Is the Abandoned Hayride in Chaska Worth It? Honest Review and 2025 Guide

It’s been years since I did my last haunted house. Mostly because I didn’t want to surround myself with high school kids trying to get scared by predictable attractions.

When Matt Dunn, the owner of Scream Town, approached me about the sinister attraction, the Abandoned Hayride in Chaska, I was intrigued.

His goal was to redefine the haunted hayride experience and do the unexpected. The question was, would it provide the scare factor?

This post is sponsored by the Abandoned Hayride in Chaska and may contain affiliate links. By clicking on these links I may earn from qualifying purchases. This in no way affects my opinions.

The Abandoned Hayride in Chaska

It has four main attractions, and once you start, you do them all. That surprised me at first, but it ensures everyone gets a full experience.

Timed tickets help reduce long lines and give each group their own scares. The Abandoned Hayride in Chaska is attached to Scream Town, so it’s easy to do both in one night.

The attraction is in four parts. First is the hayride. Set up like an auditorium on wheels, it stops at different scenes in the woods.

If you want lighter scares, sit in the back or middle. For bigger scares, choose front row or edge seating. You’ll be immersed.

After the hayride, you’re dropped at the Forsaken. It’s a haunted-house style attraction that plays with your senses.

Heads up, there are tight spaces and a little crawling.

It’s confusing in the best way and had everyone clinging to each other. We made quick friends with our neighbors.

Once you escape the labyrinth of the Forsaken, you can choose to take a lantern and make your way out of the woods. It’s on you to get back.

If you’ve ever walked out of a tent at night, it feels like that. Except these woods have a few surprises, so stay alert.

Don’t worry, there’s a loose path to follow. It’s not groomed, which adds to the creep factor.

The wooded path ends at Delirium. A traditional haunted house with new ways to terrify you. It’s dizzying, disorienting, and a little trippy.

Everything is designed to scare you. It delivers.

Abandoned Hayride Actors

In most haunted houses, actors don’t touch you. The Abandoned Hayride allows light, incidental touching. Nothing extreme. Think flicks of hair, brushes on the shoulder, and jump-scare props like chainsaws.

You can tell the actors are having a blast. They pride themselves on getting a rise out of you.

Setting the Mood

The Abandoned Hayride nails the look and feel. It took everything in me not to pull out my camera along the way.

The attention to detail and sensory distractions is impressive. You’re fully immersed.

Other Things to Know Before You Go

Parking

The Abandoned Hayride shares parking with Scream Town. If Google Maps tries to send you to the wrong side of the road, ignore it.

Follow the Scream Town signs. You’ll drive a short dirt road and park on grass, similar to the Trail of Terror or the Renaissance Festival. Parking is plentiful and fairly level, but I wouldn’t bring a low-clearance car.

Food and drinks

No food or drink is allowed inside the attractions. You start on the Abandoned Hayride and end inside Scream Town, where there are plenty of food options.

The fresh cookies are a must. There’s also a heated beer and wine tent most nights in October.

Parent inclusion

The Abandoned Hayride has a parent area with fire pits and drinks. Parents can enter the facility and relax while teens do the attractions. They also offer a chaperone deal for groups with five or more kids under 18.

Safety

Carver County Sheriff staff are on site and visible throughout the park. I never felt unsafe during the experience.

Tickets

Ticket options usually include General Admission (GA), Fast Pass, and VIP/Ultimate tiers. Prices vary by date and demand.

• VIP or Ultimate: Best pick if you hate waiting or you want to do Abandoned Hayride plus Scream Town the same night. Shortest waits, priority entry, and extra perks. If you go on a peak Friday or Saturday, VIP is worth it; otherwise you may be there all night.
• Fast Pass: Solid middle option on busy nights. You’ll still wait, but it’s much shorter than GA.
• GA: Cheapest, but expect long lines on October weekends. Consider GA only on early-season Sundays or weeknights.
• Buy online early to lock your time slot. Some nights sell out. Check the calendar for hours and last entry times.

The Abandoned Hayride sits next to Scream Town. A combo or VIP ticket gives you more scares with less waiting. Read more on Scream Town here.

Tips Before You Go

• You’ll spend a lot of time outside. Dress warm. Hats, gloves, and a hoodie or coat help. You can pocket layers as you go.
• Wear sturdy shoes. The woods and paths are uneven. Skip heels.
• After the hayride there’s a bathroom. During the first parts of the experience, you’ll need to wait.
• Recommended for ages 10+. Use your judgment for sensitive kids.
• The experience is not fully accessible due to uneven terrain, tight spaces, and crawling sections.
• Transportation: Rideshare is a smart call if you plan to enjoy adult beverages. Set pickup/drop-off at the main Scream Town entrance. Service can be slower at close. If you drive, there’s plenty of on-site parking.

Chaska is a fun town to explore. Get there early, spend the day, then wrap up at the Abandoned Hayride. Here are more things to do in Chaska.

Does the Abandoned Hayride live up to its name?

The Abandoned Hayride is different and fun. It delivers scares, laughs, and moments I hadn’t experienced before. I recommend visiting if you have a free night in October.

For more haunted attractions nearby, check out my list of the top scariest haunted houses in the Twin Cities.

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