Haunted Houses, Halloween Mazes and More in Southwest Ohio, From A to Z

It's Halloween season again. Soon, if they aren't already, haunted houses and attractions will be opening their doors to guests in the hopes of scaring the yell out of them.

Personally, I absolutely love haunted houses. I am always trying to find new ones from across the state to attend. In my quest, I have found a big problem: the lists of haunted houses online are often incomplete and/or inaccurate. Often times, you have to visit several websites just to find one haunted attraction worth visiting. Other times, you think you have found a good haunted house to visit only to later find out that it is no loner open.

I have attempted to solve this problem by coming up with my own list. I attempted to make it as accurate and comprehensive as possible. Due to the fact that not all attractions are listed online, I'm sure that I missed at least one. I also tried to weed through the information available online and include only the houses that are still in operation.

Below is my guide to the haunted houses and attractions in southwest Ohio. All attractions are listed in alphabetical order. I also included a little information on each attraction.

Absolutely Deranged (Springfield)- This is one of the area's newest attractions. It features a chainlink fence maze, clowns, sociopaths, chainsaws, and a myriad of other frights.

Bloody Mary's Massacre Meadows (Springfield)- The central story of this attraction is that of Mary Hatchet, a once kind-hearted nurse who went on two murderous rampages before killing herself. There are actually two haunts located here. Those who survive the Maze of Horror go on to experience the Trail of Doom.

Bonnybrook Halloween Haunted Farm Hayride (Centerville)- This is the oldest haunted hayride in all of Ohio. The farm also features the Crazed Corn Maze. This attraction is family oriented and there is fun for the whole family.

Buford Haunted School (Buford)- This haunted school features more than twenty rooms of fright. There is no use of animatronics. This attraction is not recommended for young children.

Chambers of Horror (Middletown)- This haunted house features more than thirty rooms and one-hundred doors. As you can imagine, getting out can be a bit difficult. The overall theme is classic horror movies. This haunt is not recommended for children.

Dark Pumpkin Presents Invasion (Germantown)- A haunted trail experience, this attraction focuses around one main story: alien retaliation in the form of a virus that causes humans to turn on one another and kill. From what I hear, this is a really good attraction because it is so unique. I would definitely like to visit sometime.

Dungeons of Delhi (Cincinnati)- This attraction is themed after classic horror movies and offers over twenty rooms. There is also a kid friendly haunt open on Sunday afternoons. This season marks the haunts thirteenth year of operation.

Halloween Haunt at Kings Island (Mason)- During the month of October, Kings Island is transformed into a huge haunted attraction. Although it is not the typical haunted attraction, it is worth mentioning on this list. Featured attractions are the mazes of Club Blood, Death Row, Red Beard's Revenge, Massacre Manor, Circus of Horrors 3-D, Trail of Terror, and Rivertown Train Ride. There is also the fear zones of Cornstalkers, The Worksite, and The Cemetery. Depending on the day you go, rides may or may not be open. Kings Island advises that the haunt may be too intense for young children. Although I have not been to this attraction before, I would love to go in the future.

Haunted Hayride and Black Bog (Springboro)- This haunt is home to two award winning attractions. The Haunted Hayride is a tractor drawn ride with over one mile of haunts. The Black Bog is a walking trail. There is also a bonfire and entertainment. The owners advise visitors to bring a change of underwear as they have had eight people wet their pants and counting.

Haunted Junkyard (New Carlisle)- This haunt, as the name suggests, is a haunted junkyard. Visitors journey through a junkyard full of screams and, yes, smells.

Haunted Spook Coop (Waynesville)- This attraction features haunted chicken coops basically in the middle of nowhere. Of course, there are no actual chickens (unless we are using the term in a different sense). There is also a rather large maze.

Jamestown Haunted Woods (Jamestown)- This haunt first takes visitors through the Castle of Doom which is a large maze. Survivors then trek through the haunted woods which is full of scares. This haunt is not recommended for children.

Land of Illusion (Middletown)- This haunt is home to four attractions in one: Middletown Haunted Trail, Temple of Terror, Dr. Psycho's Haunted Estate, and Killer Klowns. The haunted trail is over a mile long with lost of scares. Temple of Terror is a temple-themed haunted house. The haunted estate is themed around the crazy Doctor Carver and his mad experiments. Killer Klowns is a haunted house full of, as its name suggests, killer clowns. I have been to this attraction before and I absolutely loved it. It's not super-scary but it is a lot of fun. It's well worth the drive and cost of admission.

Lewisburg Haunted Cave (Lewisburg)- This haunt is located eighty feet below ground and is purported to be truly haunted. It features mazes that can be hard to navigate. This is a good haunt, particularly for those afraid of the dark.

Lewisburg Haunted Swamp (Lewisburg)- This haunt features a haunted trail. There is also a bonfire for those waiting in line. This attraction is not particularly scary so the whole family may be able to attend.

Lockington Haunted Firehouse (Piqua)- The firehouse is supposedly located on an ancient Indian Burial ground and hundreds of people have died there since the firehouse was built. At least that is the story told to visitors. Is it true? You be the judge. The firehouse features all new attractions this year.

Loveland Castle's Scary Knight Tours (Loveland)- This is located in a real historic castle. Each October, the castle is transformed into a haunted house. This haunt is recommended for ages six and up.

Massacre Mill Haunted Trail (Ansonia)- This is a rather new haunt located just north of Greenville. Because it is so new, not much information is available other than the fact that it exists.

Mill of Fear (Middletown)- This attraction is located in an old, abandoned paper mill which provides an eerie atmosphere. It features an old elevator ride and a large maze. This attraction is very dark so it is not recommended for those who have an excessive fear of the dark.

Mt. Healthy Haunted Hall (Mt. Healthy)- This is a nonprofit haunt with all proceeds going to a local Boys Scouts and the Knights of Columbus. It features a maze, elevator ride, and even a few spots where you are required to crawl.

Panic Box Spookhouse and Kruegers Korn Maze (Springfield)- This attraction recently moved and was almost entirely rebuilt. The Panic Box is an indoor haunted house and the Korn Maze, obviously, is an outdoor attraction. Both have a different theme. This attraction is most famous for its atmosphere featuring plenty of live entertainment while you wait in line.

Psycho Path Trail (Xenia)- This attraction is located on land purported to be haunted. It actually consists of three different attractions: an indoor, outdoor, and even underground Haunted Trail. There is also live entertainment each night. Children under twelve are not admitted without an accompanying adult.

Riverside Jaycees Haunted House (Riverside)- This attractions features nearly twenty rooms of spooks and special effects. It is a family oriented attraction and some bring children as young as five to the haunted house. There is also a children's matinee featured.

St. Rita's Haunted House (Cincinnati)- This haunted house is held at St. Rita's school for the death in an old building which used to be the boys dormitory over one hundred years ago. There are laser light shows for those waiting in line. There is also a children's matinee with the lights on for kids under the age of twelve.

School of Dead (Higginsport)- This haunt is located in an old, abandoned school. The building alone is very creepy. The attractions uses all three floors of the school, so it ends up being a very large haunted house. At one point, visitors have to use a slide in order to escape. I've heard good things about this one.

Sidney's Haunted Woods (Sidney)- This haunt features a half-mile trail into the woods. It is not super-scary but at the same time, it is not recommended for young children.

Silver Lake Night Fright Haunted Trail (New Carlisle)- This haunted trail is a little over a half-mile long. Each year it gets bigger and adds new professional effects.

Spinetinglers Trail of Horrors (Springfield)- This haunted trail features the evil experiments of Dr. Spinetingler. It is not recommended for children under the age of ten.

Terror Maze (Springfield)- This is not a corn maze but rather an indoor/outdoor haunted attraction. This haunt actually won an award from a local TV Station for having the best overall haunt in the area so I imagine it is a pretty decent attraction. It is not recommended for young children.

The Haunted Barn (South Vienna)- This haunt is located in an old barn. What is most interesting about this attraction is that they will adjust the level of fright for you. Therefore, it is a good choice for any age.

The Haunted House (Cincinnati)- The Haunted House is a very well-known, long-standing haunted attraction. It has won many awards and is highly acclaimed. The attraction is now called the Dent Schoolhouse and is located in the old school where several children were found dead. It is purported to be extremely haunted. Also featured is a lights on tour designed for the younger crowd. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about this attraction and I am planning on visiting next year.

The Nightmare On Valley Street Haunted Trail (Dayton)- This haunted trail was voted the best scare in the area last year. Although I'm not too familiar with it, it sounds like it is good.

The Slaughter House (Springfield)- This attraction is located in a pig barn. It features lots of loud music, some actors, props, etc. Basically, it's your typical haunted house. It's not super scary but not intended for small children.

Wilmington Haunted Hallow Ride (Wilmington)- This is a three-on-one attraction: the Hallow Ride, Slaughter Hotel, and Nightmare Penitentiary. The Hallow Ride takes visitors through the haunted woods on a bus. Slaughter Hotel is an underground hotel purported to be haunted and to have a secret floor no one has yet to find. Nightmare Penitentiary takes guests through a prison in the midst of a riot of the undead. All in all, this attraction is not super-scary and is more family-oriented.

Xenia Dungeon of Doom (Xenia)- This haunt is located in the basement of an old warehouse. This one offers lots of surprises and is somewhat unique.

Zane Shawnee Haunted Caverns (Bellefontaine)- This haunt is below the ground and is not super-scary. It is considered family oriented and offers fun for the entire family.

Zombie Island and Too Dark Park (Monroe)- Two haunted have attractions have been combined into one haunted trail. This haunt is considered PG-13 and children aged thirteen and younger must be accompanied by an adult to enter.