Zombie Hollow in Winterset, Iowa: What to Know Before You Go

Zombie Hollow is the kind of Halloween attraction where you do not just look at decorations from the car. You walk into the scene.

Located south of Winterset, Zombie Hollow is an outdoor Halloween walkthrough filled with colorful lighting, sounds, detailed sets, props, and animatronics. It is spooky and creative, but it is different from the traditional haunted house where actors chase visitors through dark hallways.

Think of it as part Halloween trail, part art project, and part immersive outdoor display.

Quick visitor information

Zombie Hollow

Location: 2310 Saint Charles Road, Winterset, Iowa 50273
Season: October
Experience: Outdoor Halloween walkthrough and trail
Best for: Families, Halloween fans, older children who enjoy spooky displays, and visitors looking for an unusual fall attraction near Winterset
Tickets: Must be purchased online in advance; tickets are not sold at the gate
Ages: Tickets are required for ages 6 and older; children 5 and younger enter free
Parking: Included with ticket purchase
Daytime option: Typically offered on Saturdays and Sundays
Nighttime option: Typically offered on Friday and Saturday evenings

Dates, hours, ticket availability, and policies may change from year to year, so check the official Zombie Hollow website before making plans.

What is Zombie Hollow?

Zombie Hollow is a seasonal Halloween attraction on a rural property near Winterset.

Visitors walk through themed outdoor areas featuring lighting, sounds, handmade structures, props, zombies, and animatronics. The focus is on creating an immersive Halloween environment rather than delivering the most intense haunted-house scares possible.

Although live characters may be part of the nighttime experience, Zombie Hollow doesn’t promote itself as a conventional haunted house where masked actors chase guests through dark hallways with chainsaws.

That distinction makes it appealing to people who enjoy the atmosphere of Halloween but may not enjoy aggressive or extreme haunted houses.

The story behind Zombie Hollow

Zombie Hollow was originally a backyard Halloween display in Urbandale before moving to a much larger property near Winterset.

The Winterset location gives the creators several acres to develop the attraction while preserving the handmade feel of the original display.

Owner Lew Jordan reopened Zombie Hollow in Winterset in 2023 after pandemic-related challenges and rising construction costs kept the attraction from operating for several years. Salvaged and donated materials—including barn siding, deck boards, fencing, and reclaimed wood—were used to build parts of the trail.

That history helps explain the personality of Zombie Hollow.

It does not feel like a temporary corporate attraction placed in a parking lot. Much of it feels handmade, imaginative, and built by people who genuinely enjoy creating a Halloween world for visitors to explore.

What is the experience like?

Zombie Hollow is an outdoor walking attraction.

Visitors move through a series of themed areas featuring colorful lights, sound effects, props, structures, and animatronics. Because the experience takes place outside, the terrain, darkness, weather, and surrounding countryside all become part of the atmosphere.

The attraction is designed to feel spooky without relying entirely on jump scares or performers chasing guests.

That does not mean it will feel mild to everyone.

Younger children and visitors who are sensitive to darkness, loud noises, zombies, or moving animatronics may still find parts of the experience intense. The nighttime version will naturally feel darker and more dramatic than the daytime walkthrough.

A good description would be atmospheric rather than extreme.

Is Zombie Hollow scary?

Zombie Hollow is spooky, but it is not promoted as an extreme haunted house.

The experience relies heavily on:

• Halloween lighting
• Detailed themed scenes
• Zombies and creepy props
• Sound effects
• Animatronics
• The darkness of an outdoor October night

Adults and older children who enjoy Halloween displays may find it more fun than terrifying. However, every visitor has a different comfort level.

Someone who enjoys elaborate yard displays, animated Halloween decorations, and spooky outdoor trails will probably be comfortable with the experience.

Someone who strongly dislikes darkness, sudden sounds, zombies, or moving figures may find it more intense.

Is Zombie Hollow good for kids?

Zombie Hollow can be a good family Halloween outing, but parents should consider how their children react to spooky settings.

The attraction describes itself as Halloween fun for all ages, and children 5 and younger are admitted free. However, meeting the age requirement does not necessarily mean every young child will enjoy the experience.

Before choosing a nighttime visit, consider how your child responds to:

• Darkness
• Loud or unexpected sounds
• Zombies and skeletons
• Animatronics
• Spooky props
• Walking through outdoor scenes at night

Children who enjoy Halloween decorations and themed displays may have a great time. Children who are easily frightened by darkness or moving props may be more comfortable during a daytime walkthrough.

Daytime versus nighttime

Zombie Hollow has offered both daytime and nighttime options during October.

The nighttime experience provides the full Halloween effect. Darkness makes the colored lights, shadows, sound effects, and animatronics feel more dramatic.

During the daytime walkthrough, visitors can explore the sets and handmade details without the darkness and full nighttime atmosphere. It’s the better choice for younger children and anyone who wants a milder introduction to Zombie Hollow. It may be the better choice for:

• Younger children
• Visitors who dislike the dark
• Families trying Zombie Hollow for the first time
• People who want to study the details of the sets
• Anyone looking for a lighter Halloween experience

For the strongest atmosphere, choose a nighttime ticket. For a less intense visit, start with the daytime walkthrough.

Tickets, parking, and arrival times

Tickets must be purchased online before visiting.

Do not arrive expecting to purchase admission at the gate. Ticket availability and time slots are limited, especially on busy October weekends.

A ticket is required for visitors ages 6 and older. Children 5 and younger enter free.

Parking is included with admission and is located on the property. Follow signs and staff directions when you arrive.

Choose an arrival time when purchasing your ticket and plan to arrive within about 15 minutes of it. The timed system helps manage limited parking, but entry times are approximate and waits can occur on busy nights. Zombie Hollow says it will honor your ticket if you miss your selected time.

Getting there without taking gravel roads

Zombie Hollow is located at:

2310 Saint Charles Road
Winterset, Iowa 50273

Visitors coming from Winterset can leave town heading south on John Wayne Drive. After approximately one mile, turn left onto St. Charles Road. Zombie Hollow is about 0.6 miles farther on the right.

Some mapping apps may direct drivers coming from the Des Moines area onto a gravel road.

To stay on pavement, route through Winterset first and approach Zombie Hollow from John Wayne Drive and St. Charles Road.

This is especially helpful at night or after wet weather, when an unexpected rural gravel road may be less appealing.

What should you wear?

Dress for walking outdoors in October.

Comfortable shoes are important because you will be moving through the attraction on foot. Choose shoes you do not mind getting dusty, damp, or muddy.

October temperatures in Iowa can also change quickly. An evening that feels comfortable before sunset may become chilly later.

Good choices include:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• A jacket or hoodie
• Weather-appropriate layers
• Shoes suitable for potentially damp ground
• A hat or gloves during colder weekends

Do not dress as though you are visiting an indoor theater or restaurant. The entire experience is outdoors, and wind, cool temperatures, and uneven ground may all be factors.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Because Zombie Hollow is outdoors, weather can affect the experience.

Zombie Hollow operates outdoors and is generally held in rain, cold, sleet or snow. Tickets aren’t normally refunded because of uncomfortable weather, so dress accordingly. The attraction may cancel when conditions become dangerous, including lightning, flooding or damaging winds. If Zombie Hollow cancels an evening, tickets may generally be used for one of the remaining dates. Check its website and social media before leaving home whenever severe weather is possible.

How much time should you allow?

Zombie Hollow does not publish one fixed walkthrough time, so do not plan on treating it as a five-minute roadside stop.

Personally, I’ve been through Zombie Hollow multiple times – ranging from a quick walk through of 30 minutes, to other times when I took closer to an hour.

Families with younger children may prefer an earlier time. Adults and older children looking for the strongest nighttime atmosphere may enjoy a later reservation.

Photo and video opportunities

Zombie Hollow can be a visually interesting place to photograph because of its colorful lighting, themed structures, props, and animatronics.

Possible photo opportunities include:

• The entrance area
• Family or group photos before entering
• Wide views of illuminated structures
• Close-ups of props and set details
• Pumpkins, when available
• Reactions before and after the walkthrough

Short video clips may capture the experience better than still photos because sound, movement, and changing lights are important parts of the attraction.

Before recording inside, check posted rules and follow staff instructions. Avoid bright video lights or flashes that could interrupt the experience for other visitors.