Boo! Your 2025 guide to haunted attractions/events in north central Ohio

Ohio certainly competes with the nation’s best when it comes to haunted attraction offerings.

North central Ohio has its share of some of the most unique and frightening haunts.

While I’m certainly not one for jump scares or panic-induced adrenaline, I managed to compile this list without being frightened. OK … maybe I was a little scared.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of places to be spooked this autumn — from haunted prisons, woods and mazes to a 100-year-old schoolhouse.

This guide to haunted attractions in north central Ohio is organized by start dates — including attractions and events in Richland, Ashland and Knox counties, as well as a few extra, nearby haunted attractions.

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Fear Columbus — Sept. 12 to Nov. 1

If a little bit of a drive doesn’t scare you, the haunt at this destination just might. Fear Columbus opened on Sept. 12 and runs through Nov. 1. It features multiple immersive attractions under one roof, as well as photo ops and a retail store, among all the scares.

📍2605 Northland Plaza Drive, Columbus, OH 43231 — Learn more

J & J Field of Screams — Sept. 20 to Nov. 1

A quarter-mile hayride leads to a 45-minute trek through haunted woods and several acres of corn maze in Shelby, with attractions around every corner. Tickets are $20. The attraction is open every Friday and Saturday in October, including Halloween and Nov. 1, from dusk to 11 p.m. The last tickets are sold at 11 p.m. each night.

📍5482 SR 61 S., Shelby, OH 44875 — Learn more

Mansfield Arts After Dark — Sept. 20 to Oct. 31

Mansfield Arts After Dark is a new, citywide celebration of creativity, community and a touch of Halloween magic. It includes six weeks of performances, concerts, films, art installations and family-friendly festivities.

📍Mansfield, OH — Learn more

Haunted Schoolhouse and Haunted Laboratory — Sept. 20 to Nov. 1

If you are up for another road trip, the Haunted Schoolhouse and Haunted Laboratory in Akron promise 19 nights of fear for those who dare to enter. This year marks the 52nd season for the haunted attraction.

📍1300 Triplett Blvd., Akron, OH 44306 — Learn more

Factory of Terror — Sept. 20 to Nov. 8

Open 20 nights from Sept. 20 through Nov. 8, the Factory of Terror in Canton is more than a mile long and consists of four unique attractions. The attraction also boasts five uniquely themed bars for those of drinking age.

📍 4125 Mahoning Road NE, Canton, Ohio 44705 — Learn more

Blood Prison — Sept. 26 to Nov. 2

Blood Prison is one of the Midwest’s biggest haunted houses, continuing to push the limits of fright with new sets, actors and surprises every year at the historic Ohio State Reformatory. Find tickets, as well as a full list of dates and times, by clicking here.

📍100 Reformatory Road, Mansfield, OH 44905 — Learn more

Haunted Speedway Night — Sept. 26 to Nov. 1

Mansfield’s once abandoned racetrack is turning into a racing zombie wasteland on several dates this fall. This attraction features multiple haunted houses, scare zones and games. Haunted Speedways Nights are set for Oct. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 23-26 and 30-31, as well as Nov. 1.

📍400 Crall Road E., Mansfield, OH 44903 — Learn more

The Trail of Nightmares — Sept. 26 to Nov. 1

The haunted Trail of Nightmares is set to provide scares on Friday and Saturday nights from dusk to midnight from Sept. 26 through Nov. 1.

📍4135 Park Ave. W., Mansfield, OH 44903 — Learn more

Jail of Terror — Sept. 27 to Nov. 1

The Jail of Terror is a unique Halloween attraction. In 2025, it promises to be longer, more interactive and for the first time, its offering touch passes.

📍46 S. 3rd St., Newark, OH 43058 — Learn more

The Dead Woods — Sept. 27 to Nov. 1

Explore haunted trails in Caledonia this fall every Friday and Saturday in October, plus Nov. 1, 7 and 8. Hours are 8 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and 8 to 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Youth Night is set for Sept. 27 from 8 to 11 p.m.

📍3550 Lyons Road, Caledonia, OH 43314 — Learn more

Mohican Haunted Schoolhouse — Sept. 27 to Nov. 1

Explore three floors of horror in a former schoolhouse constructed more than 100 years ago. The top floor is a tribute to classic monsters. The main floor reveals a boarding school for “unique” children. The basement houses Contagion Industries, where research has no boundaries.

📍155 W. 3rd St., Perrysville, OH 44864— Learn more

Haunted Hayride and Golf Cart Trail — Oct. 10 & 11

Drive your golf cart through the Haunted Trail route to see Halloween decorations at Pleasant Hill Lake Park on Friday, Oct. 10 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Access is limited and pre-registration is required.

On Saturday, Oct. 11 from 7 to 9:30 p.m., take a Halloween wagon ride through the park for a spooky, fun experience. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

📍 3431 SR 95, Perrysville, OH 44864 — Learn more

Local Spirits of Mount Vernon, OH — Oct. 15

Join Beth Deering, psychic medium, on Oct. 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. as she shares an evening of ghost stories, experiences with the unexplained, and true-life encounters with some of the historic individuals who once made Mount Vernon their home — and who remain here even today.

📍201 N. Mulberry, Mount Vernon, OH 43050 — Learn more

Halloween House — Oct. 16 to 31

A family-friendly Halloween house tour of the historic Freer Children’s Home. Explore the museum after hours and discover delightfully eerie decorations for all ages. The house is open Oct. 16-19, 25-26 and 31. Admission is $3 for adults (18+) and $1 for children (3+) and students. Children 3 and under are free. The Halloween House will take place at the Freer Home on six different nights from 6 to 8 p.m. The last ticket will be sold to anyone standing in line by 8 p.m. 

📍1280 Center St., Ashland, OH 44805— Learn more

Nightmare in the Park — Oct. 17 & 18

The Plymouth Volunteer Firefighter’s Association will host its annual “Nightmare in the Park” on Oct. 17 and 18 in Mary Fate Park. The spooky fun begins at 8 p.m. and runs until midnight on both nights.

📍200 Sandusky St., Plymouth, OH 44865 — Learn more

Dark History Tour — Oct. 24

Dark History Tour offers a spine-chilling journey through the secrets and scandals of Ashland’s haunted past. The evening promises to make history come alive in the most haunting way. Tickets are $5 per person. Due to the nature of the content, all attendees must be 16 or older. Space is limited, so advance ticketing is recommended to reserve your space. Tickets go on sale Sept. 25. Tours depart from the Manor House, 414 Center St., promptly at 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 24. Attendees are asked to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before their tour to check-in.

📍414 Center St., Ashland, OH 44805 — Learn more

Willard Trail of Terror — Oct. 24/25 & Oct. 31/Nov. 1

Enjoy frights and delights along Willard’s Trail of Terror. The scares take place on select dates from 7 to 11 p.m. at Willard City Park’s nature trail. Food trucks will be on-site.

📍 City Park Drive, Willard, OH 44890 — Learn more

Park After Dark — Oct. 26

Ariel-Foundation Park is ready ignite the thrills and chills this Halloween. On Oct. 26 at 6 p.m., doors will open to an immersive concert experience featuring Coop’s Nightmare. Costumes are encouraged. A costume contest will be hosted by Coop’s Nightmare, including prizes.

📍10 Pittsburgh Ave., Mount Vernon, OH 43050 — Learn more

Ceely Rose House at Malabar Farm State Park — Availability varies

The Ceely Rose House at Malabar Farm State Park is a must-see site during the fall, largely due to its rumored haunting. It’s the site where a young woman killed her parents and brother in 1896. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield wrote about the gruesome crime in his memoir “Pleasant Valley.” Some say her spirit still roams the house.

The Ceely Rose House is only open to the public during special events. But visitors can view the modest farmhouse’s exterior at any time.

📍4050 Bromfield Road, Lucas, OH 44843 — Learn more

Tunnel on Township Road 1536 — Year-round

Legend has it that if you park inside the tunnel on Township Road 1536 at night, turn off your headlights and put the car in neutral, “spirits will come and push your car all the way through the tunnel and out the other side.”

That’s a description from James A. Willis, author of “The Big Book of Ohio Ghost Stories.”

Is it truly haunted? Maybe or maybe not. But it’s still worth a trip if you are up for a ghost hunting expedition.

📍About half a mile west of U.S. 42 on Milton Township Road 1536, just south of Ashland — Learn more