Between the abundance of apple cider, pumpkin spice-flavored everything and cozy flannels; it’s easy to get a little too comfortable during the fall. But don’t forget, it’s also Halloween season, which means it’s the perfect time of the year for a little jump scare.
Luckily, the Denver metro area has no shortage of haunted houses, from a kid-friendly spot with special “lights on” days for younger kids to monster-filled adventures amid corn mazes to massive complexes with multiple scary attractions — as well as bars, food trucks, and opportunities to take selfies with ghouls.
Here’s a closer look at the top haunted houses in Denver, including the best kid-friendly spots as well as the scariest attractions for even the most jaded adults.
The Best Kid-Friendly Haunted Houses in Metro Denver
Elitch Gardens Fright Fest
Downtown Denver
During the fall, Elitch Gardens gets downright spooky, with monsters and madness lurking around every corner of this theme park. It’s only fitting that in addition to all the usual roller coasters and rides, Fright Fest at Elitch Gardens also features two haunted houses, one of which is tamer and catered to younger audiences (even though there are still plenty of terror-inducing moments!). This kid-friendly Halloween activity really has something for everyone. Fright Fest will be open throughout October. Admission to the theme park is $50, and the haunted houses cost extra. Visit the Elitch Gardens website for an updated look at prices when they are released.
Reinke Brothers Haunted Mansion
Littleton
For the past 50 years, this Littleton costume shop has also been home to one of the best haunted houses for kids and adults in metro Denver. The bravest visitors can step into the twisted realm of the Reinke Brothers’ Haunted Mansion and encounter the slumbering monsters that linger within. If this sounds like a little too much, the facility also offers “lights-on” tours of the haunted mansion, where most of the special effects are turned off and the monsters are allowed to take their lunch break. This experience is perfect for little kids or those who aren’t quite feeling a full haunted house. The Haunted Mansion is open throughout October. Tickets are $20 on Sunday through Thursday and $25 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Scariest Haunted Houses in Denver: Spooky Attractions for Teens and Adults
13th Floor Haunted House Denver
Elyria-Swansea
This massive complex is often considered the OG of Denver haunted houses, and for good reason. Over the course of the Halloween season, it’s home to multiple different terrifying haunted houses, including Crimson Night and Macabre. Both are targeted at adults, and after enough scares are had, 13th Floor visitors can stop by two bars, participate in ax throwing, and even rent a private cabana that comes with a bucket full of beverages and a visit from a monster. The 13th Floor opens the weekend of Sept. 7, and tickets range from $25 to $40.
The Ritual Haunted House
Englewood
This terrifying Denver haunted house begins with a ritual (hence the name) in a crumbling shack that the attraction’s website says is “barely held together with the souls of the damned” (it might be worth a visit to Home Depot to find a better building material, but that’s another story). Throughout the tour, visitors navigate a cursed swamp and hear the deafening sounds of the people that call it home, eventually ending up in a cannibal’s lair. This haunted house, which is often ranked one of the scariest near Denver, is full of unexpected thrills and is definitely best enjoyed by teens and adults. The Ritual Haunted House is open from Sept. 29 to Nov. 4. General admission tickets cost $25.
Terror in the Corn
Erie
This haunted cornfield takes thrill-seekers on a nearly mile-long adventure through the unknown, ultimately leading to the town of Raven’s Gulch, where nightmares greet the unsuspecting at every turn as they weave through abandoned buildings. This terrifying haunted attraction near Denver has every type of monster you can imagine, providing enough jump scares to make even the most seasoned haunted house visitor scream. Terror in the Corn will be open Thursdays through Sundays from Sept. 28 to Nov. 2. Tickets to the haunted house and Anderson Farms Fall festival are $40 to $44.
The Frightmare Compound
Westminster
Legend has it, the founder of this scary metro Denver haunted house was laid to rest on the grounds of this very compound. Denver residents have reported sightings of the man known as Brad Holder, and don’t be surprised if you come face-to-face with his ghost while exploring the haunted house. This isn’t the only spooky experience that awaits at the Frightmare Compound. There’s no light guiding visitors to the finish line, and the website says “nothing but darkness and the whimpers of nearby haunted house goers will have you doubting your every move.” This haunted house is often considered one of the scariest in Denver, and it’s proven it time and time again over the last 40 years. The Frightmare Compound will be open Sept. 13 to Nov. 2. General admission tickets are $29.99.
Haunted Field of Screams
Thornton
Located not far from Riverdale Road – a byway that’s considered one of the most haunted roads in Denver – this 40-acre cornfield serves up terrorizing experiences that are meant to prey on each visitor’s innermost fears. The attraction starts with a “hayride” down to the Riverdale Gates of Hell, followed by a trek through a forest and multiple haunted houses. Along the way, multiple monsters and ghoulish inhabitants of this forsaken area of the High Plains are on hand to scare visitors. The Haunted Field of Screams is open Sept. 27 to Nov. 2. General admission tickets begin at $29.99.
Honorable Mention
Hellscream Haunted House
Colorado Springs
This spooky attraction isn’t quite in metro Denver, but Hellscream Haunted House in Colorado Springs frequently dominates lists of the best haunted houses in Colorado, so it might just be worth the drive. A team of professionals curates this attraction experience, using movie-quality special effects and actors to take visitors through meticulously detailed sets that leave everyone questioning reality. Hellscream Haunted House will be open from Sept. 27 to Nov. 2. Admission is $24 Sunday through Thursday, and $27 on Fridays and Saturdays.
