Come celebrate Halloween at Pokagon State Park. “Halloween Happenings” is scheduled for Oct. 30 and 31, 2026, at the park.
Themed events begin Friday, Oct. 30, from 7-9 p.m. with the annual Friends of Pokagon self-guided Spooky Night Hike on Trail 3 to Hell’s Point. Family-friendly, spooky (but not too spooky) decorations line the 2.25-mile moderate trail that includes 84 stairs. Bring your family, friends, and flashlights for this Halloween tradition. The Friends of Pokagon will be accepting cash donations for doughnut holes and apple cider, sponsored in part by local producer Stroh Orchard in Fremont, Indiana. Dogs are welcome but must always be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and under the owner’s control.
Festivities begin Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Upper CCC Shelter for the Pumpkin Carving Contest at 10:30 a.m., sponsored by the Steuben County Tourism Bureau. Participants will have one hour to carve and decorate a free pumpkin while supplies last. (Pumpkins provided by Ridenour Acres, Angola, Indiana.) First-place winners in each age category will receive a prize.
From 1-2 p.m., Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehab of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is scheduled to bring the Happy Owl-oween program to the Upper CCC Shelter. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for a presentation with live owls and learn how these amazing birds are adapted for life in the wild. In the event of rain, this event will be held inside the shelter. This event is made possible by the Steuben County Tourism Bureau.
The Nature Center is the place to be from 3:30-4:30 p.m. for Trick-or-Treat Bag Decorating. Treat bags, markers, and stickers will be provided while supplies last by the Steuben County Tourism Bureau. When you’re done with your bag, put on your costume and head to Campground 3 at 5 p.m. for the main event – Trick-or-Treating! For those not camping, please park in the Main Beach parking lot and follow the paved bike path to the campground. Campers and volunteers will be ready to fill your treat bag. Trick-or-Treating ends at 6:30 p.m.
Be sure to check out all the decorations in Campground 3 while you’re trick-or-treating, and don’t forget to vote in the Campsite Decorating Contest, happening all weekend. Cast your ballot for the best campsite at the Nature Center and the winning camper will receive two nights of camping at Pokagon. The winner will be announced on the Pokagon Facebook page during the following week.
All programs are free to attend unless otherwise noted. Regular park entrance fees apply per day: Indiana residents pay $7 per passenger vehicle, out-of-state residents pay $15 per passenger vehicle. Annual passes are available at the entrance gate, Potawatomi Inn, Park Office, and the Nature Center.
Pokagon State Park, on.IN.gov/pokagonsp, is at 450 Lane 100 Lake James, Angola, 46703.