Campers looking to have a frightfully good time this spooky season will find that themed offerings are becoming increasingly common at campgrounds, many of which are now providing enchanting events and entertainment throughout autumn. From haunting frights to pumpkin-filled delights, here are some of the best Halloween festivities at campgrounds throughout the U.S.
Holiday Park Campground, Traverse City, Michigan
Traditional fall fun is on the menu at this scenic northern Michigan campground. Two themed Halloween weekends serve up classic fun, including pumpkin decorating, hayrides, seasonal crafts, costume and site decorating contests, s’mores by the community fire, and more. Peak fall foliage makes for the ideal backdrop for the property’s kid- and dog-friendly trick-or-treating, while grown-ups can sip on pumpkin-inspired craft beverages from the area’s many breweries and cideries.
Inn Town Campground, Nevada City, California
This northern California campground celebrates ghosts, goblins, and other ghoulish delights during October. Here you’ll find themed Halloween installations throughout the property, including skeletons climbing trees, colorful lighting, and outdoor movie nights featuring a selection of Halloween classics.
Campers are encouraged to join in the festive fun by decorating their rigs and campsites, with many crafting extravagant seasonal displays, and costumed get-togethers help further amp up the fun.
Kentucky Horse Park Campground, Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is known as the horse capital of the world, making it an appealing vacation locale for equestrians and horse-lovers who are drawn to the equine presentations at Kentucky Horse Park. The on-site campground is a popular choice for those visiting the area, and its Halloween Campout event, held twice annually, offers a chance for campers to participate in a series of competitions that culminate with an awards ceremony to crown winners of best costume, best decorated campsite, and best carved pumpkin before enjoying a horse parade and horse-drawn carriage tours.
Colden Lakes Resort, Colden, New York
Colden Lakes Resort takes the competitive spirit up a notch during its annual Fall Festival, which features a wide variety of Halloween competitions, including costume contests with awards in seven categories ranging from “funniest” to “laziest” to “most creative.” Pet costumes are in the running as well, with additional challenges putting visitors’ pumpkin carving skills to the test. Perhaps the biggest highlight of the event is the chili cookoff, which allows aspiring chefs to show off their culinary creations to fellow campers.
Hagerstown/Antietam Battlefield KOA Holiday, Williamsport, Maryland
Campers who get a kick out of gore and spine-tingling thrills will find the most horrifying campfire stories come to life at the Creekside Manor Haunted House, located on-site at this KOA resort. The manor is home to spooky legends and rumors of a haunted past, giving this annual event a cult following among horror aficionados. Macabre scenes await at the manor, as scare actors pop out at every terrifying turn through this attraction full of grown-up thrills.
Midway Campground, Statesville, North Carolina
Even more eerie adventures can be found at Midway Campground Resort’s Midway Wicked Woods. This sinister attraction, which is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary, is not for the faint of heart. Campers will be transported by wagon to the dark woods, where a walking trail takes you through scary buildings, a pitch-black maze, a spinning “Tunnel of Terror,” and a nightmarish clown room. Survive your walk through the Haunted Graveyard and dodge undead corpses to earn bragging rights at this award-winning haunt.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
For those looking to celebrate the season with family-friendly entertainment, it’s hard to beat Disney’s campground, which is nestled close to the Florida theme parks. A stay here includes nightly campfire sing-a-longs, themed water play areas, seasonal scavenger hunts, a rousing dinner show, and more.
The ultimate guide to Walt Disney World Resort
Throughout September and October, the resort truly comes to life as campers install elaborate displays at their sites, inflatable pumpkin Mickeys light the night sky, and rented golf carts are decorated in impressive detail. The festivities culminate during an over-the-top golf cart parade that allows visitors to show off their craftsmanship.
Frankenmuth Jellystone Park, Frankenmuth, Michigan
An autumn trip to this charming, Bavarian-inspired town is sure to fill you with serious Oktoberfest vibes. Amid the rousing music and liters of beer you’ll also find family-friendly fare at the town’s Jellystone Park, which offers themed events for campers in the four weekends leading up to Halloween. Offering everything from costume parades to spooky mini golf, pumpkin painting, trick-or-treating, tie-dye, and even a dance party, this not-so-scary event is a crowd pleaser.
Choke Canyon State Park, Calliham, Texas
Halloween happenings aren’t reserved for privately-owned campgrounds, as several state parks have joined in the festive seasonal fun. New for this year is the Haunted Lake Trail at Choke Canyon State Park, which offers amusements for all ages. This free event features trunk-or-treating, a haunted trail for visitors over the age of 13, and a less spooky haunted house for younger kids. Cap off the evening with an all-ages Halloween bash that’s sure to put you in a ghoulishly good mood.
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