Haunted Forest - Smolan, Kansas (Blogtober #17)
I'm going to be 100% honest here...it wasn't until a few days ago that I had learned
about this haunted forest in the tiny town of Smolan, Kansas, but man did
I wish I had known about it sooner.
.
.
Location: Salemsborg Lutheran Church, 3831 W Salemsborg Rd, Smolan, KS 67456
CASH ONLY AND NO VENMO
.
.
.
On a lovely spooky season Friday night myself and four of my
friends (Mike, Alex, Rhett, and Chance) pulled up to the Salemsborg Luthern Church
in Smolan, Kansas ready to be scared. We managed to find ourselves a spot in the overflowing parking lot, walked up to the
entrance, past the real life sheriff on duty, and then joined the lonnnnnng serpentining line inside the gates.
.
.
We stood in line for probably about 30 minutes watching as costumed characters, such as
Michael Myers, walked around trying to either scare those standing in line or obliged the
horror fans by taking pictures with them. Eventually we made it up to the ticket counter,
feeling a little like cows in a chute, paid our $10 entrance fee and
then it was finally our turn to enter into the haunted forest.
.
.
Again, I am going to be honest here…there were two things I wasn't expecting. Firstly, it was
actually scary. I mean sure all the signs with the rules of the forest claimed that to be the case, but at the
same time I knew it was being put on by a church so that lowered my actual scare expectations.
That was 100% my mistake because I lost count of how many times I
jumped like a scared little girl and there was even a part where I legit just
said "see ya" to my group and took OFF. lol Even the guys in our
group were jumped scared pretty bad a time or two!
.
Secondly, I was surprised by how big it was. I thought it was simply going to be a casual
and quick 10 minute stroll down a path in the woods with people jumping out from behind
trees every now and then, but it was FAR from that. They had actual
buildings, optical illusions, things that shook and rattled underneath your feet, and other attractions
for you to walk through. It honestly felt like I was back at The
Beast in Kansas City and I'd say we were in the haunted forest itself for at
least 30 minutes if not longer. It just kept going and going which I definitely was not mad
about. They did such a great job I would have loved to have been in there even longer to be honest.
.
With hearts racing and adrenaline running high we exited the forest and were met by some
nice ladies at a table offering us free koozies and tootsie pops as a reward for making it through.
We then grabbed ourselves a quick group pic and left the haunted forest.
.
From left to right: Mike, Alex, Rhett, Me, and Chance
.
My Final Thoughts
.
This haunted forest is EASILY one of the best faux haunted houses/attractions I have ever
been to and I cannot believe it was only $10 to get in. They could have charged me
$30 or $40 like The Beast in KC and I would not have been mad about it. I am DEFINITELY
going back again next year. You can count on that. And another amazing thing about this
haunted house is where your money goes. Your entrance fee into the haunted forest actually
is used to help support the Salemsborg church's youth ministry so it is a wonderful cause for the kids.
.
All in all I was impressed to say the least. Their animatronics and decorations were amazing
and their workers/volunteers also did a fantastic job. Like I said you better believe I WILL
be coming back next year and I'm brining all my friends!
.
Also, a huge thank you to all of the workers/volunteers working the haunted forest
because, again, y'all did great and we had a blast!
See y'all again next Halloween!
.
.
.
Want another great haunted Kansas activity to do this Halloween?
Check out my post on Zombie Paintball in Assaria, Kansas!