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Halloween happenings at Virginia State Parks
Halloween brings a variety of events to state parks across Virginia. From haunted hikes to pumpkin carving, visitors of all ages are guaranteed to have a howlin' good time at Virginia State Parks this spooky season.
Choose from the list below or click here to see what else our parks are offering leading up to Halloween. Some of these events may require registration or an additional fee, so click on the event name to learn more.
Mountain Region | Central Region | Coastal Region
Mountain Region
Pumpkins In The Park: Trunk Or Treat
Oct. 22, 2026. 5 - 7 p.m.
Enjoy pumpkin decorating, costume contests, and a community-based Trunk-or-Treat, where children enjoy an old-fashioned Halloween in a safe environment.
Haunted History Lantern Tour
Oct. 23, 2026. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. and 8 - 9 p.m.
This October, spirits from the past will guide you along the trail to the Natural Bridge, lit only by lantern light.
Trunk-or-Treat
Oct. 23, 2026. 5 - 7 p.m.
Wear your best costume and come join us at Fairy Stone State Park for a fun filled afternoon of Trunk-or-Treating.
Wicked Tales of the Wild Frontier
Oct. 24, 2026. 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. and 7 - 8 p.m.
Journey by lantern light into the shadows and listen to tales that have quietly echoed throughout the annals of history since the fabled days of the pioneer.
Scary Stone: Haunted Hike
Oct. 24, 2026. 7 - 8 p.m., 8 - 9 p.m. and 9 - 10 p.m.
Walk among the 'ghosts' and 'goblins' of Fairy Stone State Park and hear some scary stories!
Owl-oween Celebration
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Oct. 24, 2026. 4 - 8 p.m.
In addition to the usual offerings of pumpkin decorating, crafts, games, and hay wagon rides, several local businesses or organizations will be handing out treats along the "Trick or Treat Trail".
Reading Stories Written in Stone: Discovering the Symbolism of Historic Gravestones
Oct. 24, 2026. 2 - 3 p.m.
An educational program exploring the symbols carved into historic gravestones and what they reveal about the lives, beliefs, and traditions of past generations.
Shadows of the Past: A Stroll Through Glencoe Historic Cemetery
Oct. 24, 2026. 5 - 6 p.m.
Join park rangers as we stroll through Big Stone’s Historic Glencoe Cemetery.
Haunted History
Oct. 24, 2026. 7 - 8 p.m.
Join us for a lantern-lit walk through Ivanhoe.
Trail of Terror
Oct. 24, 2026. 7 - 10 p.m.
Venture into the shadows on our haunted trail, where eerie whispers drift through the trees, unseen footsteps follow close behind, and every twist in the path brings a new spine-chilling surprise.
Owl-o-ween
Oct. 30, 2026. 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Ghosts and goblins aren't the only things that come out at Halloween, so do the owls!
Spooky Storytelling
Oct. 30, 2026. 6 - 7 p.m.
Join us for some spooky storytelling by the campfire! Relax a little and enjoy a s'more as we tell our favorite frightening tales.
Stories and S'mores Campfire
Oct. 30, 2026. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Join a ranger for a late October campfire where we'll tell spooky stories, roast marshmallows and make S'mores.
Hoots 'N 'Haints Family Festival
Oct. 31, 2026. 5 - 9 p.m.
We’re calling all brave trick-or-treaters to take a break from filling your candy bags and join us for an evening packed with ghoulish fun.
Give 'em Pumpkin to Talk About
Oct. 31, 2026. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Have you carved your pumpkin for the fall season yet? Join a ranger to practice your skills before Halloween.
Halloween Nature Hike
Oct. 31, 2026. 2 - 3 p.m.
Join a park ranger and hike along Laurel Loop Trail. Learn about the park, check out the local flora and fauna and take pictures of the scenic forest and mountains.
The Great Nut Hunt
Oct. 31, 2026. 3 - 4 p.m.
This Halloween, trade in the candy bag for a basket and head into the woods in search of one of nature’s greatest treats—the acorn.
Central Region
Haunts and Hunts
Oct. 24, 2026. 10 - 11:30 a.m. & 1 - 2:30 p.m.
We have an exciting event planned for all the little ghosts and goblins that want to get outside. We will kick things off with a wagon ride through the park ending at the Terrace Gardens. Halloween treasures will be hidden throughout the garden area.
Spooky Campfire
Oct. 30, 2026. 8 - 9 p.m.
Join us around the campfire after dark as we share scary stories about things that go "bump" in the park. Don’t worry, we’ll bring the s’mores.
Graveyard Walking Tour
Oct. 31, 2026. 10 - 11 a.m.
Pocahontas State Park has over 20 graveyards, or burial grounds, within the park's boundaries. Join a ranger in exploring these connections to the past.
'Craft'-o-ween
Oct. 31, 2026. 2 - 3 p.m.
The rangers will have a variety of craft materials available so you can let your creativity flow like Swift Creek.
Ranger-Led Hike to the Cemetery
Oct. 31, 2026. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Join a park ranger for a ride to the park's historic cemetery and a guided walking tour.
Discover who Alpheus Hudson was during Time Travel to the Cemetery.
Howl-O-Ween B.A.R.K. Ranger Hike
Oct. 31, 2026. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Grab the leash, summon your courage, and join us for a spooktacular fall B.A.R.K. Ranger Hike!
Ghost of Virginia State Parks - Nights in Nature Series
Oct. 31, 2026. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Gather around the crackling campfire for an evening of spine-tingling stories and eerie legends from Virginia State Parks' rich history!
Spooky Nature Crafts
Oct. 31, 2026. 1 - 2 p.m.
Celebrate the spooky season with Halloween Nature Crafts! Join us as we transform natural materials into festive creations, including leaf ghosts, pinecone spiders, and bat skeletons.
Spooktacuar Nature Scavenger Hunt
Oct. 31, 2026. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Let your imagination run wild with this fun scavenger hunt. Join a park ranger for this competitive adventure on the one-mile-long Goodwin Lake Trail.
Coastal Region
Guided Trek n' Treat Hike
Oct. 23, 2026. 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 24, 2026. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Oct. 30, 2026. 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 31, 2026. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Trek around Widewater State Park to see the sights, avoid the tricks, and collect some treats. Join our rangers in the Visitor Center to pick up your trail pamphlet before hiking the upper portion of Long Pond Trail, which will have spooky-themed decorations and educational interpretive stops.
Fall Festival
Oct. 24, 2026. 11 a.m - 3 p.m.
Enjoy the Potomac River's cool autumn breeze with your friends and family at Leesylvania State Park's Annual Fall Festival! Celebrate the season with hayrides, crafts, trunk or treat, vendors, and more.
Owl Prowl
Oct. 24, 2026. 7 - 8 p.m.
Whoooooo wants to go on a spooky after-dark adventure to search for owls on the trails?
Halloween Howl
Oct. 30, 2026. 6 - 8 p.m.
Enjoy the woods at night with a not-so-haunted wagon ride, check out our spooky Skeleton Zoo, and gather around the campfire for trick-or-treat smores. Bring the family and wear your best costume for a ghoulish good time!
Halloween B.A.R.K. Hike
Oct. 31, 2026. 9 - 10 a.m.
Bring the dogs out on Halloween for a howling good time! Join us in costume for a Ranger-led hike of the Smoot Trail.
Tree-t Trek
Oct. 31, 2026. 10 - 11 a.m.
Leaf your fears behind and tree-t yourself to a ranger-led hike focusing on trees and the treats they make for animals and humans alike. Candy will be provided!
Make Your Own Crawly Dirt Treat
Oct. 31, 2026. 3 - 4 p.m.
Join a ranger to learn about a few of the crawly creatures you may see around Belle Isle and make your own dirt treat to eat. We will have all the supplies you need.
Halloween Night Hike
Oct. 31, 2026. 6 - 9 p.m.
Trade neighborhood sidewalks for sandy trails this Halloween during a special night hike at False Cape State Park!
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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.
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