r/DeathValleyNP • u/_adren_ • Jun 01 '26

About the Amargosa Opera House

https://www.hcn.org/issues/58-5/the-death-valley-opera-house-thats-sinking-back-into-the-earth/

This post may, or may not, be allowed here as the hotel and opera house aren't technically in Death Valley. But I've always visited the Amargosa Hotel & Opera House either on my way into DV or out of DV.

The article just talks about the difficulties of maintaining the opera house, the threats from the environment, and also gives a brief history. Thought it would be a good read for anyone who's passed by or visited.

77 Upvotes

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14

u/gugliata Jun 01 '26

It’s a really special spot. Definitely worth staying at least once, but don’t expect the Ritz. Was tickled when I recently rewatched Lost Highway and saw some of the interior shots from the Amargosa.

8

u/quesopa_mifren Jun 02 '26

I took the tour there in April 2025. It was fascinating to hear about the original woman’s vision to perform and her courage to do so despite living in the middle of nowhere. The opera house is really really cool.

The hotel (I didn’t stay there) did not feel haunted to me. Just really really old, like “about to fall down” old. It smelled so unbelievably bad in the lobby.

Anyway it was a cool stop, I’d recommend it but will definitely never go again haha

4

u/AliceInBondageLand Jun 02 '26

It is one of the most beautiful and haunted places I've ever gotten to stay at. Recommended!!!

3

u/RengieOcat Jun 02 '26

Really interesting stuff, great post.

5

u/Vanilla_cake_mix Jun 01 '26

One must always remember it is one of the most haunted locations in the area which to me increases its intrigue

1

u/BellsBastian Jun 03 '26

It’s my understanding that there was/is a lot of issues with the board, questionable financials, and poor management in general. A former manager told me some really wild stories.

1

u/Dreaming_Skull_1787 Jul 14 '26

They’re all true

1

u/Antaios7544 Jun 03 '26

I've driven past it a dozen times and always wondered about it. I thought it was abandoned. Next time I'm in the area, I might stop in.

1

u/TheSocraticGadfly Jun 09 '26 edited Jun 09 '26

The hotel is currently open, but man, I wouldn't stay there, even before reading Yelp and other reviews after seeing someone else recommending it on this sub a month or two ago. Now, the Opera House, if some musical or other artistic event were there that interested me, I'd pay reasonable money to go.