Here is a list of haunted houses near State College, PA and areas with a 2-hour drive of Penn State’s Main Campus – updated for 2025! This list includes hayrides, trails and other Halloween attractions across central Pennsylvania. There are plenty in the Penn State area to choose from, ranging from basic haunted houses with simple Halloween decorations to hayrides, to full-scale festivals with bonfires, bands and concessions.
Lincoln Caverns Ghosts & Goblins (Huntingdon, PA)
Dive into the eerie underworld at Lincoln Caverns’ Ghosts & Goblins, a unique haunted cave experience 40 minutes from Downtown State College. Located at 7703 William Penn Hwy, this 41st-year event transforms two caverns into a spooky spectacle with actors delivering laughs and chills. The 2025 season, running select October weekends, features Adventures Thru The Abandoned Abyss, blending theatrical horror with the cave’s natural mystique. Tickets cost around $25, offering a mix of humor and scares suitable for families during daytime tours and thrill-seekers at night. The underground setting amplifies the spooky vibe, though it’s not ideal for those with mobility issues. Enjoy a festive atmosphere with minimal amenities. This Central PA haunt delivers a one-of-a-kind Halloween adventure, combining natural wonder with paranormal thrills.
2025 Dates: Typically select October weekends (2024 dates: October 5–27)
Website: lincolncaverns.com
Address: 7703 William Penn Hwy, Huntingdon, PA 16652
Coordinates: 40.506789, -78.024567
Distance from Downtown State College: ~30 miles, 40-minute drive
Penn’s Cave Haunted Halloween (Centre Hall, PA)
Uncover chilling legends at Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park, just 20 minutes from Downtown State College. Located at 222 Penns Cave Rd, this National Historic Landmark hosts haunted lantern tours during the 2025 season, typically on select October evenings. The tour explores the tragic tale of Nita-nee, a Seneca maiden, and her lover Malachi Boyer, whose spirits reportedly haunt the cave. Actors enhance the eerie atmosphere with ghostly stories and jump scares. Tickets are around $20–$25, ideal for paranormal enthusiasts and history buffs. The cave’s natural acoustics and darkness intensify the experience, unsuitable for young kids or those with claustrophobia. Daytime wildlife tours complement the spooky evening. Experience history and horror in this iconic Central PA setting.
2025 Dates: Typically select October evenings (2024 dates: October 11–26)
Website: pennscave.com
Address: 222 Penns Cave Rd, Centre Hall, PA 16828
Coordinates: 40.882345, -77.610432
Distance from Downtown State College: ~15 miles, 20-minute drive
Mishler Theatre Haunted Tours (Altoona, PA)
Step into the supernatural at Mishler Theatre, a historic venue 45 minutes from Downtown State College, known for ghostly sightings of its founder, Isaac Mishler. Located at 1208 12th Ave, Altoona, the 2025 season offers guided haunted tours on select October dates, sharing tales of cigar smoke smells and apparitions. Tickets cost around $15–$20, perfect for all ages seeking a low-intensity scare. The 1906 theater’s elegant yet eerie ambiance, with reports of moving props and ghostly voices, creates a chilling experience without actors. Ideal for history and ghost enthusiasts, these tours blend local lore with documented hauntings. Enjoy a spooky evening in this iconic venue, where Isaac’s spirit may still linger.
2025 Dates: Typically select October dates (2024 dates: October 18–25)
Website: mishlertheatre.org
Address: 1208 12th Ave, Altoona, PA 16601
Coordinates: 40.515432, -78.401876
Distance from Downtown State College: ~35 miles, 45-minute drive
Jean Bonnet Tavern Ghost Tours (Bedford, PA)
Experience chills at Jean Bonnet Tavern, a historic inn 60 minutes from Downtown State College, renowned for its paranormal activity. Located at 6048 Lincoln Hwy, Bedford, this 1760s tavern offers ghost tours and dinners in October 2025, sharing stories of ghostly figures, cold spots, and eerie footsteps tied to its Revolutionary War-era history. Tickets, around $30–$40 including dinner, cater to paranormal fans seeking authentic haunts. The rustic setting enhances the spooky vibe, with tours suitable for most ages but not young kids due to unsettling tales. Enjoy a meal in the tavern’s haunted rooms, where spirits of past patrons may linger. This unique blend of history and horror makes for an unforgettable evening.
2025 Dates: Typically October weekends (2024 dates: October 4–26)
Website: jeanbonnettavern.com
Address: 6048 Lincoln Hwy, Bedford, PA 15522
Coordinates: 40.042123, -78.558765
Distance from Downtown State College: ~50 miles, 60-minute drive
Spook Haven Haunted House (Mill Hall, PA)
Brave the terrors of Spook Haven Haunted House, a thrilling haunt 45 minutes from Downtown State College. Located at 100 Danis St, Mill Hall, this 2025 season features an interactive walk-through with live actors, smoke machines, and gruesome sets. Known for its intense scares, it offers two attractions: Whisper Creek Manor and Last Rites, a hospital-themed psych ward. Tickets are $12 ($10 for students on select nights), with R.I.P. skip-the-line passes at $17. Open Fridays and Saturdays in October, it’s ideal for thrill-seekers but not recommended for young kids. The indoor/outdoor setup ensures scares rain or shine. With a reputation for heart-pounding encounters, Spook Haven delivers a classic haunted house experience in Clinton County.
2025 Dates: Typically Fridays/Saturdays in October (2024 dates: October 4–26)
Website: spookhaven.com
Address: 100 Danis St, Mill Hall, PA 17751
Coordinates: 41.106789, -77.486543
Distance from Downtown State College: ~30 miles, 45-minute drive
FearFest at Camp Anderson (Tyrone, PA)
Face your fears at FearFest, held at Camp Anderson, 45 minutes from Downtown State College. Located at 1550 Johnston Rd, Tyrone, this 2025 season (October weekends) features three attractions: Zombie Paintball, Haunted Escape Rooms, and Extreme Walk, a terrifying trail through haunted woods. Tickets range from $15–$30, with combo passes available. Free parking and a shuttle to the campgrounds enhance accessibility. Live actors and immersive sets create intense scares, making it ideal for thrill-seekers, not young kids. The outdoor setting adds a chilling atmosphere, with food vendors on-site. FearFest’s variety and high-energy horror make it a standout haunt in Blair County for a scream-filled night.
2025 Dates: Typically October weekends (2024 dates: October 11–26)
Website: campanderson.org
Address: 1550 Johnston Rd, Tyrone, PA 16686
Coordinates: 40.670123, -78.237654
Distance from Downtown State College: ~30 miles, 45-minute drive
Elysburg Haunted House (Elysburg, PA)
Venture into the chilling Elysburg Haunted House, Central PA’s oldest haunt, 90 minutes from Downtown State College. Located at 1066 PA-61, Elysburg, this 2025 season (weekends in October, plus Halloween) features a two-story haunted house, wooded trail, and cellar with live actors and emergency exits for the faint-hearted. Tickets are around $20, offering intense scares for horror fans. The 1976-established haunt delivers a mix of indoor and outdoor terror, not suitable for young kids. A festive midway with concessions adds to the experience. Known for its longevity and terrifying atmosphere, Elysburg is a must-visit for a heart-pounding Halloween adventure.
2025 Dates: Typically weekends in October, plus October 31 (2024 dates: October 4–31)
Website: elysburghauntedhouse.com
Address: 1066 PA-61, Elysburg, PA 17824
Coordinates: 40.863456, -76.557123
Distance from Downtown State College: ~65 miles, 90-minute drive
Old Jail Museum Ghost Tours (Jim Thorpe, PA)
Explore the haunted Old Jail Museum, a spooky gem 120 minutes from Downtown State College. Located at 128 W Broadway, Jim Thorpe, this 1871 prison, where Molly Maguires were executed, offers ghost tours in October 2025, sharing tales of a mysterious handprint and apparitions. Tickets cost $15–$20, ideal for history buffs and paranormal fans. The eerie cell blocks and basement create a chilling, low-intensity experience without actors, suitable for most ages. The museum’s preserved history, including cell 17’s haunting legacy, amplifies the spooky vibe. Enjoy a unique blend of true crime and supernatural lore in this Carbon County landmark.
2025 Dates: Typically October weekends (2024 dates: October 5–26)
Website: theoldjailmuseum.com
Address: 128 W Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
Coordinates: 40.863214, -75.740432
Distance from Downtown State College: ~90 miles, 120-minute drive
Reapers Revenge (Scranton, PA)
Face relentless terror at Reapers Revenge, a scream park 120 minutes from Downtown State College. Located at 460 Green Grove Rd, Scranton, this 2025 season features five attractions: a Haunted Hayride with zombies, Lost Carnival, Delirium (altered reality), Pitch Black maze, and Sector 13 (zombie apocalypse). Tickets range from $40–$60, with VIP options, open weekends from September 26 to November 2. Not for kids under 10, it’s perfect for thrill-seekers. The 66-acre haunt, nationally recognized by HauntWorld, offers 90 minutes of scares with high-tech effects. A midway with food and games adds festive fun. Brace for a heart-pounding night in Lackawanna County.
2025 Dates: Typically September 26–November 2, weekends (2024 dates: September 27–November 3)
Website: reapersrevenge.com
Address: 460 Green Grove Rd, Scranton, PA 18447
Coordinates: 41.494567, -75.694876
Distance from Downtown State College: ~100 miles, 120-minute drive
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