Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses has been spooking visitors on a 65-acre farm in Ulster Park, New York, since September 20, 1992, when founders Michael and Nancy Jubie opened the attraction just a month after buying the property. Michael Jubie, a former undercover NYPD officer who had built a disguise business during his police career, channeled that experience and the couple’s shared love of Halloween into what became one of the Hudson Valley’s longest-running seasonal haunts.
What began as a single hayride through the dark has grown into a sprawling multi-attraction event that now includes more than a dozen experiences on one ticket, from haunted houses like Skinner Motel and Mother’s Manor to a corn maze and themed walking trails. The attraction has repeatedly been ranked among the best haunted hayrides and haunted attractions in the country by national outlets, and it operates seasonally each fall with a staff that has swelled past 350 during peak Halloween weeks.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Ulster Park, New York
- Opened: September 20, 1992
- Founders: Michael and Nancy Jubie
- Size: About 65 acres
- Season: Weekends (and select weeknights) late September through October 31
- Staff: More than 350 seasonal employees
- Famous for: Ranked a top U.S. haunted hayride by USA Today and the New York Daily News
What to Expect
The signature hayride winds through pitch-black woods past elaborately built sets, including the Western-style storefronts of Crow Hollow, a cemetery, and other themed scenes that change in part from year to year. A single all-inclusive ticket also covers several standalone haunted houses, a corn maze, and outdoor walking trails, making for a visit that typically runs about two to two and a half hours from start to finish.
Because the experience leans heavily on jump scares, tight indoor spaces, and a long outdoor walk in the dark, the attraction recommends it for teens and adults rather than young children, and requires anyone under 16 to be accompanied by an adult.
A Hudson Valley Fixture
Beyond its scares, Headless Horseman Hayrides has built a reputation as a community fixture in Ulster County, hosting charitable fundraising nights over the years that have supported causes such as food banks and autism services. Its longevity, now spanning more than three decades of continuous fall operation on the same farm, has made it a benchmark attraction that other Hudson Valley haunts are often compared against.
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Headless Horseman Hayrides FAQs
Where is Headless Horseman Hayrides located?
It’s located on a 65-acre farm in Ulster Park, New York, near Kingston in the Hudson Valley.
When did Headless Horseman Hayrides open?
It opened on September 20, 1992, founded by Michael and Nancy Jubie.
Is Headless Horseman Hayrides good for young children?
No, it’s not recommended for young kids. Children 8 and under aren’t allowed on the evening attractions, and anyone 15 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.
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