Just in time for Halloween, Illinois haunted house named among 13 scariest in US
An Illinois Halloween attraction was recently recognized as one of the scariest haunted houses in the U.S. by a website that reviews spooky experiences, and a popular St. Louis haunted house wasn’t far behind.
Hauntworld’s Aug. 30 article, “Top 13 Scariest Haunted Houses in America 2025,” found Lockport’s HellsGate Haunted House the No. 6 scariest in the nation, citing its hidden location in the woods, “zombie-filled cemetery” and basement laboratory.
Nearby St. Louis’ The Darkness also made the cut, in seventh place. Hauntworld described The Darkness as “a massive screampark” with three haunted mazes, a horror museum, mini escape rooms and more.
A general admission ticket to HellsGate Haunted House costs $40 “plus fees” if you buy it online in advance, and $45 plus fees at the door. Coupon codes are available online for certain days. There’s also a “find the key” game that gives winners free admission.
To visit HellsGate Haunted House, you’ll park your car in Lockport and take a shuttle “deep into the woods.” It takes about 45 minutes to one hour on average to explore the haunted house, and a parent or guardian must accompany children younger than 16. The experience is not recommended for children younger then 12, though the haunted house’s website says “you know your child better than we do.”
If you’re planning a visit to The Darkness in downtown St. Louis, a general admission “any night” ticket costs $34.95 online, while an “immediate access” ticket to skip the line will run you $54.95. Children younger than 17 are not permitted without adult supervision or an immediate ride when they leave.
This isn’t the first time the Illinois and St. Louis haunted houses have received recognition. HellsGate Haunted House was named the No. 3 scariest haunted house in the U.S. in 2022, and The Darkness was named No. 4 in 2024.
“See what all the screaming is about! Hellsgate Haunted House features covered waiting, outdoor trails, haunted cemetery, newly built mausoleum, multi-level mansion, and over 150 live actors,” HellsGate staff said in an Oct. 2 news release. “HellsGate isn’t just a haunted house... it’s an adventure!”
For those looking for a less scary seasonal activity, Belleville has several fall festivals coming up soon, including the fan-favorite chili cookoff.
Top 13 scariest haunted houses
Here’s how the nation’s top 13 scariest haunted houses compared, from Hauntworld:
1. Cutting Edge Haunted House in Fort Worth, Texas
2. Bennett’s Curse in Baltimore
3. Erebus Haunted Attraction in Pontiac, Mich.
4. Fear Factory SLC in Salt Lake City
5. Haunted Overload in Lee, N.H.
6. HellsGate Haunted House in Lockport, Ill.
7. The Darkness in St. Louis
8. Factory of Terror in Canton, Ohio
9. Spookywoods Haunted Attraction in Ardale, N.C.
10. The Dent Schoolhouse in Cincinnati
11. Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Attractions in Ulster Park, N.Y.
12. 13th Gate in Baton Rouge, La.
13. Georgetown Morgue Haunted Attraction in Seattle
Do you have a question about living in Illinois for the News-Democrat? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Metro-east Matters form below.
This story was originally published October 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
