FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 27, 2014) – October is arriving, and that means the Kentucky State Parks will be getting out the pumpkins and goblin decorations as they prepare for one of the most popular times of the year – Halloween.
Many of the park system’s campgrounds will be having special activities for campers, including decorations, costumes, hayrides and games for the kids. Resort parks, recreation parks and historic sites will also have special events during October – a great time to be outside with family and friends.
Parents of young children should check in advance – some parks have age recommendations for their events.
Many state resort parks have inexpensive rates for lodge rooms and cottages during the fall, as well as high quality on-site restaurants. State parks have trails, playgrounds and plenty of wildlife viewing areas and fall color that make for excellent family outings. For more information about state park events or to make lodging or camping reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov or call your favorite park.
Here is the list of Kentucky State Park Halloween events (all times local):
Barren River State Resort Park, Lucas
Halloween-themed Weekend, Oct. 17-18
Have a “spooktacular” time at Barren River Lake State Resort Park as ghosts and goblins take over the campground. Campsites will be hauntingly decorated for a festive Halloween-themed time. There will be costume contests for all ages, pumpkin roll contest, trick-or-treating and a variety of other activities for ghouls of all sizes. Campers don’t forget to bring candy for trick-or-treating. Call 1-800-325-0057.
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, Union
Halloween Scare Fest, Oct. 25
Have a hauntingly good time at Big Bone Lick and bring your little ghouls to enjoy trick-or-treating through the campground 7-9 p.m. and the annual campsite decorating contest. Prizes, ribbons or certificates awarded to the top two decorated sites. Call 859-384-3522.
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mount Olivet
Halloween Campout Celebration, Oct. 24-25
Visitors can enjoy all things scary and spooky in this Halloween extravaganza! Participate in the jack-o’-lantern carving contest and the costume competition. Decorate your site for a chance to win a weekend stay in the campground. Haunted mini-golf available, and so much more! We’ve even added a category for pets to our costume competition so that your “furry kids” can get in on the fun too! For campers only. Call 859-289-5507.
Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill
Carter Caves Haunted Trail, Oct. 10-11, 17-18
If you dare, come and take the walk through our ¼-mile wooded trail and experience thrilling scenes and haunts that will have you shivering with fear! Our past trail survivors consider Carter Caves Haunted Trail one of the best haunted attractions in the region. Admission is $8 per person. Concessions will be available at the beginning of the trail. The trail is not recommended for young children. Transportation to and from the trailhead will be provided by the park. Ticket sales are each event night from 7:30-10 p.m. at Carter Caves public pool. Call 606-286-4411.
Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill
Carter Caves Halloween Campout Celebration, Oct. 24-25
Campers, come join us for our 11th annual Halloween Campout Celebration! Some of the special activities include site-to-site trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving contest, costume contest, spooky mini-golf and a campsite decorating contest. Call 606-286-4411.
Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill
‘Spooktacular’ Cave-in Movie, Oct. 25
Join us at Cascade Cave for an evening of fun and entertainment as we show you a family-friendly spooky flick inside the cave! Movie title is to be announced. The price is $5 per person at the door, and seating is not provided, so it is BYOC (bring your own chairs). Popcorn and drink concessions will be available at the cave on a cash-only basis. Showtime is 8:30 p.m. Tickets are sold at Cascade Cave. Call 606-286-4411.
Columbus-Belmont State Park, Columbus
Un-BOO-lievable Weekend, Oct. 24-26
Enjoy a fun-filled weekend with campsite trick-or-treating, campsite decorating contest, costume contests and a chili and dessert cookoff – all on Saturday for campers. These events will be followed by a “Civil War Ghost Ride.” Call 270-677-2327.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin
Tour of Terror, Oct. 17-18, 24-25
Most people see the falls during the daylight hours, but after dark anything can happen. There are numerous stories told about frightful and supernatural happenings around the falls area. Our naturalist guides will take you on a tour of Cumberland Falls that you will never forget. Not recommended for children under 10. Your adventure will begin at the visitor center near the falls. Tours 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Call 606-528-4121.
Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Burkesville
Halloween Haunted Celebration, Oct. 24-25
Dale Hollow Lake will be hosting its Halloween Haunted Celebration Oct. 24-25. Activities include a costume contest, trick-or-treating, hayrides, hot chocolate and coffee, campsite decorations and more. Call 800-325-2282.
Fort Boonesborough State Park, Richmond
Halloween Fest, Oct. 14-26
Visit Fort Boonesborough for our 20th annual Halloween party. This will be our biggest yet as we celebrate with 13 days of fun and frights. We will have scheduled times for pirate mini-golf, camper decoration contest, costume contest, ghost walks, bean supper, pancake breakfast, Halloween parade, crafts, “Pumpkin Express” hayrides, live entertainment, trick-or-treating and lots, lots more. This event is for registered campers only. For more information call 859-527-3454.
General Burnside State Park, Burnside
Halloween Weekends, Oct. 10-11 and Oct. 24-25
Come to the park if you dare for a “spooktacular” fun-filled weekend. Special activities for campers only include site-to-site trick-or-treating, a costume contest, pumpkin carving, campsite decorating, games and much more. For campers only. Call 606-561-4104.
General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton
Halloween Family Weekends, Oct. 17-19, 24-26
Two great weekends of family fun are happening, themed around Halloween! Resort activities held in the campground are for guests staying at General Butler State Resort Park. Evening activities at the front entrance are open to general public: Mini-golf and train rides. Call 502-732-4384.
Green River Lake State Park, Campbellsville
Halloween in the Park, Oct. 17-19
Activities for campers include: free mini-golf and ghost golf. There will be a campsite decorating contest with prizes; a costume contest for children, pets, and adults; a pumpkin decorating contest; trick-or-treating for the kids. These events are for campers only. Call 270- 465-8255.
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg
Halloween Fun, Oct. 24-25
Activities at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park include haunted hayrides and haunted boat rides starting at dark on both Friday and Saturday. On Saturday, join us from 4-6 p.m. for trick-or-treating. Events also include campsite decorating contest and costume contest. All activities will be taking place at or near the campground. Call 606-889-1790.
John James Audubon State Park, Henderson
Halloween Bash, Oct. 24
Dress up those little goblins (for ages 3-7) and princesses and send them to the Halloween Bash at the Audubon Museum for a morning of art and fun, 10:30-11:45 a.m. We will be creating a special mask for Halloween and have a visit from Owlivia the owl. Have a HOOT of a time at the Bash. Preregistration is required; the fee is $5. For sign-ups or more information contact: Kim McGrew at the Audubon Museum (270) 827 1893 or [email protected].
John James Audubon State Park, Henderson
Halloween in the Campground, Oct. 25
Enjoy a ghoulishly good time by trick-or-treating in the campground from 4-5:15 p.m. We’ll also have a special owl program at 5:30-6:30. Contact: Julie McDonald at 270-826-2247 or [email protected]
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville
Campground Halloween Weekend, Oct. 17-19
Visit the Kentucky Dam Village campground for a variety of Halloween-themed activities for all ages. The weekend will include a creepy critters live animal show, karaoke costume party, campsite decorating contest, trick-or-treating, themed crafts and more. All activities are open to the public. For a detailed activities schedule contact Laura Jackson at [email protected] 270-326-4276, ext 412.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz
Trick-or-Trot 5K Glow Run, Oct. 25
Ready, Set, GLOW! Lake Barkley State Resort Park is hosting its annual Trick-or-Trot 5K Race on Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m. The race is part of the Western Kentucky State Park Series. Registration is $25, but participants can save $5 by registering online. Same-day registration will open one hour prior to the race start. This year’s race is a glow-themed night run for all ages that begins and ends at Lake Barkley Beach! Get ready to light up the night, and don’t forget to bring your glow gear. Halloween costumes are also welcome. Trophy ceremony and black light after-party with live DJ will follow! Please note: Participants are only guaranteed an event T-shirt (with glow-in-the-dark ink!) if registered by Oct. 16. Call 270-924.1131.
Lake Malone State Park, Dunmor
Halloween Bash, Oct. 24-25
Everyone is invited to Lake Malone’s Halloween Bash! Bring the family for fun and fright! We will be having a Haunted Pavilion on Friday, Oct. 24 from 7-10 p.m. On Oct. 25 from 5-10 p.m. the park will have a Bouncy Maze, Haunted Pavilion and a variety of games. There will also be a costume contest, campsite decorating contest and trick-or-treating. The Friends of Lake Malone State Park will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, drinks and popcorn. For admission to the games please bring a canned food item for each person. Donations will go to the local food banks. Call 270-657-2111.
Levi Jackson State Park, London
Halloween Camping, Oct. 20-25
Break out your costumes and candy! It’s our annual Halloween event at Levi Jackson State Park. We’ll have recreation activities planned including crafts for the kids, a campground-wide trick-or-treat, a dance party, dinner for all of our campers, a campsite decorating contest, camper and pets costume contests, hay rides and much more! There will be prizes and fun every day from Oct. 20-25. All recreation events are for registered campers only. Reservations are recommended. Minimum three-night stay. Call 606-330-2130 or email [email protected] for more information.
Nolin Lake State Park, Mammoth Cave
Trick or Treat in the Park, Oct. 25
Children under the age of 13 and accompanied by a parent may trick or treat in the park from 5:30-7 p.m. Campers are encouraged to decorate for the scariest decorated campsite contest. Winners will receive a gift certificate for a future night of camping. Call 270-286-4240.
Old Fort Harrod State Park, Harrodsburg
Haunted Frontier, Oct. 30-Nov. 1
A haunted house 240 years in the making. Come and experience this haunt that starts in the old fort before entering the wooded area behind the fort, very near the oldest cemetery in the state of Kentucky! Most of the haunt is outside in the smoky darkness of this historic place. This is a serious haunt, not recommended for children under 10 or the weak-hearted. Call 859-734-3314.
Old Mulkey Meeting House State Historic Site, Tompkinsville
Halloween in the Park, Oct. 10
Ghosts and goblins of every size are invited to the park for this annual Halloween party! Children through age 10 will enjoy the costume parade, the Halloween-themed games and activities. Carve or decorate a jack-o’-lantern at home and bring it for the contests. Lots of prizes! Admission is $5 per person, which includes a hot dog dinner. Registration by Oct. 8 is required. Call 270-487-8481.
Paintsville Lake State Park, Paintsville
Halloween for Campers, Oct. 25
Campers at Paintsville Lake can enjoy a cookout at 1 p.m., followed by magician David Cottrell at 4:30 p.m. The kids can take part in pumpkin painting and trick or treat. There will also be a contest for best-decorated campsite.
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs
Spooky Extravaganza, Oct. 24-26
A full schedule of Halloween activities will be available for the weekend: scary storytelling, Halloween crafts, trick-or-treating, contests for best jack-o’-lantern, campsite decorating, and costumes (children and adults). Call 1-800-325-1711.
Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville
Halloween Ball, Oct. 25
Dress up for Halloween and visit Pine Mountain for its Halloween Ball. DJ Brian O’Brien will provide music. Cash bar and snacks. No outside alcohol permitted. Must be 21 or older. Advance tickets are $13 for individuals and $22 per couple. At the door, tickets are $15 per person or $25 per couple. Call 1-800-325-1712.
Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington
Waveland Paranormal Investigation, Oct. 24
Lexington Paranormal Research team members will be offering public “paranormal investigations” on the Waveland grounds from 8 p.m. to midnight. The investigation will include the house, quarters and grounds. L.P.R.S. will be using their equipment and giving instruction throughout the event. Tickets are $20. Sign-up starts at 7 p.m. at the cabin. Call 859-272-3611.
Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington
Hollywood Horror Haunted Mansion and Trail at Waveland, Oct. 25, 31
Waveland State Historic Site and Dunbar High School Drama Department will present the “Hollywood Horror Haunted Mansion and Trail” at Waveland. Guests will be guided through the mansion and the Waveland trail. Horror lurks in the mansion and on the trail at dark! Students from the School for Creative and Performing Arts will also be featured at this event. Open 8-11 p.m. Tickets are $10 a person. For more information, call Charla Reed, 859-272-3611.
White Hall State Historic Site, Richmond
Ghost Walk, Oct. 16-18, 24-25
For years White Hall State Historic Site has had a reputation for being haunted. Now thrill-seekers can visit the historic home and experience the spirits of the past. “Ghosts” will come out of the darkness to tell the incredible stories of the Clay family. Afterwards guests are treated to hot apple cider and cookies. This tour is an alternative to the typical haunted house. It is a theatrical history lesson and is very family friendly. Tickets are $10 per person and are by reservation only. Tours run from 7-9:30 p.m. Call the park at 859-623-9178.
Yatesville Lake State Park, Louisa
Halloween Camping, Oct. 25
Enjoy the Halloween season with a fun-filled day including a chili lunch, trick-or-treating for kids, games, campsite decorating contest, s’mores, and a “Haunted Trail” walk at dusk. These activities limited to campground guests only.
Add Comment