Kids and teens looking for scary Utah haunted houses in rural locales or spooky urban Halloween fun? Salt Lake City and the surrounding Utah towns can supply it. Plus, with the city as your base, you’ll also have hayrides, museums, nature trails and mazes to navigate at local farms.
Keep in mind that most Utah attractions run Friday and Saturday beginning in mid-September and expand to a four or five-day schedule during October. Several are closed on Sundays.
Not going to be in Utah? Across the country, discover a variety of haunted houses and other Halloween activities. Favorite options are listed in our Haunted House and Halloween Weekend Breaks Directory Page.
Grown Up & Kid’s Nightmare in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is home to Nightmare on 13th, one of America’s scariest haunted houses — more like a haunted castle. After more than 30 years, they feature with 13 scare zones (mazes and rooms) designed to get your pulse racing.
Expect digital projections, animation, sounds and lights. And that’s before the haunted house. You’ll have a chance to explore spooky adult mysteries like the Nightmare Courtyard or Cirque du Fear if they bring back our favorites. Two new themes for the 2023 season are Possession of Blackthorn Manor and The Howling. Pay more for first-in-line passes unless you want to linger in the terrifying antiroom.
We appreciate that they’ve added a daytime haunt experience for kids; rates start at $22.95. Your kids will love all the props, gore and spooky atmosphere without being scared by the dark.
Terrifying Utah Haunted Houses
We heard you can’t get spookier than Nightmare on 13th with haunted houses in Utah. Then along comes Fear Factory. Some areas of this abandoned cement factory are handicap accessible and all are haunted by the souls of those who worked there.
Bring (live) adult accompaniment for anyone ages 12 or under. Fear Factory claims be one of the top Halloween attractions in the world. And size does matter — to us. At Fear Factory, explore six buildings, each up to 6 stories high, with two underground passages.
Another option is Asylum 49 about 35 miles southwest in Tooele. Do you have any living friends or relatives who remember Dead City from Murray, Utah? When they closed down that location, they moved their props, sets and ghoulish delights to this location. This year, Asylum 49 promises you can choose between No Contact and Full Contact with its zombie inhabitants. Check their schedule for live ghost hunts this season.
A Gentle Scare at Wheeler Farm, a Utah Haunted House for Littles
The Salt Lake City suburb of Murray is home to the very charming Wheeler Historic Farm, a non-profit homestead where kids learn about the state’s agricultural heritage. When you enter, don’t miss the amazing wood sculpture made from very old trees that died on the spot. Talented artisans sculpt the stumps into delightful artworks that guests can interact with.
At Halloween, they go all out to keep kids on their toes and we mean it. From a petting zoo filled with skeletons to a pumpkin patch run by aliens, Wheeler has every angle figured. Check out their online resources for kids who can participate remotely this season.
Less Scary Stuff in Lehi, Utah
Not up for haunted houses in Utah that scare your family silly? If this thrill seems too scary for your children, Thanksgiving Point hosts an annual fall festival. Dive into corn mazes and pumpkin patches. The Halloween Spooktacular is this year’s Halloween party; seasonal events typically run daily throughout October. Because this property has 55 acres of gardens, a 3D theater, restaurant, shops, and an 18-hole golf course (although it’s not all open), you can plan to spend the whole day and keep all ages busy.
Throughout the fall, Thanksgiving Point also offers low-budget activities. Typically at its Farm Country, everyone in the family is able to milk cows, gather eggs, feed pigs and learn all about running a farm. The Museum of Ancient Life has the world’s largest collection of mounted dinosaurs. Young kids can dig for fossils and explore ancient creatures, while older ones can take part in plenty of hands-on activities. With nominal admission fees (kids under 12 free), corn mazes and pony rides, it’s a bargain that shouldn’t be overlooked. Thanksgiving Point is only 26 miles away from Salt Lake City in Lehi.
Need a discount Salt Lake City hotel or beyond?
Caught in the Corn at Syracuse
Come to Black Island Farms for Utah’s largest corn maze! Warning: No smoking and No pets! Go for the 300 acres in cultivation growing pumpkins, squash, gourds and other fresh veggies. A corn maze, hayride, pig races, bounce house, and cow train all delight little kids without the fright. Kids 2 and under enter free.
For older kids and brave adults, the Nightmare Acres haunted house takes guests through a chilling haunt sure to send shivers up your spine; open Thursday-Saturday from late September to early November.
A Utah Sweet Treat pre-Halloween
A last sweet thought for Halloween… Since everybody loves candy, satisfy your sweet tooth like the locals and shop for, or order online, at Sweet’s Candy Factory. The Utah favorite, in operation since 1892, is closing their confectionery haven to the pubic. Be sure to include their famous taffy and cinnamon bears in your order. We can’t think of any more appropriate way to make the Halloween season a cultural event.
There’s more than just peaks and snowsports to see. Remember to pick-up a Salt Lake City Connect Pass for discounted admission to 16 attractions over the time period you choose, from one to 365 days. Make a weekend of your adventure and snag a deal on a hotel in Salt Lake City.
Ready to get spooked on Halloween? Let us know if your favorite Utah haunted house or Halloween adventure make the list!
Get more haunted house for kids and Halloween weekend break ideas here.
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