The Lodge Resort in Cloudcroft

By Aaron Perez

Published 8/21/2025

Image Credit: New Mexico Magazine

    Nestled in the picturesque mountains of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, The Lodge Resort stands as a historic gem with a chilling twist. Built at the turn of the 20th century, this elegant hotel has long been rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a young chambermaid named Rebecca. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, the tales surrounding this place offer a fascinating blend of history, mystery, and the supernatural. In this blog post, we'll dive into the hotel's background, the legend of Rebecca, and the eerie experiences reported by guests and staff over the years. The Lodge itselt was originally constructed in 1899 to house timber cutters working on the Alamogordo and Sacramento Mountain Railway. It opened to the public in 1906 as a luxurious retreat, attracting visitors seeking respite in the cool mountain air. Tragedy struck in 1909 when a fire destroyed the original structure, but it was rebuilt and reopened in 1911, preserving its Victorian charm. Today, the resort features a golf course, spa, and fine dining, but its storied past includes whispers of scandal and untimely death that fuel its haunted reputation.

    At the heart of The Lodge's hauntings is the tragic story of Rebecca, a beautiful young woman with striking red hair and blue eyes who worked as a chambermaid in the early 1900s. According to legend, Rebecca was not only a dedicated employee but may have also engaged in prostitution to supplement her income—a common, if taboo, practice in remote logging towns at the time. She fell in love with a lumberjack, but their relationship ended in violence when he discovered her in the arms of another man. In a fit of jealousy, he murdered her with an axe in her basement room, and her body was never officially found—though some versions claim it was buried on the property, possibly near the golf course or in the surrounding woods.

    Over the years, the story has evolved. Early accounts suggested her remains were interred under the dirt floor of the Red Dog Saloon (the hotel's basement bar), but this detail shifted around 2004, possibly influenced by a real-life missing person case in nearby Alamogordo from 1987, where a woman's body was discovered after 17 years. A psychic in 2003 claimed Rebecca was killed in the woods, aligning with anecdotal reports of golfers finding their balls mysteriously returned to the fairway, as if aided by an unseen hand. Despite these changes, the core narrative remains: Rebecca's untimely death left her spirit bound to the hotel, where she continues to roam. Rebecca's ghost is described as playful and flirtatious rather than malevolent, often manifesting in mischievous ways that delight more than terrify. Common reports include ashtrays sliding across tables, doors opening and closing on their own, furniture rearranging itself, lights flickering, and fires igniting spontaneously in fireplaces. She's frequently sighted in the dining room, hallways, and Governor's Suite, appearing as a semi-transparent figure in period clothing or reflected in mirrors before vanishing. In the Red Dog Saloon, Rebecca is said to sip drinks left unattended, leave antique poker chips, and blast loud music late at night, waking guests upstairs. Other antics involve flushing toilets in empty bathrooms, shattering glasses, calling the front desk from vacant rooms, and even lying in beds beside startled visitors. Some believe she's searching for a new companion, given her flirtatious nature.

 Modern investigations add credence to the tales. In a 2022 KOAT-TV ghost hunting segment, meteorologist Byron Morton visited the hotel, where a couple in the Governor's Suite captured blurry video of a door opening by itself—attributed to Rebecca's curiosity. Paranormal activity has been documented since shortly after her death, with employees and guests returning specifically to experience it.

Sources:

“Rebecca’s Story.” The Lodge at Cloudcroft, www.thelodgeresort.com/about/rebeccas-story/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2025.

Polston, Cody. “Changes to Rebecca’s Ghost Story. (The Lodge at Cloudcroft).” Cody Polston, 12 Nov. 2021, www.codypolston.com/changes-to-rebeccas-ghost-story-the-lodge-at-cloudcroft/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2025.

Morton, Byron. “Ghost Hunting at The Lodge in Cloudcroft, New Mexico.” KOAT, 25 Oct. 2022, www.koat.com/article/halloween-special-ghost-hunting-at-the-lodge-cloudcroft-new-mexico/41766456. Accessed 18 Aug. 2025.

“The Haunting of The Lodge Resort, Spa and Saloon.” Haunts of America, 2007, hauntsofamerica.blogspot.com/2007/12/haunting-of-lodge-resort-spa-and-saloon.html. Accessed 18 Aug. 2025.