Markoffs Haunted Forest Review (2026)

Before visiting, make sure to purchase your tickets online in advance! Markoff’s Haunted Forest sells out almost every night, so securing your tickets ahead of time is highly recommended. Tickets are offered in designated time slots, and you can choose a combo pass for both attractions or purchase tickets for each one separately. They also post updates on their website and social media when attractions sell out, so be sure to check before heading out.

Getting there was easy, too! Our GPS took us directly to the location, and there were signs along the way to reassure us that we were heading in the right direction. Once you arrive, you’ll find a large field used for parking, with attendants on hand to help guide you. Once you enter the midway, be prepared to spend some time exploring! This is easily the largest midway we’ve ever seen, with so many different things to see and do. And the fire pits? They’re some of the biggest we’ve ever encountered at a haunt! There’s plenty to keep you entertained while you wait for your attractions.

Markoff’s uses a numbered ticketing system for the attractions, meaning you don’t have to stand in line until your number is called. They even upgraded the display screen for the numbering system this season, making it much easier to read and follow. There are also a few midway actors roaming around, interacting with guests and adding to the atmosphere while you wait. The queue lines moved quickly and were very manageable overall. We did experience a bit of a conga line in The Town, but the actors handled it well. They reset their scenes when needed and still managed to engage everyone in the room, keeping the experience effective and entertaining despite the crowd.

Finally, the staff deserves a shout-out! Everyone we encountered was friendly, professional, and helpful, making the entire visit feel smooth and stress-free. Both The Forest and The Town were well-maintained, and we had no issues navigating either attraction.

Even while waiting to enter, you can tell that Markoff’s Haunted Forest is something special. The facades for both attractions are incredibly well done and beautifully illuminated, immediately setting the mood for what awaits inside. We especially loved the new facade of The Forest! The structure itself is impressive and beautiful, yet undeniably creepy, with handcrafted faces staring out at you. It does an excellent job of setting the tone and giving you a taste of the eerie experience ahead.

While The Forest doesn’t follow a specific storyline, the scenes flow together remarkably well and never feel out of place. It’s clear that a lot of thought goes into the layout and how each scene transitions into the next. For example, you might find yourself walking through a church before emerging into a graveyard. These transitions feel natural and cohesive, making the entire experience feel thoughtfully designed rather than like a collection of random scenes. That attention to detail really helps bring the environment to life!

The Town, on the other hand, embraces one consistent theme from beginning to end: Western madness! We absolutely love that Markoff’s has created a full-fledged Western town, something we’ve encountered at very few other haunted attractions. From the overall atmosphere to the immersive setting, the commitment to the theme helps make The Town a truly unique experience. It’s a fantastic contrast to The Forest and another reason why having two distinctly different attractions on the same property makes this haunt stand out.

Well, where do we even start? We could easily write three pages about the incredible number of effects and props throughout this place, but we’ll try to keep it as short as possible! First, the sound design throughout both attractions was spot-on. We absolutely loved how eerie and quiet some areas were, with just a subtle touch of sound that made you feel completely creeped out. From churches and graveyards to Viking themes, boats, alien spacecraft, the castle, and their Western town, everything was handcrafted with incredible detail. The sets were breathtaking! It’s truly amazing to see what such a talented team can create, and the lighting in every scene was just as impressive.

Markoff’s uses plenty of fog, lighting effects, water, and even pyro to bring its scenes to life. The fog made everything look even more beautiful while adding another layer of creepiness to the atmosphere. A few moments that really stood out to us were the green laser lights shining through the fog at the castle doors, the sheer awesomeness of walking aboard a Viking ship, and how convincingly The Town made us feel like we were walking through a real coal mine. Every scene had something special to offer, and the attention to detail throughout both attractions was simply incredible! There were also countless props and animatronics throughout both experiences, and we absolutely loved discovering all the little details along the way. The sheer creativity, craftsmanship, and incredible attention to detail made these attractions feel like stepping into entirely different worlds, and we honestly couldn’t get enough of it all!

Throughout The Forest, you encounter so many different characters, and one thing we absolutely loved about this trail was how unpredictable the actors were. Some would interact with you and have something to say, while others would startle you and reset, keeping you guessing around every corner. The Town featured more direct actor interactions, but there were still plenty of startling moments to keep us on our toes! Both attractions had a great number of actors throughout, and they did an excellent job of keeping us engaged and entertained from beginning to end.

The Forest had some truly awesome characters, but the one that stood out to us the most was the Grim Reaper. Seeing him walking through the graveyard with fog rolling around him, carrying his scythe and lantern, was incredibly cool and creepy at the same time. You could hear his chains rattling as he moved, and his attire was perfect for the setting. Everything about his appearance fit the atmosphere so well, making him our favorite costume throughout The Forest!

In The Town, our most memorable character was the Sheriff. He was funny and creepy at the same time, making him incredibly entertaining to watch. His costume was also exceptionally well done, especially the prosthetic covering one eye, complete with what looked like a mechanical or artificial eye. It had a cool steampunk-inspired appearance that made his character even more memorable.

The masks and makeup throughout both attractions were incredibly well crafted, and the creativity behind all the different looks was spectacular. We especially loved the masks used in the bone graveyard in The Forest. Overall, the actors, costumes, masks, and makeup added so much personality to both experiences, and we loved how each character brought something unique.

There were so many jump scares throughout The Forest, and the unpredictability of the actors made them incredibly effective! Just when you thought an actor was going to be waiting around the next corner, there was nobody there. Then, when you least expected it, they would come flying out of the most unexpected spots! The actors had so many creative hiding places throughout these woods, and you never really knew where the next scare was coming from. They went after our entire group time and time again, and honestly, this was probably the most we’ve ever jumped at a haunted house! Our hearts were racing the entire time.

Another scare that got us repeatedly was the snakes dropping down from the ceiling. These were so effective because you genuinely didn’t notice them until they were right there! We also absolutely loved that chainsaws were reserved exclusively for the Chainsaw House in The Forest. The actors in this section were incredibly engaging and did such a fantastic job with their roles, making the entire sequence feel intense and effective. In The Town, there were plenty of startling moments throughout the attraction as well, and the actors managed to do us good!

Now, let’s talk about the finale in The Forest, because this is hands down the BEST finale we’ve ever experienced at a haunted attraction! What other haunt has a full-blown junkyard featuring an actual plane with its propeller spinning, all while a DJ controls the lighting and pyro? Seeing this massive, chaotic spectacle unfold in person was truly jaw-dropping. The scale of it all, combined with the perfectly timed effects, made for an unforgettable ending.

Another cool detail that made this finale even more special was discovering that the original Markoff’s bus is part of the junkyard! It was such a unique touch to have a piece of Markoff’s history incorporated into the scene. This finale was unlike anything we had experienced before, and it was the perfect way to cap off an incredible attraction!

We spent a total of 69 minutes experiencing both attractions, with 45 minutes in The Forest and 24 minutes in The Town. Tickets on the night we attended were $80 for both attractions, which works out to 0.86 MPD (minutes per dollar). We would love to see this reach 1.0 MPD, but with an attraction like Markoff’s, you’re also paying for the incredible sets, elaborate effects, and the overall production that goes into the experience. The amount of detail and craftsmanship throughout both attractions definitely plays a big part in the value.

Pricing varies depending on the night you visit, and you can choose between a combo pass or purchasing tickets for each attraction separately. The Forest ranges from $45 to $50, depending on the night, while The Town is $35.

Even if haunted houses aren’t your thing, Markoff’s is still a great place to visit with family and friends! You can hang out midway for free while everyone else experiences the attractions. There’s plenty to do, including a log roll game (if you’re afraid of heights, you might want to skip this one!), a zipline, bars, food options, and even a fortune teller. The free midway gives everyone a chance to enjoy the atmosphere, whether they want to brave the haunts or simply take in everything else the venue has to offer.

Markoff’s is an attraction we absolutely must visit every year because they continue to exceed our expectations and go above and beyond with their creativity and production. Each season brings something special, and we’re already excited to see what they have in store for next year. If our experiences so far are any indication, we have no doubt they’ll have some incredible surprises waiting for us. Markoff’s continues to raise the bar, and we can’t wait to come back for another season!