Mayhem Haunted House Reviews

An excellent Haunted House that is long and well worth the admission. The fact that it's in an old county home makes it even more scary. I'm also glad that they change it up a little here and there each year. But, also keeping some of the favorites. I love the spinning tunnel it's my favorite. I wasn't going to go this year. I suppose because alot of Haunted Houses and trails I've been to in the past don't change much from year to year. Our first time ever going to Mayhem Haunted House was the 2024 season. I'm glad my younger daughter talked me in to going again this year. Looking forward to next year.

November 2025

Really good haunt. I greatly enjoyed going through it this year.

November 2025

Love this. Not only was it scary but it's even creepier since the building was a mental health hospital. They also had a variety of fear. I don't scare easily but I jumped. Prices are also very fair!

November 2025

We LOVED this haunted house! So many good rooms, dark halls/mazes, and characters!

November 2025

1st time going and we had an absolute blast!! So scary the group before us had to be escorted out while sobbing in fear. It was such a mind blowing experience. Such a terrific price for the life long memories I'll have. Seriously, wow. Y'all have out done yourselves. I know I'll be coming back every year in the future. Also loved the food/drink trucks, access to restrooms and even heaters.

November 2025

Overall Mayhem is a really great experience!! The system in place for waiting and lining up is very nice, streamlines it a lot. All the employees at the front are super friendly too!!
The actual haunt is very fun! All the actors are very in character and do great jobs :3 set design is also very good. There's a lot of variety in regards to settings.

Only downside is that there are some hallways and areas that are completely dark with turns you can't see or curtains blocking light from the end. There was a small step down in the dark and I did almost eat shit it was very embarrassing. I would suggest dim strip lights on the edges of the floor in those areas mayhaps? Or just anything to mark the walls and the way forward.
Other than that? 10/10 I had a lot of fun indeed. Also got a lot of compliments from the actors and staff teehee

November 2025

was really good all good actors and even funny with good jokes!!

November 2025

Best haunted house I've been to..realistic props.. excellent ghouls, ghosts and insane people ... we look forward to going every year

October 2025

I’m really glad they put it back to a mental hospital. But it is so black you have a hard time seeing anything. The actors were really good but there didn’t seem to be very many.

October 2025

Loved that you could check in with your phone number and have a seat while you waited for the txt it was your turn. They had food trucks to enjoy while you waited. Had a great time!

October 2025

Has everything from blood, guts, gore, and everyone's favorite; jump scares!

October 2025

Doesn’t touch you. Lines are very fast when you get up at the top. If ur not scared u wont get scared!

October 2025

They really up there game this year!!!

October 2025

Now I have only been to 2 haunted houses in my life, but this was absolutely the better of the two! The twists and turns had us not knowing which direction we were going or able to tell where the end of the beginning was. However it was impossible to go the wrong direction, but it didn't feel like it which added to the effect! The costumes were wonderfully scary and you could tell there was a lot of effort and attention put into them! The jump scares were on point, and came from directions you weren't expecting while they had your attention taken by other scenes which was incredible! I also thoroughly enjoyed that you started at the top and went down so it felt like you were descending into a deep dark basement! Highly recommended, and worth the money! For not being a huge space, it sure felt like was gigantic!

October 2025

Me and my family went through this weekend and had an amazing time! The wait time was a bit long and extreme but other than that it was good and scary and fun was had by all! We will definitely be back next year!

October 2025

Good

October 2025

Very good this year.. changed some areas for this year which made it more suspenseful. Wonderful job to all involved! Lots of jump scares.

October 2025

This was my very first haunted house experience and I’ve gone to this haunted house every year for the past four years. It doesn’t ever fail to make me scream no matter how many times I go!

October 2025

Crazy scary….

October 2025

As a group of teenage girls we had a blast! It was definitely a scary one. The actors did an amazing job. I was also surprised by the length of it, it took us about 30min.

October 2025

We loved the insane asylum that you guys created this year. We really liked the way you set up the entrance with food stands, picnic tables and bathrooms inside a machine shed! The performers did a wonderful job scaring us! It’s a must visit every year!

October 2025

Well worth it. Good scare and lots of fun. If you haven’t been to it you for sure have to go

November 2024

It wasn't bad but some of the members of the haunted house where just standing there and I had to wait 3 hours to git in but the overall review is good

October 2024

It was very fun and also very scary too go through. When I was crying and feeling unwell some broke character to ask if I was okay, and then went back to character which I found very nice. And only 15 dollars for that is also a plus. 5 stars I recommend.

October 2024

Was pretty scary but was also sooo fun! The wait was definitely worth it!

October 2024

It’s an awesome haunt! The actors put awesome work and energy into their characters! It’s the best one I have been to!

October 2024

Well worth the money and wait!! Loved it

October 2024

it was super fun, good scare and good costumes

October 2024

Super fun to go through and see everyone

October 2024

I felt like this was the best one yet...the new process was awesome...it was nice to sit down...eat...hang out...made the wait time go by faster...and loved the circus theme this year....the characters are awesome and know when to take it easy on a younger child for her 1st time....

October 2024

This Is way better than the pitch black , no lights , trashers house of disappointment in my opinion. hands down mayhem beats them out

November 2023

This is 110% the best haunted house in Iowa. The clown that flips his hair is the scariest

November 2023

Supper fun… glad I got to go! I liked the story at the beginning

November 2023

The actors are great and the haunted house itself is amazing they changed it up this year and it was great.

October 2023

Had a great time going through Mayhem... So much work goes into this and it shows.. Very detailed scenes and makeup. Lots of visual effects that mess with your mind and senses...

October 2023

Loved it very scary wife loved will do it again next year

October 2023

It was so much fun

October 2023

The waiting line is pretty long, but worth it.

October 2023

You guys are awesome!!

October 2023

You guys are awesome!!! Thanks for the birthday party inside the haunt!! Way to make my day complete!!!

October 2023

Awesome crew! Very scary and fun would definitely go again I’m glad they use money from the community and puts it into their 4H program

October 2023

We loved it! So much fun!

October 2023

Great haunted house! Lots of jump scares throughout! Actors did a great job! Look forward to this every year!

October 2023

Extremely scary very fun best I have gone to

October 2023

It's the funnest haunted house I have ever been too in my life. I enjoyed it. I thank you for making October fun.

October 2023

First time taking my 10 yr old to a haunted house! Awesome experience for our whole family.

October 2023

Money goes for a great cause! All the volunteers have worked their butts off to make this happen year after year!

October 2023

Best haunted house I have ever been too!

October 2023

This Haunted House is one for the books! From design to the scare factor, it was great. All the way through. We had such a great time! We visited in 2021 and they've added so much just since then! Definitely check it out!

October 2023

Very awesome!

October 2023

The actors were amazing. I have never enjoyed a haunted house as much as I enjoyed Mayhem. It was very interactive, it was exciting, scary and just brilliant. Well done!

October 2023

One of the best hunted house I been to will be coming back again. This is my 3rd year going

October 2023

Fourth year coming to this haunted house and it's never the same. They constantly change the theme and sets.
I was hoarse the next day from screaming, it was a fun evening.

October 2023

Super scary!

October 2023

I've been visiting haunted houses for 15 years and this was one of the best I've seen!

October 2023

Took the grands and they had a great time

October 2023

There was a very wide variety of spooks, and we had a blast!! Would definitely recommend coming here.

October 2023

I felt like I was in a actual haunted mansion

October 2023

Group of 7 had a fun time good actors

October 2023

Very scary. Keeps getting better every year.

October 2023

It was so fun and I never knew what was going to happen next. There was something new around each corner. It’s well worth the money. There was a bit of a wait, but the haunted house isn’t short either, so it made up for it. Definitely plan to go again next year!

October 2023

We had to wait to get in but Mayhem is definitely the wait! They periodically have actors come out to where we were waiting in line. This gave you an expectation of what you are going to experience inside. There’s something new and different around each corner and when you think there’s nothing there to scare you BOOM an actor scares the crap out of you. When you think the haunt is over you end up in another scare. Fantastic job Mayhem and look forward to next year!

October 2023

I would have to say that this was the best haunted house I’ve ever been too. You can tell that they put so much effort into it and it really paid off. The wait was a little long but they had refreshments and a movie playing so you didn’t get bored. They also had scare actors come in and scare us to get us ready for the haunted house. And for the wait it really didn’t matter because the price was very cheap and the haunted house was actually a lot longer than I expected. Just really an amazing cause and just a really good time all around. I hope the scare actors and people who put this haunted house on are very proud of themselves because they should be!

October 2023

This year they outplayed themselves. My girlfriend actually got scared.

October 2023

AMAZING FOR 12+!!! very fun and very scary. adrenaline is pumpingggg 10/10

October 2023

One of the best haunted houses I have been to. Lots of detail into their haunt. Will definitely go back next year.

October 2023

Had a great time took my 5 yr old with older sisters and the works would go out of their way to make sure my 5yr old had a great time with out getting to scared but still scared which I really appreciated great job, mayhem team..

October 2023

I really liked the actors/volunteers and it was overhaul pretty fun.

October 2023

It's by far the best haunted house of all time definitely scary.

October 2023

Best haunted house I've ever been too scary enough to make me want to keep going

October 2023

it gets better every year, all of the actors are amazing. it is terrifying yet so fun. that long line is so worth it

October 2023

Extremely fun local haunt! Great maze and excellent scare actors! Some great engineering and endless volunteer hours to build it and keep it fresh from year to year! Absolutely worth the trip!! Benefits the local 4H as well, as a bonus! As a haunt addict who spends every fall hitting up many mazes (over 50 last fall alone), I'm proud this one is in my home town!!

February 2023

I took my son and his friend on Halloween weekend, my son loves haunted houses and so I figured this would be a great birthday present! We had an amazing time! I've never really been to a haunted house but we definitely will be returning next year! My son said it was prolly the best one he has ever been to! I can't wait til next year it was such a good time! The volunteers were absolutely amazing! No one broke character and all of their costumes and makeup were out of this world!! Great job guys keep up the amazing work!!

November 2022

So much fun! Scary and intriguing! The ideas and characters were top notch. LOVED the costumes.I’m not easy to scare by any means but my group is! And watching my mother in law be chased screaming by a chainsaw man was unforgettably funny. (My mother in law is awesome, it’s all in fun.) I hadn’t been to a haunt in years. You made my wait well worth it!!!

November 2022

I went through the haunt 4 times this year!! Each time it got better and better!! I know the creators have put many tireless hours in building this each year. The amount of actors that it takes to pull of this haunt is unbelievable. Adding the outside building was a well worth the money that they added to the price. The people working the front part the building before you get into the haunt are so nice and friendly and the fact that they totally give up their weekends is remarkable!! Top notch Haunt all the way around!!

October 2022

First haunted house of the year! My niece even came back a second time.
Hands down the Best

October 2022

Loved this haunted house! Never disappoints! Great volunteers.

October 2022

This haunt is my favorite and is as good as most haunted houses in Des Moines for $20+ less. 100% worth the money. The actors do a great job and make this haunted house what it is. You all did a wonderful job! See you next year!

October 2022

It was fun to scare with all the amazing scare actors.

October 2022

I wasn’t going to go through this year, but got talked into it again… scares me almost to death every year. But I go with a fun group and strong protectors so it makes it better! Money supports Wapello County 4-H so it is totally worth it!!

October 2022

I went to several haunts in Des Moines including slaughterhouse, and this haunt beats them all!

October 2022

So much fun, it is well worth the money you pay. The do a great job of scaring you.

October 2022

We went to multiple haunted houses this year and I'd have to say hands down Mayhem was the best.

October 2022

Awesome was there twice never disappointed

October 2022

The intricate designs, paired with the energy filled actors made this haunted house experience one to remember. Just when you think you have it figured out, there's another victim of the explosion around the corner. Actors identifying the easier to scare customers is definitely key in providing the best scares. The actors stayed in character regardless of what you try to say to them. One girl just yelled at me to GOOOOO!!!! I already can't wait to do it again next year. Cheers to any and all involved in coordination and running of the Mayhem haunted house. And thank you for making Ottumwa recognized as #1!

October 2022

I’m 38 never been to a haunted house. This wasn’t so bad it was actually fun.

October 2022

The best place!

October 2022

From laughing at my parents being scared! Loved the themes and you all do well with the jump factor! There were people coming out of the ENTRANCE crying, so definitely scary! Don’t want to give anything away by saying my favorite parts but the lighting elements were all done really well. Awesome job to all involved. My cousin actually peed her pants when we went the prior year and this year it was more scary! We go every year and it gets better and better. Also love that the money goes back to 4H, so price of admission is a good value.

October 2022

We go yearly, every year it gets better and better!

October 2022

They are very scary running out at me .

October 2022

AMAZING. I screamed so many times and the outside is awesome as well. The chainsaws scared me a lot and the new front of the haunt is cool. Keep doing awesome #1 haunt in iowa

October 2022

Scariest haunt in iowa. The actors are so good, and scary that we may have had to use the Porta potty outside afterwards. Way to go mayhem haunted house 2022 , look forward to going next year

October 2022

Scary and entertaining! Great scream for the buck!

October 2022

It was so cool all the detail put into it must have taken forever it was so much fun to go to I loved it

October 2022

Love it!!!!

October 2022

This haunt has been a favorite for my friends and I. We travel around Iowa to go through haunts and this is the best this year by far! If you get the chance to, GO! You will not regret it.. unless you get to scared!

October 2022

These put on such a great scare every year!! Plus all the proceeds go to the 4-H!

October 2022

Fourth year of going to this Haunt. Every year they add more...more rooms...more effects...more scary players. 25 -30in haunt. Well worth a drive to Ottumwa. Best I've been to .

October 2022

It’s more kid friendly now than previous years, so it’s not as scary anymore. However it’s still a very fun place. It’s my favorite haunted house to go to and I make sure to go every year.

October 2022

Lost my phone. Got lost in the maze with my mom. 😅

October 2022

I’ve been to many in southern Iowa and Des Moines and this is by far the best! Always so much interaction with live actors. So much detail goes into this. And you feel like you’re in it for a long time! So many rooms and even when you get back outside, there’s more! Worth the drive every year!

October 2022

Great effects in the haunted house but would like to see the price go back down to 10/person

October 2022

Love it!

October 2022

Very scary great for everyone!

October 2022

Very scary haunted house! Kids loved it!

October 2022

Great haunted house. Planned very well will be planning on going every year.

October 2022

This is a great haunt with lots of scares and lots of detail! We were not disappointed!! They have even added a huge outdoor area!

October 2022

This haunted house is sure to give you the scare you want. Volunteers are very friendly and scary. Amazing!!!

September 2022

Very scary!! I used to work in a local haunted house so I can usually see and know what'a gonna happen before it does. Not this one!! Not sure I ever stopped screaming!!

November 2021

It was my first ever haunted house and scared me to death

October 2021

So much fun! If I lived up here I would volunteer!

October 2021

👍

October 2021

Drove 6 hours to experience this and it was well worth it. Scary, creepy,, and intense.. This haunt is perfectly designed and has a huge variety of experiences.. The staff and volunteers are the best that we have seen. We will definitely be back!

October 2021

Drove 6 hours to experience this and it was well worth it. Scary, creepy,, and intense.. This haunt is perfectly designed and has a huge variety of experiences.. The staff and volunteers are the best that we have seen. We will definitely be back!

October 2021

It's amazing what can I say😌 Everyone was so nice but ugly and rude in just the right way to😆

October 2021

lots of effort went in. rooms connect well and didn’t feel repeated. it kept you in the scared mindset all the way to the end. puts you in groups which turns out super fun. nice people working at the ticket area and helping us before we go in. absolutely loved it :)

October 2021

It was fun and a lot of scares

October 2021

I went with 2 who never been to a haunted house before. The screams of Terror from them will be in my memories forever. Towards the end my wife had a panic attack so severe they were going to call the medic. There were adults, kids running to get out. Oh I would love to work at this place!

October 2021

Best haunted houss

October 2021

Great fun. Had 14 in our group, by far the best.

October 2021

Our family and a good friend decided to go out on the last night and I’m definitely glad we went. This was my first time and it was amazing. All the work put into building everything and setting up all the props definitely took some time. I think everything in it looked so good and the volunteers that were in it did an amazing job. They all made it a great experience. I will definitely be going back with the family next year. I definitely recommend it to anyone that hasn’t been there.

October 2021

I takes a decent amount to scare me and I was doing well until the end as you progressed it got better and better

October 2021

We absolutely love coming to mayhem yearly!!!! It’s always a blast!!!! New stuff every year and always scarier than the last year!!!!!!

October 2021

The sponsors had told us it would be fun but I thought it was gonna be kind of boring until literally the first scare. I am one of those people that get scared very easily so I was terrified and shaking and hyperventilating once it was over but it was still fun and a great experience. Definitely the best haunted house I have been to

October 2021

So much time, thought, and effort put into this haunted house. This was the best one I’ve ever been to. So much fun and a scare in every room!

October 2021

Absolutely amazing! Must go! Will not leave disappointed!!

October 2021

all of the scares and visual effects were amazing. there was a really amazing tunnel at the end that really made you feel like you were spinning (even though you werent even moving). the makeup and masks were amazing also. at the end you think its over but its really not. there were many many times where i thought the people were mannequins but then they jump out and scare you. theyre all VERY good at their jobs and this is the best haunted house ive been to

October 2021

Loved the rooms and effects! Tons of scares! Me and my two kids actually had a very obnoxious group of teens behind is that kind of ruined a portion of the walk. We let them pass us and a worker actually hung out with us in one of the rooms for a bit until they got farther ahead of us. That was really appreciated because we got the FULL effect after that. Another person we didn't even see in the room still gave a really good scare before we went on. Once you think it's over... It's not over! Highly recommend!!

October 2021

Incredible haunted house (used to be a mental hospital supposedly) great scares, great actors, each room you have no idea whats real and whats a prop. Well worth the wait!

October 2021

Awesome?

October 2021

I was scare debut I kinda also laughed when I made some 1 choke lol 10000000000000/10

October 2021

Very well thought out and planned. One of the best haunted houses for the price. I go every year and there is always different scares. Plus all proceeds go directly back into the community 4H group. See ya next year

October 2021

This is a very well done, very detailed haunt. Line is indoors which is a big plus!

October 2021

Had a blast at this haunted house .had many spooks and scares behind ever twist and turn throughout the way . very well set up and so creative in rooms and their scares.and seemed like the rooms you go through was never going to end .would recommend this haunted house to anyone whose looking for a fun thrilling night out .

October 2021

We had a blast. Lots of jump scares. Great $10 price to 4H charity.

October 2021

This is a must go to this haunted house very gooooooddds performance very impressed

October 2021

Absolutely worth the wait. Lots of scares and screams!

October 2021

Don’t waste your money on any other haunted house. This is the place to go. If you don’t think haunted houses are scary.. think again. You’ll be scared and you won’t be disappointed and it’s only $10 a person!

October 2021

Great! I want to go again. I've never laughed so much. Alot of detail and wonderful actors!

October 2021

It was a great experience with all my family! We really enjoyed the scary clowns and zombies! Favorite part about it was the spinning tunnel at the end!

October 2021

This is our family's second year going to Mayhem Haunted House. I enjoyed the friendly environment while we waited in line and got our tickets. And the inside was absolutely TERRORIFIC (see what I did there ;) ) not only was it horrifying when I parked but when I got in the amount of creativity and SCARIFYING (last one I promise lol) skills these volunteers had I wanted to go back but was too scared too and out of breath. Just WOW, I can't wait to see what they have in store for next year!! Halloween is not long enough!

October 2021

Best haunted house we've been to this year. Was definitely worth the money. The actors interact with you alot and it was really scary!

October 2021

I loved the haunted house so much! It was the most scariest and fun event I have gone in a long time. There were so may amazing things added that made the experience so fun and scary! I hope to go again and see all the many great things added next!

October 2021

It was so fun and scary! My favorite part was when the girl chased you with the chainsaw

October 2021

There's a reason this was voted number 1 last year! Way worth the $10.

October 2021

Long and scary especially for $10, one of the best I have seen.

October 2021

Very fun highly recommend

October 2021

The haunted house was very thought out and well planned. You never know what is coming up next. So many things to go through keeps your heart racing!

October 2021

This haunt will blow your mind , I don't care what other people say ITS NUMBER ONE IN MY BOOK . They spend so much time on this haunt it's crazy and the actors are so dedicated, the end with the stilts and the guy in bibs are what got me the most of all

October 2021

Worth the wait

October 2021

My kids 1st haunted house ever! It was so great for them we had a blast!

October 2021

There was so much time and effort put into this event! I usually am very hard to scare but there were some surprises that I definitely didn't expect. It was a great time and definitely worth the $10 admission

October 2021

Halloween is my favorite holiday. So naturally we have went to many haunted houses. This has been my favorite for several years. The detail they put into decorations,props, and makeup is extraordinary. The haunt itself is one of the longer ones I’ve been to in several years. You wait inside only with access to bathrooms. The money goes back to the 4H in Wapello county so that makes it all the better. I wish I could do a walk through at the end of the season just to admire the pure art they put into each and every room. Each year they come up with something new and they never fail to impress me. It’s the one haunted house I would not miss this year. I went through 38 weeks pregnant!

October 2021

Every room had great detail and you never knew what was real or prop. Actors were great!

October 2021

Awesome decoration, great people, well laid out & money goes to a great cause.

October 2021

My legs were shaking the entire time and I WILL NOT SLEEP TONIGHT. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

October 2021

It was a great scare and look forward to going every year

October 2021

So scary! Rooms were great and there was a scare around every corner.

October 2021

Year after year Mayhem has brought the scare and change it up everytime. I was not disappointed at all again this year as my group had a great time the wait was worth it, plus who can complain when you wait inside.

October 2021

Was looking forward to this haunted house & it met all my expectations! The first thing that made me scream & pee my pants was the blow gun that puffed air on me! Then the physco room with bridge & moving walls definitely got me sick & dizzy! Great scares & bad words were said! Can't wait til next year! Here's an idea for the photo before you go in.... have someone scares them then take that picture! Would be priceless!

October 2021

This is an amazing haunt! It’s in an old county home/mental institute and so you never know what is lurking in front, behind or beside you. It takes about a half hour to go through! You have different rooms, hallways and more to travel through. Don’t want to giveaway what’s waiting for you inside and out! If you don’t get scared at least once they aren’t doing their job.

October 2021

This was a top notch haunted house. It was just the right length and make me, a 31 year old about piss her pants! Loved it!

October 2021

This was awesome. We loved it.

October 2021

This was the best haunted house I’ve ever been to. It was very scary. The trippy tunnel at the end was a perfect way to end it. They had so much detail in every room and some terrifying costumes/makeup. I had so much fun that I’m planning on going back again next weekend.

October 2021