, visit the piano room, and take in the view without sleeping there. Parking is $10 for non-guests—head to the main lot and check in at the front desk.
• Just passing through? You can book a history or ghost tour through the Stanley. Tours run daily and fill up quick, especially on weekends. They’ll take you to all the haunted hot spots—including the underground tunnels.
• Gift shop has everything from EMF detectors to Shining-themed mugs.
• Bring your camera. Just in case.

Linked from: Ghosts, Film, and KOA Firepits: Our Night Beneath the Stanley