Halloween Camping and Hiking
Halloween is truly the best outdoor holiday. The opportunities beyond trick-or-treating to have some fun outside are endless too! Check out this post for some great ideas for a hiking and games Halloween party.
Whether your family is up for a crisp October camping trip complete with campfire ghost-stories, or an after-dark hike to look for spooky spiders, we offer some great Halloween ideas for the outdoorsy family.
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Tips for Camping during Halloween
Decorate your campsite!
Decorating the campsite is fun no matter where you are staying; dispersed camping, an established campground or a cabin rental.
Easy Ideas for decorating your Halloween campsite:
- Carve pumpkins
- Glowstick spooky eyes (cut two small holes in an empty paper towel roll, insert a glowstick & prop up in a bush) – check out this DIY post
- Flying ghosts (Gather pine cones for the head, and cut up an old white t-shirt or towel for the body. Tie string under the head and hang from a tree. So spooky!)
- Paper lanterns (these battery powered ones look great)
- Halloween shadow puppets by the light of the campfire (make your own, or check out these cute ones that come with a book!)
- Glowsticks and more glowsticks
Choose outdoorsy/camping themed costumes
We love this costume of some backpackers and their pack llama. Check out more outdoorsy-themed costumes here!
Outdoorsy-themed Costume Ideas:
- Park ranger
- S’mores
- Wild animals (deer, bison, fox, rabbit, bat)
- The seasons (perfect for a family of 4)
- John Muir
- Smokey the Bear
- Thunderstorm
Light up the night with glowsticks
We love these reusable glow sticks for putting everywhere (including on little trick-or-treaters).
Have candy or small treats ready
OK, I’m just going to say it: candy corn is my favorite Halloween candy. And yes, I am the only one in my family who eats it!
Besides the usual Halloween candy offerings, little treat bags with s’mores supplies inside makes a great treat (especially if you’re not expecting a gazillion trick-or-treaters).
If you prefer to go the non-candy route, temporary tattoos, mini Play-Doh, temporary tattoos and glowsticks make great small gifts.
Bring a wagon or stroller
Our wagon has saved us on so many Halloweens. I love how the Wonderfold wagon is easily packable too. Wagons make traveling through larger campgrounds so much easier for easy in-and-out of trick-or-treaters.
Halloween Hiking
Halloween hiking is so much fun and a great excuse to get some extra use out of new or old costumes.
If you’re like us, your kids have a lot of pent-up energy on Halloween. It’s hard to wait for it trick-or-treating time! We often take advantage of the cool (but not quite winter) weather to get out for a hike.
Invite friends to go with you, and have a costume parade. Other hikers on the trail will get a HUGE kick out of seeing kids in their costumes.
We also love to hike the day after Halloween. We throw a bunch of candy in our packs to use as “motivation” on the trail, and let the kids re-wear their costumes if they want to. It’s a great way to get out of the house and away from the “how much candy can you eat in one day?” arguments, while giving them a chance to run off their sugar high.
Best Halloween Campgrounds
The following list of campgrounds was put together with the help of Campspot. Campspot makes finding campgrounds for your family easy! Also, be sure to check out your local state parks for other Halloween camping opportunities.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Tower Park in Lodi, CA
When to stay: 9/24 – 10/31
Accommodations: Cabins, cottages, RV, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Join Tower Park for 6 weekends packed with costume parades, site decorating, pumpkin carving contests, and more! Take a tour through the haunted trail… if you dare!
Sequoia Campground & Lodge in Three Rivers, CA
When to stay: 10/29 – 10/31
Accommodations: Cabins, RV, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Join in on the Halloween fun at Sequoia Campground and Lodge! You can decorate your site for the Halloween contest, or participate in the costume contest for kids and adults! Prizes include free nights and other goodies!
Rustic Acres Campground in New Douglas, IL
When to stay: 9/17 – 10/31
Accommodations: Cabins, group RV sites, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Grab your costume for the costume contest, trick or treat yourself to some candy, or get a good scare in the haunted house. Not into spooky celebrations? Visit during the Fall Festival Weekend happening 10/1-10/3 or participate in the great pumpkin patch activities happening 10/8 – 10/11.
Peaceful Waters Campground in Bloomingdale, IN
When to stay: 10/30 – 11/1
Accommodations: Cabins, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: A weekend of spooktacular activities including a DJ, a kids costume contest for ages 12 and under, and a hayride. Campers are encouraged to bring candy to pass out and decorate their campsite.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Barton Lake in Fremont, IN
When to stay: 9/24 – 10/31
Accommodations: Loft, cottages, cabins, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Guys and ghouls, you won’t want to miss the fang-tastic weekends they have planned! Enjoy trick-or-treating, costume contests, and new this year – a haunted trail! It’s going to be frightfully fun!
AJ Jolly Park in Alexandria, KY
When to stay: 9/11 & 9/23
Accommodations: Yurt, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Join for two weekends of fun this year during the Dragon Boat festival happening on 9/11 and Halloween Spooktacular happening on 10/23.
Holiday Hills Resort in Eddyville, KY
When to stay: 10/9 – 10/31
Accommodations: Lodges, cabins, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Join for one of the three Halloween-themed weekends filled with special activities and events, and the Boo Bag tournament happening 10/9 -10/10.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Williamsport in Williamsport, MD
When to stay: 9/24 – 10/31
Accommodations: Lodges, cabins, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Enjoy 6 weekends of spooktacular fun at Jellystone Park™! From site decorating and costume contests to a magic pumpkin patch and candy hunts, there’s a frightfully fun Halloween activity for everyone to enjoy!
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Grayling in Grayling, MI
When to stay: 9/24 – 10/10
Accommodations: Cabins, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Join for one of the three Pumpkin Patch Halloween Weekends, where you’ll find pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins! Our “Pumpkin Patch” will be open for all to visit and even purchase a pumpkin to decorate! Saturday evening, there will be Site-to-Site Trick-or-Treating so bring those costumes and decorations!
Banning RV Park in Finlayson, MN
Accommodations: RV rentals, Cabins, RV, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Celebrate Halloween at Banning RV Park. They’ll be crafts, a campsite decorating contest, campsite trick-or-treating, a hayride through the park, a Halloween Hunt, and a pumpkin decorating contest.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Mark Twain Lake in Monroe City, MO
When to stay: 9/17 – 10/17
Accommodations: Lodges, cabins, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: It’s Halloween at Jellystone Park, and activities will include loads of fun and plenty of scares! Join us for arts and crafts and activities, pumpkin carving, costume contest, and campsite/cabin decorating contest! Our campers are known for competitive decorating, outdoor cooking, and having a good time. Prizes awarded for first-fifth places in campsite/cabin contests.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Memphis in Horn Lake, MS
When to stay: 10/15 – 10/31
Accommodations: Cabins, RV, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Enjoy a variety of Halloween activities every weekend, starting on 10/15! From trick-or-treating to costume contests, there’s something for campers of all ages to enjoy.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Pelahatchie in Pelahatchie, MS
When to stay: 10/1 – 10/25
Accommodations: Cabins, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Holiday Halloween Spooktacular Weekends. Activities will include loads of fun and plenty of scares! Join us for arts and crafts and activities, pumpkin carving, costume contest, and campsite/cabin decorating contest! Our campers are known for competitive decorating, outdoor cooking, and having a good time.
Zooland Family Campground in Asheboro, NC
When to stay: 10/1 – 10/31
Accommodations: RV sites and tent sites
What to look forward to: You’ll want to arrive Thursday and get set up early to make the 7:00 PM movie under the stars on their new movie screen. On Fridays, you can enjoy music on the deck, and prepare for Saturday’s festivities, which include a pumpkin and costume contest, trick or treating, a haunted house, and hayrides!
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Golden Valley in Bostic, NC
When to stay: 9/24 – 10/31
Accommodations: Cabins, treetop cabins, lodges, glamping tents, RV, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Enjoy many weekends of Halloween celebrations and activities where they’ll be trick-or-treating, costume contests, plus the fan-favorite haunted trail.
Maple Ridge RV Park in Rutherfordton, NC
When to stay: 10/16 – 10/17
Accommodations: RV sites and tent sites
What to look forward to: The 2021 Arts and Crafts Festival will showcase more than 90 artisans with continuous entertainment and kid’s activities. Come hungry, there will also be multiple food vendors!
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Glen Ellis in Glen, NH
When to stay: 9/24 – 10/17
Accommodations: Cabins, lodges, RV, and tent sites
What to look forward to: You won’t want to miss the Halloween Weekends happening 9/24-10/17. They’re sure to be filled with fang-tastic fun.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Lakes Region in Milton, NH
When to stay: 9/24 – 10/17
Accommodations: Cabins, cottages, bungalows, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Camp at Jellystone Park in Milton, New Hampshire this fall and enjoy a wide array of Halloween activities over multiple weekends! From trick-or-treating to haunted trails, there’s something for campers of all ages to enjoy!
Lost River Valley Campground in North Woodstock, NH
When to stay: 10/10
Accommodations: Cabins, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Join for a terrifying day full of laughs and screams! Decorate your site and try to scare your fellow campers! Trick or Treaters will be parading through the park to delight and fright for some sweet treats. And do not forget to dress up and scare the clerk at the camp store for a special treat. Open to all guests staying during the event on October 10, 2021, only.
Westward Shores Cottages & RV Resort in West Ossipee, NH
When to stay: 9/24 – 10/17
Accommodations: Cabins, Cottages, RV, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Though summer may be winding down, the fun isn’t! Join in on the early Halloween celebrations for some spooky, exciting, family-friendly fall fun.
Colden Lakes Resort in Colden, NY
When to stay: 10/2
Accommodations: Cabins and RV sites
What to look forward to: Come show off your costume and collect tricks and treats on the wagon ride around the resort during Fall Festival. Afterward, bring a pumpkin to carve your best design and a crockpot of your favorite soup or chili, and enjoy tasting others.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Gardiner in Gardiner, NY
When to stay: 9/24 – 10/31
Accommodations: Cabins, lodges, RV, and tent sites
What to look forward to: One day of Halloween fun is just not enough, so they’re offering 6 weekends full of it! Camp at Gardiner for spooky fun crafts, pumpkin decorating competitions, a costume contest, daytime Trick-or-Treating around the park, and a monster mash DJ dance party at night. Be sure to bring BIG bags of candy for the trick-or-treaters! We have a wide range of spooky and non-spooky activities and attractions so everyone has fun while camping!
Big Sycamore Family Campground in Logan, OH
When to stay: 10/23
Accommodations: RV and tent sites
What to look forward to: On October 23rd, Big Sycamore will be hosting trunk-or-treat! So decorate your trunks, bring your costumes and candy and get ready for some classic Halloween fun!
Wisteria Event Site and Campground in Pomeroy, OH
When to stay: 9/23 – 9/26
Accommodations: RV sites and tent sites
What to look forward to: Celebrate harvest, hearth, and home at the Fall Equinox Celebration. Explore regional forest products in their 220-acre nature preserve and join in celebrating the sustainable local culture.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Akron-Canton in Uniontown, OH
When to stay: 10/15 – 10/25
Accommodations: Cabins, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Let the family fun begin with 2 themed weekend celebrations. The weekend of 10/15 – 10/18 is all about fall fun. Crunchy leaves, apple cider, and the magic pumpkin patch. Don’t forget your costumes for trick-or-treating and the costume contest! The following weekend they’ll be closing out the season with the last trick-or-treat of the year, and a pajama party for Yogi as they get him ready for hibernation!
Marval Resort in Gore, OK
When to stay: 9/24 – 10/29
Accommodations: Lodges, Cabins, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Every Saturday in October is packed with activities, Halloween crafts, MarVal’s Magical Pumpkin Patch, and Trick-or-Treating. Win prizes for the campsite, cabin, and golf cart decorating contests, as well as the Costume Contest. Not to mention the very own haunted experience – The Trail of Terror. For the little ones, sow your pumpkin seeds and meet the Pumpkin Fairy at MarVal’s Magical Pumpkin Patch.
Hidden Springs Campground in Clearville, PA
When to stay: 10/15 – 10/24
Accommodations: RV sites
What to look forward to: Their popular Spooktacular Weekends are back! Look forward to pumpkin painting, games, costume contest – including one for pets, trick-or-treating, and a site decorating contest.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Milton in Milton, PA
When to stay: 9/17 – 10/17
Accommodations: Cabin, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Halloween weekends are back at Jellystone Park in Milton. Join for arts & crafts, pumpkin carving, costume contests, and campsite/cabin decorating contests! Our campers are known for competitive decorating, outdoor cooking, and having a good time. Prizes awarded for first-fifth places in campsite/cabin contests.
Bear Run Campground in Portersville, PA
When to stay: 10/8 – 10/17
Accommodations: RV rentals, lodges, cabins, RV, and tent sites
What to look forward to: History comes alive at the Annual Heritage Festival at McConnells Mill State Park, happening 9/24 – 9/26 located just 3 miles from the campground. Or Join for a Halloween weekend filled with pumpkin carving, haunted trails, Wagon Rides, Trick-or-Treat, and more!
Silver Canoe Campground in Rural Valley, PA
When to stay: 10/9 – 10/17
Accommodations: Cabins, RV, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Join them for the third annual Halloween Weekends. Includes Masquerade Ball (21+), a DJ, dance instructor, food, chocolate fountain & more!
Sparrow Pond Family Campground in Waterford, PA
Accommodations: Cabins, RV, and tent sites
What to look forward to Sparrow Ponds Haunted Hayrides will be happening from 9/24 – 10/30 every Friday and Saturday Night. Join for the Tractor-drawn hayride through the deep dark woods of Sparrow Pond, and get ready for some spooktacular family fun.
Hester’s Bottoms in Mt. Carmel, SC
When to stay: 10/29 – 10/31
Accommodations: RV sites and tent sites
What to look forward to: There’s fun for everyone between the site decorating contest, hayrides, costume contests, jack-o-lantern carving, and Trick-or-Treating.
Lotterdale Cove Campground in Greenback, TN
When to stay: 10/23 – 10/24
Accommodations: RV sites and tent sites
What to look forward to: A fun Trick or Treat outing on October 23 at 5:00 PM, followed by the haunted trail event at dusky.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Hill Country in Canyon Lake, TX
When to stay: 9/24 – 10/31
Accommodations: Lodges, cabins, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Guys & ghouls, you won’t want to miss the fang-tastic fun Hill Country has planned for you during their Halloween weekends!
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Guadalupe River in Kerrville, TX
When to stay: 9/24 – 10/31
Accommodations: Bungalow, cottage, cabin, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Get ready to make spooktacular memories your family will look back on for years to come when you BooOOoooOook your stay during one of their Halloween weekends.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Waller in Waller, TX
When to stay: 09/24 – 10/31
Accommodations: Lodges, cabins, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: One day of Halloween fun is just not enough, so they’re offering multiple weekends full of it! Join in for spooky fun activities, contests, and Trick-or-Treating.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Luray in Luray, VA
Accommodations: Cabins, lodges, cottages, RV sites, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Enjoy trick-or-treating, costume contests, plus our fan-favorite haunted trail! It’s going to be frightfully fun!
Hucklberry Acres Campground in New London, WI
When to stay: 10/1 – 10/3 & 10/17
Accommodations: RV rentals, lodges, cabins, RV, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Hucklberry is offering two weekends of Halloween fun; first, a themed Halloween weekend for the family to enjoy, followed by an Adult Halloween Party with DJ Rob happening on 10/17.
Duck Creek Campground in Pardeeville, WI
When to stay: 9/16 – 10/3
Accommodations: Trailer rentals, cabins, RV, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Three weekends of Halloween fun including a costume & site decorating contest, Trick-or-Treating, and free wagon rides Saturday at 6 pm!
Evergreen Campsites & Resort in Wild Rose, WI
When to stay: 9/17 – 10/3
Accommodations: Vacation rental, cabins, RV, and tent sites
What to look forward to: Though summer may be winding down, the fun isn’t! Join in on the three early Halloween celebrations for some spooky, exciting, family-friendly fall fun.
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- FREE Family Camping Online Course
- FREE Fall Guide for Outdoor Families
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