While fear is generally considered a less-than-ideal emotion, we keep coming back to haunted houses and scary movies — and there’s a good reason for it.
Psychologists say that creating fear in our everyday lives can better prepare us for difficult situations, so what we’re saying is: Visit a haunted house this spooky season — it’s an investment in your future.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of amazing haunted houses in the Denver metro area, ranging from sprawling compounds in a cornfield off what’s considered to be one of the most haunted roads in the world to a place that’s been inspiring urban legends for decades.
And those are just the fictional experiences. We also have some recommendations for ghost tours that will show you that Denver’s past is equally, if not more, terrifying than a haunted house, from the rumors of corpses hidden under a popular park to tales of the unsavory characters who once called the Mile High City their home.
Here’s our list of the best ways to inject some healthy fear into your life this Halloween. Like we said: It’s literally good for you.
The Best Haunted Houses in Denver, Colorado
The 13th Floor Denver Haunted House
3400 E. 52nd Ave., Denver
Did anyone else who grew up in Colorado hear all the urban legends about the 13th Floor Denver? At least one of the rumors dealt with the fact that this haunted house is so scary that virtually no one makes it to the end. That isn’t quite the case, but this is still a top haunted house in Denver CO, and for good reason. This sprawling facility is actually home to multiple haunted houses, all with different stories and experiences but each with plenty of screams, no matter which you pick. And if a haunted house isn’t enough, you can also stick around for multiple themed bars, axe-throwing, mini escape rooms, and a dark maze experience. You’ll see why the 13th Floor is known as one of the best haunted houses in Denver, Colorado — and understand the reasons for all those urban legends.
Fright Fest at Elitch Gardens
2000 Elitch Cir., Denver
Elitch Gardens always manages to have some of Denver’s best haunted houses, and this year will be no exception thanks to two new haunted houses, each of which comes with its own twisted tale and lots of actors who are willing to make you scream and jump in the air like an NBA player. Elitch isn’t just a spot to find a haunted house in Denver CO — your ticket also comes with admission to the theme park, where you can enjoy a different type of thrill (as well as views of the Denver skyline). During the spooky season, numerous monsters roam around the park, providing an extra layer of excitement while you wait in line for the rides. Fright Fest starts the weekend of Sept. 27 and runs through Nov. 2. For information about tickets, visit this website. Haunted house admission is an add-on to general park admission.
The Frightmare Compound
10798 Yukon St., Westminster
With more than 6,000 reviews on Google — and an average of 4.8 stars — this sprawling facility is easily one of the best haunted houses in Denver and beyond. See for yourself why this distinguishes itself among Denver haunted houses as you search for the ghost of Brad Holder, a man who is rumored to have been laid to rest on Frightmare’s grounds and allegedly hasn’t left since. The scary haunted house isn’t the only thing to do here, either. Visitors can also check out a mini escape room, coffin simulator rides, and a haunted museum. Tickets start at $37.99 per person with the option to upgrade if waiting in line isn’t your thing. This haunted house isn’t recommended for kids under 12.
Haunted Field of Screams
10451 McKay Rd., Thornton
No list of the best haunted houses in Denver, Colorado is complete without the Haunted Field of Screams, which takes place in a terrifying 40-acre cornfield right off Thornton’s infamous Riverdale Road, a place where, legend has it, a man once went mad and burned down his mansion with his family trapped inside. Now all that remains are the iron gates — which have since been dubbed the “Gates of Hell” thanks to the nefarious activity that’s taken place outside ever since (we’re talking satanic encounters and lots of wild rituals). You’ll encounter the Riverdale Gates of Hell, as well as multiple haunted houses and giant corn stalks, during the Haunted Field of Screams, which also features countless actors who are very, very prepared to scare you (but don’t worry, they won’t physically touch you). A heads up: This attraction is considered too scary for kids under 12, so use your best judgment when you decide who to bring; there are lots of other Denver haunted houses better suited for kids. General admission tickets start at $29.99.
The Empty Grave Haunted House
218 Kimbark St., Longmont
This certainly isn’t the largest spooky establishment in the area, but take a trip to the Empty Grave, and you’ll see why it’s considered one of Denver’s best haunted houses. This family-owned haunted house is all about finding the most enthusiastic actors possible — and bringing all the jump scares. The haunted house centers around a story that begins with something going terribly wrong at the old Longmont Foods Co. turkey plant. Legend has it that residents complained that as it amped up production, the sounds on the slaughter floor were slightly too human, and the smell from the factory was considerably pungent. What was really happening at this old factory? Take a visit to find out — if you dare. Keep an eye on the website for the latest information about tickets and hours of operation.
The Ritual Haunted House
301 Englewood Pkwy., Englewood
This terrifying South Denver haunted house is considered one of the top-ranked in the state — and the reputation is very, very much warranted. This journey begins inside a rickety shack that’s allegedly held together by the souls of the damned. If the poor architectural choices aren’t scary enough, your journey will involve being asked to participate in a ritual (hence the name) while wandering through a swamp filled with fear. The 2025 season of the Ritual kicks off the weekend of Sept. 26, and it runs all the way through Nov. 2. General admission tickets start at $18, with the option to upgrade to avoid the lines.
The Best Haunted Denver Tours
Dark Side of Denver Ghost Tour
1701 Wynkoop St., Denver
Back before bros discovered it, Lower Downtown was full of different types of rough and tumble characters. Often considered a top ghost tour in Denver (it averages 4.8 stars on TripAdvisor!), this journey shares the dark secrets behind the breweries, bookshops, and bars that Coloradans have been visiting for decades. The tour guides will share information about the most haunted buildings in the city, as well as offer glimpses into Denver’s underground tunnels and the nefarious activity that once took place there. Tickets are $25 per person, and you should plan on the adventure taking around two hours.
Denver Terrors
Colorado State Capitol Building, 200 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
Back in the beginning, Denver was a Wild West town that attracted some of the most influential — and potentially nefarious — people of its time. You can learn all about the city’s rough and tumble past through haunted Denver tours, and this one might be one of the best. The action is centered around the Capitol Hill neighborhood, and you’ll see places like the Peabody-Whitehead Mansion, which is known as the most haunted house in Colorado and is said to be visited by the ghosts of soldiers the doctor who lived there could not save. This is hardly the only scary story you’ll hear on this ghost tour in Denver, which also includes information about the bodies still buried under Cheesman Park, the seedy history of the Newhouse Hotel, and the home that some say the Unsinkable Molly Brown never left. Tickets are $26 for adults and $17 for children under 13.
Golden Ghosts and Spirits Tour
Tours start at Goosetown Station in Golden
Denver had enough of a rough and tumble history, but Golden was literally its Wild West counterpart! Over the course of this roughly two-hour tour, you’ll visit three historic pubs in the heart of Downtown Golden full of tales of restless spirits, mysterious disappearances, and gunfights that went very, very poorly. Along the way, you’ll see haunted hotels and alleyways where visitors report sightings of ghostly figures. Plan on walking roughly a mile and a half through the city over the course of the adventure. Tickets are $42 and come with a drink (all the ensuing spirits come from your own tab) and a souvenir golden bandana. Dates are available on Fridays and Saturdays through October. Plus, if you love it, you can also try out The Talking Dead, an immersive ghost tour where actors bring the experience to life by playing spirits!