Johnson Lake State Recreation Area, (Brian Neben, Courtesy)
NEBRASKA — 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.
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. 5, 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, ax throwing, hay slide, zipline, duck race, pumpkin checkers/tic-tac-toe, pumpkin bounce pad, corn canon, bounce house, Bigfoot race, gold panning, challenge inflatable, petting zoo, bumper ball, cornhole, and critter catch. The North Platte Jaycees will provide concessions.
Admission is $12 per person, with children under age 2 free.
Indian Cave SP to celebrate 29th Annual Haunted Hollow
Treat yourself to a smorgasbord of Halloween fun at Indian Cave State Park on Oct. 11, 12, 19, 26 and 27.
The park’s 29th Annual Haunted Hollow event kicks off with trick-or-treating along decorated trails at the old town of St. Deroin on Oct. 11.
Other activities include a pumpkin roll, haunted hayrack rides, campsite decorating contest, junk and craft market, a walk raising funds for local cancer organizations and Trick or Treat by the Buses. See the calendar event entry at Calendar.Outdoornebraska.gov for more details.
Halloween Haunt returns to Johnson Lake SRA
Johnson Lake State Recreation Area’s Halloween Haunt returns from 1-7 p.m. Oct. 12 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.
Fremont to host campsite decorating and trick-or-treating
Come join the fun at Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area on Oct. 12 for a Halloween campsite decorating contest and trick-or-treating. Both will be from 5-7 p.m.
Halloween is Brewing with Fun at Mahoney SP
Wear your spooky, silly and creative costumes and come to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s Owen Marina from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 12 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 at $6. Pumpkin carving and decorating tools will be provided. S’more kits and food will be available for purchase.
Ponca SP hosting 26th Annual Hallowfest
Come to Ponca State Park to enjoy a Halloween tradition during the 26th Annual Hallowfest Oct. 12 and Oct. 19.
From 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., guests can participate in outdoor education programs and games, making s’mores, pumpkin carving contest, pumpkin roll obstacle course, pet costume contest, cabin and campsite decorating contest, and trick-or-treating.
Halloween in the Hollow at Ash Hollow SHP
Get ready to have fun at this Halloween in the Hollow, from 1-6 p.m. Mountain Time Oct. 19 at Ash Hollow State Historical Park.
Bring your best costume for the costume contest and enjoy some trunk-or-treating. Kids can saddle up for pony rides and play kids’ games, while individuals and families can also sample the food vendors and compete in skill games.
Admission is $2, with some games and booths requiring an additional fee.
Branched Oak SRA to host Spooktacular on Oct. 19
Spend a day with the family Oct. 19 enjoying Spooktacular at Branched Oak State Recreation Area near Raymond.
Middle Oak Creek Campground will host this event, which will include a pumpkin-rolling contest, pumpkin carving, costume contest, campsite decorating, 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.
Wildcat Hills hosting Howl in the Hills Night Hike
Experience the Wildcat Hills at night Oct. 19 during the Howl in the Hills Night Hike. This .57-mile guided hike on uneven terrain is offered in two hikes – at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Mountain Time – with a limit of 25 participants per hike.
Bring a flashlight, hiking shoes and a sense of adventure. Register before Oct. 9 at the calendar event entry at Calendar.Outdoornebraska.gov.
Haunted Camping at Enders State Recreation Area
Old-fashioned Halloween fun is on deck at Enders State Recreation Area from 2-6 p.m. Mountain Time Oct. 25, such as a haunted tent, hayrack rides, games, and pumpkin carving.
Dress up for the costume contest at 5:30 p.m.; both kids, adults and pets can join in the fun. As you enjoy the afternoon, munch on s’mores and sip hot apple cider.
Camp & Treat at Red Willow SRA
Enjoy winter camping rates and Halloween family fun Oct. 25-27 at Red Willow State Recreation Area’s Camp & Treat.
Oct. 26, 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 camper-to-camper trick-or-treating at 5 p.m., followed by a camper/campsite decorating contest judging.
All weekend, the camping rates will be $5 off the posted rate for electrical sites and $10 tent sites.
First Responders Halloween at Niobrara SP
Celebrate First Responders Halloween on Oct. 26 at Niobrara State Park.
From 4-9 p.m., enjoy the Halloween season while recognizing local volunteers and first responders. There will be a campsite decorating contest, kids’ games, trick-or-treating, a haunted barn, and pumpkin roll contest.
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. 26-27 weekend is full of vintage Halloween frivolity, celebrating Halloween history, customs, and games throughout the 52-room mansion from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Mansion admission is $9 adults and $7 for ages 3-12. Call Arbor Lodge at 402-873-7222 for more information.
Halloween activities planned at Schramm
The Schramm Education Center near Gretna has a full lineup of activities from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 31 at the classroom and outdoor classroom.
• Gouge a Gourd – Learn to use an atlatl or a slingshot to take aim at some pumpkins.
• Learn from a Leaf – Collect fallen leaves, observe their characteristics, learn how to identify some common Nebraska trees, then make leaf collage art.
• All About Bones – Discover skeletons, skulls and other bones and what they tell us about some common Nebraska animals.
• Fall Photos – We’ll have a few hay bales and pumpkins set up for fall photos in the forest. Wear some flannel, cozy caps or ghostly gear to take some pictures, then tag us on social media.
• Animal Ambassadors – Meet some live animals and discover what makes them unique.
Admission fees apply to the education center. Halloween costumes should be family friendly.
