RECAP:   “Old Sparky,” a late 19th century wooden electric chair used until 1965 rests in the lobby of the West Virginia Penitentiary, where convicts are briefly gathered prior to incarceration. Security personnel separate groups by instructing “new inmates” to proceed single file with their hands on their heads into the small, death  row confines of a row of holding cells, the doors of which automatically slide shut once detainees are inside in compliance with one of the attending guards command to, “Close 17!”  Following a brief period of imprisonment, new arrivals are released down a hallway where lights flicker, and a large, spiked pendulum suddenly swings overhead in a near-miss, mass beheading, the first in a series of reenactments acknowledging this year’s theme, “998 Ways to Die,” a nod to the number of inmates that lost their lives inside the facility’s walls.

More of the 997 remaining death scenes follow, including, a high-voltage, floor shaking electric chair execution; a new, fog-filled gas chamber featuring a “buried alive” surprise; a psychotic doctor’s exam  room disaster;  a collapsing fence zombie invasion; Medusa turning onlookers into stone; and a “final resting place“casket ride!   

An elaborate cemetery protected by a red-eyed gargoyle gives rise to a moaning ghost manifestation, and a frightening encounter with a spooky grave digger that loudly slams his shovel into the ground and demands to know, “Who wants to be next?!”  Apparitions; a giant, horned monster; animatronic ghouls; and slide down panels are up next as exploration continues down light-limited corridors soon discovering a wooden, plank-like bridge that accesses a cave-like excursion highlighted by a space-invading attack with a hungry, man-eating actor-tronic crocodile!  Glowing toxins flow forth out of barrels resulting in an exploding pond of radioactive waste, then a bubbling, Covid-19 balloon-popping experiment gone wrong!

Still to come are vibrating barrels, skeleton-lined hallways, blasting air guns, and an intimidating trek through lifeless body bags! Passage leads to the eerily-lit river, where a vessel is boarded that timidly journeys across the green, murky “River of Lost Souls,” where the damned have taken up residence, unleashing unseen assaults from their misty abode!  Docking and disembarking through a mental hospital and a bloody sheet maze stumbles into a traveling side show called the “Carnival of Crazies” featuring human oddities and a threatening, sledgehammer-pounding “Gang banger!”  An enormous, discontented monster compromises furtherance into a clown-infested, entanglement containing various loops and uncertainties before finally making its way through a spinning vortex and exiting into the gift shop and out into the courtyard of the “Dungeon of Horrors!

ANALYSIS:  The Dungeon showcases appropriately attired characters conversing with guests via intense, meaningful dialogue.  Interaction is constant throughout.  Stand out scares include casket ride, decapitating pendulum, boat ride across the river, electric chairs, Covid-19 twist, exploding experiment, the new buried alive gas chamber, and being sequestered inside one of the prison cells with the door mechanically shutting behind you, etc.  Design and decor are top notch, and the building itself is a major contributor to the practically unmatched atmosphere.  Unique, seldom seen, customer participation events like coffin rides, boat ride and especially appreciated for accommodating entire groups instead of just one or two selected customers as is the case at other attractions that portray similar scares. 666 church scene has been removed and is missed as is victim beheading.  Present on our last visit 2 seasons ago, these were visually impressive scares, and haven’t been replaced with anything nearly as impressive. Bus and chainsaw climax are likewise conspicuous by their absence, and lessen the impact of the attraction’s finish. 

Timed ticketing is utilized to perfection with the haunt and tour both opening PRECISELY on time!

OVH has reviewed well over a thousand haunted attractions during our 20+ year career, and we can honestly say Dungeon of Horrors at The West Virginia State Penitentiary is one of the best we’ve had the pleasure of attending!

North Walk Tour features an informative, 45 minute exploration of the old prison itself, where some of the most violent inmates were housed in the early to mid-1900’s!  This is a really well-done expedition through the penitentiary, where you get to visit solitary confinement cells, the infirmary, kitchen, etc!  Our guide was Tina and she was extremely knowledgeable of the structure’s storied history.  We even experienced a bit of paranormal activity thanks to an ankle grabber and leg rubber that materialized out of nowhere just as Tina was about to warn us of their presence!  Be sure to include The North Walk with your visit to The Dungeon of Horrors!  If you’re into the paranormal, this place should be at the top of your list, and even if you don’t witness any ghostly, occult-like activity first-hand, it’s still a one-of-a-kind experience!