Des Moines has the densest haunt scene in Iowa, with a downtown walkthrough, a hilltop scream park, and a decades-old neighborhood tradition all within about 20 minutes of each other. That makes it easy to do two haunts in one night. Here are the haunted houses in Des Moines worth your ticket this season, plus a family-friendly option. For the rest of the state, see our ranked guide to haunted houses across Iowa, or browse every listing in the Iowa haunted house directory.

What are the best haunted houses in Des Moines?

The Slaughterhouse (Downtown)

Indoor haunted house · 500 Locust St
The Slaughterhouse leans into an industrial meatpacking storyline and has grown into one of the most talked-about haunts in the state. 2026 is its 15th season, and the attraction has added new scenes for the year. It runs select nights from late September through Halloween weekend, staying open latest on Fridays and Saturdays. The same building runs a live escape-room game outside haunt season. Confirm nights and ticket options on the official site.

Sleepy Hollow’s Haunted Scream Park (East side / Pleasant Hill)

Multi-attraction scream park · Sleepy Hollow Sports Park
In its 30th season, Sleepy Hollow bills itself as Iowa’s largest Halloween park. One ticket covers more than ten haunted houses and trails spread across the hills of a winter sports park, including The Graveyard, Nightmares Asylum, and The Rat Sewer. It is the best value in town if you want volume, but it is also the busiest on late-October weekends, so arrive early.

Linn’s Haunted House (6th Avenue)

Indoor haunted house · basement of Linn’s Supermarket
Linn’s is Des Moines’ longest continuously running haunted house and a true neighborhood tradition. Founder Merlyn Linn died in September 2026, and his family is keeping the doors open in his honor this season. Its official site lists opening night as Friday, October 2 and a season running through Saturday, October 31, with longer hours on late-October weekends. Admission is $25 per person at the door only; cash is preferred but cards are accepted. Expect to spend up to 20 minutes inside.

Barnum: Carnival of Freaks (Indiana Avenue)

Indoor circus-themed haunt · north side
One of the newer haunts in Greater Des Moines, Carnival of Freaks is a twisted circus funhouse full of clowns, a ringmaster, a fortune teller, and other sideshow characters. It is a good pick if clowns are your specific fear. It typically opens Friday and Saturday nights in October with a fast-pass option; check the official site for this year’s nights.

Haunted Woods (Carlisle)

Outdoor haunted trail · about 15 minutes southeast of downtown
Haunted Woods is the metro’s wooded trail haunt, a nighttime walk through the timber off Gateway Drive in Carlisle. It typically opens weekends in October with extra weeknights leading up to Halloween. As an outdoor attraction it can close for weather, so check its official site or social pages the day you plan to go.

The Zombie Hollow (Winterset) — family-friendly

Lighted Halloween trail · about 35 minutes southwest
The Zombie Hollow started as a backyard display in Urbandale and now fills several acres south of Winterset with lights, props, animatronics, and illusions. It is built for all ages rather than big scares, with nighttime slots on October weekends and daytime walkthroughs. Tickets are sold online in advance; young children are typically free.

What to expect at Des Moines haunted houses

Des Moines haunts usually run from late September or early October through Halloween, with the heaviest crowds on the final two weekends of October. Admission at the major metro haunts generally falls in the $20 to $30 range, with fast passes costing more. Treat every date and price here as a starting point to confirm on the official site, not a guarantee.

Indoor haunts like The Slaughterhouse and Linn’s are weather-proof, while Sleepy Hollow and Haunted Woods are outdoors, so dress for a cold night; see our what to wear to a haunted house guide.

Know before you go

• Pair two haunts. The Slaughterhouse and Linn’s are a short drive apart, which makes a downtown double feature easy.
• Bring cash for Linn’s. Tickets are sold at the door only.
• Buy online for the big parks. Online tickets and fast passes save time at Sleepy Hollow and The Slaughterhouse on peak nights.
• Bringing kids? Choose The Zombie Hollow for younger children, and read our parents’ age-by-age guide. First-timers should also read our first-timer’s complete haunted house guide.

Plan your scare night: browse all haunted houses in the Iowa directory, or find haunted houses near you.