The last two Octobers have found me trembling and shaking as I ascend the grumbling stairs of the darkened bus that will bring me from the parking area to the haunted town nearby. As in year’s past, Buckskin Joe’s, eight miles west of Canon City, is partially converted into a massive haunted town of terror.

I say partially because aspects of the summer tourist facility need no conversion. One of the main structures, which the extensive self-guided tour travels through, is on the national registry of haunted buildings, and may very well be the strangest building I have ever been in.

We find ourselves standing on a dusty and barren old west street, the wind whipping at our faces as we stare at this nightmare. A rocking chair moves on its own volition and all we can do was walk down the middle of the exposed road, three of us, waiting for spooks to emerge, but the silence of the scene is as scary as what is still to come during the next twenty-five minutes. Looking around, there are no malls, no suburbs, no people. The buildings, the smells, the trees are all real. It’s western —and it is lonely.

Moments later, now panting, we pass through an underground mine littered with webs (some real, some not), then a virtually blacked-out maze, then, well, I don’t recall because much of the time we are being chased, or it is too dark to see.

But, I’ll never forget the first time we went. We entered a building that I recalled was the location of countless sightings of small children and sometimes violent hauntings. I wanted to turn on the lights and take a good look, perhaps talk to the owners about what they’d seen? But, there was no time as we were chased up slanting stairs to one of the most bizarre haunted house experiences I have ever had.

Though they suggest that kids under twelve are too young, I have personally terrified boys as young as ten with great Halloween glee. It will rock them, and they may bail out half way through, crying and shaking. This is of course the goal, and is fantastic for the simple reason that they will, especially if they are boys, brag and laugh all the way back to Salida about how much fun it was! —More fun than you can shake a bloody femur at.

Terrified of what might happen were I to go alone, my wife and I load our van up with boys each October to help mitigate our personal hell. Why do we return? ….we….don’t….knooooooooooooow…

Our 2009 adventure is right around the corner.

FROM THE TOWN OF TERROR WEB SITE:

Buckskin Joe exploits its own renowned haunted history, which was highlighted on the History Channel’s – Haunted Rockies Series, to turn Town of Terror into something hauntingly special. Inexplicable things that go on here day after day and year after year only enhance the visitor’s experience. Some have seen little children, apparently part of the haunt, only to be told there are no children involved with the haunt. Still others feel the touch of another only to turn and see no one. This is the experience that awaits the most hardened haunt seekers.

Imagine a haunt, isolated from city noise and lights, set in the Colorado foothills where no one will hear you scream. Imagine a quiet so loud it drives ones imagination wild, or does it? Imagine stepping into a town surrounded by the specters of buildings from a time long ago. They themselves, ghosts of a past forgotten and silhouetting the night sky like evil guardians of the sinister town. Imagine rounding a corner and being face to face with the Lincoln Theatre (the Grand Central Station for nether world activity in Buckskin Joe), its eyes keeping watch over the town. Remembrances of a past fraught with death and destruction. A past as an old barn used for public executions in the late 1800’s and additionally to store bodies in during the winter until the spring thaw came and softened the ground for burial. Now imagine that you are in the town alone, separated from the people you trust and the only way out will take you through the depths of your own soul.

Warning this event is not recommended for persons who are faint at heart, claustrophobic, are prone to seizures or recommended for young children under age 12. Uneven footing, tight, enclosed spaces, low lighting, strobe lights and fog effects are in use. A few lucky souls each year get an additional experience of seeing our real ghosts each year, will you be one?

TICKET PRICES

For approximately 20-30 minutes of Terror!

Adults ~~ $ 17.00

Children (ages 11 & under) ~~ $ 15.00

Not recommended for children under age 12.
Please believe us when we say that it is not
recommended for children under 12.
Little kids rarely make it through the whole way
and we will not issue any refunds.

We accept the following methods of payment:
Cash, MasterCard, Visa & Discover
Please note we do not accept any
personal checks even local.

Click here for discount coupons

Call (719) 275-5485 or 5149 if you need
futher information.  Located 8 miles west
of Cañon City, on the road
to the Royal Gorge.

Prices and hours of operation are subject to change without notice.