After the sale of its original haunting grounds and a two-year hiatus, the Buford Trail of Terror is back and more bloodcurdling than ever with a new address along the shores of Lake Lanier. First launched in 2017, as screams spread throughout metro Atlanta, the number of thrill-seekers rapidly grew from 50 to at-capacity crowds of well over 1000 people a night. From its new location at 7650 Lanier Islands Parkway, the haunted house SLASH open-air experience and its 50 restless spirits will be primed and ready to rattle the nerves of even larger crowds than the Trail could previously accommodate. The first night of frights for the 2026 season kicks off Saturday, September 26, and runs rampant on select nights through Saturday, November 7.
Created by Matthew Miller, owner of Matthew’s & Co. Salon in Flowery Branch, the Buford Trail of Terror was spawned from his love of Stephen King novels and his roots as a Junior Tucker Lion. In 1993, Miller had the chance to participate in Tucker Youth Football League’s rendition of its own Trail of Terror, and it left an indelible mark. In the 24 years in between that fateful night and the debut of the Buford Trail of Terror, he conjured up a variety of ways to create one of the scariest haunted houses in the state of Georgia. Miller regularly participates in continuing education to help him craft a cavalcade of creatures, and he enlists the aid of his stylists, makeup artists, and local artisans to design the hair, makeup, and costumes for dozens of professional actors he hires each year. All those efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Buford Trail of Terror has been recognized with several Haunt Junkies’ Golden Ghost Awards.
Miller promises his previous guests haven’t seen anything yet: “Lake Lanier already has its own air of mystique and catalog of local legends. The setting helped inspire new concepts and creatures, like pirates, vikings, mermaids, sirens, and more. Our new location also provides excellent infrastructure with plenty of parking, great food and drinks, restrooms, and live entertainment for our guests – either while they wait in line or after they’ve survived the Trail. There will be quality in every aspect, but – most importantly – it will still be scary.”
Miller strongly recommends that visitors to the Buford Trail of Terror be 16 or older, unless accompanied by an adult. Guests should expect to trek through 13 spine-tingling scenes, some of which will involve walking on sand. Additional disclaimers for the Trail can be found on the website at BufordTrailofTerror.com. He also suggests that guests purchase their tickets online. By doing so, the Lanier Islands Resort gate fee will be included in the ticket price. Those who wait to purchase tickets at the door will be subject to the $20 gate fee/vehicle. Regular admission to the Buford Trail of Terror is $34.99 for individuals and $24.99/person for groups of 15 or more. For those who wish to purchase a fast pass, admission is $64.99 for individuals and $49.99/person for groups of 15 or more.
The Buford Trail of Terror will be open:
- Saturday, September 26 from 8 p.m. to midnight
- Friday, October 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 8 p.m. to midnight
- Saturday, October 3, 10, and 31 from 8 p.m. to midnight
- Saturday, October 17 and 24, and Sunday, October 25 from 6 p.m. to midnight
- Sunday, November 1 and Saturday, November 7 from 8 to 11 p.m.
The Buford Trail of Terror adds fireworks to the mix on October 24 and on Halloween, October 31, it’s the only night when guests are allowed to wear costumes – for which the best costume will be awarded. On select evenings during the season, kids can enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour and meet the monsters between 6-8 p.m., and on “Glow Nights,” the lights go off, and the blue lights go up for a supercharged scary experience. Live entertainment will vary each night from tunes spun by DJ Smiles to a performance of Michael Jackson’s Thriller to a monster mosh pit with a metal rock band. To learn more, meet some of the creatures, and purchase advance tickets, prospective guests of the 2026 Buford Trail of Terror are encouraged to visit www.BufordTrailofTerror.com.
