The Spookiest Haunted House Attractions in America
Have You Considered A Haunted Road Trip?
RV vacations during the fall season aren’t always about pretty foliage and apple orchards or pumpkin patches and festivals. Come October, road trips can take on a much spookier, scarier vibe … if you dare! While you’re planning an RV road trip staying at haunted campgrounds and RV parks in your rented RV through RVnGO, which offers RV rental by owner, also take the time to check out the top haunted house attractions and scream parks across America. You could plan an itinerary around verified haunted, super-spooky destinations for an RV trip, or look for the scariest haunted houses, fear fests, scream parks, and haunted hayrides along your travel route. Here are 10 of the top haunted house attractions in America, any one of which could be the spine-chilling highlight of an eerie RV adventure.
McKamey Manor in Summertown, TN, and Huntsville, AL
For one week only in two locations — Summertown, Tennessee, and Huntsville, Alabama — McKamey Manor presents an enticing challenge to anyone who believes they can handle the utmost in horror. The owners of the “scariest haunted house in America” put up a prize of $20,000 for anyone who can make it through the entire 10-hour experience without resorting to the safe phrase, “You really don’t want to do this.” If the size of the prize doesn’t convince you that surviving McKamey Manor is an extraordinarily fearsome feat, consider the lengthy screening process and 40-page waiver required before entering. Expect an intense, physically demanding, graphically horrifying, hypnotizing experience that not one single soul has so far endured to the end.
Headless Horseman Haunted Attractions in Ulster Park, NY
One of the top haunted house attractions in America — in fact it’s 10 different attractions in one — is Headless Horseman in Ulster Park, a village in southeastern New York state. Among those 10 attractions, which vary from year to year, are the Haunting of Pumpkin Jack, an after-dark walking trail; the Evil Reaping Dark Harvest corn maze; Dr. Dark’s Walk-Thru Black Spider Circus Sideshow; and the Horseman’s Tomb R.I.P. Haunted House. Visitors are cautioned to expect audio and visual disturbances, low visibility, fog and dampness, and scary monster encounters galore. After getting spooked, you can calm your nerves at the onsite donut bakery.
Dread Hollow in Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga’s Dread Hollow leans into the supernatural side of Halloween, immersing you in a world of black magic and ghostly evil. It’s too troubling for guests under the age of 12, so only book tickets if your group is old enough to handle the scares. Before entering Dread Hollow, hear the legend behind the town. It’s a tale of witch trials, horrifying executions, and a curse of darkness that spreads evil from the Haunted Cavern across the tormented community. This award-winning haunted attraction is a major destination in Tennessee during fall. Book tickets in advance online for a timed entry slot.
The Bates Motel in Glen Mills, PA
The team behind Bates Motel understands that the scariest character in the classic horror film “Pyscho,” which inspired the attraction, is the creepy motel setting itself. They have brought the Bates Motel from the screen to the real-life setting of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, and made it even more frightful than it ever was on screen. Attractions include the Haunted Hayride, the Psycho Path walk-through trail, and the Revenge of the Scarecrows trail. After making your way along this terrifying route, reach the Bates Motel, an action-filled, highly startling haunted house filled with high-tech special effects and pro actors. CNN Travel called this destination the “Best Haunted House in America.” You’ll be glad to return to the comfort of your RV rental, rather than a local motel, at the end of this day!
The Darkness in St. Louis, MO
Travelers taking an RV road trip across Missouri (if that’s you, check out our RV rentals in Kansas City, MO) should work up the courage to experience The Darkness in downtown St. Louis. One of the top haunted house attractions in America, it’s been a favorite event for locals for more than 28 years, and a big draw for visitors too. The Darkness combines many different elements including escape rooms, Terror Visions 3D, Walking Dead shooting games, a Retro Blacklight Mini Golf course, and multiple haunted houses. You can also purchase a combo ticket that includes all the attractions of The Darkness plus entrance to Lemp Haunted House down the street. Both are indoor attractions, which means they’re open for scares rain or shine.
Legend Park in Mishawaka, IN
Legend Park is an expansive, immersive collection of five haunted houses in one location in Mishawaka, Indiana. Make your way through the zombie asylum known as Ward 13, endure a blindfolded journey through Taken, and encounter sinister clowns at the Dark Circus. Rat Trap… World’s End is an outdoor maze through post-apocalyptic New York City, and the Rock Monkey Caves are full of monsters including the largest haunted house creatures in the world. Look for additional special events plus free bonfire parties, fireworks, a Monster Midway, live music, and all kinds of spookified carnival food.
Pirates of Emerson, San Jose, CA
Pirates of Emerson is a haunted theme park on six acres outside San Jose, California. With 30 years of history, it’s the top haunted house attraction in the Bay Area. The outdoor theme park comprises five distinctly scary attractions: Dorm of Doom, Pirates of Emerson, Hillbilly Holler, Maze Haze, and Mystery Mansion. Kids of all ages are welcome, but be warned that the experience can be extremely frightening, so all visitors should beware. Pirates of Emerson is known for its outstanding effects, creepily detailed spaces, and terrifying cast of characters.
Talon Falls Scream Park in Melber, KY
Thirteen terrifying mazes, Dead Man’s Island haunted house, Sinister Circus in 3D, and Talon Falls Scream Park together make up one of the scariest Halloween experiences in America. Head to Melber, Kentucky, and see if you can escape such mazes as House of Blood and Voodoo Lagoon. Will Mollies Dollies be the night’s creepiest encounter, or will it be the tormented residents of the Dead End Sanitarium? If you’re on a family RV vacation and don’t want to scare the kids, come back in the daytime for Talon Falls Adventure Park. It includes far-less-scary stuff like a petting farm, duck races, hayrides, and more.
Burial Chamber in Appleton, WI
The largest haunted house attraction in the Midwest is the frightful Burial Chamber, located in Wisconsin’s Fox Valley. It presents a four-in-one adventure featuring the Trapped Buried Alive Experience, the signature event in which a group of up to 30 people is buried alive for up to 15 minutes. It’s 100% safe, but it might not feel that way! Admission also includes the old-school startles of Adrenaline Haunted House, the mind-bending fun-house weirdness of Insanity Haunted House, and the horror-movie-like Phobia Haunted Woods, which plants you in the terrifying dark wilderness. Check the calendar for blackout nights, special events when you can experience the Adrenaline Haunted House in pitch black with only an LED candle to guide you through.
Georgetown Morgue, Seattle, WA
Georgetown Morgue in Seattle has a terrifying back story: Nine of its staff were forced into the crematorium chamber, and the mystery of the evil villain behind the tragedy has never been solved. Around Halloween, you can join other visitors in investigating the horrifying goings-on at the Georgetown Morgue, which include an unearthed catacomb and the suspicious trio of Dr. Simons and his goons Rigor and Mortis. Choose from a self-guided tour through the haunted morgue or general admission for the full experience with live actors. The Georgetown Morgue is for ages 12 and older only.
P.S. Have No Fear! Your Scare-Free RV Rentals Are Here …
Have you got the guts to embark upon a haunted Halloween road trip? The least scary part of your spooky adventure will be renting an RV through RVnGO. Browse our full range of RV rentals by owner available nationwide, and you’re sure to find the right fit for you.