Fear is here! Check out these haunted attractions around Sioux Falls

Argus Leader

It's October and preparations for Halloween are in full swing. For some people, the celebration is not complete without a trip to a haunted house or maze to get their scare on.

Want to know what to expect before shelling out money for a ticket? We did the legwork for you – check out some of the spookiest haunts in eastern South Dakota.

Terror 29

Location: 25753 Cottonwood Ave., Sioux Falls

Cost: $15

The newest haunted attraction in Sioux Falls, the 3,800-square-foot attraction leads thrill-seekers through an abandoned warehouse, a "claustrophobic room" and a circus theme. After the walk-through, visitors end up in a museum where they can purchase gifts and check out oddities of all varieties, such as a two-headed mummy.

More: Terror 29 hopes to create unique haunted attraction experience

"It's definitely scary," said creator Zac Tenneboe. "The hardcore fans will appreciate the attention to detail."

Horror fans can save a few bucks by buying a combo pass that will gain them entrance to both Terror 29 and Fear Asylum.

Haunted Farm

Location: 47449 276th St., Worthing

Cost: $18.79 plus tax for scary attractions; $9.39 plus tax for non-scary attractions

Visitors to this 25-acre farm a few miles outside Sioux Falls can expect to experience a haunted woods, dark trail and a feature deemed the "loft of lunatics." For the less brave, there will also be a hayride and baby alpacas, goats and kittens to pet. A heated snack shack offers food and beverages.

The themes change every year because owner Paula Bell has to tear down and rebuild the haunted farm annually. This year, the trail through the haunted woods is especially scary, thanks to narrowed walls that elicit a feeling of claustrophobia, Bell said.

"It's just got a creepier feeling to it," she said. "It's a total adventure."

More:Looking Back: Jaycees' haunted house started in spooky home on Minn. Ave.

Heartland Country Haunted Maze

Location: 27455 SD Hwy 11, Harrisburg

Cost: $10 for adults

A classic corn maze with terrifying twists and turns, the Heartland Country Haunted Maze has been around for 20 years. Each season, the 11-acre maze has a different shape — this year, it's two elephants. Maze-goers are given a map and a list of elephant-themed questions, with the goal of finding a hidden checkpoint, said proprietor Karen Sproul. Visitors who find the checkpoint are then awarded a free treat from the concession stand. Bring a flashlight!

Screaming Woods Haunted Trails

Location: 1811 N. Lowell Ave., Sioux Falls

Cost: $12 or $10 with canned food donation

Now in its sixth year, the Screaming Woods Haunted Trails invites visitors to peruse its "dark and daunting woods." The 20-minute experience changes themes, characters and trail layouts every year. 2019's theme is "Old Skool Spooks," a throwback to Halloween's roots. The trail has 13 main stations, including a haunted hotel, a voodoo bayou and a witch cottage.

"Guests can expect to come across lots of new creepy, interesting and entertaining creatures hidden throughout our woods," said Kelsey Meester, daughter of Screaming Woods owners Deb and Kim Meester.

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Sioux Falls Jaycees Feargrounds

Location: 4000 W. 12th St., Sioux Falls

Cost: $15

A Sioux Falls Halloween staple since 1974, the Jaycees' haunted house began in a creepy old house on Minnesota Avenue but has since moved to the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, where it re-branded this year as The Jaycees Feargrounds. Project director Brandon Callenius said attendees will be impressed with the more intricate scenery and higher caliber of acting that went into this year's haunted museum theme.

"We wanted to make sure we ramped up what we have done in the past," Callenius said. "People are taking notice."

This is also the first year the Jaycees have offered online tickets for its haunted attraction, which is its main fundraiser for the year.

Jaden Wieser, right, prepares to put a syringe into Elizabeth Searles, left, during Jaycees Haunted House in 2017.

Twisted Nightmare

Location: 9700 E. SD Hwy 42, Sioux Falls

Cost: $12

Held at the Fraternal Order of Police headquarters in Sioux Falls, Twisted Nightmare does not have a central theme, but rather an assortment of scenes, including a clown area.

"We try to just hit a lot of different phobias and fears," said Tommy Schmitz, who started the haunted house in 2014. "You've got to change it up."

It will also feature the My Place Mobile Cafe, which will have food and hot chocolate on hand for visitors. The haunted house does more than give visitors a good scare — it is an annual fundraiser for both the Fraternal Order of Police and Feeding South Dakota. Last year, the haunted house raised 2,000 pounds of canned food for Feeding South Dakota, Schmitz said.

More:Why renting Halloween costumes is better than buying

Fear Asylum

Location: 216 6th St. W., Brookings

Cost: Starts at $25

Situated just across the street from Pioneer Park in Brookings, Fear Asylum has been scaring the pants off people for 10 years. This year, it is bringing back its popular "Last Ride" and showing off a new attraction, the "B Block Breakout" mini escape room. In addition to the haunted house, ride and escape room, visitors will also be treated to food trucks and fire dancers. Creator Buck Burdick says he takes pride in the professional-level special effects, costumes and design of the haunted house.

"(Visitors are) going to get a very high-end show," Burdick said.

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