There are many great haunted houses, spooky trails, haunted hayrides, and more in the state of Ohio. But which ones should you focus on visiting this season? We’ve created a creepy list of Halloween haunted house attractions that we’ve reviewed, visited ourselves, filmed, or are popular amongst many haunt visitors! Remember, this is not a “best of” list – this is a list of haunts we feel that you need to add to your visit list this season for various reasons. Now… let’s get to this list of spooky shenanigans!
#13. Carnage Haunted House – Columbus, Ohio
We’ve seen some information floating around about Carnage for the 2025 season, but there is no official announcement yet. It seems they are under new ownership, and the name will be transitioning to Scream. We have included their calendar below:
#12. Land of Illusion – Middletown, Ohio
Land of Illusion is a haunted house scream park consisting of 6 separate haunted attractions all at a single location. This isn’t six differently-themed areas, no, each haunt is its own, and they are all very different from one another. Their flagship attraction, the Middletown Haunted Trail, remains one of the best outdoor haunts in Ohio. It is accompanied by: Phobia, Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate, Killer Klowns, Temple of Terror, and all-new for 2025, Lights Out! In addition to the haunts, LOI features live stage entertainment, fire pits, food, alcohol, a giant gift shop, and more! The screams begin September 5th!
11. The Trail of Nightmares – Ontario, Ohio
The Trail of Nightmares is an utter delight. The actors are committed and talented, the sets are fabulous, the effects are absolutely dialed in, the scares are there, and there are many, and honestly, nerve-jangling. If you have never experienced it, we think you owe it to yourself to get out there. In our opinion, this is one of the finest haunted trails in the Buckeye State. You can face your fears beginning September 26th, 2025.
#10. Distracted Haunted House – Bowling Green, Ohio
Distracted Haunted House features terrific sets and effects, fantastic costuming, and a spirited cast! This haunt will get up close and personal with you! Don’t let the mall location fool you; once you’re inside, the freaks and fiends will find you! The torture begins September 20th, 2025.
#9. Nightmare Cleveland – Cleveland, Ohio
If you could trade in your body parts for an upgraded version, would you? A ‘better you’ awaits just beyond the brick facade of an unassuming shopping center in Cleveland, Ohio. While you won’t find the Cleveland Clinic here, thrill-seekers will encounter something far darker and more enticing: Bioteck Industries. Nightmare Cleveland Haunted House is one of the most immersive experiences around! Heading into its fourth full year, this haunt delivers a relentless barrage of scares that left us screaming and scrambling for the exit! You can get started on a “new you” on September 19th, 2025!
#8. Blood Prison – Mansfield, Ohio
The historic, storied, infamous Ohio State Reformatory is the awe-inspiring setting for Blood Prison. It has a stunning exterior, and inside is full of remarkable, in many places beautifully deteriorated, surroundings. As implied by its name, it started in the 1890s as a penal reorientation station to rehabilitate young offenders of minor offenses. It later became a max-security institution that closed down by federal order in 1990 due to inhumane conditions, including overcrowding. Long before that, the prison had amassed a twisted history of pain, suffering, and death. Today, it retains a reputation as one of the most haunted places in America.
Guests can opt for touch or no-touch, but we highly recommend the touch option for a much more immersive experience! The 2025 season begins September 26th.
#7. Chippewa Lake Slaughterhouse – Chippewa Lake, Ohio
“This Halloween season, prepare yourself for a terrifying haunted house experience inside a real slaughterhouse!” Chippewa Lake Slaughterhouse has made its way onto many lists, and we hear it’s one of the scariest haunts in Ohio! The Karver Family opened its doors to ‘Karver Meats’ in 1948 and quickly became the main meat supplier for Medina and Cuyahoga County. Are you ready for a tour? They begin on September 27th, 2025.
#6. Factory of Terror – Canton, Ohio
The Factory of Terror is one of the world’s largest haunted houses. Inside, you will find four unique haunted attractions, including The Forsaken Asylum of Dr. Mobidius, Industrial Nightmare, Massacre on Mahoning, and The Abyss. In addition, they have multiple bars, the new Fear Fair Back Alley dance club, photo ops, and much more! Scream the night away starting September 20th.
#5. Akron Haunted Schoolhouse & Laboratory – Akron, Ohio
The Akron Haunted Schoolhouse and Lab are legendary haunted houses you don’t want to miss! Celebrating 52 seasons, you can visit two iconic haunts at this single location! There is a terrifying combination of retro and modern horror in the Schoolhouse, where you travel through stories in Miss Alma’s library. We love all the different nightmares that they bring to life. In the Laboratory, there are special effects and scenes that you literally can’t see anywhere else. From the terrifying drop of the wind turbine room to the heart-pounding finale sounds, there is fun and fear around every corner.
#4. Haunted Hoochie at Dead Acres – Pataskala, Ohio
The Haunted Hoochie and Bad Trip in 3D at Dead Acres is known as “the world’s most extreme haunted house.” If you are offended easily, this is not the place for you. The Hoochie is a touch haunt where you may need therapy after just one trip through; just read the signs outside before going in! They will push the boundaries of fear and attack your senses. This ain’t your mama’s haunted house. This haunt contains graphic and violent horror. The beatings begin September 18th, 2025.
#3. Face Your Fears Hotel of Terror – Springfield, Ohio
Nestled in the deep countryside amongst endless rows of corn rises an imposing and derelict building that seems to stretch its tendrils out towards you from the inky black of night. A perfect blend of Hitchcock’s foreboding and Stephen King’s chthonic terror, it is as if He Who Walks Behind the Rows took up residence outside of the Bates Motel. Face Your Fears: Hotel of Terror in Springfield, Ohio, understands the game of fear and expertly takes advantage of a perfect setting straight out of a horror movie that grips you well before you even enter the queue line. Fans can opt for the touch option, which we highly recommend. The fear begins September 12th, 2025!
#2. Dent Schoolhouse – Cincinnati, Ohio
Are the stories true? Did an old janitor go rogue, murdering children and hiding their bodies in the basement of an old schoolhouse in Cincinnati, Ohio? With a talent for spreading Halloween spirit, delivering scary entertainment, and rolling out plenty of new changes, the Dent Schoolhouse is a must-see haunt every year! Class begins September 12th, 2025.
#1. Fear Columbus – Columbus, Ohio
True to form, Fear Columbus, in Columbus, Ohio, has once again set the bar high for an outstanding haunted house experience! Here, guests can enjoy a fully interactive midway with photo ops, games, food, lively music, projection imaging, and lots of interesting lighting. Once inside, the party continues with three differently themed attractions that carry on the tradition Fear Columbus has set for itself as an immersive haunted house. Experience the fear beginning September 12th, 2025!
There are many other must-see haunts! To see a full list of all 142 Ohio haunted houses that we have listed, please click HERE.
As Halloween 2025 approaches, TheScareFactor.com wants to make sure you know before you go when it comes to haunted houses! Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you can be notified of all new haunt walkthrough videos, behind-the-scenes takes, and more!