See also: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Adventureland Phantom Fall Fest
Last Updated: 09/10/2024
Address: 3200 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009
Category: Advanced Tickets Available, Credit Cards ONLY, Haunted House, Ticket Booth
Established In: 2018 (Hotel), 2022 (Park)
Dates: Sep 21-22, 28-29, Oct 5-6, 12-13, 18-20 and 25-27, 2024. Several different hours, so check the official website.
Admission: $69.99+$21 parking+7% tax (Card only, no cash accepted anywhere in the park.)
Parking $21 (Card only, no cash accepted anywhere in the park.)
Discounts: Buy online for discounts. $4 per item processing fee applies.
Barnum Circus of Freaks
Last Updated: 10/22/2024
Address: 97 Indiana Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314
Directions: Entrance is off Main Street.
Category: Advanced Tickets Available, Commercial Haunts, Haunted House, Hot Food, Restroom (portable), Snacks, Timed Tickets, Wheelchair Access, Women Owned
Established In: 2023
Short Desc: Twisted circus.
Dates: Oct 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 and 25-27, 2024. 7:30pm-11pm. (Oct 27 just added.)
Admission: $25-$45 (no extra taxes or fees)
Bouton Haunted Church
Address: 109 South St, Bouton, IA 50039
Category: Commercial Haunts, Family Friendly, Fog Machines, Haunted House, Strobe Lights
Established In: 2022
Short Desc: Wander through an old church with surprises at every turn.
Dates: Oct 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26, 2024. 7pm-10pm. Sat, Oct 13 is “blackout night” (7pm-9pm) where you go thru with only a glow stick for light. Thu, Oct 31 (7pm-9pm) you can wear a costume, and contribute a free-will donation or donate a non-perishable food item to the Woodward Food Pantry and they will serve you a hot dog.
Admission: $10 (adults), $5 (12 and under).
Carlisle Haunted Woods
Last Updated: 10/28/2024
Address: 1478 Gateway Dr., Carlisle, IA 50047
Category: Cash Only, Commercial Haunts, Haunted Walk, Restroom (portable), Ticket Booth
Established In: 2022
Dates: UPDATED 10/28: Oct 4-6, 11-13, 18-20 and 25-39, 2024. Fri-Sat, 7pm-11pm. Sun, 7pm-9pm
Admission: $20 (cash only)
Discounts: HALF OFF ($10) opening weekend (Oct 4-6, 2024). Student ID discount on Sundays, and Mon-Thursday the final week ($10).
Future Nightmares (Show)
Last Updated: 10/19/2024
Address: 3800 Merle Hay Rd, Suite 1251, Des Moines, IA 50310
Directions: Inside Merle Hay Mall at the old Younkers end, near the escalators that go up to FLIX. (White Rabbit VR and Combat Live Laser Tag are close by, too.)
Category: Advanced Tickets Available, Commercial Haunts, Fog Machines, Strobe Lights, Ticket Booth, Wheelchair Access
Established In: 2023
Short Desc: A mad scientist and an animatronic robot perform a series of “experiments” that go horribly wrong. Of course.
Dates: See their website for current schedule. New nights have been added.
Admission: $5-$15
Discounts: $5 for kids, and $15 for adults, special price currently. Check their Facebook page for the latest.
Haunted Cornfield
Last Updated: 10/20/2024
Address: 5 Miles South of Knoxville on Hwy 14, Knoxville, IA
Directions: 5 Miles South of Knoxville on Hwy 14
Category: Advanced Tickets Available, Cash or Credit, Commercial Haunts, Haunted Walk, Ticket Booth
Dates: Oct 18-19 and 25-26, 2024. Dark-11pm.
Admission: $11-$15
Discounts: Discount on website.
Haunted Garage (home haunt)
Last Updated: 10/29/2024
Address: 836 15th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Category: Covered Waiting Area, Family Friendly, Fog Machines, Home Haunt, Non-Commercial Haunts
Established In: 2017
Short Desc: Elaborate home haunt.
Dates: UPDATED: Oct 25-27 (6pm-9pm) and Oct 31-Nov 1 (6pm-8pm), 2024. (They won’t be open 10/30 due to weather forecast.)
Admission: Donations split with a children’s home in Padilla, Mexico
Haunted Tunnel
Last Updated: 10/10/2024
Address: 737 34th Ave SW, Altoona, IA 50009
Directions: At Rocket Carwash.
Category: Car Wash, Commercial Haunts, Family Friendly
Dates: Oct 26-27, 2024. Starts at 6:30pm.
Admission: $20 for non-members, FREE for members.
Discounts: Current promotion: 1 month of washes for $10, which would include the Haunted Tunnel.
Linn’s Haunted House
Last Updated: 10/30/2024
Address: 3805 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
Category: Cash or Credit, Commercial Haunts, Haunted House, Restroom (portable), Strobe Lights, Ticket Booth
Established In: 1984
Short Desc: Oldest haunt in Des Moines. “You can’t see your hand in front of your face until we want you to, but then it’s too late.”
Dates: UPDATED: Oct 18-20, 22, 24-27, 31-Nov 2, 2024. 7pm-10/11/Mid depending on the night.
Admission: $25 adult, $20 child
No Escape Iowa (escape room)
Last Updated: 10/14/2023
Address: 328 Main Street, Suite 12, Ames, IA 50310
Category: Advanced Tickets Available, Commercial Haunts, Escape Room, Restroom (real), Waiver Required
Short Desc: “Ghostly Figures” escape room with jump scares.
Dates: 328 Main Street, Suite 12
Slaughterhouse
Address: 500 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Category: Advanced Tickets Available, Commercial Haunts, Covered Waiting Area, Haunted House, Line Skip Ticket Available, Ticket Booth, Timed Tickets, Virtual Queue, Wheelchair Access
Dates: Sep 20, 27-28, Oct 4-6, 11-13, 17-20, 25-27 and 31-Nov 1, 2024. Sep 20 is “Slipknot VIP Night” and Nov 2 is “Blackout Night.” No hours currently listed on official website calendar page.
Admission: $34.58 ($30+fees) to $51.47 ($45+fees).
Parking Parking meters or parking garages nearby.
Sleepy Hollow Sports Park
Last Updated: 10/24/2023
Address: 4051 Dean Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317
Category: Commercial Haunts, Haunted House, Haunted Walk
Short Desc: Multiple haunted houses.
Dates: Oct 4-5, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27 and 31-Nov 1, 2024. 6:30pm-10:30pm.
Admission: $33.10 to $54.86
Trail of Terror
Address: Ashton Wildlife County Park, Mingo, IA 50168
Category: Commercial Haunts, Fog Machines, Haunted Walk, Hot Food, Restroom (portable), Strobe Lights, Ticket Booth, Waiver Required
Dates: Oct 18-19 and 25-26, 2024. 7:30pm to 10:30pm.
Admission: $15
Discounts: Venmo was accepted last time, but check with their Facebook page to confirm if you need to bring cash only this year.
Tunnel of Terror @ Oasis Car Wash
Last Updated: 10/08/2024
Address: 635 SE Oralabor Rd., Ankeny, IA 50021
Category: Car Wash, Commercial Haunts
Established In: 2020
Dates: Oct 24-26, 2024.
Tunnel of Terror @ Tommy’s Express
Address: 645 S. 60th St., West Des Moines, IA 50266
Directions: At Tommy’s Express.
Category: Car Wash, Cash or Credit, Commercial Haunts
Established In: 2023
Short Desc: Car wash with clowns and creatures coming up to your car 😉 And surprises!
Dates: Oct. 25-26, 2024. 7pm-10pm.
Admission: $25
White Rabbit (VR escape room)
Address: 3800 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310
Directions: Merle Hay Mall lower level near FLIX escalators.
Category: Commercial Haunts, Escape Room, Virtual Reality
Established In: 2023
Dates: Check website for current hours.
Admission: $35
Zombie Hollow
Address: 2310 Saint Charles Rd, Winterset, IA 50237
Category: Advance Tickets Required, Commercial Haunts, Family Friendly, Food and Drink, Haunted Walk, Restroom (portable), Snacks, Timed Tickets
Established In: 2023
Short Desc: 1/4 mile family-friendly Halloween walk through with amazing sets and effects.
Dates: Oct 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27, and 31-Nov 2, 2024. Some days also feature a daytime version. Check their website.
Admission: $18 (night), $12 (daytime)