We ask people to arrive at 6:30 p.m. so that we can begin compiling a list of guest names and the number in their groups. The actual experience begins around 7 p.m., starting with guests whom have requested to go before it gets really dark. We do our best to move these groups along quickly, but it depends on how many people we have in line. For our guests who want to wait until dark, your name will be moved to a list beginning at dark in the order you have arrived. Small groups will be combined with each other in order to move people through the lines faster. We send groups of 15 or so people through at the same time. If you have a large group, note that smaller groups may be called ahead of you to fill up other groups.

The length of the trail varies from year to year, so the wait could range from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how many guests are ahead of you and how quickly they move through the trail. We apologize if your wait is longer than we guestimate, as we have no control over the capabilities of our guests that enter the trail. 

We have lots of things to do while you wait. No standing in lines! We will keep our inflatables running, have yard games to play including bean bags, pumpkin checkers and tic tac toe, and shopping is available in the lodge. We will keep our concession stand open until we run out of food and we will have lots of treats for purchase. Our beer/wine garden will be open during the haunted trail. When it’s safe to do so, we will have a fire pit burning for guests to enjoy. (During a very dry year, we will not have fires due to safety concerns of our guests and our farm.)

Kids 10 and under: We leave the decision up to the parent or guardian, but after dark, the trail may be too scary for young kids. We recommend coming right away when the Haunted Trail opens as it is still light out. The experience will be less scary at that time. Early time slots are limited. You are not guaranteed to go through the trail when it’s light out if a large number of groups want to go early.

The trail goes through the tree farm and down in the river bottom. Depending on flooding issues, the trail may be moved to ensure safety for all guests. There are natural obstacles throughout the path that may require guests to step over. The path may require guests to climb up or down small hills or slopes. We HIGHLY recommend that every guest that goes through our trail is very capable of walking long distances on rough terrain as quickly as possible, so that no one slows the experience down. When this happens, it adds much more time to the wait time and we want to make sure everyone is considerate of the other waiting guests. 

We recommend that each guest wear hiking shoes and appropriate outerwear. Like any fall night, the temperature cools off. Plan ahead so you’re not cold.

Each group is led by a guide, who will share the story of the haunted happenings and will make sure that each guest makes it safely through the trail. They will point out obstacles in the path and show guests where to go.