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. Resort parks also have excellent restaurants with your favorite meals. 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 some Kentucky State Park Halloween events (all times local):
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 danika.riggs@ky.gov for more information.
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.
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.
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.
The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 49 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our website at http://www.parks.ky.gov
Story provided by Kentucky Department of Parks
