Get Spooky: 10 Missouri State Park Events Worth A Fall Day Trip Or Camping Getaway

From trick-or-treating to haunted tram rides, outdoor movies, and costume contests, there is a full slate of fall events happening at Missouri state parks and historic sites in October.

Here are 10 fall events worth a day trip from the Lake — or even an overnight camping trip — this month:

**1. Backyard Movie: “The Fly” — Jefferson Landing State Historic Site**

When: Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.

Where: Jefferson City

A fun evening option close to home. The site will screen the 1958 Vincent Price sci-fi horror film “The Fly” on the south lawn of the Lohman Building, with Backyard Movie Bingo tied to classic movie clichés.

**2. Pomme de Terror — Pomme de Terre State Park**

When: Oct. 16-17

Where: Hermitage Area Campground

Events include a creepy-cool naturalist program Friday, then Saturday activities such as a Wonders of Wildlife show, lunch with a ranger, a mad scientist contest, pumpkin carving, campsite decorating, and trick-or-treating. Admission is free.

**3. Spooktacular — Arrow Rock State Historic Site**

When: Oct. 24, 4-6 p.m.

Where: Arrow Rock

A shorter, family-friendly option featuring games, costume contests, trick-or-treating, and other Halloween activities in the campground.

**4. Hallowfest — Knob Noster State Park**

When: Oct. 17, 2-7 p.m.

Where: Camp Bobwhite

This event packs several activities into one afternoon, including hayrides, crafts, games, campfire stories, a haunted house, and a historical hike. Food will also be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Knob Noster Lions Club.

**5. Stockton Spooktacular Soiree — Stockton State Park**

When: Oct. 24, 4-7 p.m.

Where: Near Dadeville

Activities include goblin games, crafts, a donut-eating contest, costume judging, a jack-o’-lantern contest, trick-or-treating, and campsite decorating. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase.

**6. Frightfully Fun Fest — Onondaga Cave State Park**

When: Oct. 23-24

Where: Leasburg

The weekend starts Friday with a showing of the family-friendly movie “Scoob” (weather permitting), along with complimentary hot chocolate. Saturday brings coloring, costume and campsite decorating contests, pumpkin and monster hunts, naturalist stations, and trick-or-treating.

**7. Spooking Up The Park — Annie & Abel Van Meter State Park**

When: Oct. 17, 2-10 p.m.

Where: Miami, Mo.

This is one of the bigger Halloween events on the list. It includes crafts, a costume contest, campsite decorating, chili supper, trick-or-treating, a family-friendly haunted tram ride followed by later rides for other attendees, and an evening campfire.

**8. Historical Haunts — Nathan & Olive Boone Homestead**

When: Oct. 17, 6-8 p.m.

Where: Ash Grove

This one leans more historical than spooky. Visitors can learn about burial traditions and old superstitions, hear live folk music, and take a lantern-lit night hike focused on nocturnal animals.

**9. Spooktacular — Meramec State Park**

When: Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Sullivan

This all-day event includes a coloring contest, scavenger hunt, carnival games, jack-o’-lantern contest, and trick-or-treating in the campground.

10. Halloween At Crowder State Park

When: Oct. 31

Where: Trenton

Crowder State Park has a full day planned, starting with trail runs and a costume contest in the morning. Runners can choose from a 1-mile fun run, 5K, 10K, or marathon, with online registration required by Oct. 20. That evening, the park will host Halloween crafts, games, treats, storytelling, and a guided night hike through the forest.

These are only a few of the 20+ fall and Halloween-themed events planned at Missouri state parks and historic sites this month. Check out more events here.