Overnight Stay
Overnight stay at the historic inn
Book a room in the 1917 lodge. Guest tradition includes leaving a key behind for the inn's collection of more than 20,000.
- Duration:
- 12 hr
Haunted Hotel / Inn
Baldpate Inn (Seven Keys Lodge)
The 1917 Estes Park Mountain Inn with 20,000 Keys
4900 South Highway 7, Estes Park, CO 80517
Age
All Ages
Cost
$$$
Overnight room rates vary by season; the Key Room and public spaces are accessible for dining or day visits per the inn's current operating policy.
Access
Limited Access
Historic mountain lodge with steps
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1917 · Early 20th Century Mountain Resort · Literary Connection (Earl Derr Biggers) · Rocky Mountain Tourism History
Gordon and Ethel Mace homesteaded their Estes Park property and built a log cabin on it in 1911. The Baldpate Inn formally opened in 1917, named for the fictional inn in Earl Derr Biggers' popular 1913 mystery novel 'Seven Keys to Baldpate.' Local tradition holds that when Biggers visited the inn, he remarked that the Mace property was so close to his imagined setting that the Baldpate would have to become the 'real' Baldpate Inn.
The Maces gave each guest a souvenir key, a practice that ended during World War I when wartime metal costs made the giveaways unaffordable. Guests began the inverse tradition of leaving a key for the inn, and the Baldpate's Key Room now holds more than 20,000 keys collected over a century, including several keys with claimed provenance to famous people and places.
The property has been owned by the Smith family since 1986, only the second family ever to hold it. In recent years the inn has marketed itself under the Seven Keys Lodge name. It continues to operate as a historic mountain inn near the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Sources
- https://www.legendsofamerica.com/baldpate-inn-estes-park/
- https://www.visitestespark.com/blog/post/the-haunting-at-the-baldpate-inn/
- http://www.baldpateinn.com/index_php/page_id-22/
- https://www.thevintagenews.com/2019/03/27/baldpate-inn/
Apparitions in former family roomsCigarettes extinguishedDrinks spilledSense of family presence
Baldpate Inn's haunted reputation is closely tied to its founding family and is among the most affectionate in Colorado mountain folklore. Long-time staff and returning guests have shared that Ethel Mace continues to occupy her old room and the Key Room. The most-cited detail is a wing-backed rocker by a fireplace in what is now used as a storage room; Ethel is said to sit with her feet up reading her Bible.
A second tradition centers on Gordon Mace's preferences. The lodge is non-smoking, and tradition holds that guests who attempt to smoke indoors find their cigarettes mysteriously extinguished or their packs missing. Mixed drinks on tables are also said to spill more frequently than chance would explain.
Reports from staff have remained consistent across multiple ownership periods, and the inn's haunted reputation has been highlighted in Legends of America and the Estes Park visitor bureau's seasonal storytelling.
Notable Entities
Ethel MaceGordon Mace
Plan Your Visit
2 ways to experience Dinner
Dining at the lodge
Dine at the historic lodge restaurant and visit the famous Key Room and public lounges.
- Duration:
- 1.5 hr
Sources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baldpate Inn (Seven Keys Lodge) family-friendly?
Family-friendly historic mountain inn. Ghost stories are light-hearted and tied to the founding family rather than violent events. Overall family fit: High.
How much does it cost to visit Baldpate Inn (Seven Keys Lodge)?
Overnight room rates vary by season; the Key Room and public spaces are accessible for dining or day visits per the inn's current operating policy.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Baldpate Inn (Seven Keys Lodge) wheelchair accessible?
Baldpate Inn (Seven Keys Lodge) has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Historic mountain lodge with steps.