Darkwood Manor Unleashes the Phantom Forge!
LURAY, VA – Darkwood Manor, an iconic haunted attraction nestled just outside Shenandoah National Park, opened its doors for the 2024 haunt season to offered haunt enthusiasts yet another a immersive, chilling spectacle. Widely known for its deeply immersive storytelling, Hollywood-quality set design and high-energy scare actors, Darkwood Manor has been terrifying guests for over two decades. Thanks to the hospitality of owner and creative director Louis Brown, as well as the dedicated ghouls and goblins that make up his regular staff, we had the opportunity to explore Darkwood Manor both during the day and at night….and we got a very rare behind-the-scenes look at the artistry and craftsmanship that go into making Darkwood one of Virginia’s top haunted experiences.
Unlike many haunts that rely on off-the-shelf props, Darkwood Manor’s team constructs roughly 80–85% of their own animatronics, set pieces, and special effects in-house. Their workshop serves as a fear-focused imagineering space where nightmarish creations can take shape. From grotesque creatures to towering tombstones, everything is built with an attention to detail that enhances the haunt’s immersive experience. Each season, Darkwood Manor reinvents itself with a fresh storyline, ensuring that returning guests always encounter something new. This year’s theme revolved around P.E.G., an AI-driven entity using the Phantom Forge to transform paranormal energy into physical horrors. As we walked through the attraction in daylight, we saw how each set piece tied into this narrative, seamlessly blending elements of technology and supernatural horror. From eerie crypts to an unsettling 3D illusion maze, the level of craftsmanship was immediately evident.
However, when night fell, Darkwood Manor came alive in ways that no daytime tour could ever fully prepare us for. The combination of atmospheric lighting, detailed soundscapes, and high-energy scare actors transformed the haunt into a fully immersive horror experience. The actors weren’t just there to startle; they were all well-trained to engage customers with interactive performances using subtle movement and psychological tension to build the anxiety throughout. Despite a daytime walkthrough that seemed to pull all of the curtains back for us, the haunt’s intricate design found a number of creative ways to surprise us. Guests like ourselves were never quite sure where the next scare would come from, and every scene offered dynamic levels of pulse-pounding terror.
Rather than relying solely on jump scares, this haunt pulled guests into a living story that remained consistent throughout every scene from start to finish. A handful of actors ran up and down the queue line as we waited to enter the attraction, taunting and grilling the guests about missing persons and any contact they may or may not have had with alien invaders. The preshow then set the stage for P.E.G.’s ascension, immersing visitors in a sci-fi horror scenario that blended futuristic dystopia with traditional haunted house elements. Then, after the anticipation had reached a fever pitch, we were unleashed into the maze; winding, scrambling and screaming through the maddening convergence that P.E.G. had created. As regular explorers and adventure-seekers at haunted attractions nationwide, we mean it when we say that Darkwood Manor’s commitment to theatrical horror really set it apart. In many ways, the experience felt more like stepping into a scifi-horror film than any other haunt we’ve visited so far!
The haunted house itself is - of course - the main attraction, but Darkwood Manor also offers additional opportunities for guests to engage with the haunt. One of Darkwood Manor’s most unique features is its 3D Mind Maze, an optional-but-included portion of the haunt that uses disorienting optical illusions to elevate the experience. With 3D glasses on, the walls and floors seemed to move and shift, making it difficult to trust one’s own perception. What had seemed like ordinary rooms during the daylight tour became surreal, otherworldly spaces once illuminated by the haunt’s dimension-breaking effects. Elaborate photo ops with detailed and hand-made set pieces also allow visitors to capture memories from the haunt’s midway area, and the gift shop featured exclusive merchandise, including Darkwood Manor-branded shirts, shot glasses and collectibles.
Whether you’re a seasoned horror fan or just looking for a night of heart-pounding fun, this haunt offers an experience that is both terrifying and unforgettable. Whatever the haunt lacks in square footage, it more than makes up for in acting talent, storytelling and creativity. Its combination of intricate set design, dedicated actors, and evolving storylines make it a standout in the industry. The level of passion from its creators is evident in every aspect of the haunt, from the hand-crafted animatronics to the perfectly timed scares that left us genuinely unsettled. If you’re looking for a haunted attraction that delivers more than just surface-level thrills, Darkwood should be at the top of your list. Whether it’s your first time visiting or your tenth, the haunt provides an experience that’s guaranteed to leave a lasting impression—just be prepared to scream. For more details on Darkwood Manor, including ticketing information and event dates, visit their official website. And if you want a more visual experience of our night at Darkwood Manor, check out our YouTube video below! A huge thank you to the team at Darkwood Manor for inviting us out and for allowing us to document our experience.
