It’s the season of spooky mazes, terror houses and haunted hayrides

It’s that time for thrills and chills, and when witches, vampires and zombies are out and about. Several scare zones in the Twin Cities and beyond have added varying levels of gore and ghoulishness in their spooktacular events to set off screams, shivers and laughter. While veterans Scream Town in Chaska and ValleyScare at Shakopee’s Valleyfair return to frighten unsuspecting customers, new places such as Dehns at Dark in Dayton and Twin Cities Fear Fest at the Mall of America are joining in as well this Halloween season.

No matter your level of bravery, there’s a haunt for you.

Tricks & Treats & ValleyScare: While the sun is up, the amusement park is filled with family-friendly treats, live shows, themed bites and rides. After sunset, however, the park turns into an eerie, bone-chilling place with scare zones and haunted mazes like “Cryptid Land” and “Blood on the Boundary Waters.” (Tricks & Treats: Noon-6 p.m. Sat.; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun., through Nov. 1. ValleyScare: 7 p.m.-midnight Fri.-Sat., through Nov. 1. $50 and up. One Valleyfair Dr., Shakopee. valleyfair.com)

Dehns at Dark: Beware, for this is “where darkness dwells.” As many as 50 creatures lurk and wait in unsuspecting spots to scare guests. So enter the Dehn Manor, its cursed shed and a twisted corn maze at your own peril. (7-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat., through Oct. 31. $27.99 and up. 17270 125th Av. N., Dayton, Minn. dehnsatdark.com)

The Abandoned Hayride: Hold onto your nerves as you roll through darkness filled with horrific vignettes and immersive illusions. Don’t expect the basic crazy clown on this hayride, but be prepared to encounter a blackness like no other, strange eerie sounds and something very wicked. (Hours vary. Oct. 3-Nov. 1, see website for schedule. $19-$115. 7410 Hwy. 212 E., Chaska. theabandonedhayride.com)

Anoka Haunted House: In operation for more than 30 years in the “Halloween Capital of the World,” the haunted house is run by the local Knights of Columbus. The creatures on the hunt for prey are local high school students, so yeah, it’s absolutely terrifying. (Hours vary. Oct. 10-25, see website for schedule. $12-$15. Anoka County Fair, 3200 St. Francis Blvd NW., Anoka. anokahauntedhouse.us)

The Haunting Experience: Terror awaits in dark corners and pathways in this haunted house. Then when you set out on the longest-running hayride in the state, be prepared for more frights as you travel by the haunted forest and the horrors of Wilhelm Steelworks. On select days, scaredy-cats can tour the haunted house, which will have its lights on, and monsters will be MIA during the Fall Fun Fest. (Hours vary. Oct. 3-Nov. 2, see website for schedule. $26-$56. 10900 E. Pt. Douglas Rd., Cottage Grove. hauntingexperience.com)

Scream Town: A sister event to the Abandoned Hayride and the Oak Blood Forest, it brags of being one of the top haunts in the state with seven haunted attractions. VIP pass holders get a bonus — the dreaded “Nightmares & Phobias,” where just about everything gives you the heebie-jeebies. (Times vary. Oct. 3-Nov. 1, see website for hours. $24-$90. 7410 Hwy. 212 E., Chaska. screamtown.com)

Twin Cities Fear Fest: This new haunted attraction at Mall of America is packed with special effects, scare actors and intricate sets to heighten the fear factor. Themed areas include “Deadwater Hollow,” where voices of dead sailors rise from the waters shrouded by fog, and “Sanctum of Shadows,” where guardians watch over secrets not meant for public view. (Hours vary through Nov. 2, see website for schedule. $29.99 and up. Mall of America, 60 E. Broadway, Bloomington. twincitiesfearfest.com)

The Dead End Hayride: If you are up for facing off against homicidal maniacs and the like, hop on this ride. And then walk through a towering cornfield and see if you can make it out unfazed and unscathed. (Hours vary through Nov. 2, see website for schedule. $27-$87. 28186 Kettle River Blvd. N., Wyoming, Minn. thedeadendhayride.com)

Duluth Haunted Ship: William A. Irvin was home to William Wuori, a sailor who died aboard the ship in 1964 after being scalded in the boiler room. Board the vessel to see what sinister beings wait to greet you. (Hours vary Oct. 3-31, see website for schedule. $21.85-$78.50. 301 Harbor Dr., Duluth. duluthhauntedship.com)

Haunted Hidden Hollows

The Haunted Farm: The scares are kept updated with a new lineup of freakish fun each year. Gutsy gals and guys can explore the haunted house, Madman Morgue, Dark Maze and other spaces. For some extra chills, they can walk through the dark woods where nefarious characters await your entry. (7-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Oct. 3-31. $25. 1947 130th Av. S., Moorhead, Minn. hauntedfarm.com)

The Mactabiliss Souls: This haunted attraction promises to leave you with nightmares well after the visit. It offers three levels of unwanted scary surprises. On Halloween night, the scene will be calmer for trick-or-treaters, who can roam around without running into props and with the lights on. (5-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Oct. 3-Nov. 1 & Oct. 30. $15-$30, ages 6 and under free. 570 Main Av. N., Harmony, Minn. themactabilissouls.org)

Monster Bash: Run by the nonprofit of the same name, this haunt is staffed entirely by volunteers who seek to support art in local communities. This year’s theme is “Where’s Alice?,” a dark and sordid riff on “Alice in Wonderland.” (7-10 p.m. Oct. 10-11, 24, 31-Nov. 1; 6-10 p.m. Oct. 17 & 25; 5-10 p.m. Oct. 18; 6-8 p.m. Oct. 26. $13-15. 150 1st St. NW., Harmony, Minn. monsterbashhauntedhouse.org)

Fright in the Field: Reach out to your best ghoul-friends for a fright night in the winery. As you make your way through the labyrinth of towering corn, be prepared to be pounced on by ghoulish denizens. And be mindful that escaping could be tricky. Held only for five nights during the Rolling Vineyards’ seasonal harvest activities, guests are encouraged to come in costume and scare the monsters right back. (6:30-10 p.m. Oct. 17-18, 24-25 & 31. $20. Rolling Forks Vineyards, 21505 Selnes Rd., Glenwood, Minn. rollingforksvineyards.com)

Hellwig Hollow: Some real horror awaits at this age 13-plus attraction, which also asks those 16 or younger to be accompanied by an adult. The horror nights/slasher weekend is Oct. 17-18. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., through Oct. 31. $20. 7283 U.S. 53, Canyon, Minn. hellwighollow.com)