Starting in 1992, the Markoff family owned a bus and traveled to different areas to host a haunted school bus event. As its popularity grew, they expanded and created a haunted forest. Today, they offer a trail called Markoff’s Haunted Forest, which features two main attractions: the haunted forest and The Town. You can choose to experience either one or both. If you have friends or family who want to participate but would prefer not to go in, they can stay in the midway area for free.
Last year, we were truly impressed by everything this attraction had to offer. The midway, in particular, stood out – it felt like a bustling small village packed with activities for all ages. If you can’t find something to enjoy there, you’re really missing out! Be prepared to spend more than an hour or two during your visit. The attraction operates on a number system, so when your number appears on the board, it’s your turn to line up for either attraction. Keep in mind, tickets are limited and must be purchased online in advance, as they are sold out a lot of times.
What really stands out here is the incredible attention to detail in both the forest and the town. Every part of this haunted attraction is handmade and impressively elaborate. We’ve always appreciated its detail, and while we thought last year was unbeatable, this year has taken it to an entirely new level. It’s honestly unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Prepare to be amazed by structures you won’t encounter at other attractions; their size and craftsmanship set them apart from anything else.
Markoff’s Haunted Forest employs a mix of paid and volunteer cast members across both of its attractions. During our two visits, we were extremely impressed with everyone we met. The haunted forest itself featured 80 cast members, which is substantial but still leaves room for more, given the size of the attraction. Inside the town area, we counted 40 cast members, which was more than sufficient. Altogether, we encountered 120 cast members during our experience at the attraction.
In the forest, we encountered a wide variety of cast members, each distinct from the others. Among them were clowns, Vikings, a graveyard reaper, chainsaw-wielding maniacs, and a girl strapped to a chair and forced to watch static on television. These examples are only a glimpse of the people we met; we want to leave some surprises for you.
When we met the Vikings, we couldn’t understand a word they said because they spoke a different language, but their tone became angry when we interrupted them. Additionally, there was another cast member, a witch, who cast a spell on us, leaving us with a curse.
On our visit to town, we interacted with several cast members, including a sheriff, a prisoner, and a doctor. Although the doctor offered a check-up before we left, we declined since we felt fine. The sheriff kept a close watch on the prisoner, who even tried to escape and wanted to join us. The town is a highly interactive attraction, with enthusiastic participants who sometimes get a bit handsy. We also met a barber who, instead of offering a haircut, pretended to cut another cast member’s neck and jokingly asked if we wanted to be next.
The costumes throughout the forest were impressive, with a wide variety of both costumes and masks featured throughout the attraction. The use of both makeup and masks kept the experience feeling fresh and engaging. We encountered clowns with distressed outfits and impressive makeup, including one clown on stilts. As we continued our journey, we particularly enjoyed the Viking characters and their accessories – one even carried a giant shield, ready for battle.
Later on, we met a couple of cast members dressed as voodoo creatures – complete with animal skull headpieces and striking makeup that paired perfectly with their masks. We also encountered some aliens in full-body costumes that made their appearance impressively lifelike.
One of our most memorable moments with costumes in the forest was the Grim Reaper in the graveyard. This costume featured a black cloth that completely covered the cast member, helping them embody the look of the reaper. They also carried a lantern with clanking chains, adding to the creepiness and authenticity of the look.
Upon entering the town, we immediately noticed that many cast members were dressed in authentic costumes perfectly suited to a western-themed setting. Their impressive makeup and distressed outfits really enhanced the overall atmosphere of the attraction. One cast member, attached to a bungee system, would leap towards guests without touching them, adding an extra thrill. The standout costume was worn by a cast member stationed outside the swinging doors; he wore a striking facial prosthetic that appeared to make his eye pop out. This detail was unique and memorable, and we loved how different it was from anything we’ve seen before.
Markoff’s Haunted Forest offers excellent customer service throughout the entire attraction. All the staff, whether at the ticket booth, merch stands, food stands, or other activities, were in great spirits and always helpful. Even on a sold-out night, the staff remained calm and composed, ensuring we had a positive and enjoyable experience.
Getting to Markoff’s was very easy. Once you enter the address, the directions are straightforward. Upon arrival, you’ll see a police car with its lights on and a sign telling you to stay to the right. After you park, the main area is lit up, and all the port-a-johns are located to the right before the ticket booth. There are no restrooms in the midway area, so this is the only bathroom option.
Their website is very user-friendly, with all the categories you need conveniently organized at the top of the screen for easy navigation. The site also prominently displays the opening dates and times, as well as ticket prices, which differ depending on the day.
The forest and town are usually safe, but note that the attraction closes in bad weather since most areas are outdoors. Wear appropriate shoes and watch your step, as there are hills and stairs throughout; we almost tripped a few times when distracted. The area is too large for gravel or mulch paths, but that didn’t affect our experience – we just recommend staying alert. The pathways are brightly and uniquely lit with candles, adding to the ambiance.
Stepping into Markoff’s midway, you’re instantly immersed. The impressive bonfires and glowing string lights overhead create a welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to stay. Rather than feeling creeped out while standing in the midway, you’ll find yourself excited for the attractions. Waiting there truly feels like being at a lively party and a festival all at once.
Neither attraction follows a storyline, yet both deliver a jaw-dropping, heart-pounding show. Despite the lack of narrative, each scene and section is easy to interpret, which works well since it gives the creators more room for creativity.
Inside both attractions, everything appeared in order. All wires for the speakers, fog machines, and lights were hidden from view. The only visible speakers belonged to the DJs, which made sense for their role. Cast members kept their belongings out of sight, helping guests remain fully immersed. While customers moved easily through the forest, we experienced a backup in the town area that briefly brought us to a stop.
After finishing the attractions, you’re brought back to the midway, where you can try more of what’s offered or relax by the bonfires, which are kept going all night.
WHERE DO WE START! Markoff’s Haunted Forest stands out for its impressive scenes and attention to detail. Right at the entrance, visitors are welcomed by a towering skeleton head animatronic. As you venture deeper, the atmosphere shifts into a chilling carnival setting, complete with a moving Ferris wheel and merry-go-round. We were also impressed by the catacombs section, enhanced with moving skeleton animatronics. The level of detail throughout is astonishing, making the experience truly remarkable.
We saw houses with incredible detail, a massive castle with a fog-covered bridge, a perfectly lit cemetery draped in low fog, and a Viking ship accessed by walking onto a bridge. We also encountered a one-of-a-kind, hyper-realistic alien UFO – unlike any spaceship we’ve seen before.
We felt the Town had a western theme, highlighted by impressive details like the stained glass windows in the church. The doctor’s area or lab was another standout, with medicine and chemicals displayed in glass containers that made the scene appear highly realistic.
The attraction features a wide range of sensory effects throughout. We were particularly impressed by the use of fog and lighting in each scene, which made the experience unique. Early on, we experienced a highly effective vortex tunnel. Later, while walking through the castle, we crossed a bridge surrounded by vertical lasers and thick fog, making it nearly impossible to see left or right. This was one of our favorite effects.
One effect we especially loved was experienced indoors, where thunder and lightning flashed impressively through the windows. It’s difficult to capture how breathtaking it was in writing – this is something you truly have to see for yourself.
At the end of the forest, you’re hit with a complete sensory overload: a DJ is pumping music and controlling the lights, flames shoot from pyro effects, and above the scene, an airplane’s propeller spins while fog pours out from every direction. Animatronic figures hilariously headbang in sync with the music. All of this unfolds in the setting of an incredibly impressive junkyard.
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 9.63
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 9.44
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 9.69
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 9.75
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 9.5
Of all the attractions we’ve visited, Markoff’s delivered the most scares by far, hitting us one after another in every scene. The cast members are exceptionally well-trained, ensuring that everyone in your group gets a scare. They would appear from every direction, including from behind, in front, to the left, and to the right; it truly felt like they were everywhere.
Within the town, cast members jump out from all directions, making it hard to escape their scares. We observed that the actors in this attraction are particularly interactive and often funny, all while still managing to terrify the guests passing through.
We spent 41 minutes in the forest and 22 minutes in the town, totaling 63 minutes in the attractions. To reach the town, visitors are shuttled by a tractor with carts, as it’s located in a remote area. Ticket prices vary each night, ranging from $65 to $85 for a combo pass, or you can select either attraction individually. During our visit, a combo pass was $80 per ticket. This gave us a Minutes Per Dollar (MPD) of 0.79, which is on the lower side, but the value matched the experience.
Admission to the midway is free, giving you access to three impressively large bonfires. At certain times, you can also watch captivating fire performances or opt to pay for additional activities. The area boasts various attractions, including a merch shop, fortune teller, and food vendors, though some require extra payment, surrounding the bonfires. You’ll find highlights such as a DIY s’mores station and a diverse food selection. With so much to do, it’s easy to spend the whole evening there, and there’s truly something to suit every taste. Extras like a zipline and an obstacle course add even more excitement, but the standout is the log roll event: perched 25 feet in the air, you try to cross a spinning log to another platform. Win the challenge, and you take home the pot – making this both a one-of-a-kind and crowd-pleasing spectacle.
Last year, we believed Markoff’s team had set the highest bar, but this year, they completely surpassed our expectations! We’re excited to see what incredible surprises they’ll bring next year. Huge thanks to the staff and cast for making our experience tremendously fun and memorable. If you haven’t visited yet, be sure to go; it’s an unforgettable show, unlike anything else. Get ready for jaw-dropping moments from start to finish!
19120 Martinsburg Road, Dickerson, Maryland 20842