Are you ready to confront your deepest fears and embark on a terrifying journey through the heart of Minnesota's haunted landscape? The Dead End Hayride, a premier haunted attraction in Wyoming, Minnesota, offers an unparalleled horror experience designed to leave you breathless.
This isn't your average, run-of-the-mill Halloween spectacle. Created by the visionary Jeremy Hastings, The Dead End Hayride is the culmination of a year-long obsession with crafting the ultimate scare experience. Hastings, eschewing the conventional route of cuteness and familiar tropes, has meticulously designed a pure horror experience, a gauntlet of terror designed to push the boundaries of fear.
The attraction is located at 28186 Kettle River Blvd N, Wyoming, MN 55092, nestled just north of Forest Lake. Pinehaven Farm serves as the eerie backdrop for this annual event. The Dead End Hayride, which has established itself as one of Minnesota's most popular Halloween attractions, features a multifaceted approach to scaring, boasting a haunted hayride, a haunted house, and even a haunted corn maze, ensuring a comprehensive fright experience.
| Category | Details |
| Name of Attraction | The Dead End Hayride |
| Creator | Jeremy Hastings |
| Location | 28186 Kettle River Blvd N, Wyoming, MN 55092 (Pinehaven Farm), just north of Forest Lake, Minnesota |
| Type of Attractions | Haunted Hayride, Haunted House, Haunted Corn Maze, Dead End Patio |
| Target Audience | Adults and older children (recommended 13+) |
| Duration of Hayride | Approximately 20 minutes |
| Scare Factor | High, featuring zombies, monsters, creeps, and deranged encounters |
| Notable Features | Complex and spooky scenes, special effects, committed performers, wild west ghost town, massive fireball explosions |
| Safety Information | Fog and fire effects may irritate asthmatic symptoms. Children must be ten or older, recommend 13 and older. Admittance can be refused to anyone at any time for safety reasons. |
| Annual Tradition | 2nd annual trip highlighted, but many others have made it their annual tradition. |
| Social Media Presence | 82,566 likes on social media, active engagement. |
| Open Dates | Typically opens in September, closing around late October. Closing dates will vary based on the year. Closed on October 31st, 2024 due to dangerous road conditions. |
| Parking | Plentiful |
| Link | The Dead End Hayride Facebook Page |
The hayride itself is the centerpiece, a 20-minute descent into a world of meticulously crafted scares. Expect to be confronted by over 200 actors portraying zombies, monsters, creeps, and various other deranged figures. The journey is not merely a passive experience; guests are immersed in "cool scenes" enhanced with special effects, designed to heighten the sense of dread.
Beyond the hayride, guests are dropped off to explore dozens of unique sets and haunted scenes, each one a carefully constructed tableau of terror. In the early years, a notable set was a "little" scene, hinting at the evolution and expansion of the attraction's scope. The environments are enhanced with effects like fog and fire, which add to the realism and immersion, although visitors with asthma should be aware that these effects may cause irritation.
The Dead End Hayrides commitment to a pure horror experience is evident in its dedication to the details, with a staff who spend all year researching and perfecting each year's gauntlet of scares. The transformation of the landscape includes a journey through a dark woods, leading to a wild west ghost town. The effects are also designed to be dynamic, like the massive fireball explosion, providing a dose of heat and realism.
The Dead End Hayride is not only a thrilling experience but also a tradition. Many patrons have made it an annual event, a way to mark the arrival of the Halloween season. For some, like the couple who relocated from Florida to Minneapolis in early 2020, it became an established custom. The attraction provides a space to embrace fear and create lasting memories.
The appeal extends beyond the traditional haunts, incorporating a haunted house and a haunted corn maze for those seeking a full night of fear. And when the scares have been exhausted, the Dead End Patio offers a place to unwind.
Opening night, despite the crowds (a one-hour, fifteen-minute wait, as reported by one visitor), attracted people even when it was a warmer than usual September night. The attraction's popularity is a testament to its quality, with people traveling from far and wide.
However, like all outdoor attractions, The Dead End Hayride is subject to the whims of the weather. Safety is a priority, as demonstrated by the difficult decision to close on October 31st, 2024, due to dangerous road conditions, acknowledging the commitment to safety.
Planning a visit? Parking is plentiful, so theres no need to worry about transportation logistics. Be aware, however, that children must be ten or older to participate, and the recommendation is 13 and older. The staff reserves the right to refuse admittance to anyone at any time for the safety of staff and guests, making it an environment that balances thrills with security.
The Dead End Hayride offers Halloween fun and fright. It has rightfully earned the reputation as Minnesotas premier haunted hayride, with complex and spooky scenes brought to life by an ensemble of committed performers. The attraction is continually evolving, with new sets added each year.
As you prepare for your journey, be prepared for an immersive, high-octane experience. The Dead End Hayride is a commitment, a destination. The thrill ride promises not only fright but also a fun and memorable experience that stays with you.
For any further inquiries, whether comments, questions, or concerns, the Dead End Hayride team is available to assist. Get ready to experience Minnesota's most terrifying haunted attraction!
