About

One of a Kind Haunt Experience

The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park

The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park returns for 2025—with two haunts in one: the 3,500 square foot eXperiment Maze and the mile-long Haunted Trail winding through the twisted pines and gnarled oaks of historic Marston Point.


Named in CNN’s Top 5 BEST Haunted Attractions in America, and one of the “Top 3 Halloween Destinations in the U.S.” by America Haunts.


The nightmare begins inside the eXperiment Maze—a sensory trap of warped illusions, cult-favorite legends, and viral nightmares coming to life. Evade the stalking silence of Slenderman before descending into the obsessive chaos of “HELLno Kitty”, a deranged tribute to everyone’s favorite feline. Spin through the Vortex Tunnel and face-off against the most Terrifying clown and his pale side kick. Then slip into the Haunted Trail through a cursed portal with no choice but to run towards the terror. Feel your way through the fog drenched Graveyard, claw through Freddy’s School Bus, stumble into post-apocalyptic Nuke Town and try to outrun the “Sisters of the SAW” in their blood soaked cathedral.


The mayhem doesn’t stop after the chainsaws! Visit Midway Madness, a NEW dark carnival scare zone with roaming monsters, games, photo ops, an expanded BOOtique Gift Shop, and bites from local food trucks.


The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park, morphing annually, reinventing fear for 26 years.

Parking is FREE inside Balboa Park.

Featured Haunts

The eXperiment Maze

The journey begins in total darkness as you step into the eXperiment Maze—a twisted realm where sensory deception and monstrous creations blur the line between fear and confusion. Even if you outrun the shifting silhouettes of the Slenderman, there’s no escape from the spinning chaos of The Vortex. When it spits you out, The Clown is waiting, grinning…terrifying. Around every corner you’re being stalked by a bizarre abomination, some familiar, others defy explanation entirely. The eXperiment Maze is only the first gauntlet, beyond lies the infamous Haunted Trail.

The Haunted Trail

Once you escape the clutches of the eXperiment Maze, the true nightmare begins along the mile-long path winding through Balboa Park’s wicked woods. This year, ancient darkness has awakened…

Step into The Portal, a disorienting gateway to another dimension. Lose yourself in its hall of mirrors, where light and vapor engulf you as cult priests slip silently through time and space towards you. Welcome aboard Freddy’s School Bus where you slide down the aisle with the dream-haunting killer leering from every seat. Creep through the Clown Slums, where depraved jesters lurk and drag you into their Torture Carriage. Infestations of insects and paranormal activity consume an unavoidable rotting mansion that will make your skin crawl. Nuke Town glows with radioactive terror, and cannibals await in the Killbilly Smokehouse—grinning beneath hanging flesh, blades ready. Your final judgment awaits in a decaying cathedral, scorched black by unholy fire where a cloister of colossal chainsaw wielding nuns release their holy rage. Is it their saws singing like a choir….or your screams? This is no walk in the park.

Have You Heard?

Had a phenomenal time with friends. It was just the right type of scary. The staff was not overbearing. I loved that the scenes were current with some of the scary movies.
Wade
Had a blast. Front scare actors were nice yet scary. All the trail actors were energetic and scary. The maze was a little unnerving, as we kept going he same way and seeing the same actor. Make up was amazing. Loved the bus and graveyard. Even the employees in the front and front lines come out and scare you.
Lala Machete
This is a great Haunted Trail! So much fun! Sreamed my head off!! I recommend VIP so there's no waiting in line.
Jacquelyn

WARNING

WARNING: All patrons enter at their own risk. Owners & sponsors are not responsible or liable for any harm incurred on the premises. This attraction contains high impact scares and strobe lights which may not be suitable for people with heart conditions or prone to seizures. Attraction may include the use of fog juice as well as spraying water. Sorry, NO pregnant women, infants, or children being carried will be allowed entry. Not recommended for children under 10.

Sponsored by: