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 houses are nightmarishly scary and have mature themes, so best to leave younger kids at home when you visit). For tamer things to do, check out the family fall festivals this season. (feature photo credit: @hauntedhangover)
Here are 19 haunted houses and hayrides in NJ to visit this October
Have your socks scared off one of the scariest haunted houses in NJ—Timmery Manor at Field of Terror. Photo Credit: @fieldofterrornj
Field of Terror
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 21 years of fear in 2023, 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 the sketchy characters in the Killer Kornfield, the Karnival, the Haunted Hayride to Terror Town, Timmery Manor, and the Creepy Carnival Paintball Ride.
Weekends and select Thursday nights September 22-October 31 (online ticket purchases are recommended.)
831 Windsor Perrineville Road, East Windsor, NJ 08520
(609) 758-7817
Nightmare at Gravity Hill
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.
Fridays and Saturdays until October 28
Cicconi Farms, 1005 Farmingdale Road, Jackson, NJ 08527
(848) 207-8963
Brighton Asylum
In the 1940s, the Brighton warehouses were existing facilities that institutionalized people, so you’ll be walking (and screaming) your way through a re-creation of the real asylum—yikes. You’ll travel through The Tunnel, where you “fight” zombies, journey through The Bleeding Grounds, the old staff quarters, and then check into The Asylum, which will transport you back to the institution’s mysterious origins. There is also the Portal, where you’ll enter Brighton’s long-forgotten subway system, as well as add-on attractions like ax throwing, an escape room, and a virtual reality experience.
Weekends and select Thursdays September 23-November 4
2 Brighton Avenue #20, Passaic, NJ 07055
(201) 848-2517
Night of Terror at Creamy Acre Farms
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.
Fridays, Saturdays, and select Thursdays starting September 29 (tickets purchased advance online are recommended)
448 Lincoln Mill Road, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
(856) 223-1669
Get spooked by Big Top Terror at Six Flags Fright Fest and other scary haunted houses in NJ. Photo Credit: Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest
During the day, this haunted attraction has Boo Fest, a cute and tame Halloween theme, but the scene changes to downright terrifying as the sun goes down. The park features five “scare zones,” including Lady of the Lake Cemetery, Clown Town, and the brand-new Venom Gulch. There is also heart-pounding live entertainment and haunted mazes 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 certainly will give you the creeps.
Weekends until October 31
1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 928-2000
Farm of Horrors
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 come across a haunted graveyard and walk (quickly) among the living dead. 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.
Weekends September 29-October 29
1051 County Road 523, Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 782-2705
Scare Farm
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 Slay Ride (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 Trails takes you through a haunted walk in a cornfield allegedly planted on sacred burial grounds—watch your back!
Weekends September 29-October 29
120 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
(908) 371-2697
Pantophobia Haunted Attraction
With a theme of “The Revenge of Cyrus Grain,” this haunted hayride offers all the thrills and chills as you ride past greenhouses, open fields, and an abandoned ridge while watching as Cyrus Grain terrorizes everyone who visits his family’s land. Before the ride, catch the five-minute pre-show and the opportunity to take pictures with the actors.
Weekends September 29-November 4
156 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645
(805) 666-1699
Haunted History Tour
If you’re looking for something less theatrical, this Haunted History Tour reveals Bordentown’s legendary, unsightly 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 meeting once occurred.
Weekends starting September 29-October 29, open the week before Halloween
135 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown, NJ 08505
(201) 450-1027
Bloodshed Farms Drive-Thru
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.
Friday through Sunday, starting September 30-October 29
2919 Route 206, Springfield, NJ 08022
(609) 784-5788
Go Haunted Hatchet, throwing at the 13th Hour Haunted House. Photo Credit: @13thhourhaunt
13th Hour Haunted House
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. On October 31, the attraction issues a unique challenge for only the bravest of them all—try to make it through the first two haunted houses with nothing but a candle to light your way.
Weekends September 23-November 4
105 West Dewey Avenue, Wharton, NJ 07885
(862) 244-4454
Oasis Island of Terror
Before you enter Oasis Island, you’ll be asked 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!
Select Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 6-November 4
3 Circle Drive, Robbinsville, NJ 08691
(609) 259-7300
Brookdale Haunted Theater
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.
Weekends from October 13-29
Brookdale Performing Arts Center, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
(732) 224-2411
Fear in the Forest
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 wooded dirt road leading to the trail, beware—it’s totally dark and creepy. 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.
Friday and Saturday, October 20 & 21
182 City Line Road, Pemberton, NJ 08015
fearintheforest01@yahoo.com
C. Casola Farms Haunted Attractions
You’ll find a scare at every turn, with four terrifying attractions in one location. Hop on the Haunted Hayride of Terror, dare to 3D Haunted Barn, get lost on the Living Maze, and squash zombies at the Marlboro Zombie Breakout and Zombie Paintball. And if you’re not too spooked to eat, there are freshly baked cookies, candy, hot dogs, and other farm-fresh treats to enjoy.
Friday and Saturday, September 29-October 29, open on Halloween
131 South Main Street, Marlboro, NJ 07746
(732) 946-8885
Haunted Red Mill
This unassuming gristmill-turned-museum on the Raritan River transforms into a scary site when “The Dead…Don’t Die” 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 ending in a haunting and terrifying experience. Since the after-dark encounter is recommended for teens and adults, they offer “Happy Haunts,” an abbreviated, family-friendly experience during the day.
October 13-14, 20-21 & 27-28
56 Main Street, Clinton, NJ 08809
(908) 735-4101
House of Horrors New Jersey
If you are looking for haunted houses in NJ where you can also support families in need, check out this community-run Haunted House featuring a “Face Your Nightmares” section that’s newly redesigned for even more frights. You can also take a ride on the Haunted Hayride tractor that will follow a mysterious route filled with scares along the way.
Friday and Saturday in October
645 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
(732) 398-5261
Jefferson Township Haunted House
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.
October 21 & 22
81 Weldon Road, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849
JTownHauntedHouse@gmail.com
Hayride of Horrors
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.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October, starting October 6
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