Witchs Dell Haunted Hayride Review (2024)

As the final wagon of the night rolled into the darkness, we weren’t sure what to expect – especially with that crisp October chill hanging in the air. But the cast of Witch’s Dell Haunted Hayride didn’t miss a beat! This was one energetic, interactive crew ready to end the night with a bang. Despite some quieter stretches between scenes, many characters used their time on (and around) the wagon to maximum effect.

They didn’t hold back either: we saw guns fired off, chainsaws slung, actors crawling around on the ground, leaping onto the wagon, and even creeping up from behind. A clown came at us on all fours, chains clanged around us, and a sneaky character zipped above. And we’re still unsure how, but Jason somehow managed to keep pace with the tractor, stalking us like only he could!

This late-night crew took every opportunity to make their mark, keeping us glancing over our shoulders and clutching the edge of our seats. It was clear that they were committed to the scare!

Costuming at the hayride suited the ominous, shadowed atmosphere. Some characters kept to the darkness, lurking in the shadows, while others made a bold leap onto the wagon, giving us up-close encounters that didn’t disappoint.

Most costumes leaned into the dark, with understated clothing, practical streetwear, and a mix of basic but fitting pieces. Given the low-lit ride, these costumes didn’t need to be elaborate to keep us on edge. The clowns were a colorful exception, though a few could’ve used better-fitting masks. The makeup was minimal, but when it popped up, it was bloody and bruised in all the right ways – even if we caught some bare skin peeking through a few masks.

Some standouts brought unique twists: the towering headless horseman and a stilted bird whose costume we learned was a custom job by the actor, a major plus! And let’s not forget Jason Voorhees, who gave us a proper fright by lifting his hockey mask just enough to reveal his grotesque face underneath! One character even used a light to ghoulishly spotlight their face, which added to the eeriness.
Upon arrival, we passed a sign for the Historic Bell Witch Cave after many vast, open fields with no other signage leading up to the attraction. The parking area was a free, large field with no flaggers to assist customers with finding a spot, but we found our way pretty easily. There were a bunch of signs once we approached the entrance telling us where to go and what was what, such as the ticket booth and the queue lines. Speaking of the waiting line, the only main safety concern we had was how dark it was even there.

The entire staff at Bell Witch Cave and the Witch’s Dell Haunted Hayride were extremely polite and welcoming to our group. They made us feel right at home and even gave us some insight into the place’s history, which was both fascinating and a little frightening! The land clearly means a lot to them, and not only were they super respectful of it, but they also encouraged visitors to do the same.

While there is a full website where you can find information, the website covers the Bell Witch Cave in its entirety and not just the haunt during the Halloween season. There is plenty of information on there about the hayride, but some of it you might have to search for it. Location, ticket prices, hours and dates of operation, contact info, and an FAQ page are all accessible. Cash is listed as the preferred payment method for quicker lines. It is also important to note that, specifically for the hayride, everything, including the queue line, is outdoors. So dress accordingly!

Upon arrival, we passed a sign for the Historic Bell Witch Cave after many vast, open fields with no other signage leading up to the attraction. The parking area was a free, large field with no flaggers to assist customers with finding a spot, but we found our way pretty easily. There were a bunch of signs once we approached the entrance telling us where to go and what was what, such as the ticket booth and the queue lines. Speaking of the waiting line, the only main safety concern we had was how dark it was even there.

The entire staff at Bell Witch Cave and the Witch’s Dell Haunted Hayride were extremely polite and welcoming to our group. They made us feel right at home and even gave us some insight into the place’s history, which was both fascinating and a little frightening! The land clearly means a lot to them, and not only were they super respectful of it, but they also encouraged visitors to do the same.

While there is a full website where you can find information, the website covers the Bell Witch Cave in its entirety and not just the haunt during the Halloween season. There is plenty of information on there about the hayride, but some of it you might have to search for it. Location, ticket prices, hours and dates of operation, contact info, and an FAQ page are all accessible. Cash is listed as the preferred payment method for quicker lines. It is also important to note that, specifically for the hayride, everything, including the queue line, is outdoors. So dress accordingly!

The common areas between tours and attractions were very cozy, complete with a firepit and yard games. They also had plenty of merchandise and concessions to buy, including hot cocoa for those colder nights. Creepy, however, is an understatement for how the atmosphere felt as we waited for our hayride. We could practically feel eyes on us through the trees, and the darkness that surrounded us otherwise definitely didn’t help ease the fear! We will note that we waited in line for quite some time, and it was very quiet and cold. Some fire barrels for warmth or music for entertainment would make a great addition in future seasons.

As most can imagine, keeping up immersion on a hayride has its difficulties, but Witch’s Dell knew how to make it work! Once again, the pure darkness itself heightened the tension, leaving us all terrified of what came next. There weren’t many themed scenes or deliberate transitions between them, but the flow of the ride never faltered or felt boring to us at any point.

After our journey through the woods ended, we exited at the same point where we boarded, leading us right back out to the common areas. Merch and snacks were still available for purchase, and if we weren’t done with the Bell Witch Cave just yet, they offered more tours for further entertainment.

Utilizing special effects in the middle of the woods with little access to electricity is not an easy task. While Witch’s Dell may not have a lot, some stood out, and we found them incredible. This includes the intricate use of colored lighting, flashes timed with bangs (and perhaps gunshots), a zipline through the trees, and even pyro effects!

There wasn’t much ambient noise or music during our ride, nor were there many props or animatronics at all. The headless horseman did have their own music track, which intensified this whole experience! We would absolutely love to see what this talented team can do with building more detailed sets for scenes. The lack of scenes and darkness made it much more actor-driven, which isn’t a bad thing, but it could definitely be improved with those added details.

This turned out to be one of the most interactive hayrides our group has ever been on! The actors were high-energy, super intense, and not only joined us, but really got up close and personal. For having so many guests at one time to scare and entertain, the cast did a great job with spacing out their scares and attention evenly to everyone.

Predictability was incredibly low, all thanks to that darn darkness again! In all truth, we rarely saw any of the scares coming. We would’ve loved to see a tad bit more variety in the tactics, such as more vocal interaction than just screaming or being silent. But after a long trail of creatures spooking us from above, in front of, and behind, our group was left in awe as the full cast gave us a hell of a farewell (complete with fire and a chainsaw!). It felt like the ending scene of a horror movie where we were lucky enough to escape, and it’s one we won’t ever forget.

Witch’s Dell offered a range of ticket options on the night of our visit. A ticket for the hayride was $20.00 per person, and additional offerings included cave and cabin tours and a farm tour complete with pumpkins to bring a fall flair. We received 25 minutes of scare time, bringing the MPD (minutes of entertainment received per dollar spent) of the hayride to 1.25 – above the average of 1 we like to see most often!

The ride wraps up conveniently at the exit near merchandise and games, a nice touch for guests looking to take home a memento or spend more time on the farm. They also had some eats and drinks available for purchase next to the ticket booth.

While the experience is undeniably unique and actor-driven, as mentioned above, the wait time was lengthy, with only two wagons in rotation – each taking about 30 minutes per loop. Guests were left to wait without entertainment, so we’d love to see a virtual queue option or something to engage the crowd while they wait. They did have some games, a place for folks to sit down, and a small fire pit, but none of this could be enjoyed while standing in line. Adding some queue actors, music, burn barrels closer to waiting customers, or photo ops could also help pass the time in line. We recommend showing up early so you can be some of the first folks in line.

This spot is a gem for fans of the paranormal or historic haunts, boasting its place on the National Register of Historic Places. This child-friendly haunt struck a surprising balance of eerie entertainment and a classic, haunting atmosphere, and we’re already looking forward to seeing how it grows in the future!