If Halloween had a heart, it would beat somewhere deep in the woods of Rockwell, North Carolina, and its name would be Boogerwoods. For 48 seasons, this all-volunteer haunt has scared, entertained, and raised funds to help fight Cystic Fibrosis, proving that horror can have soul. Where else can you find a haunted attraction that blends slapstick comedy, special effects wizardry, old-school charm, and pure adrenaline into a single, seamless experience? By the time dusk settled over Rockwell, a crowd was already forming for this beloved charity haunt. Tickets here sell out early every night, thanks to its timed-entry format and word-of-mouth reputation.
Boogerwoods is the rarest kind of haunt: one made from community, creativity, and love. You’ll laugh as often as you scream, and you’ll leave feeling part of something larger than yourself. The team here doesn’t just want to scare you, they want you to have fun while being scared. The show feels like a mashup between a carnival ride, a haunted theater production, and a live-action horror-comedy spectacular.
This year’s version featured over sixteen themed scenes, including returning favorites like the Flatback, the Ghost Town and, Boogerassic Park, along with a new visit to Grandma’s House. Our trusty guides The Lone Ranger and Tonto once again led the way, carrying the story, and occasionally us, through every insane, high-energy sequence.
Boogerwoods operates on volunteer power, but you’d never know it from the show quality. This crew performs with the polish, precision, and charisma of a professional troupe. The cast is large and every single one of them gives it their all.
Guides Tonto and the Lone Ranger deserve special mention: their combination of physical comedy, stamina, and audience interaction transforms the walkthrough into a shared adventure. Their quick banter and in-character improvisation kept us laughing and ducking in equal measure.
Each scene has its own stars: the adrenaline-fueled Taxi Driver, the unhinged Club Manager, the larger-than-life Flatback performers who deliver an explosive, WWE-style show that could only happen at Boogerwoods. The Museum Curators were delightfully unhinged, while the snakes of Boogerassic Park gave one of our team members a few heart-pounding moments she didn’t expect.
The queue area had its own performers this year – Art the Clown, a Grim Reaper, Wednesday and Morticia Addams. We also got visits from the infamous Booger Busters and even got our picture with a tall, dark, and handsome sheriff’s deputy who added charm to the pre-show vibe. Even while waiting, guests are kept engaged, entertained, and primed for what’s to come.
It’s impossible to overstate how much heart this cast pours into every line, every chase, and every scream. They don’t just act at Boogerwoods, they live it.
With so many distinct scenes, Boogerwoods presents a kaleidoscope of styles from gritty realism to cartoonish terror to cinematic spectacle. The costuming team has clearly spent hours perfecting every detail.
The guides’ rugged, dirt-caked looks suit their endless sprint through chaos, while characters like Earl from Small Engine Repair appear as though they’ve stepped straight out of another world or an oil-stained fever dream while Club Booger’s dancers dazzled with sparkles, masks, and neon chaos.
Of course, Boogerwoods wouldn’t be complete without its roster of cinematic nightmares. Freddy, Jason, and Michael Myers made their return this season, perfectly detailed and perfectly terrifying.
Boogerwoods operates like a well-oiled (and occasionally blood-smeared) machine. Every volunteer, from parking attendant to ticket taker, embodies the haunt’s mission of community and care. The atmosphere is pure Southern hospitality with a spooky twist.
The parking lot is large and easy to navigate. The concession stand serves hearty haunt-night staples, and we spotted plenty of guests wearing Boogerwoods shirts from past years, a testament to the haunt’s devoted fan base.
The safety measures are excellent. Each group has guides who monitor footing, shine lights on steps, and call out low beams. You’re never left alone or unsure where to go. There’s visible law enforcement on-site, and the staff’s coordination is seamless.
Boogerwoods is more than a series of haunted rooms or scenes along a trail, it’s a world. Once you pass the gates, you’re inside the Boogerwoods universe, a place where old-school haunt craft and inventive engineering coexist perfectly.
Between each elaborate set piece, short wooded paths give guests a moment to breathe before plunging into the next world of chaos, lending the entire experience a natural, theatrical rhythm. Each transition feels organic; there are no awkward pauses or dull stretches. You can go from dancing in a chaotic nightclub to getting lost in a mineshaft in minutes, and somehow it all makes sense in Boogerwoods’ twisted logic. The Boogerwoods Theater evokes vintage horror charm, while the Twister spins you safely out of the way of a tornado.
Boogerwoods has always been famous for its homemade special effects, the kind that blend practical craftsmanship with big imagination. Every sound, motion, and visual trick is built by the Boogerwoods team, and that’s part of its magic. Nearly every moving piece here is built and operated by hand, a testament to the inventiveness of a crew that has learned to make movie magic from scrap wood and imagination.
The Car Wash remains a highlight complete with fans, water spray, lights, and the unmistakable soundtrack of “Car Wash.” It’s absurd, it’s hilarious, and it’s pure Boogerwoods. The Boogerassic Park effects genuinely fooled us; animatronic creatures and clever projection work made us flinch more than once. The Great Train Robbery combines old-fashioned mechanical effects with digital motion displays that give the illusion of racing through the woods..
Throughout the haunt, air blasts, chainsaw roars, sudden monster appearances, and floor vibration keep visitors guessing. Every scene feels like a new invention, nothing recycled, nothing lazy. What stands out most is the creativity born of limitation. Because Boogerwoods builds almost everything in-house, there’s a tactile, one-of-a-kind quality to the effects. They don’t just show you a scene; they throw you into it.
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 9.38
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 10
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 8.5
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 9.05
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 8.63
Boogerwoods has mastered the art of a comedic scare; a perfect balance of fright and fun that keeps guests screaming and laughing in equal measure. It’s about the thrill of surprise and the joy of being part of the show. Though packed with startling moments and wild chases, Boogerwoods never crosses the line into mean-spirited terror. Their aim is joy, laughter, and that shared sense of adventure that keeps families coming back year after year.
Guides like Tonto and the Lone Ranger act as your lifelines; part protector, part comedian, and occasionally, part victim. Their running commentary and antics lull you into laughter right before something bursts from the shadows.
What really sets Boogerwoods apart is its emotional range. We watched a first-time haunt-goer go from trembling at the gate to racing ahead in excitement by the end. That’s the Boogerwoods magic: it converts fear into exhilaration.
Tickets remain an incredible deal at $30, and each run lasts about an hour (not counting the time you’ll spend enjoying the queue, concessions, and photo ops). Considering the sheer scale of the operation and the fact that every dollar goes to fight Cystic Fibrosis, Boogerwoods delivers unmatched value.
This is not just a haunted attraction; it’s an experience, a cause, and a celebration. You’ll get top-tier entertainment while supporting a deeply meaningful mission. The show sells out quickly every year, so buying early or arriving ahead of your slot is crucial.
Between the laughter, the scares, and the community spirit, Boogerwoods stands as a model for what a haunted attraction can be when heart, talent, and purpose come together. For its 48th season, Boogerwoods once again proves that sometimes the most powerful monsters are the ones fighting for something good.