Best Haunted Houses in Minnesota: 15 Scary Halloween Attractions (2023 UPDATE)
Are you searching for some of the best haunted houses in Minnesota to start your spooky season off on the right foot?
Once October rolls around, it’s time to start booking all of your weekends with fun fall adventures, including visits to haunted houses.
Whether you love the scare or are just being dragged along by someone who does, you’ll want to find a Halloween attraction that is going to bring a fright.
I’ve always loved going to haunted houses and used to drag my dad to them with me all around Minnesota. And then I would make him go in first, so he got the worst of the scares!
In this post, I’ll share with you some of Minnesota’s best haunted attractions, that will leave you peering around every corner, even after you’ve made it home.
Best Haunted Houses in Minnesota
From houses to hayrides to zombie paintball (yes, seriously), you’ll have a blast this fall with these terrifying Halloween attractions.
Read on for the best of the best, including my personal favorites.
1. Scream Town
Scream Town has been named one of the top Halloween attractions in Minnesota and across the country, proving their scares are pretty intense.
If you purchase a ticket to Scream Town, you’re going to get some of the best value for a scare, as you get access to multiple attractions in one location.
And even though they’re located within just a short distance of the Twin Cities Area, it feels as if you’ve driven into the middle of nowhere for one of the scariest haunted houses around.
Being surrounded by a forest of thick, dense trees and with no sounds aside from your own screams, this haunted house in Chaska feels even scarier.
From zombies to clowns to devils, the actors at Scream Town are there to leave you feeling terrified, all night long.
Address: 7410 US-212, Chaska, MN
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2. The Dead End Hayride
Located right off Interstate 35, The Dead End Hayride is one of the best Halloween attractions in Minnesota.
The frights start the second you step out of your car, as there are actors wandering the parking lots and weaving in and out of the lines.
Once you’ve hopped onto the hayride, it feels like you may never make it back to the car, as they drive you out into a field, filled with terrifying technology.
A unique aspect of The Dead End Hayride is that they provide an interactive experience, meaning that the actors may touch you to invoke fear.
The Dead End Hayride is my favorite on this list, and I’ve visited many times over the years. Every year it gets better and better!
Aside from just the hayride, you’ll get to walk through a few buildings, that further the scare factor and make this one of the best places to spend a Saturday in October.
Nearby you’ll also find Pinehaven Farm, which is home to one of the area’s best pumpkin patches, a fall festival, and more.
Address: 28186 Kettle River Blvd N, Wyoming, MN
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3. Haunted Farm
Way over on the Minnesota-North Dakota border, you’ll find Haunted Farm, just minutes from the Fargo-Moorhead area.
With over 20 years of haunting experience, you’ll surely leave the Haunted Farm with an eerie feeling.
There are 15 attractions to experience, including a haunted house, a clown room, a dark corn maze, and a dungeon.
Apart from these, you’ll have to make your way through the dark, sinister woods that will have the hair on your neck standing straight up.
Only attend if you dare, but you’ll get a pretty epic experience for the price at this Minnesota Halloween attraction.
Address: 1947 130th Avenue S, Moorhead, MN
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4. Rochester Horror: Fright at the Farm
Ready for a completely unique experience that will leave you breathless, sweating, and petrified?
Head to Rochester Horror: Fright at the Farm in Zumbrota for one of the scariest Halloween experiences in southern Minnesota.
Either join their regular haunting each open night with projectors, animatronics, and more, along with live actors, working tirelessly to scare you.
Or, stay later in the night and experience a whole new level of fear when all of the lights are shut off and you are forced to find your way through the corn maze with just a small candle.
This is my favorite type of haunted house, when you’re left to your own devices, and it’s what I loved most about Fright at the Farm!
It’s not often that you’re left in pitch darkness and have to find your own way out, but it really just adds to the terror of Fright at the Farm.
Address: 47385 US-52 Blvd, Zumbrota, MN
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5. The Haunted Ship
Prepare yourself for one of the most unique Halloween experiences that you’ll ever have, as you walk aboard the William A. Irvin Haunted Ship.
During the month of October, the ship turns into a huge haunted house, rather than just a place for friendly tours.
Located right on the shores of Lake Superior in Duluth, you won’t know if the ghosts are part of the act or if they’re actually there.
After you’ve made your way through the ship, head down into the pitch-black maze of terror and try to find your way to the exit.
When I visited when I was younger, I had the fright of my life when my friend’s dad told one of the actors my name, and they chased after me, calling my name.
Plan your visit to the Haunted Ship this October, and get excited to be scared at one of the best haunted houses in Minnesota.
Address: 301 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN
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6. Fright Nights
At Fright Nights in Glenwood, you can expect there to be something lurking around every corner.
The directors of this haunted attraction in Minnesota and their actors are ready for you to wander into their house and let out a scream.
Search for your way out of the terrifying building before they catch you and claim you as one of their own!
One of the best parts about Fright Nights is that they choose a few great organizations to donate a portion of their proceeds to.
Meaning that you’re helping another non-profit for a good cause, while getting the fright that you were searching for.
Address: 3rd Ave NE, Glenwood, MN
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7. Trail of Terror
Deemed the largest Halloween attraction in the entire Midwest, there’s no way that I couldn’t include Shakopee’s Trail of Terror on this list.
After having two years of closure due to the pandemic, the Trail of Terror is ready to open this fall for an intense and epic season of scares.
Get ready to experience fearsome monsters, haunted rooms, and true horror, for one of the best fall activities near the Twin Cities.
My favorite part of the Trail of Terror in Shakopee is that there are a variety of attractions and haunts to check out.
With options for spine chilling scares like the Wicked Woods Walk and the Cadaver Carnival, as well as scare-free attractions for the younger crowd, you’ll have a blast this Halloween.
If you aren’t up for the haunted houses, consider attending the Phantom’s Feast, a themed dinner show where you’ll learn about the real haunts of Bad Manor.
Address: 3525 145th Street W, Shakopee
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8. The Abandoned Hayride
Change it up from the standard haunted houses and head out to this Abandoned Hayride, right next to Scream Town in Chaska.
There’s nowhere else quite like this in Minnesota, and you’ll truly be in for a real fright.
First, you’ll be abandoned in the dark, mysterious woods where you’ll have to find your way out of the darkness, while surrounded by monsters.
Just when you think that you’re safe, you’ll have to choose just one other person to help you find your way out of Exile before it’s too late.
If you dare, then maybe you’ll even try to get out on your own. (I’m a bit of a chicken, so I couldn’t do this, but if you’re brave enough, go for it!)
The Abandoned Hayride in Chaska will show you what a haunted attraction in Minnesota should really be like— absolutely terrifying.
If you dare, pair this scary experience with a visit to Scream Town for the ultimate Halloween night.
Address:7525 US-212, Chaska, MN
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9. The Haunted Shack
What started as a small production put on by the community has evolved into a great haunted house, not too far from Duluth.
Take a hayride from the parking lot, where you still can’t be sure of safety, as monsters lurk around you.
The hayride features scary ghouls and monsters along the trail before you reach the Haunted Shack.
Here is where the real fright begins, as you make your way into a scary building with people ready to scare you every chance they get.
One thing that the ‘Chief Ghoul’ stated on the website is, “we do not supply clean underwear,” so keep that in mind as you are frightened to no end at the Haunted Shack.
I’ve visited the Haunted Shack many times, since it’s just a short distance from me, and I can attest to the fact that you’ll want to be sure to use the bathroom before entering their haunting areas!
Address: 1781 County Road 1, Carlton, MN
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10. Nightmare on First Street
For over 10 years, this family-owned haunted house has been providing scares to all who visit them in its southern Minnesota location.
Found right at the end of a dead end, it seems to be located in the perfect spot.
Hundreds of hours are spent every year preparing Nightmare on First Street to be hair-raising, bone-chilling, and one of the best haunted houses in Minnesota.
Try your best to make your way through their Field of Screams and the Haunted Barn, and preferably, make it out alive…
They’re passionate about Halloween and doing all things scary, but use their proceeds for something not so scary; good deeds.
In the past, they’ve donated the proceeds to multiple great causes and organizations, meaning you can feel good spending your money here.
Address: 609 1st Street, Fountain, MN
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11. Thuney’s Haunted Graveyard
Are you a parent who loves haunted houses but loves their kids enough to not drag them into a scary room full of monsters?
While maybe not as scary as the others on this list, Thuney’s Haunted Graveyard is the perfect option for a kid friendly haunted house in MN.
Run by a local family in Andover, Thuney’s is there to provide area kids with something more interesting than your basic trick-or-treating
It won’t be the scariest haunted house out there, but it’s a great place for the entire family to visit and enjoy the month of October.
Between the animatronic creatures and an occasional live actor, you can still have fun with the littles around the Halloween season!
Address: 15394 Uplander St, NW Andover, MN
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12. The Haunting Experience
Just minutes south of St. Paul, you’ll find The Haunting Experience on Highway 61.
For over 30 years, they’ve been working hard to have their visitors leave with shaking hands, thumping hearts, and a peering eye over their shoulders.
Enter the terrifying haunted house if you dare, and walk around winding corners with endless scares around each one.
This is one of the best haunted houses near Minneapolis, making it a perfect way to spend an evening in October.
If you’re up for some more, jump on the hayride and be taken through the dark woods where you’ll be approached by terrifying monsters that you won’t believe are actors.
Whether you’re in their haunted house or taking a ride on the longest and oldest haunted hayride in the state, you’ll have the pants scared off of you.
Address: 10900 E. Pt. Douglas Road, Cottage Grove, MN
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13. Zombie Rampage
Want to experience an entirely new way to be scared during the upcoming Halloween season?
At the same location that you’ll find the ever-so-popular Dead End Hayride, you can also book a ride on the Zombie Rampage bus.
Hop aboard the 14-foot Monster Bus and get ready to fight some zombies, all done with paintballs.
Watch as the zombies come out of the darkness and into your shooting range, as you fight them off and keep everyone onboard safe.
This was such a fun experience, and I hope to get back to Zombie Rampage soon to give it another go! I loved the unique aspect of it.
Pair this super exciting and unique adventure with a ride on the Dead End Hayride for one of the best experiences in Minnesota.
And for the rest of the family, head on over to Pinehaven Farm or Sunrise River Farm, where you’ll find a great apple orchard for picking apples this fall.
Address: 28186 Kettle River Blvd, Wyoming, MN
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14. Monster Bash Haunted House
Looking for another terrifying haunted house to visit this October in Minnesota? Check out the Monster Bash Haunted House in Harmony.
Each year, they create a brand new, unique haunted house to put on for visitors and showcase their scares.
From zombies to clowns, ghosts and goblins, their themed event surely will leave you scared.
My favorite part of haunted houses is getting to see something completely different than ones I’ve seen before, and the Monster Bash Haunted House meets the mark!
During your visit, also be sure to check out the many other events going on, and even check out the natural Niagra Cave, giving you a real taste of the underground world.
Address: 150 1st St NW, Harmony, MN
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15. Anoka Haunted House
What better place to attend one of the best Halloween haunted attractions in the state than in the Halloween Capital of the World?
Anoka has been named as the Halloween Capital, and each year, you can find out why at the Anoka Haunted House.
Between the terrifying haunts, starting in Mid-October, and all of the other events taking place around town, you’ll have some of the best time at this fun fall festival.
From a pumpking carving contest to a 5K run, costume contest, and even a pumpkin weigh-off, this is fun for the entire family.
With over 30 years of experience, you’ll be sure to leave with a fright and you’ll be ready to come back for another year!
Address: 3200 St. Francis Blvd NW, Anoka, MN
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Conclusion: Minnesota’s Best Haunted Houses
Between haunted houses, hayrides, mazes, and more fun experiences, you may have every weekend in October booked.
This list features some of the scariest and best haunted houses in Minnesota, all of them proven to leave you feeling spooked for the rest of the night.
