Department of Parks
State Parks Have Ghoulish Fun Planned For Halloween

Frankfort, Ky. – Halloween will soon be upon us and the Kentucky State Parks have plenty of activities – some scary and some not -- planned for families.

They include costume contests, haunted trails, hayrides, storytelling, games, campground decorating and more.

Below is a listing of state park Halloween events with dates, times and phone numbers. (Please note that some activities are limited to campground guests.) Visit www.parks.ky.gov for more details about parks or to make lodging or camping reservations.

Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas

11th Annual Spookout Weekend
Oct. 17-19

Join us for this annual spooktacular weekend where the ghosts and goblins take over the campground. There will be costume contests, pumpkin roll contests, trick or treating and a variety of other activities for ghouls of all sizes. There will be a scarecrow decorating competition for campsites to tie into the theme of the Trail of Scarecrows at the park.  Also on Friday evening there will be a spooky night hike and Saturday night’s entertainment will be Spooky Stories with the Old Geezer himself, John Tierney. For campground guests only. 1-800-325-0057.

Big Bone Lick State Park, Union

Halloween Spook-fest
Oct. 22-26 and Oct. 29-Nov. 2

Help us scare away the evil spirits here at Big Bone Lick by bringing all your little ghouls, ghosts, witches, and skeletons to the park for our annual Halloween Spook-fest. Campers will be treated to Halloween games, crafts, and special events. Bring the scariest decorations you can find for the campsite decoration contest where you can win fabulous prizes. Don't forget those pumpkins so you can enter our traditional, no pattern, pumpkin carving contest. Special note: be advised that the spook-fest has a traditional scary setting and theme, parental discretion is advised. For further details contact: todd.young@ky.gov. 859-384-4267.

Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mount Olivet

Blue Licks Haunted Trail
Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25

Brave the Haunted Trail of Horrors this October at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park. Over ¾ of a mile long with hayrides and scares that will thrill the whole family. Fee: $4 for adults and $3 for kids. Runs 8 p.m. to midnight.  Also on these dates, we will turn the parking lot of the lodge into a fall festival with face painting, games, and entertainment for all ages.  Visit us 7-11 p.m. at the Worthington Lodge parking lot to join in the fun. 1-800-443-7008.

Halloween Campout Celebration
Oct. 24-25

This is one of Blue Licks' largest events. Visitors can enjoy all things scary and spooky in this Halloween extravaganza! Participate in the jack-o-lantern carving contest, or 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 this year! 1-800-443-7008.

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn

Masquerade Weekend
Oct. 24-25

Ghosts and goblins abound at the park with a haunted house and more activities. Masquerade Parade at the lodge with trick-or-treat for the kids. Caramel apples and other treats will be made. 1-800-325-0058.

Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill

Carter Caves Haunted Trail
Oct. 10-11 and Oct. 17-18

The ghouls and goblins have risen from the underground world at Carter Caves to scare you silly on these two weekends. If you dare come and take the walk through out 1/2 mile haunted trail and don't forget to bring your "Mummy." Our past trail survivors consider Carter Caves Haunted Trail as one of the best Haunted trails in the region. Admission is $7 per person for the trail. 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.  1-800-325-0059.

Halloween Campout Celebration & Ghost Stories in the Cave
Oct. 24-25

Campers come join us for our 5th annual Halloween Campout Celebration. Special activities include site-to-site trick or treating, pumpkin carving contest, spooky mini golf, and a campsite decorating contest. On Saturday night you can imagine yourself encased in total darkness with only the sounds of bats flying through the air. Sounds like a perfect place to spend your Halloween evening with our Ghost Stories in a Cave Program. Bring along a chair and your imagination. 8-10 p.m. 1-800-325-0059.

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Burkesville

Haunted Hollow Hotel
Oct. 25

Dale Hollow Lake SRP dares you to enter the Haunted Hollow on Oct. 25.  Bring your little spook for a fright night of festivities.  Dress up to frighten the audience in your scariest outfit at our costume contest, or if you’re not up to frightening anyone, then get frightened yourself on our hayride haunted by ghouls and ghosts who hide in the woods. (Haunted Hayride provided by Cumberland County Project Graduation)  Campers, bring those skeletons out of the closet and decorate your campsite to participate in our Spookiest Campsite Contest, and don’t forget to bring some candy for those little spooks who will be walking around trick-or-treating.  Other activities such as pumpkin carving contest will be offered.  Don't forget to try our monstrously good buffet. 1-800-325-2282.

E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park, Louisville

Autumn Extravaganza

Oct. 10

Want a Magical way to celebrate the season?  Visit E. P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park and enjoy a real magic show, bonfire stories, and much more as we celebrate autumn.  This family friendly event will include ongoing hayrides, fall crafts, face-painting and s’mores. The event is $5 per car load.  Show times start promptly so bring your friends and be prepared to be AMAZED!  For more information call 502-429-7270.

Fort Boonesborough State Park, Richmond

Halloween Fest XIV
Oct. 14-26

Come early and join us for our 14th annual and biggest Halloween Party yet as we celebrate with 13 days and nights of fun and frights. We will have scheduled times for haunted putt-putt, camper decoration contests, costume contests, ghost walks, a bean supper, a pancake breakfast, parade, hayrides, crafts and games, haunted hikes, bingo, trick or treating, live entertainment and lots, lots more. For registered campers only, but the general public is invited to drive through and look at all the decorations. 859-527-3131.

General Burnside Island State Park, Burnside

Spook Out Weekend
Oct. 24-25

This is a weekend of spooks and fun. On the 24th, there will be all kinds of crafts for the kids that they'll be able to decorate their site with. We will have the Lake Cumberland Square Dancers there to perform along with other performers on Oct. 25. We will have contests for pumpkin carving, site decorating, costumes, toilet bowl horseshoes and lots of games and prizes.

General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton

Tales of the Butler Ghosts
Oct. 24-25

Ghostly tales performed by period dressed thespians set the stage for this mysterious haunting of local legends and folklore. Held on the grounds of the Butler-Turpin State Historic House. Fee: $4 per person. 1-866-462-8853.

Jump Start Your Halloween
Oct. 24-25

Jump-start your Halloween experience at General Butler State Resort Park! This weekend was added due to the popular sold-out Halloween Family Fun Weekend scheduled a week later. Events that will occur this weekend are as followed for both nights: Tales of the Butler Ghost at Butler-Turpin State Historic House (this weekend only), Haunted Halloween Train & Castle of Doom (both weekends), Mini-golf open both nights; Campsite Raffles for decorated campsites, and Trick or Treating in Campground, Saturday (6 - 7:30 p.m.). Make a campsite reservation if you would like to Jump Start Your Halloween Experience at General Butler State Resort Park.  866-462-8853.

Halloween Family Fun Weekend
Oct. 31-Nov. 2

Who's afraid of the dark? Calling all brave souls to join us for a howling good time! Evening activities are open to the general public that are all located in the Park's Front Entrance. Haunted Train Rides, 18 Hole Mini Golf, plus other haunting surprises. Resort guests staying the weekend at General Butler State Resort Park which includes Lodge, Cottage or Campers can participant in the other activities and entertainment planned on Saturday like the Creepy Fingers Pottery Workshop with Albert Bauman, Trick or Treating just to name a few! Activities planned in Campground for Resort Guests only. Evening activities at Front Entrance charge admission fees. 866-462-8853.

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup

Haunted Trail
Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25

If you dare! Join us for two weekends of goulish fun. Greenbo Lake State Resort Park and the Red Lion Theatre Company will bring fright nights to the Greenbo Forest. Haunted Trail hour will be dusk until 10 p.m. Admission is $5 per person and includes hayride back to parking lot. Red Lion Theatre Company will present Macbeth at 7 p.m. and midnight each night. Tickets are $5. On Oct. 18, Ghost Tales at Jesse Stuart Lodge 7-9 p.m. 1-800-325-0083.

Greenbo Lake Camper Halloween
Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25

Two fun filled weekends with ghosts, goblins, witches, and more. There will be scavenger hunts, hayrides, costume contest, pumpkin carving, site decorating contests, and trick or treating. Don't miss out on this two weekends of ghoulish fun. Don't forget the two weekends of Haunted Trail on Friday and Saturday nights, dark until 10 p.m. Event times: Oct. 17: 6-9:30 p.m.; Oct. 18: 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Oct. 24: 6-9:30 p.m. and Oct. 25: 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 1-800-325-0083.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg

Haunted Hay Ride
Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25

If you like to be scared, then Jenny Wiley State Resort Park is the place to be! Come join this annual event and take a tractor-pulled hay ride that you soon won't forget. The Haunted Hay Ride will be held in the campground and will begin at dark. Fee is $4 per person. 1-800-325-0142.

Haunted "Campground" Halloween
Oct. 25

Come join the Recreation Staff for an evening of ghosts, ghouls, and spooks! The evenings activities will consist of a costume dance, a live Ghost Hunt, costume contest, and much more. While you are there, take part in the Haunted Hay Ride. Happy Haunting! 1-800-325-0142.

John James Audubon State Park, Henderson

Halloween Bash
Oct. 25

Moms or Grandmas and Tiny Tot's, ages 3-6, are invited to the Halloween Bash on Saturday, Oct. 25. Wear your favorite costume and be prepared for a "HOOT" of a time. Art, games and refreshments will be served. Pre-registration by Oct. 20 is required. Fee: $6. Event time: 10:30 a.m. to Noon. Call Kim McGrew at the Audubon Museum for further info or registration. (270) 827-1893 or kim.mcgrew@ky.gov

Kenlake State Resort Park, Aurora

Little Spooky Spooks
Oct. 25

Dress up in your costume and come join us at Kenlake State Resort Park for a frightening good time as we celebrate Halloween early! Make a unique craft, see some spooky animals, and listen to our storyteller weave spooky tales. Lots of candy and refreshments. $3 per person. 7-9 p.m. 1-800-325-0143.

Kentucky Dam Village, Gilbertsville