Spooky season guide: 15 haunted attractions within driving distance of Charlotte

If you enjoy the adrenaline rush from getting scared, this is the roundup for you. Here are 15 haunted attractions located 2 hours or less from Charlotte. It’s time to get spooky.

Bonus: Take your own ghost tour around Uptown by checking out three haunted places in the area.

Morehead’s Haunted Tavern

This pop-up haunted house in Uptown has multiple scare zones, spooky cocktails and a DJ.

Details: Every Thursday-Saturday in October from 7pm-midnight, plus Tuesday, Oct. 31.

• Tickets range from $20-$150.
• 300 East Morehead St.

Haunted by Black Lagoon at Backstage Lounge

This popular Charlotte speakeasy is decorated for spooky season. Expect themed cocktails, Halloween decorations and an overall good time.

Details: Tuesday-Saturday 5pm-midnight now through Oct. 31. 

• Free to enter; no reservations necessary.
• 2433 South Blvd.

Scarowinds

15 minutes from Charlotte

Once October rolls around, Carowinds transforms from “theme park” to “scream park.” The spooktacular event features more than 500 monsters, ghosts and goblins roaming around the park, plus plenty of haunted attractions and shows.

Details: Sept. 15-Oct. 29. Friday-Sunday 7pm-midnight.

• Tickets are $45 and can be purchased here.
• 4523 Carowinds Blvd. 

Tunnel of Terror Haunted Car Wash

20 minutes from Charlotte

Try not to scream while getting your car cleaned at this AquaWave Express Car Wash in Belmont. Guests can expect fog, flashing lights and appearances (or jump scares) from well-known horror film characters.

Details: Starting Oct. 6, every Friday through Sunday 7-11pm.

• $30 per car; includes car wash.
• 6415 West Wilkinson Blvd.

Frightmare! on Dam Road at Mr. Putty’s Fun Park

25 minutes from Charlotte

Head to Mr. Putty’s Fun Park for a this kid-friendly haunted mini golf. There will be live actors and open-air scares.

Details: Starting Friday, Oct. 13, every Friday and Saturday night through Oct. 28.

• $11 for adults, $9 for kids. Children 4 and under enter free.
• 2333 Dam Road, Tega Cay.

Hickory Grove Haunted Trail

26 minutes from Charlotte 

For more than 20 years, friends have been spooked on this haunted trail. Enter the haunted woods if you dare.

Details: Every weekend in October and select weeknights.

• Tickets are $20.
• 4064 Mountain View St., Gastonia

The 901 Nightmare

31 minutes from Charlotte

Come face-to-face with your worst nightmares as you wander deep into the woods in The 901 Nightmare. This outdoor maze of terror takes you through decrepit shacks, old barns and an abandoned insane asylum. The entire attraction is about 20 minutes long.

Details: Every Friday-Sunday in October from 7-10pm.

• $20 for general admission, $40 for fast pass, $60 for nightmare passes.
• 3520 Mt. Holly Road, Edgemoor, SC.

Boogerwoods

38 minutes from Charlotte

You can’t spell Boogerwoods without “boo.” On this haunted trail, two guides will lead you through a series of 15 scenes; some with loud music, total darkness, enclosed spaces and jump scares. The attraction takes 35 to 40 minutes to walk through.

Details: Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28.

• Tickets go on sale each day at 2pm. $30, cash only.
• 725 Phaniel Church Road, Rockwell, NC

Scarrigan Farms Haunted Trail

40 minutes from Charlotte

The 170-acre stretch of woods behind the quarry is transformed into one of the scariest haunted trails in the region. From start to finish, it goes a little over one mile and takes about an hour to complete. Reservations are required.

Details: Every weekend through the end of October.

• Tickets are $30 on Fridays, $40 on Saturdays and $20 on Sundays. $5 deposit online, only cash accepted at the door.
• 1213 Oakridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville. Use the west entrance.
• Of note: This trail is not for kids under the age of 12.

Midway Wicked Woods

50 minutes from Charlotte

They call it the Wicked Woods because of a man by the name of Wicked Willie who roams the Midway campgrounds looking for trespassers. If you’re brave enough, head to Midway Wicked Woods to find out if the legend is true.

Details: Oct. 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 22, 29 and 30 8-10pm. Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28 and 31 8-11pm.

• General admission is $25 and VIP fast passes are $35.
• 14 Midway Dr., Statesville.
• Of note: On-site tickets are cash only.

Aw Shucks 13th Acre Haunted Trail

50 minutes from Charlotte

13th Acre Haunted Trail is an outdoor experience, and it’s not for the faint of heart. The trail takes about 35 minutes to walk through — that is, if you don’t bolt the whole way. If you want a scare and a wholesome time, opt for the combo ticket which gives you access to the haunted trail and the rest of Aw Shucks farm.

Details: Fridays and Saturdays in October 6-11pm, Sundays and Halloween (Tuesday, Oct. 31) 6-10pm.

• $25 general admission, $40 fast pass, $65 VIP admission
• 3718 Plyler Mill Road, Monroe

Reapers Realm

51 minutes from Charlotte

This 6,000-square-foot property has a haunted farmhouse, a haunted trail, a slaughterhouse, a mine shaft and an abandoned asylum. Try to escape them all. If you do, you can try the zombie laser tag afterward.

Details: Doors open at 6:30pm Oct. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31.

• $25 for general admission plus $5 for parking.
• 5980 Woodleaf Road, Salisbury

Haunted Shelby Corn Maze

1 hr, 5 minutes from Charlotte

What lies beyond the stalks of corn just might be stalking you. Some folks say it’s haunted, so if you’re brave enough, head to Shelby Corn Maze to explore the corn trails and see for yourself.

Details: Every Friday and Saturday in October.

• Tickets are $15.
• 120 Broadway Dr., Shelby

Go deeper: 8 corn mazes within an hour of Charlotte

Kersey Valley Spookywoods Haunted House

1 hr, 10 minutes from Charlotte

From the moment you arrive, you’re fair game to all the haunted creatures that reside on Kersey Valley land. Spookywoods has been a North Carolina tradition since 1985, and it’s said to be one of America’s most famous scary attractions. There’s a haunted trail, a dark ride tram, outdoor laser tag, escape rooms, zipline tours, axe throwing, a corn maze and other attractions like a live DJ, concessions and adult beverages.

Details: Weekends in October and Halloween night 8-11pm.

• Tickets range from $25-$45 for general admission depending on the date, $55 for VIP and $75 for immediate (no wait, includes a group photo).
• The parking lot opens at 6:30pm and is $10 per car, cash only.
• 1615 Kersey Valley Road, Archdale, NC

Spooky Bottom Haunted Trail

1 hr, 40 minutes from Charlotte

Walk through cabins, mine shafts, swamps and villages on this spooky haunted trail.

Details: Fridays and Saturdays in October from 7:30-11:30pm, Sundays from 7:30-10:30pm.

• Timed tickets start at $25
• 6059 Union Grove Church Road, Seagrove, NC

Editor’s note: This guide was last updated on October 4, 2023

For more fall things to do, view our other festive guides: 8 pick-your-own orchards within 2 hours of Charlotte, 11 must-visit pumpkin patches near Charlotte, 27 things to do in Charlotte this fall