A crisp chill settles into the air and a palpable sense of excitement sweeps through Salt Lake as the season of thrills and spooks arrives. It’s that time of the year when ghosts, ghouls, and all things eerie come to life. From quivering encounters with the unknown to bone-chilling tales of apparitions, Salt Lake holds an array of attractions that are sure to send shivers down your spine.
So, let’s delve into the depths of the county’s most haunted spots – a journey that will challenge your senses and test your courage. It’s time to get your spook on!
#1 Fear Factory
666 W 800 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Salt Lake City’s top-rated haunted house, Fear Factory, was named one of 2022’s best haunted attractions in the United States. Comprising 6 towering buildings with 2 underground passages, this massive place boasts a haunted history.
More than 100 nightly live actors bring terror to life and since it’s so vast, a waiver is required to be signed prior to entry. You can expect a 45-minute immersive experience through the Factory, encountering monsters and traversing various areas.
Significant evidence collected for years supports supernatural presence within the Fear Factory. Many paranormal interactions with spirits have been experienced and they may interact with you. GRIMM GHOST TOURS, Utah’s best paranormal group, holds a public paranormal investigation at the Factory on Monday nights.
Fear Factory is a great place to bring coworkers, family, and friends for an evening of fun, entertainment, and thrills. For added convenience, the Zombie Bus shuttles visitors to and from the south end of The Gateway. Additional details and ticket prices can be found here.
#2 Night Stalker Haunted Trail
8800 S 4000 W, West Jordan, UT 84088
Night Stalkers is a quintessential Halloween experience in Salt Lake, renowned as one of the most unique and longest haunted trails in Utah. This immersive event offers four themed attractions in one unforgettable evening.
Start the thrill with Creatures of the Corn, an eerie expedition through a haunted cornfield swarming with malevolent creatures stalking your every step. Dare to trespass into PHOBIA, a terrifying attraction that breathes life into your deepest fears. Conclude your harrowing odyssey with a chaotic and sinister Horror Show and 3D SLUMBER.
Night Stalker is for the brave-hearted ready to embrace the thrills and indulge in a multifaceted adventure through fear. It’s open until October 31st at 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Mon – Thurs) and 7:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. (Fri & Sat). Additional details and ticket prices can be found here
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#3 Capitol Theatre
50 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Built in 1913, the historic Capitol Theatre is well-known for hosting concerts and plays, but it also hosts several paranormal activities.
In 1949, a fire broke out in the basement of the theater and the cause remains unknown to this day. While 600 guests were able to escape without any injury, a 17-year-old usher named Richard “George” Duffin met a tragic fate. His desperate attempt to flee ended in a fall and 90 minutes later, Fire Captain William Limb was able to retrieve his body.
Duffin’s lingering spirit is said to play tricks on those working and visiting the theater. Moreover, it’s said that he is particularly active during the production of “The Nutcracker”. Others have reported accidents of smelling smoke yet no source was ever discovered, feeling an otherworldly presence, and hearing voices.
Similarly, theater employees have witnessed each of the file drawers opened and slammed shut, one by one. Two police officers quit due to the hauntings in 2006, making this one of the most well-documented hauntings in Utah.
#4 Nightmare on 13th
320 W 1300 S St, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Nightmare on 13th, one of the state’s most unique and oldest haunted houses, has been opening its door every fall and whenever Friday the 13th occurs during the year. Nightmare features 2 haunted attractions: Nightmare Haunted House and Institute of Terror.
Once you pass the frightening Dragon-like animatronic creature perched over the doorway, prepare for a scare or two, or maybe three. Nightmare Haunted House, the main attraction, is where terror thrives in 13 themed nightmares. Some feature a creepy carnival, killer clowns, aquatic monsters, demonic spirits, and so much more. The second attraction, Institute of Terror, is pure madness where the psychotic patients roam the dark corridors of the asylum.
On top of that, Nightmare on 13th offers a new Day Haunt where you can experience the attraction with no scares, all atmosphere, making it an awesome experience for kids, families, and Halloween-loving scaredy cats out there. Additional details and ticket prices can be found here.
#5 Castle of Chaos
7980 S, State St, Midvale, UT 84047
Escape rooms and haunted house in one, Castle of Chaos is the only underground labyrinth of modern-day and classic horror in the state. This macabre attraction prides itself on five unnerving levels of fear. Level 1 is where your glow wand keeps the monster at a distance to Level 5 where the ultimate hands-on horror awaits for only the boldest soul (18+ only).
Apart from the haunted house, Castle of Chaos has several escape rooms including Nightmare Realm, Lockdown, and Asylum Escape. However, if you’re looking for something more intense and if you think you have what it takes to survive something beyond anything anyone has ever seen, you should definitely try the Krusebel Extreme Haunt. This extended Level 5 immersive horror experience is not for the faint of heart since as of this time, only one of their out-of-state guests has successfully survived Utah’s most sinister psychopaths.
So, if you’re willing to submit yourself to the terror and confront your deepest fear, you must be 18 years or older and must sign the Krusəb(ə)l Waiver. Brave if you dare, but beware, for the Castle of Chaos knows no mercy. Additional details and ticket prices can be found here.
#6 Draper’s The Haunted Trail
1600 Highland Dr, Draper, UT 84020
The Haunted Trail in Draper is a chilling escapade designed for families with children 15 years and younger. This eerie hike is set along a wooded, rustic dirt trail filled with spooky sounds, ghostly special effects, and creepy creatures.
The length of the Haunted Trail is about a third of a mile with one-third of the trail being paved, and two-thirds dirt. Fog machines, scary music, strobe lightning, sudden noises, and creepy scenes on the trail will test your mettle. The darker it gets, the spookier it gets, so it’s highly recommended to bring your little ones early and costumes are encouraged.
Enjoy a night of family-friendly fright on October 26-28, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Additional details and ticket prices can be found here.
Now that we’ve uncovered the most haunted Halloween attractions in Salt Lake, I want to hear from you! Have you experienced any of these ghoulish encounters, or do you have other terrifying tales to share?
Perhaps you have insider tips for fellow thrill-seekers. Leave a comment below and let’s keep the spirit of Halloween alive in Salt Lake!
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