Knott's Scary Farm Continues To Impress With Original Mazes [Review]
Knott’s Scary Farm is always one of my favorite haunts of the season. The makeup on scare actors is phenomenal, and what is more entertaining (and scary) than the sliders who send sparks flying, a lonesome glow amidst a sea of fog? It’s always a delight of mine to see "the Bride" in the “Ghost Town Streets” scare zone. There are multiple shows to keep you busy, and they even add Halloween decor to classic rides, like the “Calico Mine Ride” and the “Timber Mountain Log Ride.”
Scary Farm pleases longtime visitors with the return of fan-favorite mazes like “Dark Ride,” and lures new visitors with exciting, new concepts like “The Grimoire” and “Bloodline 1842.” And you can’t forget beautiful scare zones like “Forsaken Lake,” “The Hollow,” and “Gore-ing ‘20s,” the last of which has an interactive element (which requires you to find the bouncer with the hat and cigar).
Below I’ve ranked my favorite mazes, best to worst.
1. The Grimoire
What Knott’s says: Turn the page and enter the world of an ancient relic whose dark stories exist purely to turn your greatest nightmares into a reality. Try to escape the horror of the evil creatures released by the mysterious book
My thoughts: “The Grimoire” is new this year, and already a very strong contender for best maze. It takes you from telling scary stories around a campfire to being transported into the stories, where you face grotesque monsters and real-life horrors, like war. There is also an entire section that is black-and-white, like you just stepped into Pleasantville, but with an evil twist.
2. Mesmer: Sideshow of the Mind
What Knott’s says: Within the canvas tent lies the secret of the most potent force in the universe: the human mind. Give in and succumb to the hypnotist Mesmer and his sinister sideshow, as it pries on your hidden fears.
Release your inner thoughts and descend into a world of madness, torture, and eerie enlightenment. There you will uncover the grotesque secrets hidden as you brave through the most terrifying show ever created.
My thoughts: This is one of the very cool, newer additions to Knott’s Scary Farm. The sideshow theme is perfect fodder for a maze, and it makes sense as it is near the always entertaining “CarnEVIL” scare zone. The imagery is really fun and trippy.
3. Dark Ride: Castle of Chaos
What Knott’s says: Journey through an abandoned carnival ride where cruel carnie folk still linger in the shadows in “Dark Ride: Castle of Chaos.” The carnival has become a refuge for freaks and carnies. Now those shunned performers have created a dark world of terror which they plan to unleash on those who enter.
“Dark Ride” will lead brave visitors through a treacherous path and into the bowels of a long-neglected attraction, as sinister shadows and horrifying scenes cast gloom over the once pleasant ride. It’s everyone’s worst nightmare, being helplessly trapped inside an abandoned carnival ride without a way out.
My thoughts: This one has been around for a minute, and I’m glad for that, because it is one of my all-time favorites. The walkthrough takes you through the backend of the ride, as well as sections that walk you through the tracks of the ride itself. That combination is what makes this maze extra fun. It’s a great premise, executed well.
4. Origins: The Curse of Calico
What Knott’s says: Pierce the veil of time and discover the secret of the evil fog that hangs over Knott’s Scary Farm in “Origins: The Curse of Calico.” Unearth the sinister paranormal activity that plagues the town as Sarah Marshall is put on trial for her suspected crimes of witchcraft.
All will be unveiled when the Green Witch rises up and curses the townsfolk, transforming all who have accused her into a wicked horde of malicious creatures with an eternal quench for the living.
My thoughts: This has been one of my favorite mazes at Scary Farm since it first debuted in 2019. It has a complete narrative guiding you along the way as Sarah Marshall is tried, put to death, and then rises to seek her revenge on those who betrayed her. Sarah is a great villain, and the maze features all kinds of technology to scare patrons - video clips, moving “pictures” in frames, harnesses, so actors can jump and “fly,” and lots of neon/glow-in-the-dark paint.
5. Pumpkin Eater
What Knott’s says: Survive the wrath of the murderous 7-foot tall creature that haunts the old woods surrounding The Hollow in the new maze, “Pumpkin Eater.” The notorious creature is on the prowl hidden within the dark confines of the haunted town he once terrorized.
To escape the sinister Pumpkin Eater’s wrath, all that enter must go on a quest through the silent town of victims, face a cave of crawling insects, and solve the labyrinth of thorns that blocks the way out.
My thoughts: This long-running Scary Farm maze is another favorite of mine. I just love the juxtaposition of whimsical decor, like Jack O’lanterns, with monstrous imagery, like dead bodies, and remnants of torture. “Pumpkin Eater” captures the feel of spooky season, with the horror of scary stories we often tell to celebrate.
6. Wax Works
What Knott’s says: Mysterious lights and strange noises have begun to emanate from the eerie abandoned wax museum. The once prominent plastic surgeon, Dr. Augustus Scratch, has been seen tinkering at night and is now ready to show off his beautiful yet terrifying life-like masterpieces of hot molten wax and bloody flesh.
It’s rumored that blood-curdling screams can be heard echoing through the halls of “Wax Works” as victims are horrifyingly submerged into a scorching hot cauldron of bubbling wax. Take a closer look at his gruesome works of art and try to escape his deadly grip or become the newest masterpiece to add to his collection.
My thoughts: I’ve loved this maze since it first debuted, because it feels like walking through the movie House of Wax. The set pieces are also just really well-made, and gorgeous (albeit horrifying). Checking out the mesmerizing scenery here is as exciting and entertaining as the scares.
7. The Depths
What Knott’s says: A heavy fog drapes over an abandoned port village where ancient creatures lurk inside the pitch-black underground caves hidden below the seaside shores. The Nightwatch Mining Crew has mysteriously disappeared and village rumors point to the eerie tunnels the town sits upon. Myths of the terrifying horrors that lurk within the cave have often been whispered but never confirmed.
Did the crew meet their demise at the hand of vicious creatures that live within the cave? Journey into the ominous caverns and follow the crew’s path into “The Depths,” discover if the superstition revolving around the cave is true or not. But be warned! All who have entered have never resurfaced.
My thoughts: I don’t care for the mining crew part of this maze’s story, but the creatures the miners come across in the caves below are just so well-done. From vicious mermaids to a giant Kraken monster, “The Depths” really creates a frightening “underwater” adventure.
8. Bloodline 1842
What Knott’s says: Armed with the latest Bellatorian weaponry, you can choose to heed the call to action and embark on a perilous journey with the immortal Daybreakers. Travel through the busy city streets of Valdonia while hunting the bloodthirsty Valhymphri in an all-out war. Bring light into the darkness, survive the vicious onslaught of vampires, and bring honor to your order!
My thoughts: If you were a fan of the since-retired maze “Special Ops: Infected,” then you will probably really enjoy this one. I personally find laser tag to be horribly stressful, which I understand in this case, is by design. However, it is just not my bag. The premise and interactive element are really cool though.
9. Dark Entities
What Knott’s says: Teleport beyond earth and into a realm where the darkness is absolute. In the depths of space, a lone station faces terror beyond all imagination. An extraterrestrial mutation has invaded the station, and it’s on the prowl for new hosts.
The unearthly inhabitants’ force increases as it feeds on its unwilling victims. Escape the dark entities before its deathly force eliminates all life forms aboard the station. There’s nowhere to escape when time is running out!
My thoughts: “Dark Entities” is great if you are interested in space at all, or just happen to find space-related things very scary. I’m not the biggest fan, not because this maze is poorly done, because it isn’t. However, I’m not interested in the topic, and it’s been around for quite a while now.
For your own adventure into the fog, check out Knott’s Scary Farm, select nights, now through October 31.
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