Dark Forest

Presented in partnership with Quixotic, Dark Forest is an eerie, immersive, multimedia hike in Powell Gardens’ woods. There are light shows, performers, and music along a 1-mile unpaved natural path.

Attraction Uses: fog, strobe lights, flashing lights, and other intense lighting features, low to no path lighting, intense sound, steep inclines/declines, and rugged, uneven, narrow, unpaved, loose, and natural terrain.

Most guests complete the Dark Forest experience in about one hour. If you have time before or after your ticketed trail time, visit the Mystic Fair and Missouri Barn & Silo for food, beverages, and shopping.

The Dark Forest experience takes place along Powell Gardens’ one-mile Family Discovery Loop. Visitors should be prepared to walk along a one-mile unpaved trail through the woodlands with rugged and natural terrain. Visitors should also be prepared to walk to and from the parking lot and entrance/exit paths to the experience.

One-mile hike outdoors on unpaved trail through the woodlands with rugged and natural terrain. Guests can expect limited visibility (including but not limited to fog, low to no lighting), uneven and narrow natural paths with loose terrain (including loose soil, wood chip, and gravel surfaces), and hills with potentially steep inclines and declines.

Guests are not allowed to bring strollers, wagons, or similar items on the trail. No pets allowed, with the exception of registered service animals.

Powell Gardens makes no claims that the trail is designed, maintained, or managed for any mobility device. Due to natural, rugged, narrow, and uneven terrain, the one-mile path through Dark Forest, visitor discretion is advised. Visitors use Powell Gardens’ areas at their own risk. Please see above for expected trail conditions.

Attraction Uses: fog, strobe lights, flashing lights, and other intense lighting features, low to no path lighting, intense sound, steep inclines/declines, and rugged, uneven, narrow, unpaved, loose, and natural terrain.

Guests are not allowed to bring strollers, wagons, or similar items on the trail.

No, there is no special pricing for children. Dark Forest is full of eerie performers and scenes that may not be suitable for all audiences. It is not recommended for anyone below the age of 13. Parental discretion is advised.

Guests are not allowed to bring strollers, wagons, or similar items on the trail.

Think of Dark Forest as PG-13. While there are no jump scares or gore used throughout the Dark Forest experience, the event is meant to be a creepy immersive walk through the woods, which may be considered frightening or upsetting.

Port-a-potties are available at the beginning of the trail (before visitors enter) and at the Mystic Lake (halfway point). It is recommended visitors use the restrooms at the Missouri Barn prior to their entry time for the trail. .  

Due to the rugged, natural, and narrow terrain along the path, there is no seating along the trail. However, limited seating is available at the Mystic Lake (halfway point). Additional seating options can be found at the Missouri Barn & Silo prior to entry into the experience.

No, the trolley will not be available during Dark Forest. The trolley is only available during daytime general admission hours.  

A VIP Fast Pass includes two drink tickets, an event t-shirt, access to VIP parking and VIP area along the Dark Forest trail, and ability to jump to the front of the Dark Forest line. 

Dark Forest is the perfect time to capture photos and videos! Please avoid any flash photography.

If you stop to take photos or videos during the experience, please be considerate of others. Keep moving forward to keep the path clear and flowing. Do not obstruct traffic. If you would like to stay longer at a particular moment, please move to the side of the path to avoid hindering the flow of traffic.

If you choose to share your photos or videos to social media, tag @powellgardens, @quixoticfusion, and @darkforestkc and use the hashtag #darkforestkc.

• Visitors should stay on the marked Dark Forest path. Do not wander in the woods.  
• Visitors should not touch performers.
• Visitors should be respectful of fellow guests and performers throughout the experience.
• Visitors are welcome to take photos and videos but flash photography is strictly prohibited.
• Visitors should dress appropriately for an outdoors experience on natural terrain through the woods with closed-toe shoes and layers pending weather conditions.
• Visitors should not litter.
• Powell Gardens is a smoke-free facility.
• Firearms or weapons of any kind are not allowed.

Dark Forest tickets are sold by the time of entry to the one-mile experience. For example, if you purchase 7 p.m. tickets, you should be in line to enter the woods by 7 p.m.  

Plan to arrive 30-45 minutes ahead of your scheduled time to allow for check-in and parking.  

Should Dark Forest be cancelled or changes occur to the event due to severe or dangerous weather conditions, staff will make an announcement on social media and ticketholders will be notified via email with next steps. (Make sure you check your junk, spam, and promotions folders!)  

We will share additional details, including rainout dates if available, with ticket holders as needed. Tickets are non-refundable.  

In case of emergency, call 911 and notify a staff member or performer.