Review | Castle Dark at Castle Park in Riverside

The air just feels different when you roll up to Castle Park for their annual Halloween event, Castle Dark. This place oozes a quirky, heartfelt spookiness that we absolutely adore. It’s got an authentic, slightly unhinged charm that makes for a perfect fall night out.

We’re calling it: this is one of the best introduction haunts for your tweens and early teens. The scareactors here are top-tier in their fun factor. You can tell they’re having a blast, and they put so much heart into their interactions, especially when giving the younger ones a playful fright. They are totally focused on bringing the spooky vibes without too much terror, and the joy it brings makes for a very memorable experience. The term is sometimes overused, but this event is really fun for the whole family.

Meet the Storyteller

The official lore this year centers around The Storyteller, who has ripped the final pages from Castle Dark’s history, effectively erasing the old regime of the king and queen! This dark reset clears the stage for a new era of terror, allowing The Storyteller to spin three fresh, twisted tales for guests to walk through. It’s a great concept that justifies the park’s commitment to providing an entirely new lineup of chills and thrills. This year delivers three creative new mazes, all included with the price of admission:

Feary Tales: Take a twisted turn into stories you thought you knew.
Midnight Manor: Step into a new nightmare realm in this chilling house.
Containment Breach: Something’s escaped, and you’re walking right into the chaos.

These mazes are genuinely fun and well thought out. They strike a perfect balance of being creative and unsettling without relying solely on gore. Which makes them a great choice for those starting their haunt journey.

Golden State Ghoul member poses in front of the circus facade at Castle Dark — Sara Kinne-Lugo outside the Big Top Lounge at Castle Dark

Frightful Flavors + the Castle Dark Tasting Card

It’s hard to haunt on an empty stomach! To fuel your fear, Castle Dark offers an exclusive Tasting Card ($39.99) that lets you sample eight different food and beverage items from across the park. The menu features to-die-for creations like Bloody Brain Funnel Cake, Vampire Bites (deep-fried Oreos with a strawberry syringe!), and Rotten Loaded Tots. It’s the perfect way to turn your night into a full sensory experience.

There’s a slew of themed alcoholic drinks as well. We loved the Witches Brew Lemonade, but you can’t go wrong with the Zombie Blood Bags with either.

Shows & Overlays

You have to catch the all-new show, “Echoes From the Grave.” It includes chilling choreography that seriously delivers, especially the unexpected Lady Gaga routines that had us screaming (with joy!).

Another great perk – the rides are open! We always appreciate a good thrill ride break between scares (and the Saw Mill Plunge was much needed on a warm September night), but the true MVP is the return of the “Haunted Highway” Antique Car Ride overlay. It’s a cute, spooky little ride that adds a perfect touch of thematic delight.

Castle Dark puts so much spirit and energy into its event. It’s a full evening of fear, fun, and chills that earns its title as a favorite. Get your tickets and go haunt the night! Open select dates now through November 1st.