The haunted trail at Corpse Grove. The haunted attraction Saturday and will remain open until Oct. 31. 

With Halloween just around the corner, thrill-seeking East Texans are invited to venture into haunted houses where nightmares come alive and screams echo in the night. This spine-chilling lineup of haunted attractions caters to every level of bravery.

World of Khaos Thrill Park — Tyler

The World of Khaos Thrill Park has come alive, inviting thrill-seekers to confront their deepest fears and tap in their wildest imaginations. Known for its immersive, adrenaline-pumping storylines, World of Khaos looks to bring innovative designs to scare the living daylights out of visitors.

“The great thing about this year is we have a new 3D attraction that’s been repainted and our larger house has been redone as well,” said Brandon Causey of World of Khaos. “Everything is brand new.”

The park features two main attractions known as the Big House and the Small House. The Small House, known as Freak’d, is a 3D black light experience, where everything is painted with black light or UV paint. Guests are provided with 3D glasses, making the vibrant colors appear to leap off the walls. The actors in the attraction also wear UV paint, creating an immersive environment with colors popping from their costumes, contributing to a sideshow-inspired theme.

The Big House is called Inhumane, a storyline based on a medical facility that works in pharmaceutical drugs.

“They’re there to help out with people who have fears and try to overcome them,” Causey said. “Once people enter into this facility, they get a little bad news. Good news is you’re still here for your tour; the bad news is they’ve had a little leak of one of their new chemicals and the gas is now filling in the air and you’ve breathed it in. So the thing is what you might see and hear is not really there. It’s just kind of all in your head.”

One of the standout features introduced at World of Khaos Thrill Park is the “Blackout” event on Sunday nights, where the haunted house is completely dark, and guests are given a single glow stick for their entire group to navigate through the attraction. This concept has since gained popularity among other haunted attractions, according to Causey.

“It gives a whole new experience, a whole new outlook on what it’s like to go through things in the dark,” he said.

Located at 816 E Oakwood St. in Tyler, general admission is $25 but visitors can purchase the Fast Pass for $35 or a VIP pass that offers instant access and to bypass the long lines. World of Khaos is open from 7 p.m. to midnight Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week and next week.

For more information about World of Khaos Thrill Park, visit worldofkhaos.com.

Doc Wilkes House of Horrors — Longview

Doc Wilkes House of Horrors has been scaring East Texas for more than two decades. With its immersive set designs, bone-chilling special effects, and a cast of terrifying characters, this haunted house draws fearless souls eager to confront their deepest fears.

“We wanna do something different for East Texas and have people come out and have a good time,” said Jacob Wilkes of Doc Wilkes: House of Horror. “We’ve had 22 years to revamp and we try to make it a little more ‘in-your-face,’ a little darker. We’ve changed several rooms in Doc’s house as well.”

His parents, Eugene and Laura Wilkes, have owned the Doc Wilkes House of Horror since its inception, making it a true family affair with Jacob and his sister, Jennifer, who is actively involved.

“Growing up it was kinda weird,” Jacob said. “Your friends have parents that are doctors and lawyers and have real 9 to 5 jobs. But now looking back at it, I’m like, man, I had the coolest childhood ever… for me and my sister. And we have a family with our ‘boo crew’ as well… we have some that have been with us for many, many years.”

Where twisted clowns and bizarre performers take center stage in a nightmarish carnival, the family-owned operation also includes Ringmaster Madness, a circus-themed attraction they introduced last year.

The Fright Show Museum showcases life-size horror film icons like Michael Myers and Freddy Krueger, also serving as a photo opportunity. Another attraction, the Boneyard Theater features classic horror movies and magic shows, making each attraction a unique experience.

“We’re also going to have a DJ out this weekend,” Jacob said. “It’s always a fun time… people out dancing, laughing and screaming, having all kinds of fun.”

Admission to Doc Wilkes House of Horrors includes several options: General admission is $20, while the VIP Fast Pass is available for $25, offering quicker entry. For those looking for a combination deal, the T-Shirt Ticket Combo is priced at $35, which includes a VIP ticket and a limited edition 2024 Doc Wilkes T-shirt. Additionally, there’s a Spectator Pass for $10, which grants access to the property, the Fright Show Museum, live music, and magic shows, but does not include entry to Doc’s House or Ringmaster Madness.

When introducing younger children to thrilling attractions, the rule of thumb is to go at your own pace. Many venues empower parents to make the best choices for their kids, allowing them to determine which experiences are suitable based on their child’s comfort level. This approach ensures that families can enjoy the excitement while prioritizing emotional well-being and creating positive memories together.

“My mom always says ‘we’re not baking cookies out here, we’re here to scare people,’” Wilkes said. “And I’m a firm believer in that. But I think four or five years ago we had over 120 people walk in the front room of Doc’s house and turn right back around. We’ve had parents bring in their 5-year-old and they loved it… we’ve had 45-year-olds walk in and not make it all the way through.”

Doc Wilkes House of Horrors is open from 7:30 p.m. to midnight Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week and next week. For more information, visit their website: www.docwilkeshaunt.com.

Corpse Grove: The Wicked Playground — Tyler/Chapel Hill

As a terrifying half-mile haunted trail in the woods of Tyler, Corpse Grove: The Wicked Playground weaves through gnarled trees and shadowy pathways, each twist and turn designed to plunge visitors deeper into a nightmare. Here, the air is thick with suspense, and the distant sounds of laughter and screams mingle as costumed phantoms and lurking creatures spring to life, ensuring no one leaves without a tale of terror to tell. Corpse Grove is located at 15972 State Hwy 64 E, just outside of Tyler in Chapel Hill. Admission: adults $15; kids 6-12 years old $7.50; kids 5 years and under are free.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/corpsegrove.

Annex of Terror Haunted House — Mineola

In the small town of Mineola lies a spooky experience at the Annex of Terror Haunted House, 119 North Johnson Street, just a stone’s throw from the Historic Select Theater. Here, the shadows come alive with frights that pull from local legends, transforming every room into a new nightmare. With each step deeper into the haunt, visitors are met with hair-raising scares and unsettling surprises, ensuring the thrills of the night will echo in their minds long after they escape.

Admission to the Annex of Terror Haunted House includes: adults are $20, while children aged 12 and under are $10. For those looking to enhance their experience, a Fast Pass is available for $30, allowing guests to skip the line, go through the haunted house twice, and receive a movie pass. For a more exclusive experience, the VIP Pass is offered at $50, which includes all the benefits of the Fast Pass, plus fortune telling and an after-hours ghost hunt on Saturdays.

Visit their webpage for more information: bit.ly/annex_of_terror_mineola.

Graystone Scream Park — Longview

At Graystone Scream Park, nestled on FM 968 W in Longview, fear awaits around every corner with five spine-tingling attractions that promise to test your bravery. Will you dare to traverse ‘The Manor,’ where chilling secrets linger? Or perhaps venture through the eerie ‘Oak Raven Cemetery,’ navigate the twisting ‘Labyrinth of Time,’ brave the chaotic ‘Karnival of Karnage,’ or wander the shadowy ‘Spooky Woods’? Whether you choose one or conquer all five, a night of heart-pounding thrills and hair-raising horrors awaits.

Under the new ownership of Brad Bowen, Graystone has been transformed into a haunting experience filled with unexpected thrills.

“We tore out the old stage that we had and we built a whole new stage that’s capable of holding live bands,” Bowen said. “And in that area, we created what’s called a slider zone. We have actors with special knee pads, steel toe shoes and special gloves where they can take off running and slide on the ground and create sparks. It’s another way to be able to scare customers with the whole new zone that we created this year.”

The haunt spans over 70,000 square feet with five different attractions of scare zones. It also has an outdoor movie theater with multiple concession stands.

“So, there’s plenty of areas to walk around and just kinda do what you want,” Bowen said. “We’ve been able to come in and make some really cool changes… you don’t know what’s around the next corner.”

General admission is $30 and includes free parking as well as access to all attractions at GSP. VIP admission is available for $45, which includes free parking, a snack from the concession stands, and Fast Pass entry to all attractions. Additionally, a Midway Admission option is offered for $5, granting entry to the park only.

For more information, visit graystonehaunt.com.

The Asylum Haunted House — Talco

Prepare to confront your deepest fears at The Asylum Haunted House, located at 205 N Broad St. in Talco. Spanning over 6,000 square feet, this indoor attraction offers more than 15 rooms filled with live actors, animatronics, and scary special effects. As you navigate through the ominous boiler room and hazardous material storage, you’ll encounter the unnerving lab, a chilling infirmary, and even experience a taste of shock therapy. Will you survive the dark maze and confront the criminally insane? Each twisted passage leads you closer to the morgue, where the echoes of the past linger in the meat locker and the cemetery beyond.

Admission includes $20 for General Admission or skip the line with the Fast Pass for $30. Visit their Facebook page for more information: www.facebook.com/talcoasylum.

Thrillvania — Terrell

Located at 2330 CR 138 in Terrell, Thrillvania is 6,000 square feet of haunted paradise featuring a collection of attractions that promise to send shivers down your spine. Step into the World Famous Haunted Verdun Manor, where the past comes alive in a whirlwind of terror, or face your fears at Cassandra’s House of Clowns, where laughter turns to screams. For those brave enough, Sam Hain’s Trail of Torment awaits, leading you through a nightmarish landscape that’s earned Thrillvania its reputation as one of the best haunted attractions in Texas.

Visit their website at thrillvania.com for admission and more information.