Halloween season in Central Florida is getting another dose of original horror as A Petrified Forest returns for its 19th season with an all-new event theme, Chaos Reigns.
The independently owned Altamonte Springs scream park will feature three new original scare trails, an interactive escape ride, an immersive horror experience, roaming scareactors, entertainment, and the return of several special event nights.
A Petrified Forest opens October 2, 2026, and runs select nights through October 31.
Chaos Reigns at A Petrified Forest
Rather than relying on familiar horror franchises, A Petrified Forest continues its tradition of developing its own characters, stories, and environments.
For 2026, Chaos Reigns connects three dramatically different scare trails under a season built around crumbling society, distorted reality, and the increasingly questionable odds of survival.
The Craving
In The Craving, guests venture into a dark interpretation of cannibalistic cultures throughout history.
Unfortunately, you aren’t just there to observe.
As you move deeper into the trail, avoiding becoming part of the food chain may prove increasingly difficult.
Last Responders
A catastrophic comet strike has devastated a city in Last Responders.
With civilization collapsing around them, survivors attempt to maintain some semblance of order. Making matters worse, a mysterious frequency begins transforming citizens into something increasingly dangerous.
Apparently surviving the comet was only step one.
Drawn to Death
This one may permanently ruin Saturday morning cartoons.
Drawn to Death begins in a colorful cartoon world before everything goes very, very wrong.
Familiar-looking animated characters escape the screen as the cheerful Technicolor setting transforms into a demented nightmare spilling into reality.
Dark Road Riders: The Keeper’s Offering
A Petrified Forest is also expanding beyond its traditional scare trails in 2026.
Dark Road Riders: The Keeper’s Offering combines elements of a haunted attraction, live-action ride, escape room, and interactive game.
Guests will make choices during the experience, and those decisions can change how their journey unfolds.
Dark Road Riders will have limited availability and is not included with standard admission. Day-of tickets will be available for purchase on site.
Psychosis
Guests looking for something considerably more intense can take on Psychosis.
The immersive horror experience places small groups inside an enclosed environment before sending them through a pitch-black maze.
During the experience, participants may be touched or separated from their group.
A signed waiver is required, and A Petrified Forest does not recommend Psychosis for guests under 13.
Psychosis will have limited availability and requires a separate ticket purchased on site.
More Than Haunted Trails
The scares aren’t limited to the five featured horror experiences.
Throughout the event, A Petrified Forest will also offer:
- Backstage tours
- Laser tag
- Roaming scareactors
- Live DJs
- Local artists
- Food vendors
Backstage tours and laser tag are among the activities available for an additional charge.
Special Event Nights Return for 2026
Several A Petrified Forest traditions are also returning during the 2026 season.
Kid’s Day – October 10
9 a.m. – Noon
Kid’s Day is A Petrified Forest’s annual charity event benefiting Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida.
The daytime event includes games, activities, and trick-or-treating through a kid-friendly portion of one of the trails.
Dark Road Riders and Psychosis will not operate during Kid’s Day.
Blood Moon – October 11
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Guests with a Bite Mark Pass can make unlimited trips through the scare trails until 10 p.m. during Blood Moon.
Accessibility Night – October 14
7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Accessibility Night features modified lighting, sound, and effects for guests who may benefit from additional accommodations while experiencing the event.
Total Eclipse Nights – October 21 & 28
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Think the trails aren’t scary enough already?
During Total Eclipse Nights, guests navigate the scare trails in near-total darkness with only a glow stick to help guide the way.
Good luck with that.
A Petrified Forest 2026 Tickets
A Petrified Forest’s 2026 season begins October 2 and continues on select nights through October 31.
General admission starts at under $40 per person and includes admission to all three primary scare trails:
- The Craving
- Last Responders
- Drawn to Death
Tickets go on sale September 1, 2026, at APetrifiedForest.com.
Dark Road Riders: The Keeper’s Offering, Psychosis, backstage tours, and laser tag require separate purchases and are subject to availability.
About A Petrified Forest
Located in Altamonte Springs, Florida, A Petrified Forest has been creating original immersive Halloween entertainment in Central Florida since 2007.
What started as a neighborhood haunt has grown into a full scream park featuring multiple scare trails, interactive attractions, live entertainment, vendors, and special events while remaining independently owned.
With three completely new scare trails and experiences like Dark Road Riders and Psychosis pushing the event beyond the traditional haunted-house format, Chaos Reigns looks like another reason Central Florida Halloween fans may want to make the trip north of Orlando this October.
A Petrified Forest is located at 1360 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701.
For operating dates, tickets, attraction information, and additional details, visit APetrifiedForest.com.
So until the next blog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.
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