Join us this weekend for our Halloween Spooktacular!

Friday evening will have two naturalist led night hikes through the park.

6:30 pm - Pukwudjie Glow Hike. Have you heard about these small, mysterious creatures of the forest? Come on this fun hour’s journey to discover puk-wud-jie folklore lit by a kaleidoscope of glow stick colors. Be prepared for stairs and rough terrain, bring a flashlight and peanut butter cookies, and meet at the Mounds State Park Nature Center’s Front Porch.  Glow sticks will be provided, but you can bring your own as well!

8 pm – Hauntless Halloween. Experience the mystery of a guided night hike! Join us for family friendly Halloween hike through the forest and learn about Halloween sounds explained by nature's woodland creatures. It’s the perfect non-scary alternative to traditional Halloween events and we can’t wait to see you there! This hour-long hike meets at the Mounds State Park Nature Center’s Front Porch and may involve stairs and rough terrain.

On Saturday, October 21 the park will be in high "spirits" for our Historic Halloween Festival.  The event remembers Halloween days of old by having games that include sack races, cake walks, bobbing for apples, and much more.  The Bronnenberg Home will be decked out in Halloween themes to relate how our modern-day traditions came into being.  Join us on the historic Bronnenberg Lawn from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for this sweet remanence of days gone by.

Also, join us on Saturday between noon and 1 where we are calling all ghosts, ghouls, goblins, and superheroes! Strut your costumed stuff for our judges and see who has the scariest, grossest, most creative, and cutest costumes. Registration begins at 12 pm at the Mounds State Park Nature Center with the parade around the Nature Center Front Lawn beginning at 1 pm. Contest age categories: PETS! (on a six foot leash), children 4 years old and younger, 5 to 9 years old, 10 to 13 years old, 14 years and up, and a group/family category.  The contest is free with park admission and prizes will be awarded.