A haunted attraction that once drew capacity crowds of more than 1,000 people a night has come back from a two-year hiatus with an entirely new home on Lake Lanier. The Buford Trail of Terror has relocated to Margaritaville at Lanier Islands for its 2026 season, trading its old grounds for lakeside scenery that now shapes the scares themselves.
The attraction moved to Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands, where it now sits beside the lake. The resort address is 7650 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford, as confirmed by North Gwinnett Voice. The move comes after a two-year break for the haunt, which Forsyth County News reported was finally returning for a new season.
Matthew Miller, who created the haunted house nine years ago and also owns a nearby hair salon, told WSB-TV he enjoys bringing families together for the Halloween festivities. He said the human scare and element of surprise remain the scariest parts of the experience, and the Trail of Terror team takes pride in the hair and makeup work that goes into its actors.
New Lake Lanier Setting Brings New Monsters
The waterfront location has done more than change the parking lot. The setting helped inspire new concepts and creatures, like pirates, vikings, mermaids, sirens, and more, according to the Haunted Attraction Network. The new creatures reflect the lakeside setting.
North Gwinnett Voice described the attraction as combining haunted-house elements with an outdoor trail across 13 scenes. Explore Gwinnett says the haunt hires dozens of professional actors.
Tickets, Hours And A Saturday Night Costume Contest
Regular admission runs $34.99 for individuals and $24.99 per person for groups of 15 or more, according to Explore Gwinnett. Guests purchasing tickets online can avoid a separate $20 Lake Lanier Islands entry fee, since online purchases already include the resort gate fee; buying at the door instead adds that $20-per-vehicle charge, per the same Haunted Attraction Network report. The Trail is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday during Halloween week, and the broader season runs select nights through Saturday, Nov. 7.
Saturday nights bring extra programming. Fireworks are set for Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, and Oct. 31 is the only night guests may wear costumes into the attraction, with a prize awarded for the best one.
Opening Night And Safety Warnings
Reports differ on the exact night the relocated haunt first opened this season. North Gwinnett Voice reported the first night was set for Friday, Sept. 25, while the Haunted Attraction Network reported the attraction reopened at its new Lake Lanier home on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The attraction's own site cautions that the experience is intense. Guests with certain medical, physical or psychological conditions are advised against entering, according to the official Trail of Terror website. Those planning a longer visit can also book a two-night Halloween stay package through Camp Margaritaville that includes two Trail of Terror tickets, per Margaritaville Resorts.
