The Abandoned Hayride & Scream Town: Is This Minnesota’s Scariest Halloween Night?

There are two types of people during Halloween.

The first group wants pumpkins, apple cider, cute ghosts and maybe a slightly spooky movie.

The second group wants to be dropped into the middle of nowhere at night while complete strangers chase them through the woods.

If you belong to that second group, we need to talk about Scream Town and The Abandoned Hayride in Chaska, Minnesota.

Because this is not the Halloween outing you choose when you want to admire pumpkins and be home by 8.

Scream Town is an enormous outdoor haunted attraction located on a secluded property outside the Twin Cities, complete with haunted houses, a terrifying forest trail, live actors, a Halloween midway and plenty of things waiting for you in the dark.

And right next door?

You’ll find its sister attraction:

The Abandoned Hayride.

Yes, the name is somewhat concerning.

That’s intentional.

If you’re looking for one of the scariest Halloween experiences around Minneapolis and St. Paul in 2026, here’s what you should know before heading to Chaska.

What Is Scream Town?

Scream Town describes itself as Minnesota’s Terrifying Screampark, and it’s been scaring Minnesotans for more than 20 years.

Unlike a traditional haunted house located inside one building, this is an entire Halloween destination.

Scream Town is built on a secluded property surrounded by farmland, cornfields and woods.

Once it gets dark, you’re not looking at city lights and busy streets.

You’re looking at trees.

Corn.

Darkness.

And probably something moving that you’re desperately hoping is just an employee.

The atmosphere is a huge part of what makes Scream Town different from many other haunted attractions around the Twin Cities.

Where Is Scream Town?

Scream Town is located at:

7410 Highway 212
Chaska, Minnesota 55318

It’s just west of the Twin Cities.

If you’re coming from Minneapolis or St. Paul, you’ll head toward Eden Prairie and take Highway 212 west toward Chaska.

Then you leave the suburban atmosphere behind.

Which sounds lovely during daylight.

At night, when you’re intentionally driving toward a haunted forest?

Slightly less reassuring.

Scream Town Has 13 Attractions for 2026

Scream Town isn’t something you finish in 15 minutes.

For 2026, the park is advertising 13 attractions, including its major haunted environments, VIP attractions and midway experiences.

The regular haunted lineup includes several large walk-through attractions.

And they all have very comforting names.

Like…

Chained Inferno

Nothing says relaxing fall evening quite like the word “inferno.”

Chained Inferno puts you inside the world of Scream Town’s resident pyromaniac.

Expect an intense haunted-house environment filled with fire-inspired scares, actors and special effects as you try to make your way through.

Probably not the best place to discover that you’re afraid of fire.

Psycho-delic Circus

Clown people, this one’s for you.

Or maybe very specifically not for you.

Psycho-delic Circus takes the traditional circus and turns it into a nightmare filled with psychotic clowns.

For some people, that’s horrifying.

For others, simply saying “haunted clown attraction” was enough information and they’ve already purchased tickets.

There seems to be very little middle ground when it comes to clowns.

Zombie Apocalypse CDC

Apparently surviving an ordinary haunted house wasn’t enough.

Now we need zombies.

Zombie Apocalypse CDC puts you inside a locked-down CDC facility where the dead have risen.

Expect attacks from multiple directions while you attempt to make your way through the attraction.

If you’ve ever watched a zombie movie and confidently announced:

“I would absolutely survive this.”

Excellent.

Time to test that theory.

Cannibal Cabin

And then we have the Cannibal Cabin.

Because apparently a normal cabin in the woods wouldn’t be disturbing enough.

The story centers around a creepy old cabin hidden inside the forest and a fictional cannibal cult known as the Ravenous Ones.

You’ll encounter disturbing scenes, photographs and actors while moving through the cabin.

This is where I’d personally begin questioning the choices that brought me here.

But we’re not finished.

Oak Blood Forest May Be the Scariest Part

If there is one attraction at Scream Town that sounds especially terrifying, it might be Oak Blood Forest.

This isn’t a haunted house.

It’s a haunted trail through the woods.

At night.

Without a flashlight.

There isn’t a protective wagon carrying you through.

You walk.

The forest itself is part of the experience.

The trees are dense, the property feels isolated and actors are waiting throughout the trail.

If you’re someone who gets nervous walking from the car to the house after watching a scary movie, this could be interesting.

The Setting Makes Scream Town Different

This is probably Scream Town’s biggest advantage.

You can build a fantastic haunted house almost anywhere.

But you can’t manufacture a mature forest and secluded farmland quite as easily.

Scream Town’s location gives the attraction a natural creepiness before an actor even appears.

You’re outside.

It’s dark.

You’re walking through uneven terrain.

There are trees everywhere.

You can’t necessarily see what’s ahead.

Your brain begins doing half the work for the actors.

Every branch becomes suspicious.

Every noise becomes suspicious.

Your friend walking behind you becomes suspicious.

And then something actually jumps out.

Then There’s The Abandoned Hayride

If Scream Town isn’t enough, you can add The Abandoned Hayride.

This is a separate sister attraction located next door to Scream Town.

And the concept is exactly as comforting as the name suggests.

You begin with a haunted hayride.

But this isn’t simply a tractor pulling you around while actors jump toward the wagon.

The experience continues beyond the ride and incorporates additional haunted attractions.

The Abandoned Hayride is designed to make you feel much less protected than you would on a traditional Halloween hayride.

That’s what makes it stand out.

Yes, Actors Can Touch You on The Abandoned Hayride Experience

This is extremely important to know before purchasing tickets.

The Abandoned Hayride is a touch attraction.

Scream Town’s current safety information warns that The Abandoned Hayride experience involves actor contact.

Some VIP attractions at Scream Town may also involve touching.

That means this isn’t the right experience for everyone.

If being grabbed or touched unexpectedly would make you uncomfortable rather than entertained, read the attraction rules carefully before purchasing a ticket.

There are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween without putting yourself into an environment you know you won’t enjoy.

What’s New for 2026?

Scream Town continues to change and update its attractions rather than presenting exactly the same experience every season.

For 2026, the attraction says nearly half of Oak Blood Forest has been redesigned.

There are also:

• New animations
• New line entertainment
• New hayride stages
• Updated scares throughout the property

The Abandoned Hayride experience is also expanding with two new attractions:

Mirehollow

and

Stonehell

So even if you’ve visited Scream Town or The Abandoned Hayride before, the 2026 experience shouldn’t be identical to what you’ve seen in previous years.

There Are VIP-Only Haunted Attractions

If the regular attractions aren’t enough for you, Scream Town also offers additional experiences for VIP guests.

One is Nightmares and Phobias, which is built around—you guessed it—things people are terrified of.

The other is Saturn 6 Siege, a sci-fi horror attraction involving an extraterrestrial breach inside a research facility.

Aliens.

Because zombies, cannibals and haunted forests apparently weren’t enough.

Honestly, I respect the commitment.

The Midway Gives You Somewhere to Recover

Thankfully, you aren’t expected to walk directly from one nightmare into another all night.

Scream Town also has a Halloween Midway.

This is where you can grab food and drinks, shop and take a little break between haunted attractions.

You’ll find things like:

• Food
• Drinks
• Halloween shopping
• Photo opportunities
• Live entertainment
• A clocktower show
• Apothecary
• Magic shop

There’s also an annual Halloween Market with vendors selling things like creepy confections, candles, oddities, rocks and gems, medieval art, souvenirs and horror merchandise.

And here’s something interesting:

You don’t need an attraction ticket just to visit the Halloween Market, shop or get food and drinks.

So if you’re with someone who loves Halloween but absolutely refuses to enter a haunted house, there may still be something for them to do.

Yes, There’s Food

You could easily spend a good portion of the evening here, so you’ll probably get hungry.

Food options can include Halloween-event staples such as:

• Pizza
• Burgers
• Cheese curds
• Mini donuts
• Pork chop on a stick
• Hot cider
• Hot chocolate
• Other snacks and treats

Scream Town also currently offers beer and wine.

Just remember that this is an intense attraction with uneven outdoor terrain, and intoxicated guests can be removed.

Save the truly questionable decision-making for figuring out who walks first into the haunted forest.

How Long Should You Plan to Spend at Scream Town?

Don’t schedule this like a 30-minute haunted house.

Scream Town specifically recommends planning for a full evening.

Wait times vary depending on the night and crowd levels.

And if you’re doing both Scream Town and The Abandoned Hayride, you’ll need even more time.

When booking both experiences, Scream Town recommends scheduling your Abandoned Hayride ticket first and your Scream Town admission approximately 1½ hours later.

They are treated as two separate experiences with separate check-ins.

When Should You Visit?

Crowds become heavier as Halloween approaches.

Scream Town says the first half of October tends to be less crowded.

Friday and Sunday nights can also be quieter than peak Saturday nights.

If you absolutely hate waiting in lines, I’d avoid assuming the Saturday immediately before Halloween will somehow be peaceful.

Minnesota has approximately eight months of winter.

We take October seriously.

You Need a Timed Ticket

Scream Town uses timed ticketing.

Your ticket is valid for a specific date and time.

That helps control the number of people entering the attractions at once and manage wait times.

Make sure everyone in your group purchases tickets for the same date and time.

You can show your ticket on your phone, so you don’t necessarily need to print anything.

And if you arrive early, Scream Town has an Early Arrival Gate that can allow you to access food, drinks and shopping before your attraction time.

How Much Are Tickets?

Ticket prices vary by date and ticket type.

General admission pricing can change throughout the season, and Scream Town also offers VIP/Fast Pass and Ultimate VIP options.

The Ultimate VIP package can include The Abandoned Hayride along with expedited attraction access.

If you’re planning your visit, check current pricing directly through Scream Town before purchasing because Halloween attraction pricing often varies based on demand and date.

Also watch for preseason promotions.

Buying early may save you money compared with waiting until the busiest weekends in October.

Is Scream Town Good for Kids?

This is not a little-kid Halloween event.

Scream Town recommends its attractions for guests ages 10 and older.

But age alone shouldn’t make the decision.

Some 13-year-olds adore horror.

Some 30-year-olds are hiding behind them.

You know your kid.

The experience can include:

• Darkness
• Actors
• Jump scares
• Loud noises
• Strobe lights
• Lasers
• Theatrical fog
• Horror scenes
• Uneven terrain
• Intense visual effects
• Potential water effects

And certain experiences involve actor contact.

If your child becomes overwhelmed by loud noises, darkness, unexpected touch or frightening imagery, this probably isn’t the Halloween outing to use as an experiment.

Would Teenagers Like Scream Town?

For the right teen?

Absolutely.

This could be a fantastic Halloween night for teens who genuinely enjoy scary movies, haunted houses and intense Halloween experiences.

It’s also something they could do with a group of friends.

In fact, half the entertainment may be watching which friend talks a huge game in the parking lot and then suddenly decides everyone should hold hands in Oak Blood Forest.

Just make sure everyone understands what they’re agreeing to before you buy tickets—especially if you’re adding The Abandoned Hayride.

Wear Actual Shoes

Please don’t show up in cute Halloween shoes.

You’re walking through:

• Cornfields
• Woods
• Farm property
• Dirt
• Potential mud
• Uneven paths

Scream Town specifically recommends outdoor shoes and warns against flip-flops, high heels and Crocs.

They even discourage white shoes.

Because if it rained recently, those pristine white sneakers may leave looking like you excavated them from an archaeological site.

Wear something comfortable that you’re willing to get dirty.

Dress for the Weather

Much of the experience is outdoors.

That means Minnesota weather matters.

Check the forecast before you leave.

Wear layers.

If it’s cold, bring a warm jacket.

If it has been raining, expect mud.

Scream Town generally operates rain or shine, although severe weather can affect operations.

If weather looks questionable, check for updates before driving to Chaska.

Accessibility Is Important to Consider

Because Scream Town is built through farmland, cornfields and wooded terrain, the attraction is not considered wheelchair accessible.

That’s an important distinction from some of the other Halloween events around the Twin Cities.

Guests will encounter uneven outdoor surfaces, paths, trees and natural terrain.

If someone in your group has mobility limitations, this may not be the right attraction.

Other Health Considerations

Scream Town advises against entering for people who are pregnant or have certain conditions that could be affected by the experience, including heart problems or susceptibility to epileptic seizures.

The attractions use effects such as:

• Strobe lights
• Loud noises
• Lasers
• Theatrical fog
• Intense visual effects

The fog can also affect people with or without asthma.

This isn’t boilerplate information I’d skip over.

Read the safety information before purchasing tickets, particularly if someone in your group has a medical or sensory concern.

What Should You Bring?

Not much.

I’d bring:

• Your phone
• Tickets
• ID if purchasing alcohol
• Comfortable outdoor shoes
• Weather-appropriate layers
• A payment method
• Your bravest friend

Leave bulky bags and unnecessary belongings at home if possible.

You don’t want to spend Oak Blood Forest wondering whether the thing tugging on you is an actor or your purse getting caught on a tree branch.

Don’t Depend on Uber or Lyft for the Ride Home

This one surprised me.

Scream Town specifically warns guests that while rideshare services may drop you off, getting an Uber or Lyft to pick you up afterward can be difficult.

Their FAQ goes so far as to say pickup is unlikely.

So if you’re heading out with friends, plan transportation before you arrive.

Getting stranded outside a haunted attraction in the middle of nowhere sounds like the beginning of a horror movie.

We do not need that level of authenticity.

Scream Town vs. ValleyScare

If you’re trying to decide between Scream Town and ValleyScare, they’re very different experiences.

ValleyScare gives you the amusement-park Halloween experience.

You get haunted attractions, scare zones, entertainment and rides in the dark.

Scream Town feels more isolated and rustic.

Cornfields.

Forest.

Farm property.

Darkness.

Large haunted environments.

And then The Abandoned Hayride takes the intensity another step further.

If you want roller coasters with your Halloween scares, ValleyScare makes sense.

If you want to feel like you’ve driven into the setting of a horror movie…

Scream Town wins that category.

Is Scream Town Really Scary?

Scary is subjective.

Some people scream when an actor jumps out.

Some people laugh.

Some people immediately sacrifice their best friend and run.

But Scream Town has several things working in its favor if you’re looking for genuine scares.

The secluded setting makes you feel removed from the city.

The attractions are large.

There are plenty of actors.

Oak Blood Forest uses an actual wooded environment.

And The Abandoned Hayride introduces an element of unpredictability you don’t get from a standard haunted-house walkthrough.

Put everything together and, yes, this absolutely belongs on the list of Minnesota’s more intense Halloween nights.

Is The Abandoned Hayride & Scream Town Worth It?

If you love haunted attractions, I’d put this high on your Minnesota Halloween bucket list.

It’s not just another haunted house.

You can spend an entire evening moving through different horror themes, walking through the forest, exploring the midway and taking on The Abandoned Hayride.

And the setting makes the experience feel distinctly Minnesota.

There’s something considerably more unnerving about being chased through an actual dark forest than walking through a temporary haunted attraction built inside a brightly lit commercial building.

Could This Be Minnesota’s Scariest Halloween Night?

Maybe.

There’s certainly competition around the Twin Cities.

But Scream Town has something that’s difficult to recreate:

Location.

You’re surrounded by farmland.

You’re walking through woods.

It’s dark.

The city feels far away.

And once you’ve added The Abandoned Hayride to the evening, you’re essentially volunteering to participate in the opening sequence of a horror movie.

Which brings us back to those two kinds of Halloween people.

If you’d rather spend October surrounded by pumpkins, cider donuts and pretty fall leaves, Minnesota has plenty of options.

But if your idea of a fantastic Halloween night is paying someone to scare you so badly that you question every decision you’ve made since leaving the house?

Scream Town and The Abandoned Hayride are waiting for you in Chaska.

Good luck.