The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park 2026

San Diego’s favorite haunted tradition, The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park, is back with two horrifying haunted houses in one: The unpredictable 3,500 square foot Experiment Maze and the mile-long Haunted Trail winding through the gnarled oaks of historic Marston Point.

Named in CNN’s Top 5 BEST Haunted Attractions in America, and one of 2026 Top 5 best value (Scream for your buck) Halloween Destinations in the U.S. by America Haunts.

The carnage begins inside the eXperiment Maze, where a violent tear in reality has unleashed something unnatural into the park. Fight your way through the Mutant Maze, infested with armor-clad cyberpunks ruthlessly hunting anything human. Don’t get trapped inside the Asylum, where chaos bleeds through every hallway. If you can survive the disorienting madness of the Vortex, you’ll be hurled into what can only be described as a Magician’s Acid Trip, an illusion of warped colors, impossible realities, and deadly tricks gone horribly wrong. Beware the killer rabbit… unfortunately it’s far from the only evil hiding up his bloodstained sleeve.

As you descend deeper, you find yourself in The Haunted Trail, where your worst nightmares begin turning against you. The Ghoul Bus is waiting to pick you up, overflowing with the twisted monsters and maniacs that have haunted your fears for years. Come face to face with a clown so Terrifying even Freddy is too afraid to fall asleep. And don’t keep the Killbilly family waiting. Meemaw and Paw have dinner on the table, and the fresh meat is already getting cold. Travel back to the Old West and you’ll find a deadly outbreak has transformed an entire town into bloodthirsty rage zombies. Don’t expect to outrun them easily, they are fast as hell! Regrettably, no soul has ever been saved within the Chainsaw Cathedral. Inside, the Sisters of the Saws paint the altar red with anyone foolish enough to enter.

Your night doesn’t stop at the saws, the DARK CARNIVAL is BACK and BIGGER. This scare zone is loaded with brand new sinister carnival games and experiences, overrun with specialty interactive creatures, riddled with themed photo ops and local food trucks, and boasts the BOOtique Gift Shop packed with new and exclusive merch.

Please Note: Check out the 2026 Hours of Operation for the exact days and hours of operation.

Haunted Trail of Balboa Park on Instagram