Brown County State Park Fall Festival (formerly Halloween in the Hills)

Celebrate Halloween at Brown County State Park with pumpkin carving, decorated campsites, trick-or-treating, crafts, and an evening candlelight hike!

Contests

Pumpkin Carving Contest | Entries due before 4 p.m.
Bring your carved pumpkin to the Nature Center picnic shelter before 4 p.m. Entries will be judged in three age categories: 10 and under, 11–17, and 18 and older. First place in each category receives a 2026 Indiana State Park Entrance Pass; second and third place receive swag bags. View the pumpkins at the Friends’ Circle from 7–9 p.m.

Campsite Decorating Contest | Register by 5 p.m.
Show off your Halloween spirit by decorating your campsite! Register at the campground gatehouse by 5 p.m. and have your site ready for judging by 7 p.m. Pick up and follow the decorating rules at the gatehouse, including no nails in trees or digging. The top three campsites receive Brown County State Park camping vouchers: five nights for first place, three nights for second, and one night for third.

Programs

Halloween Arts & Crafts | Noon–4 p.m.
Stop by the Nature Center to create Halloween crafts, including animal masks. Stay and use the supplies provided, or take paper materials to go.

Campground Trick-or-Treating | 5:30–7 p.m.
Visit marked participating campsites for Halloween treats! Campers handing out candy can pick up a participation sign at the campground gatehouse. Please travel on foot; trick-or-treating from cars is not permitted.

Campfire Stories | 7–9 p.m.
Gather at the Friends’ Circle with a story to read or a tale to tell, and bring your favorite campfire snacks. Please save scary stories for after 8:30 p.m. Pumpkin Carving Contest entries will also be on display.

Hike

Candlelight Hike | 7–9 p.m.
Explore the Discovery Trail at the Nature Center along a candlelit path. Bring a flashlight as a backup and wear closed-toe shoes or boots. Sandals and flip-flops are not permitted.