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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. 23, 2025. 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.
Trunk-or-Treat
Oct. 24, 2025. 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.
Fright Night
Oct. 24, 2025. 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!
Goblins and Goodies Halloween Event
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Oct. 25, 2025. 4 - 7:30 p.m.
Bring the family to the park to enjoy the fall colors and a fun-filled Halloween event. Activities include a costume contest (for ages 12 and younger), pumpkin decorating, crafts, candy and games.
Hayride and Pumpkin Carving
Oct. 25, 2025. 2 - 6 p.m.
Join us for a cozy autumn adventure at our Hayride & Pumpkin Carving Day!
For Whom the Bell Tolls: An Appalachian Mourning Program
Oct. 25, 2025. 2 - 3 p.m.
Join Park Rangers and volunteers as we explore the traditional cultural traits related to death and dying in the Central Appalachian Region.
Shadows of the Past: A Stroll Through Glencoe Historic Cemetery
Oct. 25, 2025. 5 - 6 p.m.
Join park rangers as we stroll through Big Stone’s Historic Glencoe Cemetery.
Haunting on the Hill
Oct. 25, 2025. 6 - 8:30 p.m.
As part of Big Stone Gap’s Halloween Party Crawl, park staff and volunteers will offer a family-friendly, haunted attraction on the park’s grounds.
Give 'em Pumpkin to Talk About
Oct. 26, 2025. 10 - 11 a.m.
Have you carved your pumpkin for the fall season yet? Join a ranger to practice your skills before Halloween.
Creepy Crawlies
Oct. 31, 2025. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
There are all kinds of spooky critters in the woods. With a warm campfire, s'mores, and some candy, our rangers will talk creepy crawlies, night flyers, and other animals that dwell in the dark. After, we'll go for a night hike to see what's lurking in the woods around us.
Hoots N Haints Family Festival
Oct. 31, 2025. 5 - 9 p.m.
On Halloween night, we’re calling all trick-or-treaters to take a break from your candy gathering and visit the museum for some ghoulish fun and games.
Cryptid Creature Hike
Oct. 31, 2025. 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
What hides in the Appalachian wilderness after dark? Is it just a bear, a raccoon? Or could it be the ever elusive Bigfoot or the famous Mothman? Join a ranger on a night hike as they tell the stories of Appalachian folklore passed down through generations.
Bats, Bonfires & S'mores
Oct. 31, 2025. 8 - 9 p.m.
Join us for an evening by the fire as we shine a light on one of nature’s most fascinating nighttime creatures—bats!
Central Region
Fall Star Party Trunk or Treat
Oct. 24, 2025. 5 - 7 p.m.
Join us for a spooky fun night under the stars. Fun, games, costumes, candy and more for your whole family.
Haunts and Hunts
Oct. 25, 2025. 10 - 11:30 a.m. & 1 - 2 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.
Graveyard Walking Tour
Oct. 25, 2025. 2 - 3 p.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.
B.A.R.K Ranger: Halloween Costume Edition
Oct. 25, 2025. 12 - 1 p.m.
A ranger will lead a one-mile guided hike and go over the B.A.R.K. principles. Come prepared for a dog-friendly Halloween hike by dressing up your canine companion in their most 'fur-ocious' costume.
Oct. 25, 2025. 3 - 4 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.
Twilight Hike and Campfire - Spooktacular
Oct. 25, 2025. 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Explore the trees of Sweet Run with Virginia Master Naturalist and Virginia Master Hiker, Kelly Roach from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Along the way encounter some slightly spooky forest inhabitants.
Park Tales and Tails - Spooktacular
Oct. 25, 2025. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Oct. 26, 2025. 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
There are many stories to tell about Sweet Run State Park.
Cemetery Night Hike
Oct. 30, 2025. 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Step back in time as we uncover the mysteries of those at rest in the park's historic cemetery.
Pumpkins and Precision
Oct. 31, 2025. 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Do you think you can hit the bullseye...on a pumpkin, using an atlatl (spear thrower)? That's right, we're putting our own Halloween spin on our favorite program! There will be prizes for the best shot, worst shot, and more!
Twilight Owl Prowl
Oct. 31, 2025. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Come take a walk with us to search for some of the park's most elusive night-time predators: owls! As we walk along under the quiet cover of darkness, we'll listen for their haunting voices as they cry out across the landscape.
Creatures of the Night
Oct. 31, 2025. 8 - 9 p.m.
Are nocturnal animals as spooky as they seem? You decide! Join us for a hike as we use our senses to search for nocturnal animals. We will have candy prizes for the best wildlife-themed Halloween costumes.
Coastal Region
Pumpkin Painting
Oct. 25, 2025. 12 - 2 p.m.
Unleash your creativity and decorate your own pumpkin.
Halloween Campsite Decorating Contest
Oct. 25, 2025. 8 a.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Let's get spooky! Kiptopeke State Park invites campers to participate in a Halloween campsite decorating contest. The top three most festive campsites will be chosen by a team of judges and prizes will be awarded.
Trick-or-Treat
Oct. 25, 2025. 6 - 7 p.m.
Put on your costumes and join us for an evening of Trick-or-Treating around the campground.
Trunk-or-Treat & Zombie Games
Oct. 31, 2025. 6 - 8 p.m.
Come in costume to join park staff and local businesses for a free and fun-filled evening with carnival games, spooky stories & haunted photo-ops, s'mores, glow sticks, and more!
Trunk OR Treat!
Oct. 31, 2025. 5 - 8 p.m.
Join us for food, fun, and friendly competition. Put on your best, dust off your costume, face paint your friends, bring your furry canines on a leash and ensure they are equipped with their Halloween gear for a stroll through Campground C like you've never seen it before.
Find More Events
If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.
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