Dare to explore El Paso’s haunted side with local ghost tours
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- With Halloween just around the corner, now is the perfect time to dive into El Paso’s haunted history.
For those feeling brave, El Paso Ghost Tours, led by Leon Baker, offers a spine-tingling adventure through some of the city’s most eerie locations.
Baker's journey began in 2010 when he went on a ghost tour as a skeptic. "I saw things I didn’t believe in. I saw shadows in the DeSoto Hotel. After that point, I got hooked," he shared. What started as a hobby quickly grew into a passion. "It’s not something you get into for money. It’s about the love of doing it, having a good time, and witnessing things most people don’t get to see," said Baker.
The tours take participants across downtown El Paso, with stops at locations that appear ordinary by day but reveal their haunted nature by night. The adventure culminates at the historic Gardner Hotel. "El Paso's like an untapped historic place," Baker remarked.
Using various devices to detect spirits, Baker interacts with the supernatural as if they were still living. "I talk to them like they're actual living human beings that I really can't hear. And, like, I'm not psychic," he explained. On one occasion, a spirit followed him home, prompting him to be more cautious. "I told them, don’t do that. I said, you're going to get me in trouble. My wife doesn’t want that," Baker recalled. Now, he makes sure to tell spirits, "You cannot follow us. You can't come with us. You can't attach yourself."
The tour features stories of different spirits, including William, a former Gardner Hotel resident, and even sightings of a little girl in the lobby. For those who may be skeptical, Baker emphasizes the authenticity of the tours. "If we faked anything one time and got caught, we'd be done," he said.
For a thrilling Halloween adventure, El Paso Ghost Tours might be the perfect way to get into the spooky spirit. For more information, click here or email verifiedelpasoghosttours@gmail.com.
