the mommy avenger

Every fall, as soon as the weather cools and pumpkin spice everything hits the shelves, our family starts planning one of our favorite traditions: a night at Fear Factory in Salt Lake City. We’ve been going for years — it’s our Halloween happy place. But this weekend’s visit? It hit different.

Just before opening this fall, Fear Factory actually had a scare of their own — a fire broke out in part of the attraction. Thankfully, all was not lost. The team jumped into action and managed to repair everything before opening night. When we visited, we looked closely and spotted some of the wood that had burned — a quiet reminder of how close they came to losing part of this amazing haunt. Even cooler? They turned that moment into something creative. The section that caught fire has now been commemorated with lights that simulate flames, and it’s honestly one of the most visually striking parts of the whole experience. We’re just grateful no one was hurt and that Fear Factory was able to rise (literally) from the ashes in time for Halloween.

And as if that comeback story wasn’t epic enough, just a few weeks before we went, HauntWorld dropped some huge news: Fear Factory is officially ranked the 4th scariest haunted house in the entire country! Fourth. As in, only three haunted attractions in all of America are scarier. And after what we experienced this weekend, I totally get it.

From the moment we walked in, we could tell they’d stepped up their game. The vibe was electric — you could feel it in the crowd. Every scream, every flicker of light, every echoing sound just hit differently. The new sections this year were absolutely wild — darker, louder, more intense. I’ve never screamed so much in my life, and I’ve been through a lot of haunted houses.

Fear Factory has always been unique because it’s not just a staged scare — it’s built inside a real abandoned factorywith six buildings, two underground tunnels, and a history that’s straight-up chilling. Over eleven documented deaths have happened there, and that energy adds a legit edge to everything.

As HauntWorld described it perfectly:

“Abandoned in 1987 and reborn decades later, Fear Factory has become one of the top-rated Halloween attractions in the world… Visitors sign a waiver before entering because this attraction pushes boundaries.”

That waiver isn’t just for show — once you’re in, it’s dark tunnels, shaky catwalks, unexpected drops, and jump scares that come out of nowhere. Even though I screamed through half of it, I couldn’t stop smiling by the end. And neither could my kids (after they finished insisting they “weren’t even scared”).

Co-founder Rob Dunfield and his team deserve massive credit. After everything that’s happened — a fire, a national ranking, and a total creative overhaul — they’ve pulled off something incredible. As Rob said,

“We work all year to make sure that for eight weeks in September and October people know they can come to Fear Factory and be entertained in a way that helps them satisfy their Halloween passion — whether that’s being scared out of their minds or enjoying the sights and sounds of the season.”

Mission absolutely accomplished.

This year’s Fear Factory is the best we’ve ever seen — and that’s saying something from a family that’s been going for as long as I can remember. The atmosphere is unreal: the lights, the fog, the actors, the sound effects, a complete sensory experience. It’s like stepping into a horror movie that keeps finding new ways to surprise you.

If you’re anywhere near Utah, you’ve got to go this season. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, Fear Factory never gets old. They reinvent it every year so it always feels new — fresh scares, fresh sets, fresh screams. Bring your teens, your friends, your coworkers — anyone brave enough to face it with you.

The 2025 season is running now through Saturday, November 1, starting on weekends and ramping up to nightly hours closer to Halloween. You can find their full schedule, special Ghost Tours, and ticket info at http://www.fearfactoryslc.com.

We’re just so thankful Fear Factory is still standing strong — and scarier than ever. We’ll definitely be back again before the season ends, screaming, laughing, and loving every second. Maybe we’ll see you in line!

Grab your tickets now before they sell out — and see why Fear Factory isn’t just surviving the scares… it’s setting the standard for them.

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}