Here’s your definitive guide for 2023. Read on, if you dare.
If you’re anything like us, Halloween is our jam, and what better way to embrace the season than to explore the spookiest haunted houses and trails in Virginia and Maryland?
Leesburg’s Terrifying Treat: Scream LoCo, Leesburg, VA
Get ready for a haunting experience like no other at ScreamLoCo’s brand-new venue, The Funhouse! This year, they’re upping the ante by inviting you into a world where comedy and horror are two sides of the same twisted coin.
Prepare to navigate through a labyrinth of disorienting mirrors and witness eerie clown performances that will send chills down your spine. But that’s not all—the Funhouse is filled with unsettling illusions designed to make your heart pound and your courage waver.
The carnival may seem full of color and life, but remember, there’s a nightmarish secret lurking behind its vibrant facade.
Given the track record of the Scream LoCo team, this should be considered the spookiest of the spookiest haunted houses on the tour!
Get your tickets here.
Award-Winning Chills: Madhaunter’s Madhouse, Purcellville, VA
If you thought you knew what to expect from Madhaunter’s Madhouse, think again!
This year, they’ve outdone themselves by incorporating an entirely new wing filled with jaw-dropping scares that promise to leave even the most seasoned horror enthusiasts trembling.
Dubbed “The Abyss,” this section brings an otherworldly vibe to the haunt. Imagine being pulled into an alternate realm filled with grotesque creatures, shifting walls, and disorienting fog. Don’t be fooled by the eerie silence. It’s merely the calm before a storm of shrieks and howls that you won’t be able to forget.
As always, Madhaunter brings a high level of professionalism to their scares, so every inch of “The Abyss” is meticulously designed to chill you to the core.
Family-Friendly Frights: Haunted Nightmares, Winchester, VA
This is an all-in-one Halloween destination that truly offers something for everyone.
By day, the attraction is a family-friendly haunt offering lighter thrills suitable for younger audiences. Kids and adults alike will delight in the various escape rooms, wander through the intricately designed corn maze, and take in the scenic views on moonlit hayrides.
But as the sun sets, Haunted Nightmares transforms into a realm of intense terror that’s not for the faint of heart.
Brace yourself for a haunted house experience that goes above and beyond. Live actors will bring your darkest fears to life and special effects will leave you second-guessing what’s real and what’s not. From the moment you step in, it’s a rollercoaster of emotions that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Mystery in the Woods: Haunted Hollow VA, Warrenton VA
If you’re searching for a haunted experience with deep-rooted history, look no further than Haunted Hollow. The tale begins in 1961 when an unsuspecting couple purchased an abandoned farm on Maple Tree Lane. What seemed like an idyllic place to put down roots soon revealed a darker side.
Unbeknownst to them, an unidentified cemetery lay right beneath their very first garden. For years, mysterious farming accidents and odd livestock behavior around the old horse barn puzzled them. However, they were but were quickly dismissed.
Then, eerie clues began to surface—bits of letters hidden within the walls and a high school student’s diary discovered in the attic. These revelations cast a new, spine-chilling light on the property.
Haunted Hollow takes you through a terrifying journey in and around these very barns, unraveling the unsettling past as you go.
Prepare to be left breathless or gasping for your last breath… come if you dare!
Maryland’s Sinister Fields: Field of Screams, Olney, MD
If you find yourself in Maryland and crave a dose of adrenaline-pumping horror, then Field of Screams is a destination for you.
Prepare to enter an unimaginable world of terror as you venture through The Haunted Trail and Trail of Terror. Trust us, these aren’t your ordinary walks in the woods. Here you’ll find yourself dodging everything from nightmarish clowns to terrifying butchers in 13 unique haunted houses along the way.
But the thrills aren’t just confined to scares; Field of Screams also offers an array of Carnival Town Games to keep the excitement going. Test your aim with Body Bean Bag Pumpkin Toss or try your hand at Zombie Brain Smash. It’s the perfect blend of terrifying encounters and competitive fun, making for an unforgettable Halloween experience.
The Terrifying History of Leech Woods, Damascus, MD
Leech Woods takes you on a journey through a tragic and horrifying history.
Named after the original settlers, Warwick and Jeanne Leech, who moved here from Hungary in the early 1790s. The land has a haunting past that will send shivers down your spine.
Thriving as a hub for hides, furs, and hunting supplies, the Leech family met a tragic end in the winter of 1804. Unknown attackers gruesomely vandalized their store and took their lives in a manner too terrifying to comprehend. And their youngest son, John Leech, was found nailed to the store’s back wall. And unfortunately, the rest of the family were found bludgeoned and bound in the root cellar of their homestead.
The motive for these horrifying acts remains unknown, adding an extra layer of mystery and terror to your experience.
Visitors who have dared to walk the trail have reported hearing unexplained voices and footsteps. It's as if the souls of the Leech family are still lingering, begging for their story to be heard.
Classic Horror: Markoffs Haunted Forest, Dickerson, MD
Prepare to be both thrilled and chilled at Markoff’s Haunted Forest, a legendary haunted attraction that’s been spooking the DC area since 1992!
What started with the Markoff brothers driving a Haunted School Bus to local events has evolved into a nationally recognized fright fest. This immersive experience is multi-sensory, combining atmospheric music, unsettling lighting effects, and even scents to provide a uniquely terrifying adventure.
While you wait for your turn to venture into the forest, Markoff’s Midway. It serves as a deceptively inviting carnival-like setting where you can eat, drink, and mentally prep for the chills to come.
The Haunted Trail itself is a mile-long labyrinth featuring heart-pounding scenes, eerie clearings, and malevolent creatures that pop up when you least expect them. Designed for brave souls over the age of 12, the trail is not for the faint of heart.
And for a touch of the Wild West, don’t miss “The Town,”. An up-close-and-personal haunted experience that transports you into a nightmarish Western setting.
Trust us, this is one forest you’ll venture into, but will never forget!
The Real Haunt: Laurel’s House of Horror, Laurel, MD
Ah, the allure of the genuinely haunted paired with man-made thrills: welcome to Laurel’s House of Horror!
This attraction occupies the “Old Movie Theater” cinema complex—an eerie space abandoned years ago by its former occupants.
What sets this haunted house apart is its genuine, verified paranormal activity. After experiencing some spine-tingling moments themselves, the owners invited Chesapeake Ghost Hunters to investigate the property. The findings? A definite presence of other-worldly activity.
Since then, various ghost-hunting groups have explored the theater, adding layers of authenticated spookiness. Most recently, Charm City Paranormal joined the ranks, documenting their own ghostly experiences within the complex.
When you step into Laurel’s House of Horror, you’re not just entering a curated haunted house; you’re stepping into a bona fide, ghost-hunter-verified haunt.
It’s a chilling experience that combines the thrill of a haunted house with the authenticity of a real-life haunted location.
So, are you brave enough to explore both?
Virginia’s Urban Haunt: Terror Manor, Roanoke, VA
If you find yourself in downtown Roanoke this Halloween season, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Terror Manor. Terror Manor is the city’s first ADA-accessible commercial haunted house.
This inclusively designed haunt is anything but tame. With over 40 uniquely crafted rooms of sheer terror, your adrenaline will be pumping from start to finish. Terror Manor leaves no stone unturned. From spine-chilling actors to intricate set designs that transport you into your worst nightmares.
So, if you’re a thrill-seeker looking for a haunted house that is both accessible and utterly terrifying, Terror Manor should be at the top of your list.
So many hauntings, so little time! But at least you have your comprehensive guide to the spookiest haunted houses and trails for 2023. We hope you enjoy the thrills and chills, and most importantly, come out alive to tell the tale! Happy haunting!
As always, if we’ve missed a haunted house that you’d like to add, email us at
[email protected] or let us know in the comments.
