10 Super Spooky Haunted Houses In Maryland For Halloween
If your kids are older, or you just want to get the pants scared right off of you, check out these super spooky haunted houses in Maryland this Halloween!
It’s that time of the year where things start going bump in the night and ghouls and goblins pop out of nowhere to scare the life out of people. It’s haunted house season.
With most haunted houses aimed at people 13 and older, parents will want to ensure they check out these places before allowing any younger children to visit. In the meantime, here’s a look at a few of the scariest haunted houses in Maryland.
Field of Screams – Olney
More than 40 acres of scary fun awaits you as you can stroll through one of four attractions, each with its own terrifying traps. Field of Screams originated in Olney before expanding to Washington DC and Ocean City. As each location offers its own take on fright, Olney remains the original fright zone.
In 2023, the dates are every Friday and Saturday and most Thursdays & Sundays – Sept. 23rd thru Oct. 31st.
Here are some of the many haunted activities you can do!
The Haunted Trail (field of Screams)
This spooky trail takes you through a haunted campground where it’s said that 20-somethings brutally came to their ends. Now, as you make your way through 13 stations around the campground, will you join them? Or do you have what it takes to make your way safely and bravely through the gore and frights?
As you walk through the campground, pay close attention to the area around you, with its terrifying look, you may not know what waits around the next corner.
The Trail of Terror (Field of Screams)
The Trail of Terror takes you on a 30-minute tour of a haunted forest with spirit-inhabited houses along the way, as well as zombies and more scattered among the trees.
Slaughter Factory (Field of Screams)
Come into this factory and make your way through an abandoned slaughterhouse where the owner had gone insane and added humans to his list of meat to grind. Navigating your way through the meat factory may not be as easy as it appears. Is the owner still around? Does he help? Are you alone? Are you next?
Enjoy a hayride through the cornfield. Nothing could go wrong, right? When it comes to Hades Hayride, you never know what awaits you during the ride. Evil spirits are believed to live among the corn. What other evil could be lurking in the country?
Related: 50+ Not So Scary Halloween Events for Kids and Families
Fort Howard Haunted Dungeons – Fort Howard
Evil spirits are rumored to roam among the ruins of the former Fort Howard military installation and later medical center. Dates for 2023 are 29-30 September and October 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, and 27-28. During this scary event creatures of the night will come out of the darkness to roam Fort Howard Park. In its nearly 40 years, the “haunted dungeons” have been scaring people of all ages.
Operated by volunteers, the annual haunted attraction continues to spook people by changing its stories annually. So, while this year’s theme is unknown until you arrive, you are sure to face a ghost, ghoul, zombie, demon, or worse, as you take a tour of the grounds, often in total darkness, led only by a guide with a flashlight (or are they something else?).
Will they lead you safely through the wooded area? Or will you meet your doom among the dungeons of the fort? Only time will tell.
Halloween Zombie Thrill Ride
This sounds like such a haunted thriller fun experience! It’s a haunted hayride where you actually hunt and kill zombies! Central Avenue Paintball in Bowie is holding this creepy haunted hayride/zombie hunt adventure October 7, 14, 21, 27, and 28.
This experience is rated as good for ages 4 and up (so probably not that scary) and the zombies do not shoot back. Instead of actual paintballs, visitors shoot the zombies with Gelly ball blasters.
The cost is $29.95 for 750 rounds or $39.95 for 1500 rounds (cost per person).
The Haunted Experience- Rockburn Branch Park
This is a classic spooky hayride through the eerie trails to the ghostly dwelling deep in the woods. Awaiting you there are haunting tales of ghosts and goblins and horror that will tingle the spine!
This haunted experience is recommended for kids age 7+ and probably is a great introduction to spooky and scary Halloween events. In 2023 the dates are October 20-21 and 27-28. Tickets are $10 per person at gate (cash only).
Markoff’s Haunted Forest – Dickerson
For more than a quarter of a century, people seeking a Halloween-themed fright have visited Markoff’s Haunted Forest in Dickerson. Organizers offer a new theme each year to provide fresh scares, so you’ll never really know what you’re in for until you start that fateful walk through the forest. Ghosts? Zombies? Werewolves?
Who knows what will find you along one of the trails you can follow at Markoff’s Haunted Forest? The forest opens around dusk (about 7 p.m. ) Friday and Saturday, September 29th through October 29th, as well as October 31st.
Legends of the Fog — Aberdeen
A newcomer and instant hit with Maryland spooky thrill seekers! This haunted experience includes a haunted house, haunted hayride, haunted maze, and slaughterhouse. Visitors consider this one of the best in the nation, with great decorations and really fantastic actors.
2023 Dates are 23, 29, 30 September; 6-7, 13-15, 19-22, 26-29 October; 3-4 November.
AVFD Station 7 Terror Trail
A family friendly haunt with activities for everyone. There is a scary Terror trail recommended for 8 years and older as well as activities for younger children at the ticket booth and families can enjoy our Boo Haunt loop – geared for those under 8 years old.
This haunted experience supports the Arundel Volunteer Fire Department. There will be a food truck and other activities in addition to the terror trail.
Bedlam in the Boro — Lineboro
Sponsored by the Lineboro Volunteer Fire Department, this North Carroll County event holds a terrifying haunted hayride and house of horror event.
There is also a non-scary zone for kids, as well as food and other games.
Dates for 2023 are every Friday and Saturday night in October.
The Nevermore Haunt – Baltimore
Edgar Allen Poe lived and died in Baltimore. Is it any wonder that Baltimore would be home to Maryland’s scariest haunted house? The Nevermore Haunt calls the Kauffman warehouse in “Old Town” home.
It’s a perfect setting for an attraction that could scare the famous author to death, himself. With actors portraying ghosts, evil spirits and more from 19th century Baltimore, possibly the scariest time to be alive for some wayward souls, The Nevermore Haunt is sure to make you wonder who the bell tolls for.
While the Raven may or may not be among the spirits lingering in the shadows, you’re sure to wonder what is. The 15-20-minute walk through attraction may be the scariest few minutes you’ll ever experience. In addition to the haunted jaunt, The Nevermore Haunt includes a sideshow just outside the haunted warehouse.
The Nevermore Haunt is open nights each Friday and Saturday, October 6th to November 4th and then expands to Sunday for the rest of the month, including Monday, October 31st.
Bennett’s Curse Haunted House Maryland- Dundalk
Bennett’s Curse was selected as a ‘Must See Haunt‘ by Haunted Attraction Magazine. This spooky location is actually 4 locations rolled into one admission price. The attractions are Underworld, Legends of Halloween, Inferno 3-D, and Ravenbrook Asylum.
These haunted attractions run Fridays and Saturdays 29 September through the end of October– adding October 15, 22, 29, 30, 31, and November 4th!
With several haunted houses seeking to entice you for a scare, how do you know which are the best? Maryland is home to some impressive and truly scary experiences. These locations are among the best to visit for a fun and frightening experience. Remember, they only actors. Or, are they?
Check out these ideas for less spooky, More Kid Friendly Fall Fun
- Best Pumpkin Picking Patches in Maryland
- Best Places to Pick Apples in Maryland
- The Ultimate Guide to Fall Festival Fun In Maryland
- Best Places to See Fall Foliage In Maryland
FAQ for Haunted Houses in Maryland
Most haunted houses and haunted experiences are most appropriate for kids ages 13 and older. However, there are a few scary haunts that aren’t horribly scary. For the 8-12 crowd, less scary but still spooky houses include the Haunted Experience at Rockburn Park, the Zombie Thrill Ride paintball experience, and the AVFD Station 7 Terror Trail.
Field of Screams in Olney is probably the scariest haunted experience. However, Bennett’s Curse in Dundalk, Markoff’s Haunted Forest, and Legends of the Fog are also very scary.
Typically haunted experiences in Maryland are open Friday and Saturday nights during October. Many haunted experiences also operate on Halloween night.