Spooktacular Halloween Events at Texas State Parks
Oct. 11, 2017
Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030
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AUSTIN— All werewolves and witches are invited to enjoy some spooky fun at a Texas State Park throughout the month of October around the state.
Parks will be hosting a variety of Halloween-themed events including zombie apocalypse hikes, Halloween geocaching, pumpkin carving contests and not-so-spooky night hikes, just to name a few. Events can be found on the holiday calendar page on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website.
Halloween themed events happening this month include:
On Oct. 14 from 6-7 p.m., Galveston Island State Park will host a zombie apocalypse hike – a fun program to help visitors prepare for an apocalyptic event. The hike will begin at the nature center and the group will travel the park to find the necessary items for survival during a zombie apocalypse. The hike is a short and easy one hour program. Pets must be on a leash.
Doll up four-legged family members for the dog costume contest Oct. 20 from 6:30- 7:30 p.m. at Daingerfield State Park. Judging will be at the historic pavilion. Entrants must be well behaved, up to date on their vaccinations and on a leash.
Celebrate Halloween at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in the decorated hatchery Oct. 26 from 6-8 p.m. Local businesses and organizations will hand out free candy for some pre-Halloween trick or treating. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the event is $1 per person. Regular admission applies from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
McKinney Falls State Park staff will be making s’mores and telling eerie ghost stories Oct. 27 from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Visitors will meet at the amphitheater and are encouraged to bring a chair, water, bug spray, a flashlight and a blanket for cool weather. The event is free with paid park admission.
Experience the digital scavenger hunt that is geocaching and create a Halloween craft during the Monster Mash Cache at Eisenhower State Park Oct. 28 from 2- 4 p.m. Park staff will teach visitors how to geocache before setting them loose with a park GPS unit to find the Halloween goodies and art supplies hidden in the park. Visitors will meet at the Elm Point day use area and are encouraged to bring comfortable walking shoes, weather appropriate clothing and drinking water. Any visitors wearing their Halloween costumes will receive an extra treat.
Learn about some of the things that go bump in the night at Palo Duro Canyon State Park during its not-so-spooky night hike Oct. 28 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Rangers will lead the hike and visitors can learn why the things that come out at night aren’t so scary after all. Hikers are encouraged to wear good hiking shoes and bring drinking water and a flashlight. Lights with a red filter work best for night hiking. The park interpreter will have some red filters to share. Hikers will meet at the Chinaberry day use area located just beyond the first water crossing on the floor of the canyon. Visitors should arrive at the park gate by 7 p.m. to ensure they make it to the trail head on time.
Enjoy Halloween in spooktacular style at Sea Center Texas Oct. 29 from 1-3 p.m. Visitors can dress up in their favorite costumes and participate in crafts, face painting and games. There will also be a photo op in the creepy photo booth as well as trick or treating throughout the visitor center. The children’s costume contest begins at 1:30 p.m. Winners will receive a trophy and various prizes. Admission is free but there is a $5 fee for anyone participating in the craft activities.
To find local Halloween events, visit the TPWD calendar page.