If your idea of fall involves more screams than pumpkin spice, there are several haunted attractions around Chicago's southwest suburbs worth putting on the calendar in 2026. From HellsGate's hidden mansion in the Lockport woods to haunted cornfields in Minooka and zombie paintball in Monee, there is a pretty good range of ways to scare yourself this Halloween season.

Updated September 20, 2026.

This guide focuses on the bigger haunted houses, haunted trails, mazes and nighttime Halloween attractions around the southwest suburbs rather than every trunk-or-treat or one-night community event.

Some are full-scale haunted houses. Others put you outside in the woods or send you into a cornfield after dark. And if you are looking for something a little less terrifying, there are a couple options here that let you control the scare level a little better.

Before You Go: Haunted-attraction schedules, ticket prices, weather policies and operating hours can change throughout the season. Many attractions also sell out on popular October weekends. Always confirm current information directly with the attraction before leaving home.

Quick Guide: Southwest Suburbs Haunted Attractions for 2026

  • HellsGate Haunted House, Lockport: September 24 through November 1 on select nights.
  • Hayride of Horror & Curse of the Bayou, Lockport: Select nights October 2 through October 30.
  • Midnight Terror Haunted House, Oak Lawn: September 25 through November 1 on select nights.
  • Undead Acres, Monee: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from September 25 through November 1.
  • Heap's Haunted Corn Maze, Minooka: Select October nights.

HellsGate Haunted House in Lockport

Location: Lockport, Illinois
2026 Season: September 24 through November 1 on select nights

If you want the closest thing on this list to a full haunted-house adventure, HellsGate is probably where I would start.

The attraction is built around a multi-level mansion hidden in the woods, but getting to the house is part of the experience. Guests park in downtown Lockport, take a shuttle, then make their way through the woods and Lost Souls Cemetery before eventually reaching the mansion.

Inside, HellsGate incorporates hidden passages, slides, actors and large-scale sets rather than simply moving visitors through a series of rooms.

The attraction is also carrying on some of the legacy of the former Statesville Haunted Prison, with characters from Statesville now incorporated into the HellsGate experience.

Important parking note: During the Halloween season, do not drive directly to the mansion. HellsGate directs guests to park at 301 W. 2nd Street in Lockport and take the shuttle to the attraction.

The attraction recommends buying tickets online because attendance is capped on busy nights and onsite prices are higher.

Check the current HellsGate schedule and tickets

Hayride of Horror & Curse of the Bayou in Lockport

Location: Dellwood Park, 199 E. Woods Drive, Lockport
2026 Season: Select nights October 2 through October 30

Lockport gives you another completely different haunted option just a few miles away.

The Lockport Township Park District runs two nighttime attractions at Dellwood Park: the Hayride of Horror and the Curse of the Bayou Haunted Maze.

The hayride takes visitors through the darkened woods of Dellwood Park with actors and scares along the route. Curse of the Bayou puts you on foot inside a haunted maze.

You can buy admission to either attraction individually or do both in the same night. The Park District also adds concessions, bonfires, outdoor movies and live entertainment on event nights.

Most nights run from 7:00 to 10:00 PM, with a few late-October schedule variations.

This one is especially useful if you want a haunted attraction that feels more like an October night outdoors rather than spending the whole experience inside a building.

See the 2026 Hayride of Horror schedule and pricing

Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn

Location: 5520 W. 111th Street, Oak Lawn
2026 Season: September 25 through November 1 on select nights

Midnight Terror is one of the larger traditional haunted-house experiences in the south suburbs.

The 2026 attraction includes multiple themed areas and scare zones, with live actors, elaborate sets and a midway area with additional entertainment.

This year's themes include Black Oak Grove, ShadowTek, Laugh Slash Carnival and Rotten Hollow, along with the Sinister Sideshow Midway.

Midnight Terror uses timed admission, so your ticket is tied to a specific entry window. The attraction also warns that late-October weekends can get particularly busy and recommends visiting earlier in the season or on a Sunday if you want lighter crowds.

The attraction describes the experience as roughly PG-13 in intensity, although there is no formal minimum age.

There is also a separate, non-scary daytime Trick-or-Treat event scheduled for October 24 for families who want the Halloween atmosphere without the full haunted-house experience.

See Midnight Terror's 2026 calendar

Undead Acres in Monee

Location: 3450 W. Crete-Monee Road, Monee
2026 Season: September 25 through November 1, Fridays through Sundays

Undead Acres is probably the most unusual attraction on this list because the headline experience involves actually shooting zombies.

The Zombie Paintball Safari puts guests aboard specially designed trailers equipped with mounted paintball guns. You ride through the property while actors playing zombies become the targets.

There is also a separate Haunted Evergreen Maze that sends visitors through more than 500 evergreen trees after dark.

You can do the paintball attraction, the maze, or combine them with additional activities including a shooting gallery and axe throwing.

For 2026, Undead Acres is scheduled to operate Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00 to 11:00 PM and Sundays from 6:00 to 10:00 PM.

Tickets are sold onsite on a first-come, first-served basis rather than through advance reservations. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check Undead Acres hours, attractions and pricing

Heap's Haunted Corn Maze in Minooka

Location: 4853 U.S. Highway 52, Minooka
2026 Haunted Maze Dates: October 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 and 30

Heap's gives you the classic October version of being scared: put people in a cornfield at night and remove the flashlight.

The Haunted Corn Maze operates after dark with actors and scares hidden throughout the corn. The farm specifically recommends the haunted maze for ages 12 and older.

If someone in your group doesn't want the full scare experience, Heap's also offers a non-haunted flashlight maze and moonlight hayrides on many of the same evenings.

For 2026, the haunted corn maze is listed at $25 per person, while a $30 evening combination includes the haunted maze, flashlight maze and moonlight hayride. A fast-pass option is also available.

Because this is an outdoor farm attraction, weather can affect operations, so this is one where I would definitely check conditions before making the drive.

Check Heap's 2026 dates, tickets and weather updates

Unfortunately, No Old Joliet Haunted Prison in 2026

This is the one I was disappointed to see missing from the list this year.

The Old Joliet Haunted Prison operated inside the former women's prison at the Old Joliet Prison complex and ran again during the 2025 Halloween season.

I have been there in the past, and I thought the setting alone made it one of the most interesting haunted attractions around here. The last time I went, my date spent enough time hanging onto my arm that I was pretty sure she was going to pull it out of the joint before we made it through.

So yes, apparently it did its job.

Unfortunately, the haunted attraction is not returning for the 2026 season under the current arrangement.

The issue appears to come down to changes involving the property agreement between the City of Joliet and the State of Illinois. Under the updated arrangement, activities at the Old Joliet Prison require state approval, and Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, which operated the haunted attraction, was not an approved use for 2026.

The company has expressed interest in returning, so I would not necessarily call this attraction gone forever. But for Halloween 2026, don't make plans around the Haunted Prison.

The historic Old Joliet Prison itself continues to operate tours and other programming separately from the haunted-house attraction.

Which Haunted Attraction Should You Pick?

If you are trying to narrow it down, the experiences are different enough that the choice really depends on what you are looking for.

  • For the biggest haunted-house adventure: HellsGate in Lockport.
  • For an outdoor hayride and haunted maze: Hayride of Horror & Curse of the Bayou.
  • For a traditional actor-heavy haunted house: Midnight Terror in Oak Lawn.
  • For something completely different: Zombie Paintball at Undead Acres.
  • For the classic haunted-farm experience: Heap's Haunted Corn Maze.

Looking for Fall Events Without the Chainsaws?

If haunted houses aren't your thing, there are plenty of less terrifying fall events happening around the southwest suburbs too.

I also put together a full Southwest Suburbs Fall Festival Guide covering Oktoberfest celebrations, fall festivals, Halloween events and other seasonal activities around the area.

Key Takeaways
  • Several major haunted attractions around the southwest suburbs are operating from late September through Halloween and, in some cases, into November.
  • Lockport has two major options with HellsGate and Dellwood Park's Hayride of Horror and Curse of the Bayou.
  • Midnight Terror brings a large traditional haunted-house experience to Oak Lawn.
  • Undead Acres combines zombie paintball with a haunted evergreen maze in Monee.
  • Heap's Haunted Corn Maze offers one of the area's classic outdoor farm haunts in Minooka.
  • The Old Joliet Haunted Prison operated in 2025 but is not returning for the 2026 Halloween season under the current property arrangement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What haunted houses are open in the southwest suburbs in 2026?

Confirmed attractions include HellsGate Haunted House and Hayride of Horror & Curse of the Bayou in Lockport, Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn, Undead Acres in Monee and Heap's Haunted Corn Maze in Minooka.

Is the Old Joliet Haunted Prison open in 2026?

No. The haunted-house attraction operated during the 2025 season but is not returning for Halloween 2026 under the current property arrangement. The historic Old Joliet Prison continues to operate separately as a historic attraction.

Which haunted attraction is closest to Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox?

For many residents of the central southwest suburbs, the Lockport attractions and Undead Acres in Monee are among the more convenient options. Actual travel time will depend on where you are starting and traffic conditions.

Are these haunted houses appropriate for children?

It depends on the attraction and the child. HellsGate and Heap's recommend their haunted experiences for roughly ages 12 and older, while Midnight Terror describes its show as approximately PG-13. Undead Acres says its Zombie Paintball Safari can work for younger visitors who are comfortable with scares, but minors must be accompanied by an adult. Check each attraction's current age guidance before buying tickets.

Do I need to buy haunted-house tickets in advance?

For the larger attractions, buying ahead is usually a good idea, especially on Friday and Saturday nights in October. HellsGate caps attendance and encourages advance online purchases. Midnight Terror uses timed tickets. Undead Acres currently sells tickets at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.

What happens if it rains?

Weather policies vary. Outdoor attractions such as Heap's Haunted Corn Maze can be affected by rain, while attractions with indoor components may continue operating. Always check the attraction's website or social media before leaving home if the forecast looks questionable.

Sources & Event Information

Event Note: Dates, hours, ticket prices, age recommendations, attractions and policies can change throughout the Halloween season. Verify current information directly with each attraction before attending.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this local guide is for educational and informational purposes only. Raymond Kennedy is a licensed real estate broker in Illinois with Village Realty and is sharing this community information as a courtesy to southwest suburban residents.