Haunted Houses Denver Guide: The Scariest Halloween Attractions Near South Denver and What to Know

If you are searching for haunted houses Denver locals actually rate, the good news is that the biggest scares in the metro are all within about 40 minutes of South Denver. This guide covers the haunted attractions confirmed open for the 2026 season, with addresses, dates, ticket prices, how scary each one is, who should skip it and how to spend less time in line. At the end you will find calmer Halloween plans for little kids in South Denver, Englewood and Littleton.

Every date and price here comes from each attraction’s own website, checked in mid October 2026. Prices often change by night and rise closer to Halloween, so check the ticket page before you buy.

Which Haunted Houses Are Open Near South Denver in 2026?

13th Floor Haunted House (Denver)

13th Floor Haunted House is at 3400 East 52nd Avenue in north Denver. The 2026 season runs select nights from September 11 through November 14, which makes it the latest running big haunt in the metro.

This year’s lineup includes Jason Universe: Survive the Night, an officially licensed Jason walkthrough, plus The Stitchworks, a mad scientist’s lab, and Cathedral of the Crimson Queen. There is also a clown maze called Clown Chaos and a zombie shooting range. Adults 21 and over can visit two secret bars inside, with ID checked at the door.

Tickets start at $19.99 and are sold online only, so you cannot buy at the gate. You can upgrade to Fast Pass or Skip the Line entry. The haunt warns it may be too intense for children 12 and under. According to its Know Before You Go page, free street parking is plentiful nearby, costumes and masks are not allowed inside, only small clear bags are permitted, and the event runs rain or shine with no refunds.

Haunted Field of Screams (Thornton)

Haunted Field of Screams is at 10451 McKay Road in Thornton. It runs select nights through October 31, 2026, and the open nights are marked in red on its ticket calendar.

General admission starts at $29.99, with prices that vary by date and time. A VIP ticket cuts your wait in line. Late October nights in Thornton get cold, so dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes.

The Frightmare Compound (Westminster)

The Frightmare Compound is at 10798 Yukon Street in Westminster. It runs select nights through Halloween, then adds Lights Out nights on November 6 and 7, 2026, when you walk through in near darkness.

Its ticket tiers are the clearest in town. General admission starts at $29.99. VIP starts at $44.99 and promises about half the general wait. Immediate Access starts at $69.99 and skips both lines, and the Elite All Access Pass is $99.99 with limited supply. Some event nights are priced higher, with general admission at $39.99, so compare dates before you buy.

Terror in the Corn at Anderson Farms (Erie)

Terror in the Corn runs at Anderson Farms, 6728 County Road 3 1/4 in Erie, on select nights from September 25 through October 31. The main haunt is a walk of about a mile through a cornfield to an abandoned town called Raven’s Gulch. Escape rooms and a zombie paintball hunt are on site too.

General admission is $43 on Thursday, $50 on Friday or Saturday and $48 on Sunday. A Quick Pass costs $63, $70 and $68 on those nights. The Platinum Pass is $150 and includes immediate access. Every ticket also covers the Anderson Farms Fall Festival, with its 25 acre corn maze. All sales are final.

The farm’s tips page says weekends near Halloween are the busiest and Thursday or Sunday nights are usually quieter. Wear closed toe shoes, leave valuables at home and expect a lot of walking in tight spaces. Guests who are pregnant, injured or have medical conditions are asked not to enter.

Elitch Gardens Fright Fest (Downtown Denver)

Fright Fest at Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle, runs six weekends from September 26 through November 1, 2026. Days are harvest themed and kid friendly. After sundown it switches to Fright by Night, with scare zones, haunted houses such as Port of the Damned and Redcliff Ridge, and rides in the dark.

Park admission is $57.99, and the haunted houses need a separate Haunt Pass for $40. An Express Pass plus Haunt Pass bundle is $60. The park recommends the Haunt Pass for ages 12 and up. Booville, the kids’ area, and all children’s rides close at 6 p.m., there is no park entry after 9 p.m., and guests who would rather not be scared can buy a No Boo necklace for $5.

How Scary Is Each One, and What Ages Fit?

None of these attractions publishes a scare rating, so here is what each one says about itself.

• 13th Floor: warns it may be too intense for kids 12 and under. Best for teens and adults who want indoor, high production scares.
• Elitch Fright Fest: Haunt Pass recommended for 12 and up. A good first haunt for young teens because you can mix scares with rides, and the No Boo necklace lets nervous friends tag along.
• Terror in the Corn: a long outdoor walk at night. Best for teens and adults who are fine on uneven ground in the dark.
• Frightmare Compound: its Lights Out nights in November send you through in near darkness, so save those for confident adults.
• Haunted Field of Screams: its ticket page does not give an age guide, so check with the haunt before bringing younger teens.

How Far Is Each Haunt From South Denver?

These are driving times without traffic, worked out with OpenStreetMap routing from Washington Park, the Englewood Civic Center and central Centennial. Friday and Saturday traffic on Interstate 25 can add a lot, so leave early for a timed entry.

Attraction	From Washington Park	From Englewood	From Centennial	Starting price
Elitch Gardens Fright Fest	About 15 minutes	About 15 minutes	About 25 minutes	$57.99 plus $40 Haunt Pass
13th Floor Haunted House	About 20 minutes	About 20 minutes	About 30 minutes	$19.99
Haunted Field of Screams	About 30 minutes	About 30 minutes	About 40 minutes	$29.99
The Frightmare Compound	About 30 minutes	About 30 minutes	About 40 minutes	$29.99
Terror in the Corn	About 1 hour	About 1 hour	About 1 hour 10 minutes	$43

How Do You Skip the Lines?

Waits get long at the big haunts in the last two weeks of October. A few habits help.

• Buy online, ahead. 13th Floor sells tickets online only, and timed entry at Terror in the Corn and Glow at the Gardens can sell out.
• Pick a weeknight or Sunday. Terror in the Corn says Thursday and Sunday nights are usually quieter than weekends near Halloween.
• Pay for the upgrade only where it counts. Frightmare’s VIP ticket promises about half the general wait, and its Immediate Access ticket skips both lines. 13th Floor sells Fast Pass and Skip the Line entry, and Field of Screams sells VIP.
• Or go after Halloween. 13th Floor runs to November 14 and Frightmare adds Lights Out on November 6 and 7, so you can still go after the Halloween rush.
• Keep groups small. 13th Floor splits groups larger than 10, so big parties end up waiting for each other anyway.
• Travel light. 13th Floor allows only small clear bags and no costumes or props inside, so leave them in the car.

What Are the Gentler Halloween Options in South Denver?

Not everyone in the family wants a real scare. These picks are closer to home and built for kids.

Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns at Hudson Gardens (Littleton)

Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns lights up The Hudson Gardens at 6115 South Santa Fe Drive in Littleton on select fall nights. It is about a 7 minute drive from Englewood. The walk is a half mile dirt trail lined with carved pumpkins, and tickets start at $19.99 with fees. According to the event’s visitor page, parking is free at Hudson Gardens with overflow across Santa Fe Drive at Arapahoe Community College, the event is cashless and runs rain or shine, and you should not arrive more than 30 minutes before your check in time.

Glow at the Gardens (Denver Botanic Gardens, York Street)

Glow at the Gardens runs October 15 to 18 and October 21 to 24, 2026, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the York Street gardens, about 10 minutes from Washington Park. It is a self guided night walk with hand carved, locally grown pumpkins and live performers. The gardens say plainly that the event is not very scary. Tickets are $37 for adults, $35 for seniors and $29 for children 3 to 15, with kids 2 and under free. Tickets must be bought ahead, and the event often sells out weeks early.

The same gardens also host Ghosts in the Gardens on October 20 and October 28 to 31, which leans spookier, so check its page before bringing small kids.

Boo at the Zoo (Denver Zoo)

Boo at the Zoo runs October 16 to 18, 23 to 25 and 30, 2026, from 4:30 to 9 p.m. October 31 is a sensory friendly night with the same hours. Tickets on the remaining regular nights are $27.95 for adults and seniors and $20.95 for youth, with kids 2 and under free and 10 percent off for members. Kids get a reusable trick or treat bag and nine candy stations, including an allergy station.

Goblin Give Out in Downtown Littleton

On Sunday, October 25, 2026, downtown Littleton hosts Goblin Give Out, when kids in costume trick or treat at shops and restaurants through the afternoon. While you are there, look for the Pumpkin Poles decorating Main, Alamo and Prince Streets through Halloween.

For more seasonal ideas, see our guide to fall things to do in South Denver, our list of free things to do in South Denver, and our look at life in Englewood, just a few minutes from Hudson Gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Denver haunted house stays open after Halloween?

13th Floor Haunted House runs select nights through November 14, 2026. The Frightmare Compound in Westminster adds Lights Out nights on November 6 and 7, and Elitch Gardens Fright Fest runs through November 1.

What is the cheapest haunted house near South Denver?

13th Floor Haunted House has the lowest starting price at $19.99, sold online only. Haunted Field of Screams and The Frightmare Compound both start at $29.99, though prices rise on popular nights.

Are any Denver haunted houses OK for kids under 12?

13th Floor warns it may be too intense for kids 12 and under, and Elitch recommends its Haunt Pass for ages 12 and up. For younger kids, Glow at the Gardens, Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns in Littleton and Boo at the Zoo are much better fits.

How long is Terror in the Corn?

The main trail is a walk of about one mile through a cornfield at Anderson Farms in Erie. Plan for uneven ground, tight spaces and a long night, and wear closed toe shoes.

Can I buy haunted house tickets at the door?

Not at 13th Floor, which sells online only, and not at Glow at the Gardens. Most other haunts sell timed tickets online, and popular October weekends often sell out, so buy ahead whenever you can.