If you’re searching for a haunt that will stick with you long after you leave, Hillside Horror in Roaring River, North Carolina, should be at the top of your list. Located on a creepy spread over 12 acres, you’ll be taken through creepy corn mazes, haunted houses in the woods, and a wagon ride that somehow manages to be both funny and terrifying at the same time. What we love about Hillside is that it doesn’t rely on fancy, high-tech effects; it’s a classic backwoods haunt that knows how to get in your face with clever and unique scares. The actors are fully committed, and every corner holds something unexpected.

If you’re ready to “fear the difference,” just know this is an intense haunt. Pitch-black darkness, loud noises, uneven terrain, and tight spaces add to the heart-pounding fun. Hillside Horror isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you’re up for a challenge, this haunt will give you a night to remember! This haunt has definitely been one of the most fun we’ve had the chance to experience this season!

Hillside Horror’s cast really stood out to us this season. With around 40-50 staff members, there was a good mix of characters to keep the energy high throughout most of the haunt. During the wagon ride, we felt the scenes were packed with plenty of actors to keep the scares rolling. The only time it felt like things slowed down was when we were heading back to the line. Adding a few more actors in that section would really keep the intensity going from start to finish.

Once we stepped inside the haunted houses, we were pleased to see the rooms were generally well-staffed. There were just a couple of moments, like when we went through the campers, where an extra actor or two could have added even more excitement. The spaces between the houses had a similar vibe; while we enjoyed what we experienced, a few more surprises along the way would have made it even better. The corn maze was in the same boat, though it wasn’t overflowing with actors, the ones we did encounter were relentless! The “cornstalkers” were especially terrifying with their chainsaws, keeping us on our toes and giving us quite the workout as they chased after us!

What made the cast stand out was how interactive they were. So many of the actors engaged with us, throwing in witty banter and really owning their roles. You could tell they loved being there, and their enthusiasm made the experience even more immersive. They did an excellent job of using the actors in multiple areas, too. Many of the characters from the wagon ride also popped up on the haunted trail, and it was done so well that it kept us on edge the entire time. Hats off to Hillside for how they managed their cast; it worked beautifully.

Some standout performers deserve a special mention. Crispy, the wagon ride narrator, had us laughing and creeped out all at once. Don’t trust the scarecrows in the corn maze; they’re sneaky! Beetlejuice greeted us at the entrance, set the tone with his “It’s Showtime!” and had us hyped for what was coming. Grims the Gravedigger (one of the owners of Hillside Horror) got us good at the end of the haunt, delivering one last scare just when we thought we were safe. Bonkers the Clown was a wild sight in the midway; getting money stapled to him was definitely a memorable halfway point. Punk the Clown (another co-owner) also deserves a shoutout for his hilarious banter. He scared the life out of us with a chainsaw in the tilted room, proving his scare tactics are just as sharp as his wit.

Other unforgettable characters included Wild Wilbur, the pig in the butcher barn who was relentless with his chainsaw, easily one of the scariest chainsaw actors we’ve encountered all season. Cadavre, the zombie lurking by the hearse in the cemetery, gave us the creeps, while Toothless Aggression, with his flamethrower near the cabins, brought the heat, literally. We can’t forget Dufis, the Windex-drinking clown in the midway, or the Ashe County Cowboys lighting up firecrackers to scare us with the big booms!

Overall, the acting crew was fantastic, creative, intense, and in some cases, downright ruthless. We were impressed with how well they handled their roles and their sheer commitment throughout the night. Bravo to Hillside Horror’s cast!

At Hillside Horror, the cast members pulled double duty, performing in multiple haunts, so we encountered some of the same characters in different settings. Despite this, their costumes were versatile and fitting for each scene.

The rural theme came through strongly, with plenty of country folk donning bib overalls, flannel shirts, and well-worn accessories. Some characters carried unique props, like a chainsaw sporting a comical pony addition, adding a twisted sense of humor to the terror. The costume choices spanned from classic, creepy clown masks to more unsettling and original designs, such as piggy masks and bloody aprons.

While many cast members opted for masks, we did notice a few with light makeup. The demonic lady near the hearse had some of the most detailed makeup we saw on the property. Most of the costumes worked in their respective scenes, but we did spot some normie clothing, such as white shoes, and logos, such as Cummins, that took away from the believability and uniqueness.

Several cast members stood out with detailed costumes, including two sheriff characters with western hats. We also spotted some familiar horror icons, such as Jason and Beetlejuice, whose costumes were memorable. One of the more unsettling characters, Toothless, had a standout mask, while the Gravedigger and Gimpy the Clown added an extra layer of dread to the night. Crazy contacts were also added into the mix, enhancing the looks.

One of the most memorable moments was a camouflaged bushman character lying in wait on the ground, only to spring up and shock us when we least expected it! Those things work every time!

Courteous customer service is a top priority at Hillside Horror. They offer free parking, which is a major plus. Safety is always our top priority when visiting haunts, and they have definitely covered their bases with two uniformed deputies on-site each night, as well as metal-detecting wands to ensure everyone enters safely. The owner and staff are always wirelessly connected for quick communication anywhere on the property should an emergency arise.

In the future, we would like to see some signs a few miles away from Hillside pointing us in the general direction so we know we’re on the right path. Also, adding a big sign at the street could make it a little easier to find. You can find more info online at hillsidehorror.com. Their site covers their history, pictures, dates they’re open, and directions. One feature for the site that would be useful is an FAQ page answering common questions – like whether the haunt is touch-based, ADA accessibility information, and what type of experience guests can expect. Despite that, the site is user-friendly and helpful when planning your visit.

As we ventured down a gravel road, the night seemed to get darker with each passing moment. Dim lights flickered in the distance – this had to be it! We pulled into a driveway, and just as we did, a loud boom echoed inside the car. Our initial thought? A real gunshot! Either we were about to peel out of that field, or we had just stumbled upon the haunted house… and luckily for us, it was the latter!

The tension and excitement built as we passed a mix of signage, costumed characters roaming the grounds, creepy decor, and the chilling facade of a haunted cabin, all working together to keep us on edge, ready for some scares. And now and then, that same shotgun blast continued to peck at our ears.

While neither of the attractions utilized a specific storyline, the location itself – nestled deep in the foothills of North Carolina – set a naturally unsettling tone. Immersed in the woods, we felt a constant sense of eerie anticipation. However, a few moments pulled us out of the immersion, such as loud, party-style music that echoed through portions of the trail and some dead areas, breaking the otherwise spooky atmosphere.

Between each haunt, we were led back out into the central area of the grounds. A carnival-style midway split up the longer trail, complete with games to distract us from what was ahead. This served as a great in-theme way of splitting up larger groups that conga-lined in the corn maze!

At Hillside Horror, the focus was primarily on the actor-driven scares, but some effective special effects were still incorporated to enhance the experience. Instead of high-tech animatronics, they leaned into a more authentic approach, utilizing real vehicles, campers, and makeshift buildings, all set within the eerie backdrop of the woods and corn maze. This gave the attraction a gritty, raw atmosphere.

We encountered quirky elements on the hayride like comical signs, multi-colored flood lighting, and even a creepy “free candy” van. Other notable features included an overhead bridge, a neon playground, and Halloween store props sprinkled along the way. Things took a sudden turn with an unexpected blast of fire and the standout effect of the night – a clever dynamite trick that had us jumping in our seats! However, aside from the cast’s interactions, the hayride mainly remained quiet, leaving the focus on those occasional surprise moments.

As we ventured through the corn maze, the special effects were sparse but effective. There were a few interactive vehicles we had to crawl through, which really got us engaged. While the maze design itself was challenging enough to keep us guessing – and occasionally wondering if we’d ever make it out – there wasn’t much in the way of additional props or effects beyond the clever layout.

On the trail, some creative sensory effects were implemented. We found ourselves navigating through an extremely slanted room that threw off our balance, crawling through a tunnel, and squeezing through clown quarters with tiny doors that tested our comfort zones. The blackout building was a particular standout – so pitch-dark that we couldn’t even see our own hands in front of us! Trust us, you won’t want to touch the walls, but it’s the only way out! And then there was the room so fog-filled that we barely made our way through, adding to the disorientation.

Other notable set pieces included a junkyard, a well-decorated butcher shop, a hearse, an abandoned boat, and a carport with a rattling box. Much like the hayride, the trail was relatively quiet, with most of the sound effects coming from the actors themselves (or the central area). We would love to see some additional sound effects implemented.

While the special effects weren’t high-tech, they were well-placed, immersive, and suited to Hillside Horror’s grim, backwoods vibe.

When it comes to scares, we’re just gonna have to tell it like it is. Hillside Horror delivers some humdingers that are very creative. You know you’re in for it from the start when the first thing you’re doing is climbing through a tunnel for who knows what is on the other side.

There were run-down buses, campers, and trailers with all sorts of creepiness and scares waiting inside. The corn maze is quite tricky, especially when you’re unexpectedly encountering masked madmen jumping out at you, some of whom have chainsaws! Speaking of chainsaws, the actors at Hillside Horror put on an absolute clinic at using chainsaws in a haunt in a way that can really scare some folks. At most haunts, you hear a chainsaw crank up, and someone runs up on you from behind for a few seconds, and then they disappear. These cats are relentless in that you’re gonna have to escape from them before they cut off the saw and leave you alone.

The creepy kids at this haunt are experienced actors, as they definitely raised the scary factor with their rotten baby dolls and blank stares. The jump scares here are also second to none. They got several of us in our group, and when you visit, just remember, they scare from ALL directions. We walked through a farmhouse with a shocking twist and a few dead ends that were sure to spook many customers also. Hillside Horror offers many creative scares from beginning to end. They know a thing or two about scaring you.

At Hillside Horror, the scares are well worth the price of admission! Combo tickets are available for $25, giving you access to both the hayride and trail, or you can opt for individual tickets – $10 for the hayride and $20 for the trail. With the hayride clocking in at around 13.5 minutes and the trail taking us a whopping 45.5 minutes (depending on how lost you get in the corn maze), the Minutes Per Dollar (MPD) ratio here is an impressive 2.36! That’s well above our preferred 1 MPD, making Hillside Horror an incredible value for thrill-seekers looking to maximize their scare time.

In addition to the haunts themselves, the midway offered a few games (cash only), and we were pleased to see a fortune teller included as part of the ticket experience. Some queue entertainers roamed about to keep us entertained, including Michael Myers and the Windex drinker – try the window cleaner – it’s good!

While Hillside Horror proudly claims to be “North Carolina’s Ok’est Haunt,” we have to disagree – it’s way more than just okay! With plenty of time spent in each attraction and an MPD ratio that’s hard to beat, Hillside Horror offers fantastic value for a night filled with frights and horror with a fun and unique twist!