Virginia State Parks has some frightening October events that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

We're getting goose flesh just thinking about them.

Don't expect to know in advance what awaits you in the woods

But we don't recommend you go it alone

These events are so spooky you are sure to get a symptom of what is officially called horripilation. Depending on where you are from, you might get one of the following symptoms:

1. goose bumps
2. chicken skin
3. goose flesh
4. goose pimples
5. chill bumps
6. chill bugs
7. cold-chill bumps

5 HAUNTED PARK EVENTS GUARANTEED TO GIVE YOU GOOSEBUMPS

We come out when the sun goes down, are you brave enough?

1 | HAUNTING ON THE LAKE - TWIN LAKES STATE PARK

October 20 and 21, 2017 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The sun has gone down and the creatures and beasts of the mysterious Goodwin Lake Trail have awoken for a night of fright. Join a trail guide as their dim lanterns give you passage and help you to face your fears. Stare down several different phobias as you make your way through this heart pounding trail. This is sure to be a scream. Spooky details here, and park info with directions here.

2 l HAUNTED HISTORY HIKE - LEESYLVANIA STATE PARK

October 21, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Come out for the Fall Festival and Haunted History Hike. Where else can you find hayrides, apple launching, pumpkin painting, and a haunted hike all in one place in Northern Virginia? Leesylvania State Park! If you are not into the games come down and sit by our bonfire (weather permitting) and enjoy our concessions. Don't forget to bring your camera there will be plenty of photo opportunities. Spooky details here, and park info with directions here.

Cemetery Hayrides: 3 sessions - 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m., and  6:15 p.m.

Haunted History Hike: 4 sessions - 7:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 9:00 p.m.

3 | GHOST TRAILS HAY RIDE - YORK RIVER STATE PARK

October 21, 27, and 28, 2017 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Join us for this spooky hayride thru the woods of the park to discover some of its haunted past through storytelling.  Don't worry, you can pretend that you are not scared but who are you really fooling? Reservations are required. Please speak with a member of our office staff to make the reservation at (757) 566-3036. Spooky details here, and park info with directions here.

4 | HAUNTED HAYRIDES - CLAYTOR LAKE STATE PARK

October 28, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Come to the park for a day packed full of Halloween fun. Festive activities include:

1 p.m. - The Spooky Box - this is the mystery box with a frightful twist.

2 p.m. - Pumpkin Carving Contest - pumpkins will be provided and a few tools will be available for use. You can decorate yours at the interpretive campfire circle or at your campsite, but all pumpkins must be back up to the campfire circle by 5 p.m. for judging.

4 p.m. - Costume Contests begin - first will be children, then adults, and finally pets. Awards will be awarded after each round. 

7 p.m. - Campsite Decorating Contest - the judges will begin walking around at 7 p.m., awards will be announced at 8 p.m. at the campfire circle.

The Haunted Hayrides will begin at 7 p.m., and the last ride will depart the Interpretive Campfire Circle at 9:45 p.m. Trains will depart every 30 minutes. Pre-registration for hayrides will open at 5 p.m. at the Interpretive Campfire Circle. Earlier rides will be available at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. for younger ages. If your desired timeslot is full, you can try to walk onto a ride.

Concessions and mini-games will be available at the Interpretive Campfire Circle in Campground D throughout the day. Spooky details here, and park info with directions here.

5 | PUMPKINS IN THE PARK & HAUNTED TRAIL HAYRIDE - WILDERNESS ROAD STATE PARK

October 26-28, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Local folklore comes to life on Friday and Saturday with breath-taking live-action scenes combined with hair-raising props that create the ultimate Halloween atmosphere for the wildly popular Haunted Trail Hayride. This spine-tingling journey along a wooded trail highlights Pumpkins in the Park, featuring dramatic and spooky scenes, along with surprises sure to elicit screams of delight. Each year, more than 2,500 brave souls attend this event with scenes based on local tales. Last year, more than 3,000 attended this event breaking a long-standing record. On Thursday evening at the Karlan Mansion, enjoy pumpkin painting, costume contests, storytelling and a community-based Trunk-or-Treat, where children enjoy an old-fashioned Halloween in a safe environment. Spooky details here, and park info with directions here.

If you aren't interested in having your hair stand-on end, here is a list of other simply spook-tacular fun events:

1. Halloween Harvest Celebration - Hungry Mother State Park October 21, 2017, details here. 
2. Fall Harvest Festival and Night 5K Trail Run - James River State Park October 21, 2017, details here.
3. Trick or Treat 5K and Family Fun Run - Sky Meadows State Park October 22, 2017, details here.
4. Halloween Celebration - New River Trail State Park October 28, 2017, details here.
5. Goblins and Goodies Halloween Event - Smith Mountain Lake State Park October 28, 2017, details here.
6. Goblins and Goodies - Lake Anna State Park October 28, 2017 details here.
7. Fall into Fun - Belle Isle State Park October 28, 2017, details here.
8. Halloween Carnival - Staunton River Battlefield State Park October 28, 2017, details here. 
9. Youth Costume Contest, Trick-or-Treating & Campsite Decorating - Chippokes State Park October 28, 2017, details here.
10. Mask-arade Campfire - High Bridge Trail State Park October 28, 2017, details here.
11. Hoots 'N' Haints Family Festival - Southwest Virginia Museum State Park October 31, 2017, detail here.

If you don't see your favorite park on this list, please give them a call to inquire.

FIND YOUR FRIGHT

GOULISH TRIVIA

Wiki says: Goosebumps occur in many mammals besides humans; a prominent example is porcupines, which raise their quills when threatened, or sea otters when they encounter sharks or other predators. Horripilation comes from the latin, horrÄ“re to stand on end + pilus hair. N. The bristling of body hair, as from cold; goose bumps.