For many Halloween enthusiasts, myself included, October is synonymous with spooky season.
If you enjoy the adrenaline rush from getting scared, this is the roundup for you. Here are 13 haunted attractions located 2 hours or less from Charlotte. It’s time to get spooky.
Scarowinds
15 mins from Charlotte
Once October rolls around, Carowinds transforms from “theme park” to “scream park”. The spooktacular event features more than 500 monsters, ghosts and goblins roaming around the park, plus plenty of haunted attractions and shows.
Open: Select nights Sept. 17 through Halloween
Admission: $39 online, $72 at the gate
Location/hours: 14523 Carowinds Blvd. 7pm to midnight
Photo courtesy of Carowinds.
Tunnel of Terror Haunted Car Wash
20 mins from Charlotte
Try not to scream while getting your car cleaned at this AquaWave Express Car Wash in Belmont. Guests can expect fog, flashing lights and appearances (or jump scares) from well-known horror film characters.
Open: Now through Halloween
Admission: $22. Ticket includes a car wash
Location/hours: 6415 West Wilkinson Blvd., Belmont. Open Thursday through Sunday, 7pm to midnight
Photo: Symphony Webber/Axios
Frightmare! on Dam Road at Mr. Putty’s Fun Park
25 mins from Charlotte
Head to Mr. Putty’s Fun Park for a haunted house, open-air scare zones, haunted mini-golf and axe throwing.
Open: Now through Halloween
Admission: $15 general admission. $20 for haunted house and golf combo
Location/hours: 2333 Dam Road, Tega Cay. Open Fridays & Saturdays from 7-11pm
Photo courtesy of Mr. Putty’s Fun Park
The 901 Nightmare
31 mins from Charlotte
Come face-to-face with your worst nightmares as you wander deep into the woods in The 901 Nightmare. This outdoor maze of terror takes you through decrepit shacks, old barns and an abandoned insane asylum. The entire attraction is about 20 minutes long.
Dates: Weekends in October plus Thursday, Oct. 28
Admission: $20 adults, $15 children
Location/hours: 3520 Mt. Holly Rd., Edgemoor. Open Friday through Sunday, 7:30-10:30pm
Photo: Symphony Webber/Axios
Photo: Symphony Webber/Axios
Boogerwoods
38 mins from Charlotte
You can’t spell Boogerwoods without “boo.” On this haunted trail, two guides will lead you through a series of 15 scenes; some with loud music, total darkness, enclosed spaces and jump scares. The attraction takes 35 to 40 minutes to walk through.
Dates: Oct. 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 & 30
Admission: $30 cash only
Location: 725 Phaniel Church Rd., Rockwell
Scarrigan Farms Haunted Trail
40 mins from Charlotte
The 170-acre stretch of woods behind the quarry is transformed into one of the scariest haunted trails in the region. From start to finish, it goes a little over 1 mile takes about an hour to complete. Reservations are required.
Dates: Now through Nov. 1
Admission: $25 per person on Thursday and Sunday, $30 per person on Friday and Saturday evenings
Location/hours: 1213 Oakridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville. Open Thursday through Sunday from 7:30pm to 10pm
Photo courtesy of Carrigan Farms
House Within Haunted House
43 minutes from Charlotte
This indoor horror experience is set in a turn-of-the-century-style funhouse. There are 15 movie set scenes in near-darkness — and there might be a jump scare or two.
Dates: Fridays and Saturdays in October
Admission: $18 online, $20 at the door
Location/hours: 111 West Bank St., Salisbury. Open Friday and Saturday from 6-9:30pm
Midway Wicked Woods
50 mins from Charlotte
They call it the Wicked Woods because of a man by the name of Wicked Willie who roams the Midway campgrounds looking for trespassers. If you’re brave enough, head to Midway Wicked Woods to find out if the legend is true.
Dates: Select dates through Halloween
Admission: $20
Location/hours: 114 Midway Dr., Statesville. Open weekends from 8-10pm
Photo courtesy of Midway Wicked Woods.
Aw Shucks 13th Acre Haunted Trail
50 mins from Charlotte
13th Acre Haunted Trail is an outdoor experience, and it’s not for the faint of heart. The trail takes about 35 minutes to walk through — that is if you don’t bolt all the way. If you want a scare and a wholesome time, opt for the combo ticket which gives you access to the haunted trail and the rest of Aw Shucks farm.
Dates: Fridays and Saturdays in October
Admission: $13 general admission, $20 combo ticket (includes haunted trail and access to the rest of Aw Shucks Farm)
Location/hours: 3718 Plyler Mill Rd., Monroe. Open Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30-11pm
Photo courtesy of Aw Shucks Farm
Haunted Shelby Corn Maze
1 hr, 5 mins from Charlotte
What lies beyond the stalks of corn just might be stalking you. Some folks say it’s haunted, so if you’re brave enough, head to Shelby Corn Maze to explore the corn trails and see for yourself.
Dates: Now through Halloween
Admission: $13
Location/hours: 120 Broadway Dr., Shelby
Kersey Valley Spookywoods Haunted House
1 hr, 10 min from Charlotte
From the moment you arrive, you’re fair game to all the haunted creatures that reside on Kersey Valley land. Spookywoods has been a North Carolina tradition since 1985 and it’s said to be one of America’s most famous scary attractions. This haunted house has 12 scenes to walk through and along the way, you’ll encounter a few surprises.
Dates: Weekends in October
Admission: $35.70 general admission, $59.49 VIP fast pass, $79.63 for immediate access
Location/hours: 1615 Kersey Valley Rd., Archdale. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8-10pm
Wompus Woods Haunted Trail
1 hr, 10 mins from Charlotte
Now in its 25th and final year, Wompus Woods allows visitors to wander through the haunted woods in which the Wompus Monster resides.
Dates: Weekends in October and the first weekend of November
Admission: $20 adult general admission, $10 child general admission — cash only
Location/hours: 231 Parris Rd., Cowpens. Open from 7:30pm to midnight
Spooky Bottom Haunted Trail
1 hr, 40 mins from Charlotte
Walk through cabins, mine shafts, swamps and villages on this spooky haunted trail.
Dates: Thursdays through Saturdays in October
Admission: Timed tickets start at $25
Location/hours: 6059 Union Grove Church Rd., Seagrove. Open Thursday through Saturday from 7pm to midnight.
Editor’s note: This story was last updated on October 12, 2021
For more fall things to do, view our other festive guides: Apple season is upon us: 7 pick-your-own orchards within 2 hours of Charlotte, Quick guide to 9 must-visit pumpkin patches near Charlotte, Fall guide 2020: 25 must-do fall activities in and around Charlotte
