Only in Nevada can you check into a motel full of clowns… right next door to a haunted cemetery. Welcome to Tonopah—home to the infamous Clown Motel and its equally eerie neighbor, the Tonopah Cemetery. If you’re road-tripping through central Nevada and craving something delightfully weird, this spot checks all the boxes: creepy, kitschy, and surprisingly historic.

Let’s start with the clowns.

The Clown Motel: Sleep If You Dare

I rolled into Tonopah not knowing what to expect—other than the vague knowledge that “there’s a creepy motel with a bunch of clowns.” That’s an understatement. The Clown Motel leans hard into its theme, with over 2,000 clown figurines, portraits, dolls, and… let’s call them “clown entities.” The lobby feels like a circus exploded, and each room features its own clown décor, ranging from mildly whimsical to full-on nightmare fuel.

Despite the unsettling vibe (or maybe because of it), the Clown Motel has become a beloved roadside attraction. Horror fans, ghost hunters, and road trip oddballs all make the pilgrimage. It was even featured on Ghost Adventures, where Zak Bagans and the crew investigated claims of paranormal activity—and let’s just say they didn’t leave empty-handed.

Whether or not you believe in ghosts, the vibe here is distinct. And if you do stay the night, don’t be surprised if something goes bump in the room next to you. Or above you. Or inside the closet.

Next Door: The Tonopah Cemetery

Right next door—because of course it is—is the Tonopah Cemetery. This dusty, quiet patch of ground is the final resting place for some of the area’s early residents, many of whom lived hard and died young during Tonopah’s silver mining heyday.

One name stands out: James “Big Jim” Butler, credited with discovering silver in Tonopah in 1900, which kicked off the town’s boom. But the most tragic story belongs to James McAvoy, a foreman at the Tonopah-Belmont Mine and one of the heroes of the infamous mine fire in 1911.

When fire broke out deep underground, McAvoy went back into the choking smoke repeatedly to save trapped miners. He rescued many—but didn’t make it out himself. Seventeen miners died in the blaze, and McAvoy’s bravery remains a powerful part of the town’s history. His grave is among those you’ll find in the cemetery, modest but meaningful.

Where to Eat: A Blast from the Past

After all that ghost-hunting and grave-visiting, you’re going to want lunch—and surprisingly, the best stop in town might just be the local A&W. I know, it sounds basic, but trust me on this one. The building itself is old and incredibly charming inside, with a retro vibe that feels like you’ve time-traveled back to the heyday of American road trips. It’s clean, friendly, and the root beer float hits especially hard after a dusty walk through town.

Worth the Stop? Absolutely.

Tonopah sits between Reno and Las Vegas on US-95, making it the perfect overnight detour or curiosity-fueled stretch-your-legs stop. Whether you’re there to ghost hunt, pay respects, or just get a weird selfie with a porcelain clown, this town delivers something unforgettable.

So next time you’re blazing through the Nevada desert, slow down in Tonopah. Embrace the weird. Honor the past. Grab a float. And maybe… sleep with one eye open.