42 Nebraskaland • October 2024
MIXED BAG
CAMPFIRES, COSTUMES AND CREATURES
By Renae Blum
Combine everything you love about Halloween — dressing
up, pumpkins, candy and spooky fun — with the beauty of a
Nebraska state park, and you have these eight events. Nearly all
are free; you just need a park entry permit to get in. Learn more
and see additional events at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.
Ash Hollow State Historical Park
Oct. 19, 1-6 p.m. MT
Get ready to have fun at this Halloween celebration for all
ages. Bring your best costume for the costume contest and
enjoy some trunk-or-treating. Kids can saddle up for pony
rides and play kids' games, while individuals and families
can also sample the food vendors and compete in skill games.
Branched Oak State Recreation Area
Oct. 19, 3:30-9 p.m.
Got some eerie campsite decorations up your sleeve?
Show them off in a campsite decorating contest, followed
by trick-or-treating at the campsites. As darkness falls, take
a hayrack ride through the haunted trail. Purchase tickets
starting Sept. 16 by calling the office at 402-783-3400. Other
activities include pumpkin carving, a pumpkin roll and
costume contest.
Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park
Saturdays and Sundays in October, 12-6 p.m.
Purchase admission to this event and enjoy activities for
all ages, from horseback riding to ax throwing, a petting zoo
and zipline. Plenty of experiential activities are available
as well, including a giant hay slide, inflatable corn maze,
pumpkin bounce pad and corn cannon. If you get hungry,
concessions will be available, too.
Enders State Recreation Area
Oct. 26, 2-6 p.m. MT
Old-fashioned Halloween fun is on deck at Enders, such as
pumpkin carving, hayrack rides and trunk-or-treating. Dress
Young and old enjoy the pumpkin rolling contest during
Hallowfest at Ponca State Park. JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY, NEBRASKALAND
Campsite decorating contest during the annual Haunted
Hollow event at Indian Cave State Park. ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
Halloween campsite decorating contest and trick-or-treating
at Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area.
JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY, NEBRASKALAND
Children in the costume parade at Eugene T. Mahoney State
Park near Ashland. JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY, NEBRASKALAND
