Complete Guide to Halloween Events at Ontario Parks 2026

October is one of my favourite times to visit Ontario Parks.

Along with fall colours, fewer bugs, cooler weather, and campfires, several Ontario Parks also host Halloween weekends throughout the month.

And after experiencing one of these weekends ourselves, I can definitely understand why they are so popular!

Depending on the park, families can trick-or-treat through the campground, carve pumpkins, decorate their campsites, and take part in Halloween-themed activities.

Some parks add guided hikes, evening programs, costume contests, scavenger hunts, and other events.

If you are thinking about adding a Halloween camping trip to your fall plans, we have put together everything you need to know about Halloween events at Ontario Parks, including dates, what to expect, and a few tips from our own experience.

🎃 When Does Ontario Parks Post Halloween Events?

Ontario Parks usually starts sharing its Halloween event lineup in September.

The main Halloween roundup often appears in mid-to-late September, although individual park event pages may be updated earlier.

The problem is that waiting for the official announcement can make it difficult to get a campsite at some of the more popular parks.

Turkey Point Provincial Park - Pumpkins waiting to be carved

By the time you find out about an event, many of the best campsites may already be booked.

Fortunately, many Ontario Parks host their Halloween events around the same weekend each year.

If there is a particular event you want to attend, check when it was held the previous year and consider booking your campsite before the new schedule is announced.

Ontario Parks Halloween - Spider web decoration in tree

October generally has less competition for campsites than the summer months, but popular Halloween weekends can still fill up.

And because schedules and activities can change, be sure to check the individual park’s event page again before your trip.

🎃 What to Expect at Halloween in Ontario Parks

Halloween weekends at Ontario Parks are a lot of fun, especially once campers start decorating their sites and getting ready for the different activities.

When we attended Witches in the Woods at MacGregor Point, I was surprised by just how much effort some campers put into decorating.

Some sites had a few pumpkins and lights, while others had full Halloween displays.

And it wasn’t just families with young kids getting involved. We saw campers of all ages taking part in the activities and enjoying the weekend.

Turkey Point Provincial Park - Pumpkin carving at site 36

👻 Family-Friendly Fun

Of course, trick-or-treating is one of the biggest draws for families.

Kids can walk through the campground collecting candy from participating campsites.

Depending on the park, there may also be pumpkin carving, campsite decorating contests, scavenger hunts, guided walks, evening programs, and other Halloween activities.

And if you’re camping with older kids, don’t assume they have outgrown it.

My teens still enjoy Halloween weekends, which is one of the reasons our family is happy to keep going back.

👻 Who Should Go

While Halloween weekends are especially popular with families, you definitely don’t need young kids to enjoy them.

Couples, solo campers, and groups of friends can have just as much fun decorating their campsites, joining the activities, and handing out candy.

Ontario Parks Halloween - Me and my pumpkins

And based on our experience, plenty of adults get just as excited about Halloween camping as the kids do.

We definitely do!

👻 Tips for Visiting

Since our family has been to several Halloween events at Ontario Parks, there are a few things we have learned along the way.

Turkey Point Provincial Park - Nellie in orange neon with two carved pumpkins

Reserve early – Popular Halloween weekends can fill up, especially at parks that hold the same event every year.
Bring plenty of candy – If your campground has trick-or-treating, come prepared with candy to hand out. Depending on the size of the campground, you may get quite a few visitors!
Pack decorations and costumes – You don’t need to go all out, but decorating your campsite is part of the fun. Costumes aren’t just for the kids either.
Prepare for cold weather – October temperatures can drop quickly once the sun goes down. Pack warm layers and make sure you have everything you need to keep your trailer comfortable overnight.
Bring a flashlight or headlamp – Campgrounds get very dark at night. A flashlight or headlamp is especially helpful when walking between campsites or heading to evening activities.
Check the schedule when you arrive – Trick-or-treating, judging, guided hikes, and other activities may happen at specific times. Check the park’s event schedule or campground bulletin board so you don’t miss anything.
Plan your decorations carefully – Keep extension cords and decorations away from paths where trick-or-treaters will be walking. Make sure anything outside is also secured in case the weather turns windy.

🎃 Halloween & Spooky Events in Ontario Parks

While many Ontario Parks Halloween weekends include similar activities, each park does things a little differently.

Some focus on trick-or-treating and campsite decorating, while others add guided hikes, pumpkin carving, scavenger hunts, contests, and evening programs.

Turkey Point Provincial Park - Halloween sign for kids entering the trail

Location will probably play a part in which park you choose, but it’s also worth looking at the activities before deciding where to camp.

Just keep in mind that event dates, times, and activities can change from year to year. Always check the individual park’s event schedule before heading out.

👻 Early October

🎃 Craigleith Provincial Park — Shivers on the Shale (Oct 2–4)

Craigleith kicks off October with its Shivers on the Shale weekend.

Campers can decorate their campsites, carve pumpkins, dress up for trick-or-treating, and visit the haunted picnic shelter.

👻 Thanksgiving Weekend

🎃 Point Farms Provincial Park – Halloween / Thanksgiving Fun (Oct 10)

Point Farms combines Thanksgiving and Halloween with a full afternoon of activities.

Campers can take part in a scavenger hunt, pumpkin carving, campsite decorating, and campground trick-or-treating.

Scavenger hunt: before 3:00 pm
Pumpkin Carving and Site Decorating Contest Judging: 4:00 pm
Trick-or-Treating: 5:00 – 7:00 pm

🎃 Wheatley Provincial Park – Halloween in the Park (Oct 10)

Halloween takes over the campground at Wheatley with decorated campsites and an evening of trick-or-treating.

Trick-or-Treating: 6:00 – 10:00 pm

Ontario Parks Halloween - TAB 400 decorated with Spider and web

🎃 Bonnechere Provincial Park – Pumpkin Carving Party (Oct 10)

Bonnechere‘s Thanksgiving weekend celebration includes a pumpkin carving party along with themed activities and scavenger hunts.

Pumpkin Carving Party: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

🎃 Emily Provincial Park – Thanksgiving Weekend Halloween Events (Oct 10)

Emily Provincial Park adds Halloween activities to Thanksgiving weekend with pumpkin carving, campsite decorating, and campground trick-or-treating.

Pumpkin Carving and Campsite Decorating Judging: 5:00 pm
Trick-or-Treating: 6:00 pm

Witches in the Woods - Me in a witch costume

🎃 Sleeping Giant Provincial Park — Halloween in the Park (Oct 10)

Sleeping Giant celebrates Halloween a little early with a day of Halloween-themed activities over Thanksgiving weekend.

Check the park’s event schedule before your visit for activity times and locations.

👻 Mid-October

🎃 MacGregor Point Provincial Park – Witches in the Woods (Oct 16–18)

Witches in the Woods is one of MacGregor Point‘s biggest fall events, with a full weekend of Halloween activities.

Campers can decorate their sites, join guided walks, take part in Mystery Night, go stargazing, and enjoy campground trick-or-treating.

There is also a Saturday BBQ fundraiser, with proceeds supporting The Friends of MacGregor Park.

Ontario Parks Halloween - Welcome to Witches Woods sign

BBQ Lunch & S’mores – Saturday from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Pumpkin Carving: Saturday from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Judging: Saturday at 3:30 pm

These events take place at the Visitor’s Centre.

Witches in the Woods is one event we are especially looking forward to doing again this year. John and I had a blast last year, and we’re already planning to step up our Halloween decorating game!

🎃 Bronte Creek Provincial Park – Camper Halloween (Weekend 1: Oct 16–18)

Bronte Creek holds two Camper Halloween weekends in October, giving campers two chances to take part.

During the first weekend, campers can decorate their sites, take the kids trick-or-treating, and join Discovery programs and guided hikes.

While we haven’t camped at Bronte Creek for Halloween, we have taken the kids to events in the day-use area over the years. It’s especially fun for families with younger kids.

👻 Late October

🎃 Bronte Creek Provincial Park – Camper Halloween (Weekend 2: Oct 23–25)

Bronte Creek’s second Camper Halloween weekend includes another round of Halloween activities for campers.

Families can take part in a Friday evening drop-in program, a Saturday guided hike, campsite decorating, and campground trick-or-treating.

Ontario Parks Halloween - Spider skeleton on a tree

🎃 Algonquin Provincial Park – Haunted Halloween Weekend (Oct 23–25)

Algonquin combines Halloween activities with its regular fall Discovery programming.

Throughout the weekend, campers can join guided hikes, night walks, themed programs, and campsite decorating contests.

Rock Lake Algonquin - Me at Booth's Rock Lookout

Just keep in mind that fall is an incredibly popular time to visit Algonquin.

Campsites and day-use permits can sell out on weekends, so this is one event you will want to plan well in advance.

🎃 Fitzroy Provincial Park — Pumpkins in the Park Weekend (Oct 23–25)

Fitzroy celebrates Halloween with its Pumpkins in the Park Weekend.

Campers can decorate their sites, carve pumpkins, dress up, and compete for prizes throughout the weekend.

Witches in the Woods - John and I in costume at our campsite

Prizes are awarded for the most haunted campsite, best carved pumpkin, and spookiest costume.

🎃 Pinery Provincial Park – Halloweekend (Oct 23–25)

Pinery, celebrates Halloween with a full Halloweekend of activities.

Campsite decorating and campground trick-or-treating are two of the main events, along with other Halloween programming throughout the weekend.

🎃 Inverhuron Provincial Park – RIIP: Rest in Inverhuron Park (Oct 31)

Inverhuron saves its Halloween celebration for Halloween night itself.

Campers can decorate their sites, carve pumpkins, dress up, and trick-or-treat through Holmes Bay Campground.

Turkey Point Provincial Park - Halloween props hanging in the trees on the hiking trail

Prizes are awarded for the best carved pumpkin, costume, and decorated campsite.

Halloween Events: 5:30–8:30 pm

If you plan to hand out candy, be sure to register your campsite number with park staff so trick-or-treaters know your site is participating.

🎃 Decorating Your Campsite the Eco-Friendly Way

As you can probably tell from the event descriptions, campsite decorating is a big part of Halloween camping at Ontario Parks.

We have seen everything from a few pumpkins and lights to campsites completely decorated for Halloween.

Ontario Parks Halloween - Decorated campsite at night

No matter how much you decide to decorate, remember that you are still camping in a provincial park. Decorations should be secure, wildlife-friendly, and completely removed when you leave.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Lights and lanterns – These are great for adding some Halloween fun after dark. Just be careful with extension cords and keep them away from areas where trick-or-treaters will be walking.
Pumpkins – Carved pumpkins are a Halloween classic, but don’t leave them behind when you pack up. Pumpkins can attract wildlife and should never be left in the forest.
Reusable decorations – Fabric banners, wooden signs, plastic skeletons, and other decorations that can be packed up and used again next year are good options.
Inflatables – If you bring inflatable decorations, make sure they are well secured. October can be windy, and you don’t want your decorations blowing into the forest or another campsite.
Spider webs – Skip the thin artificial spider web material that wildlife can become tangled in. Rope webs are a better option and can be packed up and reused each year.
Other props – Tombstones, witch hats, skeletons, and other Halloween props can completely change the look of your campsite without leaving anything behind.

Ontario Parks Halloween - Inflatables at our campsite

And don’t forget to check the park rules before attaching anything to trees or other vegetation.

When the weekend is over, everything you brought with you should leave with you. That includes decorations, strings, ties, candy wrappers, pumpkins, and any other Halloween items.

A little planning can help you create a pretty impressive Halloween campsite without leaving anything behind for park staff or wildlife to deal with.

🎃 Halloween at Ontario Parks FAQs

Ontario Parks Halloween - John drawing faces on pumpkins

Do you need to be a registered camper to take part in the activities?

Most Halloween activities are intended for registered campers. Some parks may offer activities for day-use visitors, so check the park’s schedule.

Do you have to decorate your campsite?

No. Some campers go all out, while others add a pumpkin or a few decorations. You can also skip decorating altogether.

Are pets allowed during Halloween weekends?

Yes. Pets are welcome but must be leashed. If you dress up your pet, make sure the costume is safe and comfortable.

Do events run rain or shine?

Yes. Events usually go ahead unless there’s severe weather. Be prepared with tarps, warm clothes, and rain gear.

Is candy provided by the park?

No. Campers provide the treats for campground trick-or-treating, so bring candy if you plan to participate.

What time does trick-or-treating usually happen?

Times vary by park. Many run between late afternoon and early evening. Check the event page for the park you’re visiting.

Ontario Parks Halloween - TAB 400 decorated with Spider and web after dark

🎃 Final Thoughts

Halloween camping has quickly become one of our favourite ways to wrap up the Ontario camping season.

After experiencing Witches in the Woods at MacGregor Point, I can definitely understand why families return to these events year after year.

We had just as much fun decorating our campsite and taking part in the activities as the kids did.

In fact, we’re already coming up with bigger plans for our campsite decorations this year!

If you want to experience Halloween at Ontario Parks for yourself, my biggest advice is to plan ahead.

Pick an event that sounds fun, book your campsite early, and come prepared with plenty of candy! 👻