Explore the parks for Halloween fun in October
State park areas are wonderful places to celebrate Halloween in Nebraska, with many hosting family-friendly activities on weekends in October. Plan your opportunity for fun at several park locations.
Remember: A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering a state park area. Get yours at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at the park entry booth.
Additional state parks may schedule Halloween events in the coming days. They would be listed at Calendar.Outdoornebraska.gov.
Dusty’s Pumpkinfest at the Cody’s
Visit to Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park every Saturday and Sunday in October for some spooky fall fun.
Beginning Oct. 4, come to Dusty’s Pumpkinfest at the Cody’s, hosted by Dusty Trails LLC, between noon and 6 p.m. Among the activities and games to enjoy are horseback riding, horse-drawn wagon rides, petting zoo, ax throwing, hay slide, zipline, duck race, pumpkin bounce pad, corn canon, inflatable maze, cornhole, corn crib, barrel train and critter catch.
Admission is $14 per person on Saturdays and $12 on Sundays, with children under age 2 free.
Indian Cave SP to celebrate 30th Annual Haunted Hollow
Treat yourself to a smorgasbord of Halloween fun at Indian Cave State Park on Oct. 10, 11, 18 and 25.
The park’s 30th Annual Haunted Hollow event kicks off with trick-or-treating along decorated trails at the old town of St. Deroin on Oct. 10. The Pink Pumpkin Walk, a walk raising funds for local cancer organizations, is at 11 a.m. Oct. 18.
Other activities include a pumpkin roll, haunted hayrack rides, campsite decorating contest, junk and craft market, and Trick or Treat by the Buses. See the calendar event entry at Calendar.Outdoornebraska.gov for more details.
Halloween is Brewing with Fun at Mahoney SP
Wear your spooky, silly and creative costume and come to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s Owen Marina from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 11 for Halloween is Brewing with Fun.
There will be games, pumpkin carving, costume parade, naturalist programs, campfire, and trolley rides to tour campground Halloween decorations.
Limited pumpkins will be available for purchase. Pumpkin carving and decorating tools will be provided. S’more kits and food will be available for purchase.
Halloween Haunt returns to Johnson Lake SRA
Johnson Lake State Recreation Area’s Halloween Haunt returns from 1-7 p.m. Oct. 11 with plenty to enjoy.
Start off by painting your Halloween vision on a pumpkin and playing kids’ games. Take in all the fun costumes as kids go trick-or-treating at the campsites. The day concludes with judging of the campsite decorating contest and marshmallow roasting.
See the calendar event entry at Calendar.Outdoornebraska.gov for the schedule.
Fremont to host campsite decorating and trick-or-treating
Come join the fun at Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area on Oct. 11 for a Halloween campsite decorating contest and trick-or-treating. Both will be from 5-7 p.m.
Ponca SP hosting 27th Annual Hallowfest
Come to Ponca State Park to enjoy a Halloween tradition during the 27th Annual Hallowfest Oct. 11 and Oct. 18.
There will be daytime activities both Saturdays, such as pumpkin archery and critter corner, cabin decorating contest, and trick-or-treating in the campgrounds.
Haunted Hayrack Rides will take place Oct. 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations are required and may be made starting at 9 a.m. Oct. 6. See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for more details.
Activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18 will include the pumpkin roll, s’mores, games, food, pumpkin carving, and pet parade. Pumpkins will be available for purchase.
Calamus hosting Pumpkin Carvers Event
Visit Calamus State Recreation Area for the annual Pumpkin Carvers Event on Oct. 18 for a day full of family-friendly activities.
The day includes pumpkin carving, games and a pumpkin rolling derby, all of which will take place on the west side of the shower house area at Homestead Knolls Campground.
Pumpkin carving will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Kids games and downhill pumpkin rolling derby will be at 1 p.m.
Carved pumpkins will be gathered at 4 p.m. and displayed in the campground, which will be closed to traffic. Lights will be provided for pumpkins.
Branched Oak SRA to host Spooktacular
Spend a day with the family Oct. 18 enjoying Spooktacular at Branched Oak State Recreation Area near Raymond.
Middle Oak Creek Campground will host this event, which will include pumpkin carving, costume contest, campsite decorating, campground trick-or-treating and haunted hayrack rides. Purchase tickets by calling the office at 402-783-3400.
See the calendar event entry at Calendar.Outdoornebraska.gov for more details.
Vintage Halloween weekend at Arbor Lodge
Step back in time to see historic trades, talents, and other demonstrations come alive inside Arbor Lodge Mansion and on the grounds during living history weekends at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City.
The Oct. 18-19 weekend is full of vintage Halloween frivolity, celebrating Halloween history, customs, and games throughout the 52-room mansion from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. There also will be displays and crafts.
See the calendar event entry at Calendar.Outdoornebraska.gov to purchase tickets.
Gouge a Gourd with atlatl at Mahoney SP
Gouge a Gourd is an opportunity to learn how to use the primitive spear-throwing device called an atlatl at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park on Oct. 21, 25 and 28.
Pumpkins, not foam targets, will be what is aimed at in this activity for ages 6 and above.
Meet behind the Bur Oak Shelter between 1 and 4 p.m. on Oct. 25 and 1 and 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 and 28.
Halloween Candlelight Tours at Arbor Mansion
Arbor Lodge Mansion will host Halloween Candlelight Tours at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Oct. 24-25.
These one-hour tours will lead guests on a candlelight tour through the grand halls and eerie corners of the Morton Mansion. As darkness falls, guests will be led by costumed guides through the dimly lit 52-room mansion, with only candles and candelabras to light the way.
The Halloween Candlelight Tours will be appropriate for families with older children, teens and adults.
See the calendar event entry at Calendar.Outdoornebraska.gov to purchase tickets.
Chadron SP to host Trunk-or-Treat Adventures
Bring the little ones to Chadron State Park for Trunk-or-Treat Adventures from 4-7 p.m. Mountain time Oct. 25.
On this day of sweet treats and costumes, there will be free pumpkin painting, a bounce house and drinks and snacks to purchase at the Trading Post.
The costumed kids may enjoy trunk-or-treating in the campground. Tram rides will be available between the trading post and the campground.
There also will be a campsite-decorating contest, with prizes and incentives for participating. Call 308-432-6167 for more information or to register.
Wildcat Hills hosting Howl in the Hills Night Hike
Experience the Wildcat Hills at night Oct. 25 during the Howl in the Hills Night Hike. This free, .57-mile guided hike through rugged terrain will begin at 7 p.m. Mountain time at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.
Bring a flashlight, hiking shoes and a sense of adventure.
Halloween fun at Schramm treehouse
Visit the Treehouse Classroom at Schramm Park State Recreation Area on Halloween for Halloween-themed activities.
From 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 31, participants can learn about why bats, spiders and owls are not as spooky as some people believe they are.
Park educators will help participants make spooky “zines” that they can share with friends to teach them fun facts about some of their favorite nocturnal animals.
Camp & Treat at Red Willow SRA
Enjoy discounted camping rates and Halloween family fun Oct. 31-Nov. 2 at Red Willow State Recreation Area’s Camp & Treat.
Nov. 1, kids ages 14 and younger are invited to bring their artistic skills and compete in a pumpkin painting contest at 4 p.m. There will be a camper/campsite decorating contest and judging at 5 p.m., followed by camper-to-camper trick-or-treating.
All weekend, the camping rates will be $5 off the posted rate for electrical sites and tent sites, with restrooms and water available, weather permitting.