Let me start with a confession: I HATE scary things. I don’t watch scary movies, and I once swore off haunted houses for life after setting off the emergency exit alarm because I couldn’t handle it anymore (true story). So yes, I am the biggest scaredy cat when it comes to anything spooky.
But as a Silverwood conductor, I felt like I needed the full Scarywood experience. With a lot of coaxing from friends and some encouragement from my favorite Silverwood employee, Sara Meddock (PR Manager extraordinaire), I finally said yes. I warned everyone I might pee my pants and scream like a little kid. Spoiler: I did scream. A lot. And no. I didn’t end up needing a change of clothes.
The Verdict: I Survived (Barely)
Yes, I screamed… a lot. My throat was sore the next day, my adrenaline was off the charts, and my eyes were shut for about 80% of the haunts. But guess what? I still made it through every single one. My saving grace while walking around the park was the Fright Light necklace. You can’t use it inside the haunts, but it does keep the scare actors in the walk-through zones from targeting you. Having that break between haunts gave me just enough confidence to keep going, even if I still looked ridiculous clinging to my friends.
What I Loved
Honestly, my favorite part was seeing how quickly Silverwood transformed into Scarywood. I was at Silverwood on Sunday with my kids, enjoying the last sunny day of the season, and just five days later, the park had turned into a full-on haunted wonderland. The change was incredible, from the signs and decorations to the spooky food and, of course, the monsters lurking everywhere.
And let me tell you, the costumes were next level. It wasn’t just the zombies! Every monster roaming the park looked straight out of a horror movie. From creepy clowns and twisted dolls to skeletons, wild animals, and masked figures you couldn’t quite identify, the attention to detail was unreal. The makeup, masks, and prosthetics were so convincing, and the way they moved was slow, deliberate, and just unsettling enough—it made it easy to forget they were actors.
Each scare zone had its own vibe, and the monsters matched it perfectly. Whether they were lurking in the shadows, jumping out from behind walls, or silently stalking you through foggy paths, they knew exactly how to keep you on edge.
Tips for Scaredy Cats Like Me
1. Get the Fright Light – Trust me, this is your lifeline. Get yours at one of the retailer shops but the closest one before going through the gates will be the Silverwood Coffee Roasting & Trading Company.
2. Go with friends – Misery loves company (and it’s way more fun to laugh at each other screaming). Make friends with the monsters – Sounds crazy, but remember, they’re humans in costumes. Some even pose for photos! My favorite was Birthday the Clown, who entertained us in line for Chuckles 3D Sideshow. But things took a turn when she found out someone in our group hates clowns… and decided to make it personal. She stalked us through an entire haunt, repeating her name over and over, and made sure every other clown we passed said it too. Thanks, Birthday. I had a fun, memorable experience —though my friend might have a slightly different opinion.
3. Try the spooky food – Head to the new Monster Meal inside the Theater of Illusions, watch some spooky short films, drink a babydoll hot toddy, munch on a turkey leg, and eat some loaded churros that had edible eyes and cotton candy. Looking for other sweet treats? Try blood bags. This year, they have both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options; however, if you need to take the edge off, get yourself the witch’s blood bag, and you’ll thank me later. Also, the pumpkin whoopie pie was delicious!
4. Do the scariest haunt first – I tackled The Swine right away. My logic? If I can survive the worst, the rest will be easy (well, easier). Now, I can’t tell you much about it because I had my eyes closed for most of it, but what I do remember is that it smelled horrible going through the swine, Pig Mama was hilarious and ripped my husband apart, and let’s just say it should be illegal to combine pigs and power tools.
Bonus Thrill
Oh, and don’t skip Timber Terror… backwards. Riding a roller coaster in reverse is pure chaos in the best way.
Final Thoughts
So, would I do Scarywood again? Absolutely. I’d even recommend it to fellow wimps and scaredy cats like me. You’ll scream, you’ll laugh, and you’ll surprise yourself. Next year, my goal is to keep my eyes open for at least 60% of the haunts. Baby steps, right?
Scarywood turned out to be one of the best nights I’ve ever had, and if I can survive it, anyone can.
Meet The Conductor
Hi, I’m Torri! I’m married to my high school sweetheart and mama to three little girls under three (twins plus baby sister), and life is perfectly imperfect. We live in Spokane, Washington, and you’ll usually find us out and about chasing new adventures— I share all the real-life moments, family outings, and unfiltered motherhood over on Instagram (@torrionpurpose).
One local adventure that we keep going back to again and again is Silverwood. It’s been a special part of my life since the early 2000s. I grew up going there as a kid, and now I’m soaking up the joy of creating new memories with my children in the same magical place I loved growing up.
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