Haunted Woods returns for 2024

Updates: Corrected year. See directory for full list of days open.

The surprising (literally) Haunted Woods returns for 2024. This haunted walk, which originally operated about 25 years ago, took some time off, then returned in 2022. We missed it that year, but did see it last year and boy where we impressed. They had a very cool style to their “distraction scares” that we really enjoyed.

The index and calendar has been updated with their initial information for this season. They provided these details:

  • Haunted Woods – Mare Witch Project III
  • http://Hauntedwoodsdsm.com
  • Opens October 4, 2024.
    Fri & Sat. – 7pm – 11pm
    Sunday – 7pm – 9pm

Don’t miss it!

$10 off Haunted Woods on Mon 30 and Tue 31

Tonight (October 30) and tomorrow (October 31), you can get $10 OFF a trip through the Carlisle Haunted Woods by showing a post from their Facebook page. Go to the link below and scroll to find the discount offer:

https://www.facebook.com/hauntedwoodsdsm

You must show them the offer loaded up from their Facebook page. Be sure to give their page a Like or Follow while you are there.

Zombie Hollow date changes

Always check with the haunt’s official website or social media before heading out. Dates sometimes get added or removed. Or both, in the case of Winterset’s Zombie Hollow. From their Facebook page:

We’ve switched up our calendar a bit. We took out Thursday the 26th but added Sunday the 29th. Friday night is looking dry and just right! Come on out, grab a hot chocolate at Nick’s Kettle Korn located right at our front entrance and carry it with you as you enjoy the show! By Tuesday, we may be adding Christmas lights if the snow keeps up! ????????????❄️

Zombie Hollow on Facebook

Barnum Circus of Freaks also posted about adding an extra night this week.

For outdoor events, weather may also be a concern, with rain expected today and a potential to see some snow this weekend. Carlisle’s Haunted Woods has posted about potentially changing hours due to weather. Outdoor events such as these (and Sleepy Hollow, and Adventureland, and Trail of Terror, and…) can be impacted by wet or color weather.

Wrap up warm this weekend!

Haunted Woods was great!

We visited the Haunted Woods in Carlisle tonight, and were pleasantly surprised at their scaring techniques. I call them “distraction scares.”

This 1/4 mile walk though the woods is a bit different. They try to fool you at every scene, and it pretty much made us jump at almost all of them. As soon as we thought we figured out what they were going to do next, we were wrong. They have some VERY fun hiding spots.

They try to limit groups to around four people, and allow ample spacing between groups. You feel like you are all alone in the woods except for the screams you hear from other groups in front of you. It is very nicely done, and I can’t wait to go back.

Carlisle Woods vs Trail

There is a bit of confusion between two haunted walks happening in Carlisle this year.

One is the Haunted Woods, which I believe is the same haunted woods that happened out there last year. It is a $20 event that runs multiple nights throughout the season, and has a website:

https://www.hauntedwoodsdsm.com

The second is the Haunted Trail which is a one-night event on October 21 as part of the Carlisle Hometown Pride event (I think):

https://www.facebook.com/carlislehometownpride

Hope this helps!

Haunted Woods in Carlisle?

Over in the Haunted Houses around Des Moines Facebook group, Kailey S. shared a photo of a handout for a haunted walk near Carlisle. We’d only just heard about this when someone asked about one in that area.

I have not been able to locate a website yet, but I did find a Facebook Event for it:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1518042198624239

Here is the text from the flyer shared by Kailey:

HAUNTED WOODS!

1478 E. County Line Rd.
Carlisle lowa
Take Exit 72 To Carlisle Follow Signs
515-250-4447

7:00pm – 11:00pm
September – Friday – Sunday
October – Wednesday – Sunday
Admission – $20.00
Express Tickets – $35.00
Cash Only

Closed If Bad Weather

*Not Advised For Small Children

text from flyer picture posted by Kailey S.

Please comment if you have more details we can share. Thanks!