So you're planning for a peaceful night out, in the dark.. in the woods.. in the middle of nowhere. Yeah, that's how I like to spend a Saturday night too. You drive for what seems like an eternity and you finally see the Cowan Lake signs, so you know you're close. I went to this haunt over 10 years ago and they've done alot to improve it in those years of my absence. Ok, first I'll give you some tips that will make your trek more enjoyable. Go in a group!!! It was extremely crowded when we arrived and we got there before it was even officially open! So in order to save time, part of the group went to the ticket stand and the other half went to wait in the line that was wrapping through the field and almost to a barn in the far off distance. As we waited in line the smells of diesel started creeping to our nostrils and the blaring of horns was heard from literally, a mile away. There is a stage with an animatronic demon of some sort who sings such classics as, "Pimp Juice," because you wanna put your feet on my rug. Don't cha? and whatever else Kiss 107.1 decides to play for the evening. I mean that alone was worth the $20 in my opinion. As the line gets closer you can see the two other haunted attractions that you'll be traversing through later to your left. Costumed characters started wandering out at this point with their devious stares and too close for comfort stances. Once it was our turn a bus with no roof rushes up and slams on it's brakes for dramatic effect. The swoosh of the hydraulic door is enticing. Another tip, when you get on the bus.. sit on the right side. You'll come back and thank me for it later. The bus takes you on a leisurely drive through death and carnage with a little adventure added in too. I'm not going to spoil it for you.. but this haunt is the best of the 3 in this location. After the bus ride we went to the Slaughter Hotel and waited in another never ending line. When we finally made it to the door after another hour of waiting, we grabbed the handle and stepped inside. The electric went off to the whole building. We were told to go back outside and we sat there forever waiting some more as they tried to fix the problem. However these things happen, and we were finally allowed to head inside. I actually liked this one. It was fun and the characters were very interactive. I kept joking that this place must not have room service and other cracks about hotels through the tour. After having waited for so long for the other two we almost didn't make it to the Nightmare Penitentiary. We arrived around 7:45 pm and were pretty tired by that point, but we paid the full price for all 3 so I wanted to go to ALL 3! Well, if we had missed the last one it wouldn't have been that big a deal because it really wasn't that spectacular. We ended up leaving that place by 11:30, and it wasn't because of the length of the haunts, but rather all the lines. Ugh. I'd go again for the bus ride, but I wouldn't waste my money on the other two, and I'll get there ridiculously early next time. read more

I came out on Saturday Night with a group of friends from Cincinnati, OH. The anticipation built up on the pretty long, dark drive up to the venue. After we arrived we saw the lines were wrapped around the field and we were concerned we wouldn't get in to all the haunted houses before close so we upgraded to the Fast Pass. The original ticket price was $25 and the fast pass was a steep jump to $45. I handed the woman my credit card only to be told they ONLY accept cash AND their ATM had been down. I drove all the way from Cincinnati without cash. This was the first sign it was going to be a rough night. Most businesses have migrated to a credit card system or at least have an ATM that is working. With lines this long you would think they would have migrated to a cashless based system to accommodate for those who have traveled longer distances. The first haunt we entered was the Corn Maze. We walked in the dark around mud pit paths with NO actors for long periods of time. There were a total of maybe six actors throughout the entire corn maze! I guess the scare was the fact that I was ruining my shoes stepping in mud puddles wondering if there were ever going to be any actors. The second haunt we went into was the Slaughter Hotel, again, the lack of actors was so sad. By this point I knew I was not getting my monies worth. The third haunt was The Asylum. It was extremely short, the actors were terrible. From the animatronics to the actors, I was extremely disappointed. We then ventured to The Bus Ride. Most of the bus ride was lackluster again with the actors, but they did try a little harder than the first two. Most of actors that came on board the bus just walked through, I don't think a single person screamed, not even the children. What was concerning is that there were taller men that were not warned about the low clearance of the barns we drove through, sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. The best part of the entire experience was obviously the semi chase. That was the best part of any haunted attraction I have been to, but still not worth $45. I am a fairly hard scare and I was walking through the haunts by myself letting my friends go ahead of me thinking that maybe the actors would scare me at some point. I literally stood there and had a normal conversation with several of the actors. None of the actors stayed in character very long. I spoke with my friends who are easily scared and even they were bored throughout each and every single haunt. This was a waste of a Saturday night, mileage, gas, and I would not recommend this haunt to anyone. Step up the game and don't waste people's money. read more

I've been going to the Haunted Hollow for YEARS and we always get there at sundown and wait in line for less than 30 minutes. This year we waited in line for over 2 hours and the ride isn't what it use to be. They've added scenes but they do not have enough 'live' people throughout the ride. It was a waste of time! Not scary at all and mostly felt like a bus ride through the woods. read more

Honestly... what's better than fire breathing semi's? Not a whole lot that's what! Out in the backwoods of Clinton County just south of Wilmington, you will find the Haunted Hollow. This year they have 3 attractions; The bus ride, Slaughter Hotel and Nightmare Penitentiary. The last bus of the night leaves at 11:45 so make sure you're there plenty early. But since you are herded onto buses missing their roofs, the line moves pretty quickly. The bus driver takes you out into the woods, through a few barns, where creatures are lurking to try a sample. As you emerge from these sheds, occasionally you'll notice you might have an extra passenger you didn't before. As you continue down the path you find the missing pieces of your bus, and other vehicles, including an airplane, that weren't so lucky to make it out. As these kinfolk come running to the bus to see whats going on, you realize they're not stopping as they jump on the side to get a whiff of you. You need to continuously watch your head going through barns and sheds and under car parts and bridges and what not. You never know who or what is going to lurking overhead, ready to snatch you up into the night. And just when you think you've made it out when you come to a clearing... a roar of fire from more than one semi truck makes you rethink your decision... Especially when they fire up and come roaring from the fields straight at you!!! This is half the reason I docked them a star, as I had heard that the semi's actually ram into the bus... but sadly no... Not that it didn't come close to side swiping us as the driver leaned out and held onto the side of the bus looking like he was going to jump in!! That and with multiple trucks they could have done a bit more with it just saying... Next it was off to Slaughter hotel Where the bell hop comes out of nowhere to let you into the elevator to descend 13 floors below the earth. As you're walking through well themed rooms and hallways, after a little while it gets darker and darker and the theming gives way to dark tunnels that you're not sure if you're supposed to go into, or if that's where the actors hide. But as you keep going turn by turn you realize you must be going the right way... until you emerge and see the group that went in before you coming out of a swinging one way door... odd... That is until you go the other direction and realize you're not in a more lit maze of twists and turns and that door is seemingly the only one, until an actor jumps out to scare you from the curtains. Thus leading you down another dark hall and a giant of a man and a chair blocking the only legit looking door, and a full size morgue freezer door that you assume you must go through, but won't open.... That is until people lean against the wall in the hallway, and you've found your next destination. There are a lot of passages and one way doors, that you swear lead you to the back stage area where the actors must hide... but then as you continue on, you start to think that maybe that's just how its supposed to be. It's a bit odd but really kind of neat as you really don't have a clue where you're going or where you're at or where you've been! Nightmare Penitentiary was much the same, with the maze concept only set in a jail theme. This is the other half of docking a star, as they were almost too similar.... Although here they had jail cell doors you had to figure out if you were supposed to open or not to get to your next destination. Just a warning, the last 2 mazes are actually made from a row of old semi trailers! (plus 1 for creative recycling). But they are not intended for tall or plus size people. I'm a fairly average size girl, with hips, and had a difficult time squeezing through doorways and openings that you don't think could possibly be the way to go... They have no warnings posted about size or anything else, hence the lack of a star. But you will feel quite claustrophobic, which ups the scare factor. Also if you're above 6 foot, you might have a few issues in the Hotel at some points where you'll really have to crouch. So just be warned. But it really is a unique haunted house experience. And totally recommended! read more

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Waited in line for 3hrs in the dark and cold. If your going bundle up. They should make small fires or have heaters in line while waiting every so many feet apart. Semi trucks were the best part!!! I wouldn't take small age kids. Also maybe offer hot chocolate and not just coffee. read more

This haunted attraction is a more unique one in the area. It has three haunts at it. Two are walk through houses the other is a bus ride. Now a bus ride haunt sounds wierd but it is a lot of fun. The top of the bus has been cut off so you sit in the open air. It goes throuhg the woods and tunnels and some other suprises. I normal find these rides kind of lame but this one I have done it a few times and always have a good time. The two houses are fun but beware if you are a big guy they might not be for you. It is very tight in places and i even have gotten stuck in places and had to be pusshed to get through. The lines can get really long and you want to make sure you are in line for the bus before 11:45 because that is when the line closes. the houses stay open untill everyone gets through them. read more

The Wilmington Haunted Hollow. Everyone loves being triple parked, standing in line over 3 HOURS for a ten minute ride, then standing in line for the restrooms (which there are only six porta-potties), one tiny bon fire (seriously, barrel fires people, look into it), and finally when your ready for hot chocolate... Sorry, we're sold out. Overall a terrible time made fun by our haunt companion's, but a terrible haunt. Never again. P.S. used to be one of our favorites. read more

I went for the first time this year and was nervous because I'm a die hard hoochie fan but omgosh was this place amazing the bus ride is so fun and the prison/hotel doesn't have a bunch of "actors" popping out on you but there's times you literally can't see the halls get super tight and on top of that they still have some actors popping out read more

We had a blast! Line was incredibly long! I mean like an hour and a half standing in a field long! Once the fun started though, you forgot the wait. read more

DO NOT GO HERE...This place they will RIP you OFF!!!! If you can't ride the same day you purchase the ticket(s), they will not honor it another day!! Even though you purchase the tickets and they weren't used. There are NO signs stating a purchaser cannot return later, it Only states no refunds. I didn't want a refund. I only wanted a ride that I paid $45 for!!!! read more

Last night three of my friends I decided to go to the haunted bus ride because we had such good experiences in previous years, and heard great things about this year. We drive an HOUR to get there! From the moment we pulled in to the parking lot it was pure chaos. The ladies directing traffic were overwhelmed and clueless. There were no rows of cars. Rather, a "may the odds be ever in your favor" method as she waved her glow wand in the direction we were supposedly supposed to go. We manage to find a parking spot. Now, at this point we are pretty excited that we had planned to buy the VIP pass (as the website advertises) so we do not have to wait in line! We hop in line, asking people to point us in the direction of the VIP ticket line, only to find out that they "SOLD OUT" of VIP passes. They conveniently left out this little detail on their website. We decided that we may as well wait in line to get at least a bus ride ticket after driving such a long way. After waiting an HOUR to buy the ticket, we grasp our tickets with excitement and head to the bus ride line. We walk, and walk, and walk, and walk some more. The line went on for at least a half of a mile (not an exaggeration). I was curious how long it would actually take to get through, because the crook at the ticket window assured us "the line moves quickly". I asked someone who was about halfway through the line how long they had been waiting, and they said "an 1 1/2- 2 hours". Basically, it would have been three hours to even get to the bus. We decided we would rather not wait. We were livid that we had driven an HOUR to buy a non existent VIP pass, wait and hour to only to be stuck with general admission, and then another three hour wait. Thankfully, we found some kind soul who bought our $60 worth of tickets, and we saved them from waiting in the dreaded ticket line. Then we drove an HOUR home. So overall, this haunted house was terrifying, haunting, and definitely caused your heart to race with anticipation. Not because of the actual haunted attractions, but because of the disorganization of the workers, and lack of accurate advertising. The night wasn't a complete loss, because on our way home we found the Nightmare Manor in Middletown, Ohio, and it was AMAZING! There was hardly any wait, it was cost efficient, workers were friendly, and the attraction was chilling! Don't waste your money, or time at the Wilmington Haunted Hollow. read more