By Beth Mack
October 4, 2025 (updated)
Photo: Pinhead’s Graveyard
As Halloween season creeps across the Carolinas, North Carolina transforms into a playground of fright and festivity — from adrenaline-pumping haunted houses to family-friendly experiences. Haunted trails, eerie cornfields, and scream parks abound, while attractions like Boo at the North Carolina Zoo and Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train offer lighter, family-oriented fun filled with costumes, candy, and games. Whether you’re wandering haunted woods, braving scream-filled mazes, or trick-or-treating under zoo lights, North Carolina offers countless ways to celebrate the Halloween season — from the mountains to the coast.
Lake Hickory Haunts
September 12 – November 2
Tickets: $30 plus
As night falls over Lake Hickory, the woods and waters come alive with monsters, pirates, and the undead at Lake Hickory Haunts, one of the region’s most expansive scream parks. This season brings major upgrades, including the completely revamped Nightmare Factory: Unleashed, where Dr. Death’s NR2 serum turns your deepest fears into terrifying reality. The Midway of Mayhem expands with new Egyptian-themed escape rooms, axe throwing, games, concessions, and even a 4D experience, plus live music and events at a brand-new amphitheater. Guests will also enjoy a smoother arrival with an all-new driveway and expanded parking lot. Horror film fans should also check out the updated Lake Hickory Haunts website for special events showcasing original movie props, all included with admission.
Lake Hickory Haunts
520 Carolina Avenue
Hickory, North Carolina
(828) 212-1442
Woods of Terror
September 13 – November 9
Tickets: $40 plus
Greensboro is home to one of North Carolina’s largest and most infamous scream parks, Woods of Terror, featuring 16 haunted attractions packed into 45 acres at McLaurin Farms. This long-running haunt has terrified visitors for over three decades, delivering everything from ‘80s sci-fi horrors and undead pirates to Purge-style chaos, chainsaw-wielding madmen, deranged clowns, and classic haunted house frights. Between screams, guests can unwind at the Haunted Midway, complete with food and drinks, carnival games, and live music. While there’s no official age limit, the experience is recommended for teens and adults. One ticket grants access to all attractions, with prices varying by date.
Woods of Terror
5601 N. Church St.
Greensboro, North Carolina
(336) 643-3558
Granville Haunt Farm
October 3 – November 1
Tickets: $25 plus
The Drive-Thru Drive-In at Granville Haunt Farm returns for its eleventh season, bringing your favorite horror movies and streaming shows to life in a one-of-a-kind, family-friendly haunt experience. From the moment the gates open, you’ll drive through a giant movie screen and straight into iconic scenes from Ghostbusters, It, Beetlejuice, Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and more. Located just northwest of Durham, this unique attraction lets you enjoy the chills and thrills of a haunted house from the safety of your car — just make sure to keep those doors locked in case a few creepy characters get too close.
Granville Haunt Farm
534 US Highway 15
Oxford, North Carolina
(919) 339-4452
Scarrigan Farms
October 3 – November 1
Tickets: $25 plus
As the sun sets over Carrigan Farms, monsters and zombies emerge to roam its haunted trail. Brave visitors will face constant scares from a variety of sinister characters along the mile-long path through eerie woods, cornfields, and meadows. Afterward, let your adrenaline wear off at the on-site restaurant, where you can grab a bite to eat or enjoy a warm apple cider by the bonfire while taking in the quarry’s nighttime views. Reservations are required and start at $25, with prices varying by day. Please note: this attraction is not for the faint of heart and is recommended for ages 12 and up.
Scarrigan Farms
Oak Ridge Farm Highway
Mooresville, North Carolina
(704) 664-1450
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Hollerin Haunts Hayride
September 13 – November 2
Tickets: $32.07 plus
Located just four miles from Spivey’s Corner in Clinton, North Carolina, Hollerin Haunts Hayride is a 30-minute ride takes guests through 16 terrifying, Hollywood-quality scenes filled with monsters, ghouls, and heart-pounding surprises that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a horror movie. Visit Hell’s Acres, a haunted trail crawling with nightmarish creatures, or enter The Darkness, a pitch-black maze designed to disorient and terrify. New for 2025, The Madhouse offers an intense, five-minute experience where guests become unwilling test subjects in a deranged scientist’s twisted experiments. Between scares, guests can shop eerie merchandise at Murder Mart, grab classic fair food like funnel cakes, pizza, and hot chocolate, or test their aim at axe throwing, basketball, and ring toss games.
Hollerin Haunts Hayride
2914 Bud Johnson Road
Clinton, North Carolina
(910) 818-2240
Tweetsie Railroad
September 19 – November 1
Tickets: $45 plus
Each Friday and Saturday evening from September 19 through November 1, Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, transforms from a Wild West park by day into a spooky Halloween wonderland by night. The park comes alive with ghouls, goblins, eerie decorations, and music, creating a family-friendly celebration complete with dance parties, trick-or-treat stations, photo opportunities, and the Palace Spooktacular Show. For those seeking a thrill, visitors can brave the Ghost Train, explore the haunted halls of the Haunted House, or stroll through the eerie Freaky Forest, encountering creepy creatures and surprises along the way. After dark, the Creepy Carnival lights up with amusement rides for all ages, offering a fun, festive atmosphere for thrill-seekers and younger guests alike.
Tweetsie Railroad
Tweetsie Railroad Lane
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
(828) 264-9061
Pinhead’s Graveyard
September 26 – November 8
Tickets: $35 plus
If you have ever dreamed of coming face-to-face with classic horror movie villains, Pinhead’s Graveyard is the haunted house for you. Located in a century-old building in downtown Canton, this indoor attraction brings iconic horror movies to life with elaborate sets, animatronics, and special effects straight out of the films. Visitors will be terrorized by the likes of Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Pennywise, Jason Voorhees, Leatherface, Pinhead, and more. On select nights, you can even meet the actors who portrayed some of these quintessential horror characters. Pinhead’s Graveyard prides itself on being family-friendly and will tone down the scares for groups with children.
Pinhead’s Graveyard
562 Main Street
Canton, North Carolina
(828) 670-8228
Panic Point
September 20 – November 1
Tickets: $39 plus
For the past 15 Halloween seasons, Panic Point has been thrilling and terrifying visitors across the Triangle now with over 42 haunting scenes and more than 100 monsters. Brave the half-mile Haunted Forest trail and try to avoid being caught by one of the 30 sinister characters lurking in the shadows. Dare to tread the Dark Trail Swamp, where a rope guides you through chilling, immersive scenes, or join the Howling Hayride Hunt on a thrilling werewolf expedition. Venture through Stalkers Farm, but beware — the family within doesn’t take kindly to trespassers. And for those seeking an extra jolt of fear, the Killers in the Corn attraction brings mythical horrors stalking the cornfields to life. When you need a breather, recharge with concessions, carnival games, and crackling bonfires between attractions. This intense haunt is designed for older children and adults: visitors under 8 are not permitted, and children aged 9-13 must be accompanied by an adult.
Panic Point
2808 Cedar Creek Rd
Youngsville, North Carolina
(919) 526-8612
The 13th Acre
September 19 – November 1
Tickets: $34.58 plus
A night of terror awaits at The 13th Acre, just east of Charlotte in Monroe, North Carolina. The sprawling haunted farm offers two separate, spine-chilling attractions for the price of one. Dare to walk along Coffin Creek, where displaced coffins and restless spirits haunt the cursed waters, or brave The Forbidden Acre, a twisted trail filled with demented souls committing unspeakable horrors. For the bravest, Reaper’s Row cornfield lurks with creatures that creep up from behind, testing every ounce of your courage. After surviving the scares, guests can recover at the Monster Midway, featuring food, beverages, casino-style games, and live music to soothe your nerves. Cozy up at fire pits, grab a drink in the historic 1800s Train Car, or pick up souvenirs and treats at the old-fashioned General Store. A live DJ keeps the energy alive with giveaways every 30 minutes, including Fast Passes and T-shirts. While there is no strict age restriction, the park is recommended for visitors 12 and older. The 13th Acre promises an unforgettable night of thrills, chills, and full-on Halloween fun.
The 13th Acre
3718 Plyler Mill Rd
Monroe, North Carolina
(704) 709-7000
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Nightmare Factory
October 3 – November 1
Tickets: $20 plus
Nightmare Factory on North Carolina’s coast is a must-visit for thrill seekers, featuring four unique haunted attractions. Walk through the eerie halls of the Haunted Factory, dodge psychotic clowns, survive the Psych Ward, or face hordes of zombies in the Dead Zone. The outdoor Undead City is all-new for 2025, immersing visitors in a sprawling quarantine zone under the night sky where the undead roam freely. Set in a turn-of-the-century industrial complex, the Nightmare Factory combines live actors, horror movie scares, and Hollywood-quality effects for a full multi-sensory experience. Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and the haunt runs PG-13 until 9 p.m., ramping up to an R rating afterward.
Nightmare Factory
29 Park Ln
Havelock, North Carolina
252-444-FEAR
Kersey Valley Spookywoods
September 26 – November 1
Tickets: $35 plus
Kersey Valley Spookywoods transforms a 92-acre farm near Greensboro, offering over an hour of spine-chilling sets, 15 haunted buildings, dark tram rides, a 50,000-square-foot Spookywoods maze, and the new four-acre haunted trail, Icons of Horror. Visitors can take breaks between scares at the eerie Midway, enjoying food, drinks, live DJ beats at Club Spooky, and adult beverages at Endora’s Brew. Conveniently located off I-85 Exit 113, Kersey Valley also offers additional thrills with ziplining, escape rooms, axe throwing, and laser tag. While there’s no strict age limit, the experience is recommended for guests 10 and older.
Kersey Valley Spookywoods
1615 Kersey Valley Road
Archdale, North Carolina
(336) 431-1700
The Haunted Farm
September 27 – November 1
Tickets: $40 plus
Voted Western North Carolina’s scariest attraction, The Haunted Farm near Hendersonville has been terrifying visitors for 15 seasons. Set on a rural farm steeped in dark legend and a century-old blood feud, this haunt offers six outdoor attractions that take guests from the eerie woods to the sinister Slaughterhouse. Expect blood, slashers, deranged clowns, beasts, and more in this immersive experience designed to frighten even the bravest souls. Located just south of Asheville, The Haunted Farm draws thrill-seekers from across the Blue Ridge Mountains. There’s no strict age limit, but the haunt is not for the faint of heart.
The Haunted Farm
624 Townsend Road
Hendersonville, North Carolina
(828) 702-7911
Reaper’s Realm
September 20 -November 1
Tickets: $25 plus
Since 2008, Reaper’s Realm has become a staple of North Carolina’s haunted attractions, drawing tens of thousands of thrill-seekers each Halloween season. Originally located in China Grove, the attraction relocated to Salisbury in 2021, occupying an expansive 86-acre farm at 5980 Woodleaf Road. This experience offers visitors a multi-part journey through haunted houses, dark woods, and cursed cornfields, each meticulously designed to heighten suspense and fear. The attraction is renowned for its realistic horror effects and live actors who seem to appear out of nowhere, solidifying its reputation as one of the scariest haunted trails in the state. Guests can explore haunted houses, a haunted trail, a midway with food and merchandise vendors, zombie laser tag, and themed photo opportunities.
Reaper’s Realm
5980 Woodleaf Road
Salisbury, NC 28147
704-857-7357
The Fear Farm
September 19 – November 1
Tickets: $30 plus
Tucked among the rolling fields just west of Charlotte in Blacksburg, South Carolina, is The Fear Farm. In its 15th season, it has grown to include five haunted attractions spanning nearly three-quarters of a mile. Rediscover your fear of the dark in the Abyss Complete Darkness attraction as you navigate twisting caverns and try to elude the creatures that lurk within. Venture underground through abandoned mine shafts and see for yourself if they are truly haunted. At Twisty’z Tricks and Treats, a circus tent full of clowns awaits, ready to surprise, delight, or terrify you. Explore The Farm House in classic mystery horror fashion and uncover what happened to its former owners. The Confinement Home of the Criminally Insane lets you traverse a prison and witness where America’s most demented inmates are held. Take breaks between scares at the midway, featuring food, beverages, carnival games, live music, and roaming characters.
The Fear Farm
424 Ninety-Nine Island Road
Blacksburg, South Carolina
864-839-1022
Scarowinds
September 12 – November 2
Tickets: $49 plus
Step into the Halloween experience at SCarowinds, where fear collides with thrilling rides, haunted mazes, and scare zones. From the moment darkness falls, the park transforms into a nightmarish playground with fog-filled corners, costumed creatures, and demented performers lurking around every turn. Brave visitors can explore terrifying Haunted Mazes, Silver Scream Studios, and The Conjuring: Beyond Fear, an interactive small-group experience navigating iconic scenes from the Conjuring Universe. Scare Zones spread throughout the park deliver ambient terror and are included with general admission. Thrill-seekers can also enjoy favorite rides like Fury 325, which are even more intense after dark. When you need a break from the scares, SCarowinds offers specialty food and drinks, live shows, and roaming entertainment. New for 2025 are shows like DepRAVEd, The Bon Bons Burlesque Troupe, and Wake the Dead: Murder Mystery Musical.
Scarowinds
14523 Carowinds Blvd
Charlotte, North Carolina
(704) 588-2600
Scream Dreams
October 3 – November 1
Tickets: $35 plus
Prepare to confront your darkest fears at Scream Dreams Indoor Haunted Attraction, returning to Thomasville this Halloween season. Hidden in the basement of an abandoned furniture factory, this massive haunt spans over 31,000 square feet of pure terror. Guests will navigate more than 60 rooms and hallways packed with nightmare fuel — from deranged clowns to the hunter’s den and asylum halls — all designed to blur the line between fantasy and fear. After an hour of scares, unwind in the All Night Music Yard, included with every ticket. The outdoor space offers live music, soft axe throwing, food and drinks, a bounce house, and private seating. Located just off I-85, Scream Dreams is 10 minutes from High Point, 20 from Winston-Salem and Greensboro, and a little over an hour from Charlotte or Raleigh/Durham.
Boo at the NC Zoo
October 18-19 and October 25-26
Tickets: $10 plus
Boo at the North Carolina Zoo is the perfect family-friendly Halloween celebration for kids ages 4-12. Stroll the Africa loop for trick-or-treating, join lively costume contests, and enjoy games and entertainment at the Africa Amphitheatre, all while collecting candy in your official Boo Bag. New for 2025, the Boo Quiet Sensory Area at Oak Hill offers a calm retreat, and the Pumpkin Patch from Sexton Farms lets each wristband holder take home a small pumpkin. With storytelling, inflatables, live performances, and twice-daily costume contests, Boo at the NC Zoo is a fun-filled family adventure.
Boo at the NC Zoo
4401 Zoo Parkway
Asheboro, North Carolina
336-879-7000
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