If you love all things that go bump in the night, you probably love haunted house season. If you’ve tried all the frights in Northern Virginia, broaden your horizon to find even more nail-biting and adrenaline-pumping scares that are just a short drive away. Here are some nearby (and totally terrifying) haunted houses and trails that are definitely worth the drive.
DarkWood Manor Haunted House
Fridays–Sundays through November 4, plus October 31
1 hour 35 minutes from Dulles
Each year the house of fear provides Halloween lovers with a brand new theme, with original stories, characters, and scenes. This year, the Witherspoon Brothers and their world of vampires are set to descend on the haunted house and turn it into the Blood Realm. The final weekend will host the blackout event, where guests enter the manor with just a glow stick in hand. Note: This haunted house is not recommended for kids under 10. 104 N. Hawksbill St., Luray, $20
Distorted Dreams Haunted House
Weekends through October 28, times vary
1 hour 20 minutes from Dulles
In its second year of operation, this haunt is definitely still a hidden gem. Located at Fort Ritchie, you’ll feel the spooky vibes once you pull onto the former base. Once you head into the attraction be prepared for jump scares, mind-twisting effects, and things lurking around every corner. But best of all are the actors. The crew will scare, intimitate, and humiliate you – but in the best way possible. 24930 Reservoir Rd., Cascade, Maryland, $20 general admission, $35 for admission and fear pass
Field of Screams Maryland
Various dates through October 31
1 hour 1 minute from Dulles
Home to the longest-most terrifying trail in the country and named the Best Haunted Attraction by USA Today, you’ll need to get up the gumption to complete the haunts at Field of Screams. Halloween lovers have access to the Slaughter Factory haunted house and super trail, a one-hour walk through the woods with 55 scary scenes to experience, including an eerie campground, carnival, and church. Just do us a favor and don’t make Pickles or Stitches mad. 4501 Olney Laytonsville Rd., Olney, Maryland, $44–$64
Hersheypark Dark Nights
Weekends through October 29
2 hours 12 minutes from Dulles
When the lights go at the Sweetest Place on Earth the ghouls come out to play. With five haunted houses – including the new Auntie Mortem’s Abattoir – three scare zones, and access to the park’s rides, you’ll have a hard time fitting everything into one night. While you explore the park, make sure to grab some of the limited Halloween-themed treats, including the Toxic Mac and Cheese, Fried Oreo Eyeballs, and Mass Acres Loaded Fries. 100 W. Hersheypark Dr., Hershey, Pennsylvania, $44.99–$84.95
Kings Dominion’s Halloween Haunt
Weekends until October 29
1 hour 45 minutes from Dulles
Once The Great Pumpkin Fest ends, Kings Dominion’s monsters take over. The haunt features five indoor and outdoor mazes – including F.E.A.R., Condemned, Trick or Treat, Blood on the Bayou, and GrimmWoods – four outdoor scare zones, and plenty of live performances. Fast passes are available to skip the lines for rides and each haunted maze. Chaperones are required for guests 15 and younger. 1600 Theme Park Wy., Doswell, $49.99–$74.99 for haunt admission, $54.99–$115 for day and night admission
Laurel’s House of Horror
Various date through November 4
48 minutes from Dulles
The DMV’s largest indoor haunted house is constructed inside an abandoned movie theater. The House of Horror has over 28,000 square feet of clowns, bones, guts, masked murderers, and other unfathomable scares. If you make it out of the haunted house alive, continue to test your nerve in the horror movie-themed escape rooms. 935 Fairlawn Ave., Laurel, Maryland, $30–$40
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Weekends until October 29, plus October 31
57 minutes from Dulles
Good luck making it through this town and 1-mile trail. The Western-themed town is full of zombies, and the crazy ghouls will give you a fright as you hike under moonlight. Plus, coming later this month is the all-new See No Evil attraction. The bravest souls will have to put their senses to the test, heading through the multi-sensory experience blindfolded. 19120 Martinsburg Rd., Dickerson, $30–$50 trail tickets, $20–$30 town tickets, $45–$75 combo tickets
Feature image courtesy Field of Screams Maryland
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