COLUMBUS, OH - October's sunny days and crisp nights bring out the Halloween spirits in Ohio State Park campgrounds.
"Autumn and the Halloween season bring plenty of good reasons to take the family camping," said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks. "Campgrounds are less crowded, forests and fields are at peak color and many parks sponsor special seasonal campouts and events."
While Labor Day marks the traditional end of Ohio's camping season, Ohio State Parks continue to offer reasons to delay storing RVs and other outdoor gear well into the fall. Pumpkin carving competitions and costume contests; hayrides and barn dances; potluck dinners and trick-or-treat are a few of the family activities that campgrounds across the state are hosting this month.
With more than 9,000 campsites available in 57 campgrounds, Ohio State Parks offer dozens of ways to enjoy the state's great outdoors. Remember, all camping is first come, first served. Campgrounds tend to fill quickly for the popular theme campouts, so campers are advised to check campsite availability before leaving home.
A list of state park campgrounds is posted on the ODNR web site, with campsite availability updated every Friday afternoon. The state's toll-free tourism hotline, 1-800-BUCKEYE, also offers the latest reports on campsite availability, along with other travel information.
NORTHEAST
Fall Campout, Findley - Oct. 12-13. Enjoy the fall colors and naturalist programs, trick-or-treat, hayrides, pumpkin carving and more. Regular camping fees apply.
Call (440) 647-4490.
Halloween Campout, Mohican - Oct. 19-20. Campers and cottage guests can enjoy trick-or-treat, pumpkin carving, apple butter making, nature programs, costume and spookiest campsite contests, and a DJ. Regular camping/cottage fees apply.
Call (419) 994-5125.
Halloween Fall Campout, Beaver Creek - Oct. 19-21, 10 AM-4 PM. Celebrate autumn with childrens activities, guided walks, potluck dinner, trick-or-treating and naturalist programs. Regular camping fees apply. Call (330) 385-3091.
Harvest Barn Dance, Malabar Farm - Oct. 27, 7-10 PM. Beginners and experienced dancers alike can enjoy live music and square dancing to celebrate Halloween and a successful harvest. Call (419) 892-2784.
SOUTHEAST
Fall Campout & Cast Iron Cookoff, Blue Rock - Oct. 5-6. Cook the traditional way over a wood or charcoal fire for fun and prizes, and share hobo stew with fellow campers. The children can enjoy Halloween activities and trick-or-treat. Regular camping fees apply. Call (740) 674-4794.
Harvest Moon Campout, Pike Lake - Oct. 5-7. Fun activities for everyone include a night hike, movies, campsite decorating, pumpkin carving, horseshoes, childrens games, a craft show and costume parade. Regular camping fees apply. Call (740) 493-2212.
Halloween Campout, Jackson Lake - Oct. 19-20. Get into the spirit with campsite decorating, pumpkin carving and costume contests along with hayrides and games. Regular camping fees apply. Call (740) 682-6197.
Fall Hike & Campout, Shawnee - Oct. 20. All park guests are invited on a five-mile hike through Shawnee State Forest, along with a bean dinner and entertainment at the campground. Regular camping fees apply. Call (740) 858-6652.
Halloween Campout, Dillon - Oct. 26-27. Enjoy pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, a costume contest, frightfully decorated campsites, and a Halloween dance. Regular camping fees apply. Call (740) 453-4377.
Halloween Campout, Lake Alma - Oct. 26-27. Come in costume to enjoy trick-or-treat, a Halloween parade, hay wagon rides and refreshments. Regular camping fees apply. Call (740) 384-4474.
Halloween Campout, Hocking Hills - Oct. 27-28 at the Old Mans Cave campground. Activities include hayrides, pumpkin decorating, costume and campsite decorating contests, trick-or-treat, a night hike and campfire. Regular camping fees apply. Call (740) 385-6165.
CENTRAL
Fall Festival and Campout, Alum Creek - Oct. 5-6. This weekend of fun and fright features a haunted trail on Saturday night, scary campsite contest, pumpkin carving, refreshments, crafts and live animal displays. Regular camping fees apply. Call (740) 548-4631.
Apple Butter Festival, Mt. Gilead - Oct. 5-6. Sample apple butter and enjoy hayrides, Halloween festivities, fall hikes, entertainment, and ham and bean soup. Regular camping fees apply. Call (419) 946-1961.
Halloween Campout, Indian Lake - Oct. 19-20. Activities include movies, games, a costume contest, trick-or-treat, hayrides, a night hike and a ham and bean, chili, and vegetable soup dinner. Regular camping fees apply. Call (937) 843-2717.
Halloween Campout, Deer Creek - Oct. 26-28. Enjoy hayrides, trick-or-treat, and craft demonstrations, games, pumpkin carving, campsite decorating and more. There is a small fee for the haunted trail. Regular camping fees apply. Call (740) 869-3124.
SOUTHWEST
Indian Summer Campout, Caesar Creek - Oct. 5-6 at the family campground. Make nature crafts and enjoy hayrides, games and square dancing. Regular camping fees apply. Call (513) 897-2437.
Halloween Festival, Hueston Woods - Oct. 5-7 at the campground. Enjoy a variety of activities including campsite decorating, games, Halloween treats and a haunted trail. Regular camping fees apply. Call (513) 523-6347.
Fall Campout, Buck Creek - Oct. 12-13. Celebrate fall with crafts, pumpkin decorating, games, movies, a bean soup dinner, trick-or-treating and hayrides. Regular camping fees apply. Call (937) 322-5284.
Halloween Campout, Paint Creek - Oct. 12-13. Have a bewitching good time with hayrides, trick-or-treating, movies, games, campsite decorating and costume contests, and a haunted trail. Regular camping fees apply. Call (937) 365-1401.
Pre-Fall Campout, Cowan Lake - Oct. 12-14. Beat the crowds at this warm-up weekend of activities featuring a craft show, food and entertainment. Regular camping fees apply. Call (937) 289-2105.
Pre-Halloween Campout, Rocky Fork - Oct. 12-14. Avoid the rush and decorate your campsite early. Activities include pumpkin carving, hayrides, movies, and storytelling. Regular camping fees apply. Call (937) 393-4284.
Fall Campout, John Bryan - Oct. 12-13. Enjoy the fabulous fall colors along with entertainment, hayrides, and games for all ages and movies. Regular camping fees apply. Call (937) 767-1274.
Not-Quite-Halloween Campout, East Fork - Oct. 19-20. Celebrate Halloween early with trick-or-treating, great movies and other howling activities. Regular camping fees apply. Call (513) 734-4323.
Halloween Campout, Stonelick - Oct. 19-20. Enjoy a variety of activities including a decorated pumpkin contest, costume contest, decorated campsites, trick-or-treat, a haunted trail and more. Regular camping fees apply. Call (513) 625-7544.
Halloween Campout, Rocky Fork - Oct. 19-21. Get into the Halloween spirit with campsite decorating and costume contests, hayrides, movies, games, trick-or-treating, and a scary walk through the haunted barn. Regular camping fees apply. Call (937)393-4284.
Fall Campout, Cowan Lake - Oct. 19-21. Activities include hayrides, movies, childrens pioneer games, a craft show, campsite decorating and trick-or-treating. Regular camping fees apply. Call (937) 289-2105.
21st Annual Halloween Campout, East Fork - Oct. 26-27. Games, contests, Halloween decorations and trick-or-treating are only a few of the activities. Regular camping fees apply. Call (513) 734-4323.
NORTHWEST
Fall Campout, Mary Jane Thurston - Oct. 6. Activities include games for children, mini hayrides, frisbee golf, movies, traditional music, pumpkin decorating, star gazing and storytelling, live birds of prey and a living history encounter, along with bean soup. Regular camping fees apply. Call (419) 832-7662.
Halloween Campout, Harrison Lake - Oct. 12-13. Activities include hayrides, trick-or-treating, a costume parade, pumpkin carving contest, and chili and vegetable soup potluck lunch. Regular camping fees apply. Call (419) 237-2593.
Halloween Campout, East Harbor - Oct. 12-13. Enjoy a scary pumpkin contest, hayrides, parade, trick-or-treating, movies, campsite decorating, games, and more. Regular camping fees apply. Call (419) 734-4424.
Halloween Campout, Lake Loramie - Oct. 19-20. Halloween chills include spooky movies, pumpkin carving, campsite decorating, games, a potluck dinner and trick-or-treating. Regular camping fees apply. Call (937) 295-2011.
Halloween Campout, Maumee Bay - Oct. 19-20. Special treats include pumpkin carving, costume and campsite decorating contests, hayrides, trick-or-treating and a Halloween dance. Regular camping fees apply. Call (419) 836-7758.