It’s officially scary season, and if you’re looking for a serious fright factor, these haunted houses and haunted hayrides in NJ won’t disappoint. From farms that turn to terror at night to the eerie remains of an actual asylum, the creepy and downright scary exist in all corners of the state. Ready to feel the chills and thrills of a spine-tingling encounter? Scroll down for the most terrifying experiences this season. (Warning: Haunted houses in NJ and hayrides are nightmarishly scary and have mature themes, so it is best to leave younger kids at home when you visit.) For tamer activities, check out the family-friendly fall festivals this season. (feature photo credit: @hauntedhangover)
23 Haunted Houses And Hayrides In NJ To Visit This October
North Jersey
13th Hour Haunted House – Select dates from September 20-November 1
The mention of the 13th hour refers to the supernatural, and your experience at this haunted house in NJ will surely send chills down your spine. Weave your way through three haunted houses—The House of Nightmares, The Attic, and The Darkside, which you navigate through in darkness, surrounded by live actors and animatronics. And our favorite? Haunted Hatchets, where you can go hatchet-throwing with a haunted twist. Visit their Haunted 13th Hour Escape Rooms for some more spine-chilling fun.
105 West Dewey Avenue, Suite 5, Wharton, NJ 07885
Brighton Asylum – Select dates from September 26-November 1
In the 1940s, the Brighton warehouses were real-life institutions, so you’ll be walking (and screaming) your way through a re-creation of the real asylum—yikes. You’ll travel through three award-winning haunted houses and various escape rooms that are interactive and immersive, so you’ll need to solve puzzles to get out. And that’s not all—stop by Monster Midway featuring horror CarnEVIL games, a horror museum, horror-themed mini-escape games, and an add-on ax-throwing attraction.
2 Brighton Avenue (Suite 7A), Passaic, NJ 07055
Farm of Horrors – Select dates starting mid-September
Make your way through 200 acres of haunted attractions, starting with the Hayride of Horror, which comes with unexpected twists and turns and a whole lot of screaming your head off. Next up is the Trail of Terror, where you’ll encounter a haunted graveyard and walk (quickly) among the undead. Try not to get lost in the Massacre Maize, rumored to be haunted by an ancient tribe of carnival zombies, before traveling through the final attraction—the Carnevil (get it?) of Chaos.
1051 County Road 523, Flemington, NJ 08822
Haunted Red Mill – Select dates from October 3-25
This unassuming gristmill-turned-museum on the Raritan River transforms into a scary site when the “UFO: Unidentified Frightening Objects” comes to town. Expect scary scenes, ghosts, and ghouls as you trek through the haunted maze and the Terror Trail, and ride a haunted hayride and vortex before concluding with a haunting and terrifying experience. Since the after-dark encounter is suitable for teens and adults, they offer “Happy Haunts,” an abbreviated, family-friendly experience during the day.
56 Main Street, Clinton, NJ 08809
Hayride of Horrors & Haunted House – October, check their Facebook page for updates
Take a haunted trip through Corrado’s Farm for a hayride in the woods, where you will meet creatures of the night, a cemetery of the walking dead, wicked witches, and scary apparitions. After you take the haunted ride, visit the Haunted House, where everything in your nightmares awaits, and grab (if you dare) a snack with the Wicked Witches.
Jefferson Township Haunted House – October 18 and 19
Ready for an evening of ghouls, haunts, and scares? This infamous Haunted House is volunteer-run and has been a staple in the community since 1988. And for those that want to support but can’t do the scares, check out the matinee hours where the haunts are less scary, and kids can trick or treat through the attraction.
81 Weldon Road, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849
Pantophobia Haunted Attraction – Select dates from September 27-November 1
With a theme of “The Wrath of Cyrus Grain,” this haunted hayride offers all the thrills and chills as you ride past woods, open fields, and between buildings while watching as Cyrus Grain terrorizes everyone who visits his family’s land. There is a walking trail available too for extra scares.
600 Darlington Ave., Mahwah, NJ 07430
Scare Farm – Select dates from September 26 to October 26
Scare Farm is said to have been cursed since the early 1800s, as legends are told of young men and farmers unknowingly committing dreadful crimes during the Harvest Moon. Creepy Hollow takes you through a haunted trail where you don’t know what’s human or haunted. The Slayride (one of the creepiest haunted hayrides in NJ) introduces you to the three Slay Brothers, who cultivated the land and killed anyone associated with it. Paranoia Walking Trails takes you through a haunted walk in a cornfield allegedly planted on sacred burial grounds—watch your back!
120 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Central Jersey
Brookdale Haunted Theater – Select dates from October 10-30
Are you ready to brave the minds of past and present students from Brookdale Community College at the Haunted Theater? Entirely designed, built, and run by students, the theater on campus will once again be transformed into a horror building. This 20-minute haunted house will take you through a labyrinth of frights and scares for the ultimate spooky season night.
Brookdale Performing Arts Center, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
C. Casola Farms Haunted Attractions – Select dates from September 27-November 2
You’ll find a scare at every turn when you go through four terrifying attractions in one location. Hop on the Haunted Hayride of Terror, dare to enter the 3D Haunted Barn, get lost on The Living Maze, and squash zombies at the Marlboro Zombie Breakout. And if you’re not too spooked to eat, there are freshly baked cookies, candy, hot dogs, and other farm-fresh treats to enjoy.
131 South Main Street, Marlboro, NJ 07746
Field of Terror – Select dates starting September 19
Field of Terror was born from the legend of a farmer who wanted to create human life, so he crossed his vegetation with the genetics of the townspeople. Celebrating over 20 years of fear, this creepy haunted farm in NJ has five attractions, and you can pick and choose how many you’d like to do. Be on the lookout for zombies and sketchy characters in the Kornfield of Karnage, the Karnival, the Haunted Hayride to Terror Town, Timmery Manor, and the Creepy Carnival Paintball Ride.
831 Windsor Perrineville Road, East Windsor, NJ 08520
Haunted History Tour – Select dates from September 5-October 31
If you’re looking for something less theatrical, the Haunted History Tour reveals Bordentown’s legendary and unsavory secrets. As guides lead you down unexplored paths under the light of the moon, you’ll hear spine-chilling stories about ghost encounters. No worries about hidden creatures or gore here—the spookiest part is knowing you’re standing right where a paranormal encounter once took place.
135 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown, NJ 08505
House of Horrors New Jersey – Fridays and Saturdays in October
This creepy spot is one of those haunted houses in NJ where you can also show your support for 4-H projects. This community-run Haunted House features a “Face Your Nightmares” section and a Haunted Hayride tractor that will follow a mysterious route filled with scares along the way.
645 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Nightmare at Gravity Hill – Select dates from September 12-November 1
You may not sleep well after an evening walking the haunted trails at Gravity Hill, where cars have been inexplicably pulled uphill against the forces of gravity. Experience the strange phenomena documented in Weird NJ and various YouTube videos. You can explore an abandoned ghost town, its graveyard, and haunted fields over a five-acre journey, but you won’t be alone—watch out for the terrifying zombies, ghouls, and clowns who call this place home.
Cicconi Farms, 1005 Farmingdale Road, Jackson, NJ 08527
Oasis Island of Terror – Select dates from October 4-November 1
Before you enter Oasis Island, they ask the ultimate question: Will you survive the Blackout? Make your way between the two haunted trails as you embark on a mile-long, heart-racing journey filled with creepy clowns, characters, and creatures. In Blackout, you will have only one glowstick and no lights to guide you along the trail, filled with ghouls, evil, and shadows. Enter at your own risk!
3 Circle Drive, Robbinsville, NJ 08691
Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest – Select nights from September 12-November 2
During the day, this haunted attraction hosts Kids Boo Fest, a cute and tame Halloween theme, but the scene changes to downright terrifying as the sun sets. The park features “scare zones,” and there is also heart-pounding live entertainment and haunted houses with unique stories and special effects. If the fast-paced rides aren’t enough to thrill you, having ghoulish creatures, mutants, and clowns pop out at you will give you the creeps.
1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson, NJ 08527
South Jersey
Atlantic City Ghosts – A variety of dates throughout the year
Discover the most haunted hotels and cursed casinos in Atlantic City, and learn about the eerie haunts that have made them infamous. From the Warner Theater to Caesar’s Atlantic City to Bally’s, this tour is based on a real-world portrayal of hauntings and history, so you will learn while being scared.
Meet at the Rainforest Cafe, 2201 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Bloodshed Farms Drive-Thru – Select dates from October 3-November 1
You don’t leave the car for this scary scene, but that doesn’t mean it’s not terrifying. As you drive by, you’ll see horrific displays, special effects, and creepy characters from your window. For an even more horrifying experience, upgrade to the “Psycho-Pass”—it drenches your car in blood, goo, and other scary objects and lets the actors get up close with you if you dare.
2919 Route 206, Columbus, NJ 08022
Cape May Ghost Tour – Most dates throughout the year; check ahead.
Discover the haunting history of America’s oldest seaside resort as you embark on a spooky tour through Victorian homes and historic buildings. From the beachfront Hotel Macomber to The Southern Mansion to The Inn of Cape May, there is no shortage of haunts and history. If you want to add extra to your tour, upgrade to three additional locations, rent an EMF Activity Detector, or even take home a Cape May Ghost plush.
Meet at Congress Hall, 200 Congress Pl., Cape May, NJ 08204
Fear in the Forest – October 24 and 25
Weave your way through a haunted blueberry farm and be on the lookout for the Jersey Devil, who’s lurking in the fields. As you enter the Fear in the Forest, beware—it’s a dark and creepy wooded dirt road leading to the trail. The haunted trail is fully interactive, and if you make it through without being too scared, there is live music and food at the haunted shed at the end. Tickets are sold in person, and they only accept cash.
182 City Line Road, Pemberton, NJ 08015
Night of Terror at Creamy Acre Farms – Select dates from September 16-November 1
Creamy Acre Farms pulls out all the stops for a truly terrifying experience with attractions like Dark Dreams, The Ride of Terror, and Haunted Paintball Hayride. With a haunted house that preys on your every phobia (rats, dentist drills, attack dogs, and more) and one of the scariest haunted hayrides in NJ filled with zombies, killer clowns, and chainsaw-wielding monsters—you’ll be on the edge of your seat the entire time.
448 Lincoln Mill Road, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
OC Haunted Hotel – Open daily
Just steps off the Ocean City boardwalk is a haunted hotel that you can explore if you dare. This haunted walk-through attraction has everything to scare your socks off. Haunted Golf is next door if you are up for more scary stuff.
822 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Ocean View Trail of Terror – Select dates from October 10-25
Take a haunted walk through the woods while benefiting the Ocean View Fire Company at the same time. All ages are welcome, but to make it less scary for younger ones, they can pick up a monster-repellent glow bracelet to help keep the ghouls away. Sensory-friendly dates are available, too.
2545 US 9, Ocean View, NJ 08230
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