Hellscream Haunted House Review (2026)

Given how much of a big deal HellScream is in the area, it’s no surprise that even the most cursory search will provide all the information one would need to get to the haunt, and any map app will take guests right to the front door. Although seemingly not associated with the haunt, there is plenty of parking in the strip mall just across the street from the haunt that even features a tiny, well-decorated coffee shop to help power visitors through the night. Guests entering the queue line are greeted by a few cast members from inside who have come out to investigate the racket of the line, as well as a movie playing on a large inflatable screen to keep things more lively. Tickets to the haunt are available on site at the ticket window on the corner and online on the haunt’s website. The haunt’s website also does a great job of providing additional information about the haunt, answers to common questions, review ratings (including a few from our very own The Scare Factor!), and the lore of the haunt going back to the misdeeds and mistakes of its originator, Dr. VonHellton. We would highly encourage guests to read that story before going, as it does a terrific job of wrapping guests in and setting the stage for the haunt itself. Even without that storyline, though, HellScream is one hell of an experience!

Those who have visited HellScream before know that the exterior of the haunt really undersells the fearsome nature of the haunt inside. Nearly every inch of the property is used to bring the haunt to life, which results in the queue line winding through a small section near the road. Although hauntgoers are entertained by the queue actors and movie, the queue area was a little less lively on the night of our visit than it has been in the past. Of course, we visited on a Sunday, which might explain that relative serenity. Once visitors enter the Manor, however, the real intensity of the haunt hits immediately. Hardly a step goes by that isn’t visited by an actor, an animatronic, a bump in the dark, or even just incredibly cool decor to admire. That constant stimulation kept our heads firmly in the present with screaming, jumping, cringing, laughing, and every combination of those things imaginable. In addition, since HellScream remains in place year-round, there really aren’t any seams that show to break that immersion.

Part of the reason we suggest reading the story of the haunt before going is that, while it remains unstated at the attraction, the story comes to life inside the walls of the mansion, as the marriage of science and the occult that birthed the assorted creatures living in the Manor is borne out.

The haunt ends by sending visitors into the white gift shop tent at the end, which provides a sharp contrast to the darkness inside of the haunt. As we stood around catching our breath while perusing the merchandise, we saw a couple of other groups come through, which provides a lot of foot traffic to the tent, but makes its confines a little tight at times.

The special effects at HellScream are incredible! As mentioned earlier, since HellScream remains in place year-round, it doesn’t suffer from the same fate as many other haunts, even some that have permanent locations but still must do some major set up and tear down each season. This allows HellScream to not only age in place, lending to the authenticity of it being an old manor, but gives the hauntrunners plenty of time to perfect the details. That attention to detail extends beyond the visuals, as well, as the special effects are tremendously well done throughout. Lighting is appropriate to each scene, whether that means darkness, bright white light, or the level of dimness that allows shadows to come alive and tension to rise. Likewise with the sound, which fills the haunt but with a constant din of disembodied dread. The sound effects fit the various areas well, but remain in the background, leaving enough oxygen in the air for the actors to remain at the heart of the experience. The animatronics likewise exist but aren’t the focus of the attraction, helping fill out areas and provide distractions or props for the actors to work with.

HellScream is packed with actors, filling the space incredibly well, with multiple cast members in the same areas sometimes, working a scene in tandem. At times, one actor putting on a great performance garners and holds our attention allowing the unseen other actor in the area prepares to pounce, and at other times, the crew all come out at once, surrounding the path and excoriating guests at the same time. Every actor we encountered offered a full-throated performance, screaming, striking in silence, writhing around, aggressively approaching, or even waiting for us to approach with an unsettling calmness. The characters also all had unique looks, with costumes that were complete and well done, fitting not only the turn of the century theme of the manor but also the themes of the various areas very well. The same can be said for the masks, particularly one beloved feline-faced fiend we found near the end of the haunt, but the makeup this season has taken a definite step in the right direction, with the actors’ exposed skin receiving customized airbrushing that is more detailed than even some of the better airbrushed makeup we have seen over the years.

With all of the attention HellScream’s hauntrunners pay to the details of the settings, special effects, makeup, and cast’s performances, it’s probably not surprising to hear that HellScream is one of Colorado’s scariest haunted houses. The cast work their spaces like professionals, which includes helping one another get better scares, keeping groups moving through smoothly, and maximizing the scares for hauntgoers. The HellScream team did an admirable job of targeting the entirety of our five-person group, though the end of the line could have used a little more attention, whether through timing or actor choice. HellScream also provides a variety of scares ranging from the simple but always effective drop panels and compressed air to disorientation caused by lighting and circuitous paths, to some kinesthetic effects that leave visitors unsettled. The finale at HellScream featured some subtle changes since our last visit, and is a good example of the idiom “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” as it provided enough excitement to get our heart rates up in time to rush to the end!

A single general admission ticket for Thursdays and Sundays is $26, with the option to upgrade to a VIP pass with a shorter line for $34. General admission on Fridays and Saturdays is a little more expensive, running $30, with the VIP pass coming in at $40. In our opinion, the best option, though, is a combo ticket allowing entry to HellScream and The Fear Complex, which runs $44 for general admission and $66 for VIP entry regardless of the day of the week. With HellScream coming in at 22 minutes in length on our visit, that results in a minute of scare per dollar ratio of .85, which is just under 1 minute per dollar. The combo pass, of course, knocks that ratio up even more, but for the amount of entertainment happening inside of VonHellton Manor, $26 is an incredible price, and very well worth a visit this haunt season!