Old Car City began as a junkyard for classic cars back in 1931. Spanning 32 acres, it now houses more than 4,000 vintage vehicles, forming over six miles of winding trails through a landscape steeped in rust, history, and nostalgia. Each October, a portion of these trails takes on a haunting new life as they transform into Haunted Trails at Old Car City. Now in its sixth year, this seasonal attraction turns part of the legendary auto graveyard into a spooky yet family-friendly outdoor adventure.
As you wind your way through the darkened pathways, you’ll encounter eerie clowns, mysterious mystics, restless ghosts, and other creatures lurking in the shadows. Keep in mind that this is an outdoor trail, with slightly exposed roots, rocks, and mild elevation changes along the way, so comfortable walking shoes or sneakers are highly recommended, especially for your nighttime visit.
The cast at Haunted Trails Old Car City featured a range of ages, including several eerie children, energetic teens, and young adults who each brought their own personality to the trail. Some performers took on animalistic or zombie-like roles, lurking silently in the background or stalking from the shadows, while others were more talkative and narrative, helping to explain their scenes and offering brief moments of interaction with guests.
A few actors showcased some physicality in their entrances.. Some crawled quickly across the ground on all fours, while one particularly agile performer leapt over the hood of a car to deliver a perfectly timed scare.
Not every actor aimed for a startle, however. Some added variety and humor, creating a balance of frights and fun. A group of clowns, for instance, broke into an impromptu round of the Cha Cha Slide before sending guests back into the darkness, while inside the 3D clown house, a lively jester engaged in playful banter after being mistaken for a clown. These moments of lighthearted interaction highlighted the cast’s ability to improvise and entertain, adding charm and unpredictability to the experience.
Costuming and makeup levels varied by character. We were first greeted by the Ringmaster, dressed in a traditional circus-style outfit complete with a signature top hat. One standout that we encountered later was the chained zombie in white, dramatically illuminated by a strobe light for added effect. A menacing animal-like creature wore a mask with huge, detailed teeth along with a white blood-smeared jumpsuit. Another highlight was the colorful jester who welcomed visitors at the entrance to the 3D house.
Younger actors portraying orphan-like children were dressed in simple, aged dresses with just enough makeup to suggest that something wasn’t quite right. A few carnival-themed ghosts appeared in leotards or muted costumes with minimal makeup, their understated designs fitting the ghostly tone of their scenes.
Haunted Trails Old Car City’s website provides clear information on dates and hours of operation, location, and ticket options. The FAQ section even notes that guests who enjoyed the trail can walk through again for just $10 on the same night – a nice perk for those wanting a second round of scares.
The FAQ also mentions a parking fee for spaces close to the haunt; however, during our visit, there were no attendants present and no visible way to pay when parking nearby.
Staff interactions throughout the night were positive. The ticket booth attendants were friendly and helpful with questions, and the overall staff seemed genuinely focused on making sure everyone had an enjoyable experience.
The pavilion area offered a variety of snacks, drinks, t-shirts, and a small selection of Halloween-themed decorative items. We also appreciated the availability of clean indoor restrooms, which added to the comfort and convenience of the visit.
The dark, sprawling setting of Old Car City’s massive junkyard creates a naturally eerie backdrop that adds to the tension of the haunted trail. On a moonless night, the towering rows of decaying vehicles can feel especially daunting. Often, the only light came from a single, faintly colored bulb at the end of a long pathway, serving as our sole guide through the darkness. The endless lines of rusted cars offered countless hiding spots for lurking characters, keeping us on edge with every step.
There were stretches of dark trail between scenes, which heightened the sense of isolation and anticipation. During our walk, we never caught up to or encountered another group, giving us the distinct feeling that we were the only ones on the trail, which is always a great way to experience a haunt.
As we encountered different characters along the trail, the more talkative ones occasionally mentioned others we would meet later, offering bits of foreshadowing that helped connect the scenes and create a sense of continuity throughout the experience.
Special effects were somewhat limited along the trail, but it’s important to remember that this is a temporary outdoor setup, and the focus here was clearly on the actors rather than elaborate props or animatronics.
Lighting played the biggest role in shaping the atmosphere throughout the dark wooded trails of Haunted Trails Old Car City. In many areas, a single light served as the only cue to indicate where the path turned, heightening the sense of tension and isolation. This minimalist approach worked effectively with the natural surroundings, emphasizing shadows, silhouettes, and movement over flashy effects. Occasional touches of fluorescent blacklight paint added a faint, surreal glow in a few areas, offering brief pops of color amid the darkness.
A few key effects stood out along the way. A bit of fog billowed from the ice cream truck to simulate a cold, chilling interior. Later in the walkthrough, we entered the 3D clown house, a compact but colorful section enhanced by 3D glasses. The vivid paintwork and clever design created an engaging sense of depth and optical illusion, providing a fun, visually disorienting contrast to the darker trails outside.
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 7
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 7.3
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 7.5
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 7.4
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 7.5
At Haunted Trails Old Car City, the scares leaned heavily on jump scares, designed to startle guests as they navigated the dark, winding paths. Actors often sprang from between the rows of abandoned cars, taking full advantage of the countless hiding spots scattered throughout the trail. At one point, guests were shadowed by stalking zombies, adding an extra layer of tension to the experience.
A particularly clever moment came from an actor in a colorful ghillie suit, whose camouflage blended perfectly into the surroundings until a sudden movement revealed their presence – an effective surprise that caught everyone off guard. Several performers also used ground-crawling movements, emerging low to the ground or darting forward on all fours. These moments created a sense of unease, serving more as eerie visual spectacle than traditional scares.
Despite the frights, Haunted Trails Old Car City wasn’t focused solely on fear. Moments of lighthearted interaction and humor were woven throughout the walk, adding variety and keeping the tone family-friendly. There was no gore or graphic imagery, making the experience more about atmosphere, energy, and well-timed startles than shock value. The balance worked well, creating a spooky, entertaining experience that delivered fun without going over the top.
A general admission ticket to Haunted Trails Old Car City was $35, and our walkthrough of the trail took 29 minutes, giving it a value of 0.83 minutes per dollar (MPD). Keep in mind that price also includes a 15-minute hayride, which we did not experience during our visit, so your overall MPD value would actually be even higher.
Beyond the haunted trail itself, the attraction offers several additional forms of entertainment included with admission. A fortune teller provided individual readings to guests as they exited the trail, adding a fun, interactive touch. Near the entrance, visitors could also enjoy a small fire pit, a few free games, and several photo opportunities. The setting is certainly a fun way for a family to spend an evening.
The atmosphere was further enhanced by live music in the pavilion area and a few roaming costumed characters, giving guests plenty to enjoy before or after braving the trail.
3098 Hwy 411 NE, White, Georgia 30184
