Scarowinds 2023 Guide:

Step right up, thrill-seekers and ghostly enthusiasts, because we’re about to embark on a spooktacular adventure that will send shivers down your spine and make your heart race faster than a caffeine-infused jack-o’-lantern!

Welcome to the spine-tingling world of Scarowinds! Scarowinds is the perfect example of what happens when an amusement park gets a ghoulish makeover for Halloween. 🎃👻🎢 Every fall, Carowinds transforms into Scarowinds for a haunted spectacular with haunted mazes, spooky shows, festive treats, and more!

I’m going to share everything you need to know about visiting Scarowinds this Fall, including tips and tricks to make the most of your haunted visit!

Disclaimer: Wanderlust With Lisa Blog was invited to Scarowinds Media event, so you may see pictures reflected below from this! However, all opinions are my own regarding Scarowinds!

But first, a little about Carowinds….

Carowinds is the only theme park to span across two states as it sits directly on the border between North Carolina and South Carolina. It is located about 15 minutes from the heart of Charlotte, NC and about 60 minutes from Columbia, SC. Carowinds features thrilling rollercoasters, a kids area, and in the summertime it is home to a water park as well!

Everything You Need to Know about Scarowinds

Scarowinds Season (Dates & Hours)
Scarowinds Tickets
Scarowinds Map
Scarowinds Haunted Mazes
Scarowinds Shows & Parades
Scarowinds Food
Scarowinds FAQ

Scarowinds Fall Season

Scarowinds is an annual event that takes place each fall! Scarowinds opening weekend is typically early September and runs through October 31st.

Scarowinds only takes place on select nights between 7PM to 12AM. Be sure to check the Carowinds calendar for the exact day and time.

Scarowinds Tickets

Be sure to purchase your Scarowinds tickets online before arriving! Tickets are available at a discounted rate online, starting at $45/night. If you wait to purchase upon arrival, the pricing could be closer to $70-$80!

Along with your entry ticket, guests have the option of purchasing a “Fright & Fast Lane” for a whopping $89 each. This will allow you to bypass lines and truly make the most of your evening!

Carowinds also offers Season Passes. You have the option to purchase 2024 Season Passes with your Scarowinds 2023 ticket for special discounts! If you live in NC/SC and love amusement parks, this might be the best route for you to consider!

If you’re already a Carowinds Season passholder, you can opt to bring friends with you for only $35/night!

Scarowinds Map

Be sure to review the Scarowinds map before arriving! They don’t provide paper maps and it can be easy to get lost in the park. It is also hard to spot some of the haunted mazes without having context of where to look for them!

The Scarowinds map below highlights all (5) Haunted Mazes with a Purple Bat icon. You’ll also see the Parade Route outlined which can be fun to witness! The red sections on the Scarowinds map indicate the “Scare Zones” which means spooky characters are waiting to jump out and scare you as you walk through those paths.

Don’t want to be scared? You can purchase a $15.99 “NO BOO” Purple Glowing Necklace that will ward off the spooky creatures!

Feeling overwhelmed trying to memorize the Scarowinds map? Download the Carowinds App to have this on the go!

Scarowinds Haunted Mazes

Scarowinds 2023 has five haunted mazes located throughout the park:

Slaughter House: The Final Cut – near Drop Tower
Tooth Fairy – near Nighthawk
Depths of Darkness – near Snoopy’s Junction
Silver Screen Studios: Condemned – near Fury 325
Paranormal Inc. – near Flying Cobras

The haunted mazes are the biggest attractions, so the lines can get long! The newest haunted maze, Paranormal Inc, attracts the longest lines as it has become a fan favorite with a mini-show and two routes to go within the maze.

My personal favorite Scarowinds mazes are Tooth Fairy and Slaughter House!

Scarowinds Shows & Parades

Each night at 7PM, Scarowinds kicks off the festivities with a “Summoning” opening ceremony in the main Plaza. This show sets the tone for the rest of the night and is definitely worth watching!

At 7:30PM, the new “Processions of Nightmares” parade begins near the Intimidator rollercoaster. This parade features 40 performers and a dozen floats with different haunted themes! The parade will meander through the North Carolina side of the park and stop at the Water Park.

There are a few other shows scattered throughout the park like Raging Inferno, Halloween Hootenanny, and more! Check the mobile app for exact times and placements.

Scarowinds Food and Drinks

It wouldn’t be a fully themed night without some spooky snacks to go along with it!! Scarowinds has reimagined traditional amusement park food into spooky treats for all to enjoy!

You can find themed food throughout the entire park, or check out the Scarowinds Mobile App to know exactly where your favorite treats will be sold!

Scarowinds FAQ

Is there an age limit to visit Scarowinds?
All ages are welcome at Scarowinds, though it is recommended guests are at least 13 years old due to the scary nature of the event. Guests must be 16 years old to visit Scarowinds without a chaperone. Full policy is outlined here.

Are the rollercoasters open during Scarowinds?
Sadly, no rollercoasters are open during Scarowinds (night time event). However, you may purchase separate day tickets to Carowinds to ride the rollercoasters during the day!

What if I don’t want to be scared at Scarowinds?
You can purchase a “No Boo” necklace to ensure that performers won’t attempt to scare you as you walk through the park’s scare zones. This necklace is $15.99. You’ll also want to avoid the Haunted Mazes completely.

Can I bring a bag to Scarowinds?
Bags of any kind are strictly prohibited at Scarowinds. You are not allowed to bring a camera bag, purse, diaper bag, etc. More about Scarowinds Bag Policy here.

Is parking included with my Scarowinds ticket?
Parking is not included in your Scarowinds ticket. This must be purchased separately.

When is the best time to visit Scarowinds?
I recommend visiting Scarowinds early in the season to avoid the crowds. I also recommend arriving 30 minutes before the park opens to ensure you’re at the front of the pack for any lines!

Final Thoughts on Scarowinds:

Scarowinds is an absolute must if you’re looking to make the most of Fall Season in Charlotte! Even if you live in surrounding cities, it is worth the drive to have a spooky night filled with haunted mazes, ghosts, goblins, and ghouls!