As Halloween approaches, the borderland’s after-dark calendar fills with jump scares, ghost stories and elaborate set pieces. Our roundup highlights seasonal attractions throughout the El Paso region — from outdoor haunted trails to theme-park takeovers and guided Downtown ghost walks — designed to deliver frights at a range of intensity levels. Many events begin in early October and run through Nov. 1, with some preview nights in late September.
Attractions span both sides of the state line, including sites in El Paso, Anthony and Sunland Park, reflecting the region’s shared Halloween tradition and varied approaches to staging a scare.
Before you go, consider practicalities. Several venues are outdoors and subject to weather; some recommend ages 13 and older or require adult supervision for younger visitors. Ticketing policies vary — a few offer fast-pass options or take cash only — and ride or concession access may be separate from haunted experiences.
Check organizers’ websites for updates on rules, accessibility and wait times so you can choose the experience that fits your group and comfort level.
Forbidden Acres Haunted House
Forbidden Acres Haunted House returns this fall with its haunted trail experience. Located at 13162 Tobacco Road, the outdoor attraction opens Oct. 3 and runs through Nov. 1, with hours from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays and 8 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is $28 (cash only), with a $20 fast-pass option available. Information: forbiddenacres.us
Western Playland Haunted Asylum
Western Playland, 1249 Futurity Drive, will transform into a haunted attraction this October with the inaugural Nights of Terror: Carnival of Carnage, presented by the Asylum of El Paso. Guests ages 13 and older can step into the park’s Haunted Asylum, where eerie settings and staged frights promise a chilling experience. The event runs from 9 p.m. to midnight Oct. 2-5, 9-12, 16-19 and 23-26, with extended hours until 1 a.m. Oct. 28-31. Tickets for the Asylum are sold separately from Western Playland admission and must be presented at the entrance; the attraction does not include access to rides, games or concessions. Information and tickets: theasylumelpaso.com
SEE ALSO: When do corn mazes, pumpkin patches open around El Paso this fall?
Wet ‘n’ Wild Haunted Scaregrounds
Wet ‘n’ Wild Waterworld in Anthony, Texas, will transform into the Haunted Scaregrounds this fall, an immersive Halloween experience. Running select nights from Oct. 3 to Nov. 1, the event features a haunted house and circus-themed attractions inspired by the tale of a shuttered carnival whose ghostly performers refuse to leave. Guests can choose between all-access admission, which includes entry to all haunted areas, or a grounds-only pass for a less frightening experience. Hours vary by night, with extended hours on Halloween. A preview night for passholders will take place Sept. 26-27. Organizers caution that the event may be too intense for young children and is not recommended for those younger than 13 without adult supervision. Information: wetnwildwaterworld.com
Haunted Daze
Haunted Daze, 200 Carnes Road, returns this fall with Freak Land, a haunted attraction in El Paso’s Lower Valley designed to immerse visitors in eerie and unsettling environments. The experience runs Oct. 3-12 at an “early grave” price of $15 plus tax and continues Oct. 17-Nov. 1 at $20 plus tax. Hours are 8 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays and 8-10 p.m. Sundays. Organizers describe the event as a terrifying journey that will blur the line between the living and the lost. Information and tickets: haunteddaze.com
Wraiths of the West Texas Wind
El Paso’s haunted history comes alive in Wraiths of the West Texas Wind: El Paso Ghost Tour, set for 8 p.m. every night at San Jacinto Plaza, 114 W. Mills Ave. The one-hour walking tour spans a mile through downtown, stopping at sites such as the DeSoto Hotel, Plaza Theatre and City Hall, where guides share tales of the city’s eerie past and lingering spirits. Led by local storytellers, the experience blends historical context with ghostly lore, offering both suspense and insight into one of America’s most haunted cities. Tickets are $26 for adults, $17 for children, and free for children younger than 6. Information: usghostadventures.com
The post Haunted Season: Where to find scares across the El Paso region appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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