8 Outdoor Halloween Events At Nebraska State Parks (2026 Updates!)

Celebrating the Halloween season is a lot of fun when the activities are outdoors. Nebraska State Park offers several popular annual events. From eerie hayrack rides to campsite decorating contests, there’s something for every mood — and all with a scenic backdrop of nature. If you have your favorites, read on because in 2026, Nebraska Game & Parks has changed a few things.

UPDATED: This post was first published in 2017. It has been updated in September 2026 events.

A few things to know before you go:

• Nebraska State Parks require a park permit to enter; camping fees may apply.
• Unless noted, activities are free.

Nebraska state parks with Halloween events

1. Haunted Hollow

Where: Indian Cave State Park, 65296 720th Road, Shubert,  Neb.

When: Oct. 9-10, 17, and 24.

Haunted Hollow is an extremely popular event at Indian Cave State Park and the park goes all out. We visited during the daytime on a non-event day, and still were able to enjoy all the goofy, not-so-creepy decorations throughout the park. In its 31st year, they have quite a bit scheduled:

• Oct. 9: Trick-or-Treat on the Town from 6 to 8 p.m. Children up to age 12 are invited to go trick-or-treating along the decorated trail through the town of St. Deroin. A food truck will also be available. $3 per person ages 4+, free for ages 3 and under (includes hayrack ride).
• Oct.10, 17 & 24: Pumpkin Roll for all ages is at 2 p.m. ($3 per person). Trick-or-treating in RV campground (walk through only) is from 6 to 8 p.m. Haunted Hayrack Rides are from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults, kids ages 4-12 yrs are $7, and kids ages 3 and under are free (it’s recommended to reserve tickets ahead of time). Drive through traffic in RV campground to look at decorated sites from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Campsite Decorating Contest Judging is from 9 to 10 p.m.
• Oct. 17: Jack-O-Lantern Junk & Craft Market is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 11th Annual Pink Pumpkin Walk is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Cost is $25 per person; must preregister). Trick-or-Treat by the Buses from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

2. Halloween Haunt

Where: Johnson Lake State Recreation Area, 1 Drive 25A, Elwood, Neb.

When: Oct. 10 from 1 to 7 p.m.

Johnson Lake State Recreation Area’s annual Halloween Haunt takes place around the Main Campground. The activities includes:

• 1 to 4 p.m.: Kids games, pumpkin painting and educational programming
• 4 to 5 p.m.: Campground Trick-or-Treating
• 6 p.m.: Campsite decorating contest judging
• 6 p.m.: Marshmallow roasting at the Peterson Scout Bin

Those wanting to participate in the campsite decorating contest and handing out candy for trick or treating will need to register at the Main booth on the morning of Oct. 10.

3. 26th Annual Hallowfest

Where: Ponca State Park, 88090 Spur 26 E, Ponca, Neb.

When: Oct. 10 and 17 from 6:30 to 11 p.m.

Hallowfest takes place over two Saturdays in October. There are some core things that happen both days, like pumpkin archery and critter corner, cabin and campsite decorating contest, and trick or treating in the campgrounds. But then, there are some unique things happening each day.

• Oct. 10: Haunted Hayrack Rides are from 6:30 to 11 p.m. beginning every five minutes. Rides are $12 for ages 13 and older, $9 for ages 3-12, and no charge for ages 2 and under. You can make reservations starting Oct. 5 by visiting or calling the park office. Reservations are required.
• Oct. 17: Halloween Family Fun has activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. including the pumpkin roll, s’mores, games, food, pumpkin carving, pet parade and more. Pumpkins will be available for purchase for carving and to send through the obstacle course on pumpkin roll hill for your chance at prizes. Bring your pets for a best-dressed parade.

4. Pumpkin Carvers Event

When: Oct. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: Calamus State Recreation Area, 42285 York Point Road, Burwell, Neb.

The 38th annual Pumpkin Carvers Event involves a little bit of everything. There’s pumpkin carving, games and and a pumpkin rolling derby. Activities are held on the west side of the shower house area at Homestead Knolls campground. A limited quantity of pumpkins will be available, so feel free to bring your own.

Schedule:

• 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Pumpkin carving
• 1 to 3 p.m.: Kids games and downhill pumpkin rolling derby
• 4 p.m.: Pumpkins gathered and put on display (lights provided; campground closed to vehicle traffic).
• 5 to 10 p.m.: Pumpkin display, decorated campsites, and trick-or-treating

5. Haunted Hike and Hunt

When: Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Turpin Outdoor Education Center, 4703 N. 44th St., Lincoln, Neb.

The Haunted Hike and Hunt is a guided fall hike through the archery field course. Costumes are welcome and encouraged! Participants will get to explore the twisted trail and make 12 stops at archery stations to take aim at wickedly fun targets. No archery experience is needed and beginners are welcome. Participants must be at least 8 years old on the day of the event and an adult age 18 or older must be present.

The course is approximately one mile and takes about one hour to complete (allow additional time for check in and check out). Archery equipment is provided, or you can bring your own Cost is $15 per person or $10 if you’re an annual pass holder.

6. Trunk-or-Treat

When: Oct. 24 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Where: Chadron State Park, 15951 Highway 385, Chadron, Neb.

Dress up and enjoy the fun evening at Chadron State Park. There will be free activities and bounce house at the Trading Post, spooky archery and pellet gun shooting at the Halloween-themed Shooting Complex, and a Trunk or Treat & Campsite Decorating Contest at the campground. Free tram rides will be available from the Trading Post to the campground and back.

If you’re going to take part in the Campsite Decorating Contest, be sure to register your campsite ahead of the event at the Park Office. Entering your campsite gets you a free, one-night stay on Oct. 24 for participating. Call the park office at (308) 432-6167 for more information or to register. There are prizes for first, second and third place.

7. Camp & Treat

When: Oct. 23-25, though the main activities are Oct. 24 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Where: Red Willow State Recreation Area, 72718 Trail 2, McCook, Neb.

Red Willow has a full weekend of Halloween festivities the weekend before Halloween, though the main activities take place on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Schedule:

• 4 p.m. – Pumpkin Painting Contest (for kids age 14 and under)
• 5 p.m. – Camper/campsite decorating contest judging to follow. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded for both contests.

8. Dusty’s Pumpkinfest at the Cody’s

When: Saturdays and Sundays in October from noon to 6 p.m.

Where: Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, 3179 W. Scouts Rest Ranch Road, North Platte, Neb.

This is a fun one with a lot of activities to choose from! Dusty’s Pumpkinfest is an annual event hosted by Dusty Trails LLC. Activities include horseback rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, ax throwing, a giant hay slide, zipline, pumpkin bounce pad, games, corn canon, Bigfoot race, gold panning, challenge inflatable, petting zoo, bumper ball, corn crib, and more. Concessions will be available.

Admission is $14 per person on Saturday and $12 per person on Sunday. Valid park permit required for entry.