San Diego's scare season kicks off later this month when the Haunted Trail of Balboa Park reopens at Marston Point, promising a mile-long walk through gnarled oaks and a 3,500-square-foot maze. The attraction is scheduled to run from September 25 through November 1, according to the event listing.
The trail sits at Balboa Drive and Juniper Road inside Balboa Park, per the hauntedtrail.net schedule page, and it winds through what balboapark.org describes as the gnarled oaks of historic Marston Point. Admission covers two attractions rolled into one ticket: the mile-long outdoor Haunted Trail and the enclosed eXperiment Maze, which balboapark.org lists at 3,500 square feet. Admission is offered in timed general admission, Fast Pass and VIP tiers.
What's Lurking on the Trail and in the Maze
Inside the eXperiment Maze, visitors can encounter the Vortex. Out on the trail itself, the attraction offers its outdoor Haunted Trail. The attraction's two-part format combines the trail and maze.
The Haunted Trail is returning to Marston Point in 2026, according to hauntedattractionnetwork.com. The attraction's two-part format combines the outdoor trail and eXperiment Maze. Operator hauntedtrail.net says the 2026 season is also introducing a new VIP Blood Red Carpet experience, letting guests get, in the operator's words, “scared like a star.”
Hours, Tickets and a Scheduling Conflict
Published sources disagree on exactly when the gates are open. KPBS lists nightly hours of 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., while balboapark.org lists the event dates. It's also unclear from available listings whether the event runs every night of its run or only on select dates, so attendees should check the 2026 hours of operation before heading out, per KPBS.
Fast Pass holders get a one-hour arrival window and access to an express line, according to hauntedtrail.net. That same operator notice states tickets are valid for entry any night the haunt is open, apart from listed blackout dates, and warns that the outdoor attraction may close if it rains.
Safety Warnings and Entry Restrictions
Because the trail relies on high-impact scares and strobe lighting, hauntedtrail.net warns the experience may not be suitable for people with heart conditions or those prone to seizures. The operator also says the attraction is not recommended for children under 10 and does not allow pregnant women, infants or children being carried to enter. Per the operator's published notice on its schedule page, all patrons enter at their own risk, with owners and sponsors stating they are not responsible or liable for harm incurred on the premises — a operator-issued disclaimer rather than an independent legal ruling.
How It Stacks Up Against San Diego's Other Big Haunt
The Haunted Trail's two-haunt format consists of the maze and the outdoor trail.
The attraction has also drawn attention beyond ticket prices. The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park has been discussed in connection with that broader interest. With opening night approaching, organizers and outside listings alike are urging fans to double-check dates and hours before making the trip, since schedules for the season remain subject to change without notice.
