Screams in the Dark: A Halloween Tradition

The night is dark. The scares are waiting. Are you ready to be scared?

It was a cool, calm night when we took M-66 and headed toward Screams in the Dark in Kalkaska, Michigan. As you travel along M-66, you eventually come across a huge field filled with cars. Staff members help direct you where to go, and as you make your way toward the attraction, you can feel the anticipation building.

You know you're there for one reason:

To see if you can enjoy the scares of the night.

Before you head out, make sure you purchase your tickets online: Screams in the Dark 2026 Tickets: Screams in the Dark Tickets

Three Haunts. Three Experiences. One Goal: Make a spooky memory.

Screams in the Dark isn't just about walking through a dark area and waiting for something to jump out at you.

It's an experience.

The attraction features three separate haunted areas, each with its own atmosphere and scares. Together, they create a haunt experience that takes approximately 25 minutes, depending on how quickly you make your way through. 

Your journey begins at Blackwood Manor.

Step inside and leave the ordinary world behind. The manor creates an atmosphere where you never quite know what is around the next corner or how close something might be.

The darkness becomes part of the experience as you make your way through. Will you keep your composure? Or will Blackwood Manor be where your story begins to fall apart?

Then, there's Trail of the Lost.

The name alone should probably make you wonder what you're getting yourself into.

As you make your way through the trail, you're not simply walking from one point to another. You're trying to figure out where you're going while staying alert to whatever might be waiting along the way. The darkness, the surroundings, and the unexpected moments all work together to keep you guessing. And remember if you hear something behind you, you might want to think twice before turning around.

Finally, there's Pandemonium.

And if the name is any indication, you can expect things to get a little chaotic.Pandemonium brings another experience to the night, giving visitors one more opportunity to test their courage before making it out of the main haunt. By the time you've made your way through all three attractions, you may have screamed, jumped, laughed, grabbed onto the person next to you or wondered why you agreed to come in the first place.

But you survived.

At least, that's the goal.

 What Happens Behind the Screams?

One of the most interesting parts of Screams in the Dark is realizing just how many people it takes to create the experience visitors see.

For the 2026 season, approximately 60–65 paid staff members help operate the event, with around 50 of those employees serving as scare actors. That's a lot of people dedicated to making sure you're scared.

The actors are an important part of what transforms the attractions from buildings and trails into an experience. They become the characters, create the tension, watch for the opportunity to catch you off guard, and help make every trip through the haunt different.

You might know what's coming.

You might think you know what's coming.

But the actors are waiting for you to walk right into their scene.

That's where the magic and the screaming happens.

Once you've made it through or if you're building up your courage before going in the Midway gives you another part of the Screams in the Dark experience.

The Midway offers games, experiences and food trucks, giving visitors a chance to take a break, grab something to eat and spend time with their group. Maybe someone needs to catch their breath. Maybe someone wants something to eat. Or maybe you just want to hang around and enjoy the scenery or take some pictures.

You can make an entire evening out of the experience.Come for the haunt, Make some memories along the way.

Nearly 10,000 Guests and Growing

Screams in the Dark has already developed a strong following. Approximately 9,800 guests attended last year's event, showing just how much interest there is in having a large Halloween attraction in the Kalkaska area.

For many people, it isn't simply a one-time Halloween activity, it’s becoming a tradition. Friends come back together. Families return. Groups of thrill-seekers make plans to see whether they can handle the scares again. And every year brings another opportunity to create a new story.

What Goes Into Creating the Experience?

A large Halloween attraction doesn't happen by accident. Behind every scream is a team of people working to make the night happen. There are actors getting into character, staff members helping guests, people working the attractions and Midway, and people managing crowds, food, games and all the other details visitors may not even think about. 

And then there is something nobody can control: Northern Michigan weather. Screams in the Dark attractions are outdoors, weather can have a major impact on the event. Anyone who has spent time in Northern Michigan knows that the weather can change quickly. The scares stil continue with the weather changes so be prepared with your rain coat.

Staffing is another major undertaking. With approximately 60–65 paid staff members and around 50 scare actors, coordinating everyone takes planning and teamwork. Running an event of this size isn't always easy. But when you see thousands of people coming through the gates, laughing, screaming and telling stories about their experience, you can understand why the work is worth it. More than Just a Haunted Attraction

At its heart, Screams in the Dark is about more than being scared. It's about creating memories.

It's about the friend who screamed first.

The person who insisted they weren't scared and then jumped at everything.

The person who wanted to turn around halfway through.

The group that laughed the entire way through.

And the stories everyone tells afterward.

That's what makes a Halloween attraction memorable.

You don't necessarily remember every detail of what you saw.

You remember how you felt.

You remember who you were with.

And you remember the moment when everyone screamed at the same time.

A Halloween Tradition in Kalkaska

With thousands of visitors making their way through Screams in the Dark, the attraction has become part of the Halloween season in the Kalkaska area.

Whether you're a serious horror fan, a thrill-seeker, someone looking for a fun night with friends, or simply curious to see what all the screaming is about, and it’s an experience worth checking out.

And don't forget to give yourself time to enjoy the entire event.

Explore the Midway.

Grab some food.

Play a game.

Plan Your Night

If you're heading to Screams in the Dark, plan ahead. Buy your tickets online before you go: Tickets

Bring your friends.

Bring your sense of humor.

And maybe bring someone you can hold onto when things get scary.

Because once you enter the darkness, there's only one question left: Are You Ready to make some fun spooky memories?

The fun begins when you walk through the Gate.

The actors are waiting.

Blackwood Manor is waiting.

The Trail of the Lost is waiting.

Pandemonium is waiting.

And somewhere in the darkness, something is waiting for you.

Leave with a story.

Screams in the Dark is owned by Joe Ritchie. It is an independent Halloween attraction in the Kalkaska 

The Kalkaska DDA  appreciates being invited to the first scare of the 2026 season and enjoyed the experience.