The Scream Chamber is One of the Best Haunted Attractions in the Country

McMinn County, Tennessee, is home to one of the best haunted attractions in the United States, making it an essential stop for anyone who loves Halloween. The Scream Chamber ranked fifth in the country in 2024, according to The Scare Factor, and received a glowing review for its cast, costuming, customer service, and entertainment value.

“We have people coming from all over to experience our attraction,” says Heather Garrison, co-founder of The Scream Chamber. “Students visiting from Spain came through one year, along with a tour from Massachusetts.”

The Scream Chamber is designed for adult audiences and runs on weekends through September and October. Discover what makes this locally owned attraction stand out, and mark your calendar for spooky experiences. 

The Scream Chamber Started as an Oversized Halloween Party

The Scream Chamber is entering its seventh year scaring residents and visitors in McMinn County. It started when Garrison and her husband Brian turned their home into a haunted house for their first grader’s Halloween party. They didn’t want to do a standard kids' party, but also didn’t realize their event would be so popular. They brought it back the following year, making it a little bigger, and more than 200 people went through their home throughout the weekend.

“People were signing waivers before they entered my house!” says Garrison. “We realized we needed to find another place if we were going to keep the event going.” 

The Garrisons Found the Samuel Cleage House

Heather and Brian eventually found and purchased the Samuel Cleage House, built in 1826 and one of the first brick houses in the area. The property had been neglected and was starting to fall apart. It had been vandalized, and there were plans to tear it down. This made it perfect for a haunted attraction.

The Garrisons got to work making the house safe for visitors and setting up an internal maze. While the attraction returns yearly, the Garrisons have not harmed the home's integrity. All of the maze walls are screwed in and can be removed if another owner wants to restore the property.

“Everything we have done has been a labor of love,” says Garrison. “We have tried to keep as much of the house original as possible.”

Along with the haunted attraction, the Garrisons also host historic property tours during daylight hours. 

The Cleage House Residents Enjoy the New Attraction

One of the benefits of buying a 200-year-old property is that it comes with built-in paranormal activity. The Garrisons have experienced the spirits who reside in the Cleage House, and several employees also report paranormal activity. One employee had a bottle of glue thrown at his head during his first week. He has continued to work at the Scream Chamber for the past three years.

Heather says the spirits weren’t sure about their presence initially, but the paranormal activity has calmed down over time. There’s still an uptick at the start of each season, and the resident ghosts are unsure about new people, but everyone settles into their roles.

The presence of ghosts has not limited their hiring ability. More people than ever apply to work at The Scream Chamber each year.

“We had the best hiring event ever this year,” says Garrison. “It’s to the point where we can’t take any more people on.”

Some spirits also participate in the haunted attraction and navigate the mazes alongside visitors.

“We’ve had customers rave about their experiences and describe costuming in detail while asking about our special effects,” says Garrison. “But the costumes they describe don’t fit the descriptions of anything we’ve bought. They also mention a little girl in some of the rooms, but this is an adults-only event.”

The Scream Chamber is More Than a Haunted House 

The Garrisons keep The Scream Chamber attraction going throughout the year. Residents and visitors can try out the escape rooms, participate in axe throwing, and will eventually be able to rent out the barn for parties, events, and even weddings. They are working to add air conditioning to the recently constructed 40 x 50 ft barn to make it more comfortable.

Even if you don’t like haunted attractions, you can enjoy the activities at The Scream Chamber. The axe-throwing, in particular, is free from haunted characters.  

“We don’t want someone holding an axe to feel scared,” says Garrison. “That’s just not a good combo.” 

Kids Under 12 Can Trick-or-Treat the Chamber

While The Scream Chamber is not recommended for kids, there is one night when they are welcome to explore the house in a fun and safe environment. Trick or Treat the Chamber will be held on Sunday, October 26, and is free to attend. Families can interact with friendly characters handing out candy and enjoy a variety of activities around the house.  

“We try to make The Scream Chamber a fun, safe place for anyone who has to come up and have a good time,” says Garrison.

Adults and kids can also enjoy a completely wheelchair accessible experience at The Scream Chamber. Accessibility was an essential factor for the Garrisons when designing the haunt.  

Plan Your Visit to The Scream Chamber With Discover McMinn

The Scream Chamber alone is reason enough to visit McMinn County, but there are plenty of other festivals and attractions to enjoy throughout the fall. Whether you are looking for pumpkin patches, live music, or family-friendly events, McMinn County has activities across its communities.  

Check out the events calendar on Discover McMinn to see what’s coming up. Plan your visit, whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation.  

Some people visit McMinn County and decide they never want to leave. The spirits at the Cleage House can make sure you’re comfortable there for the next… century or two.