Iowa-based haunted house information, since 2010. Posting haunted house videos since 2006.
Can someone with more better math count the days that Haunted Woods is open, and tell me what you come up with? From their website:
https://www.hauntedwoodsdsm.com
I count twenty nights of screams. We haven’t had haunts running this many nights in awhile, have we?
After rebranding from “Barnum Circus of Freaks” to “Barnum Carnival of Freaks”, it looks like with have the fifth name for a haunted house at that location —
I have not heard any details on this yet, though, but believe it is the same ownership/management because they still are using the old e-mail address from the Circus/Carnival days, and even still call it “Barnum Carnival of Freaks” on their contact us page.
If I hear anything, I’ll update…
New for 2026 is a great way to see two very different haunted attractions. Charters on Vine (a bus charter service) has a special deal where you meet up at Whiskey River in Ankeny and then board one of their trolleys for a night of halloween fun. The trolley heads out at 6:45 p.m. with the folks who made it on time 😉
https://whiskeyriverankeny.com
The trolley will take you to The Slaughterhouse in downtown Des Moines where you will get V.I.P. admission to the haunt.
Next, it rolls over to Monsterama PubCade, a monster themed arcade/bar.
https://www.monsteramapubcade.com
After this, it ends up at Haunted Woods in Carlisle for one of the coolest outdoor haunted walks you have ever experienced.
Eventually, they will return you to your car at Whiskey River in Ankeny (estimated to be around 11:30pm or so).
https://whiskeyriverankeny.com again, for those not paying attention.
The ticket price includes:
I would caution that the haunts may not let you in if you appear drunk, so… pregame responsibly…
Sounds like a fun way to have a night out and see some haunts without spending hours in line 😉
Check it out here:
I just added a small haunt/walkthrough that Holiday House in Infianola is having. See their poster for details:
There are $2 off discount coupons found at Boone area businesses (not sure which ones), and they have a Facebook page for the event:
Longtime visitors of this site know it was a bit confusing when the new Circus of Freaks opened in Des Moines a few years ago, due to there previously being a Circus of Freaks listed on this site (we even hosted their website). But, since that other one was not operating (but still intending to come back) we figured folks would figure it out.
Earlier this year, the Barnum Circus of Freaks changes its name. Per Facebook:
Now if the previous Circus of Freaks returns, there will be only one.
Progress?
A new haunt in Waukee:
Timberline Campground’s Haunted Hall of Tortured, Twisted Terrors – $5
Intended for ages 14+; Under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
https://www.timberlineiowa.com/2025-weekend-themes/
31635 Ashworth Rd, Waukee, IA, United States, Iowa 50263
I have heard from Haunted Woods and Linn’s Haunted House so far with information on their 2025 season. In about a week, I expect to start updating the site.
Many of the haunted houses can be reviewed on Google (shows up in Android phone searches), Yelp (shows up in iPhone searches) and Facebook.
You can find links to the review pages for haunts here:
There is currently a long-running haunt that has the lowest rating of any of the area haunts. If it is your favorite, give it a boost by leaving a review.
