Southern California’s OG haunt is back in session — but if you’re heading to Knott’s Scary Farm this year, you’d better read the rules before stepping into the fog.
Knott’s has rolled out a noticeably firmer Code of Conduct for its 2025 Scary Farm season, and the messaging is loud and clear before you even make it through security: “NO RE-ENTRY FOR THIS EVENT.” That’s not just a suggestion. If you leave, for any reason, you’re not coming back in. Done. Gone. Don’t even try.
In the world of theme park haunts, that’s a pretty significant policy shift — and it’s not the only line that’s raising eyebrows. From chaperone mandates to behavioral crackdowns, this year’s event feels like it’s making a hard pivot toward control, safety, and reputation management.
So why the sudden formality at an event known for chainsaws and chaos? Let’s break it down.
Once You’re In, You’re In: No Re-Entry Is a Real Rule
Let’s start with the headline. The “no re-entry” policy at Knott’s Scary Farm means exactly what it sounds like. If you leave the gates — even just to grab your phone charger or take a break — your night is over. There’s no hand stamp, no scan-back-in option, and definitely no exceptions.
That might feel extreme for casual visitors or first-timers who aren’t familiar with the way SoCal haunts operate. But for Scary Farm regulars? This feels like a long time coming.
The park has had a bit of a reputation problem in recent years. Past seasons saw an increase in crowd control issues, including unruly guests, altercations, and, notably, a wave of teenagers left unsupervised, treating the park like a Friday night playground. It wasn’t just “kids being kids” — it was getting disruptive, and it was starting to affect the overall experience.
Enter: the strictest rules we’ve seen at Knott’s to date.
A Closer Look at the Full Code of Conduct
Before you even make it into the fog, guests are greeted by a sign outside the gates spelling out exactly what’s expected of them inside the park. Here’s the full rundown of rules this year:
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No re-entry
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No line-jumping or place-holding
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No running, unruly, or offensive behavior
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No horseplay
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No blocking walkways
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No loud, profane, or abusive language
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No touching or mistreating monsters
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No costumes or masks
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Smoking/vaping only in designated areas
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Absolutely no marijuana use
If you violate any of these? You risk immediate removal without compensation.
It might sound intense, but the message is clear: Knott’s is prioritizing safety, not second chances.
Why the Tougher Stance?
Look — Knott’s Scary Farm has always walked a fine line between edgy and immersive. That’s part of the charm. You’re going for the screams, the weirdness, the electric vibe of Halloween in a theme park that leans way into the dark.
But that line gets blurry when you add thousands of teens, tight walkways, long lines, and high-octane scare actors into the mix.
A few seasons ago, the guest issues became hard to ignore. Security presence increased. Social media clips of fights and disruptions started to circulate. And veteran haunt-goers began to question if Scary Farm was losing its balance.
That led to one of the biggest policy changes in recent memory — the chaperone rule. Any guest 15 or younger is now required to enter the event with a guardian aged 21+ who stays in the park and is reachable by phone. One adult can bring up to 10 kids max. Break that rule, and the entire group can be kicked out.
That policy is still in effect this year, and it pairs directly with the no re-entry rule to tighten the leash even further.
What’s Inside Knott’s Scary Farm 2025?
Despite the tighter rules, Knott’s isn’t pulling back on content. If anything, the lineup this year might be its most ambitious in a while.
There are two new haunted mazes for 2025:
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Mary: The Haunting of Worth Home, a creepy reinvention of the Bloody Mary folklore, full of mirrors, childhood fears, and Victorian-style paranormal horror.
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The Zoo, which takes guests through an abandoned animal testing facility where the military has been blending DNA in an attempt to create the ultimate hybrid super soldier.
That brings the total number of haunted houses to ten, including returning hits like Room 13, The Grimoire (its final year), and Origins: The Curse of Calico, which has become a modern fan-favorite.
You’ll also find:
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Five scare zones, including the returning Ghost Town Streets and Carnevil
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Three live shows, including the always-outrageous The Hanging
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Celebrity hosts, with The Boulet Brothers serving as the face of the 2025 event
So… Is It Still Worth Going?
If you’re a Knott’s Scary Farm fan who’s been going for years, this is probably great news. The park is drawing clear lines to weed out disruptive guests and protect the experience.
For newcomers or families with younger teens, it might feel like a lot of structure for a haunt event. But here’s the truth: in a world where every scare night sells out, and TikTok teens are filming scare actors for clout, parks have to protect their energy.
Knott’s is choosing to invest in the atmosphere—and that means rules.
Rules Are Part of the Scare
It might sound weird, but this kind of structure can actually make your night better. With fewer disruptions, better crowd flow, and a park full of people who actually came for the event (not to go viral), there’s more room to get lost in the fog.
So eat before you go. Dress for the weather. Keep your group close. And remember: when they say “no re-entry,” they’re not joking.
Once you’re inside Knott’s Scary Farm, you’re in their world. And honestly? That’s exactly what we want.
