Haunt Report: The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

In Southern California’s vast array of seasonal attractions, the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is slowly becoming one of our favorite Halloween traditions. Now in their third year, the creators have stepped things up once again with this demented tractor ride that takes visitors on a twenty-minute onslaught through the darkest areas of Griffith Park.

As the ride slowly winds its way through the hills, you’re assaulted from both sides by child zombies, evil clowns, cannibal hillbillies and an alien zoo (including a living, breathing facehugger and a placenta-spewing pregnant woman).

Off to the side of the main attraction are a carnival, stage show and equally scary “In-Between Dark Maze,” which is exactly what the name suggests. We were ushered into the maze in groups of four and given a dimly-lit strobe lantern to help guide our way through the darkness. Creepy disembodied voices are pumped all around you via a sound system, and you never know when your strobe light will reveal a monster directly in front of your face.

If you live in the Los Angeles area, make this event part of your Halloween festivities. The LA Haunted Hayride (4730 Crystal Springs Avenue) is running now through the end of October; visit their official website for tickets and event info.