Kentucky, paranormal investigator Clayten Bynum has made a name for himself by chasing stories most people would rather leave untouched. From abandoned buildings to long-forgotten landmarks, he seeks out places where fear seems to linger in the air.
But one of his latest investigations took him far from home and straight into one of the most unsettling locations in America. What he found in Nevada left even him questioning what was real.
During Kentucky’s Clayten Bynum’s recent travels to Tonopah, Nevada, to spend the night at the World-Famous Clown Motel. A place already infamous among ghost hunters and thrill seekers.
Kentucky Ghost Hunter Drawn The Darkside
Sitting on U.S. 95 between Reno and Las Vegas, the motel is known for its eerie clown-themed décor and its unsettling proximity to the Old Tonopah Cemetery. The graveyard dates back to 1901 and holds victims of early mining disasters and disease outbreaks, adding a heavy historical weight to the area.
From the moment Clayten arrived, he says the atmosphere felt… off. The motel itself is unlike anything most travelers have ever seen. With more than 6,500 clown figurines, masks, and portraits filling the lobby and rooms, the environment is both colorful and deeply unsettling.
Each of the 31 rooms carries its own clown-heavy design, and themed rooms inspired by horror icons only add to the discomfort. What was once meant as a tribute to a family clown collection has evolved into a destination many now call one of the most haunted motels in America.
A “Vibe” That Felt Off
And according to Clayten, the unease is immediate. While documenting his overnight stay for his YouTube channel, the Kentucky man and his group reported hearing unexplained noises throughout the night.
Doors creaked when no one was near them. Soft sounds echoed through empty hallways. At times, the group described the overall “vibe” as deeply strange—like the building itself was aware of their presence.
They noted that the tension seemed to grow stronger as the night went on, especially in quieter moments when the clown figures around them seemed almost… watchful. Despite the unsettling experiences inside the motel, Clayten has not fully committed to calling it haunted.
The Cemetery Gains Traction
In fact, he admitted something that surprised some of his viewers. While the motel itself feels strange, he believes the stronger source of energy may actually be the cemetery right next door.
The Old Tonopah Cemetery is located just steps away from the property. It carries a long history of tragedy, including mining accidents and a devastating early 1900s plague outbreak.
The Verdict Remains Uncertain
For Clayten, that proximity raises an important question. Are the experiences coming from the motel itself, or something tied to what lies beyond its fence? The verdict, he says, is somewhat still out. For Clayten Bynum, this Kentucky-born ghost hunter, the Clown Motel represents exactly the kind of unresolved mystery he seeks.
It’s unsettling, layered, and difficult to entirely explain. And that uncertainty is what keeps him investigating. Because in places like this, answers rarely come easily. Clayten’s night in Nevada adds another strange chapter to his ongoing paranormal journey.
Between eerie sounds, unsettling atmosphere, and a cemetery steeped in history, the experience left more questions than answers. Is the Clown Motel truly haunted? Or is something even older and closer at work just beyond its walls?
Nina Franklin 
Ruby Roberts 
Dylan Cook 
