STATE PARKS

Montana's state parks offer spectacular fall experiences, including Medicine Rocks State Park with its Swiss cheese-like sandstone formations and International Dark Sky Sanctuary designation, Lost Creek State Park near Anaconda featuring aspen groves and 50-foot waterfalls, and Granite Ghost Town State Park near Philipsburg showcasing remnants of an 1890s silver mining boomtown.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is hosting multiple Halloween-themed events throughout October at state parks and facilities, including trick-or-treat walks, fossil days, bat programs, ghost walks, and spooky folklore presentations suitable for all ages.

Niobrara State Park now offers two new yurts available for year-round reservations, featuring modern amenities like heating, air conditioning, fully equipped kitchens, and distinctive upper-level viewing domes for stargazing. Each yurt sleeps up to seven people and includes furnished living areas, bathrooms, and outdoor picnic facilities.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced a $521,684 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to Frostburg State University for comprehensive planning of Wills Mountain State Park in Allegany County. The project, in partnership with the Maryland Park Service and Allegany County Tourism, will guide the park's development for public access after more than two decades of closure.

Spring Mill State Park celebrated its annual Campsite Decorating Contest with winners including Hunsaker, Gratzer, Knight, Nicholson, and Scherschel across five categories. The park looks forward to the 2027 event.

Pictograph Cave State Park is hosting a ranger-led spooky tour on October 24 from 7–9:30 p.m. featuring a night-time cave visit, Native American stories, and campfire tales. The tour costs $4 per adult with free admission for children.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is seeking public feedback through November 1 on new management plans for Van Riper State Park in Champion and the 120-acre Michigan Iron Industry Museum property in Negaunee. Online surveys are available to help inform draft general management plans for these popular Upper Peninsula locations in Marquette County.

Lake Lurleen State Park, located 15 miles from Tuscaloosa, offers football fans a full weekend getaway experience with upgraded campground facilities, new bathhouses, and recreational amenities. Park Manager Dee White and Alabama State Parks Director Matthew Capps highlight the park's 67-site campground improvements and 23 miles of multi-use trails, inviting visitors to extend their game day experience.

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is seeking volunteers for a post-season cave cleaning on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will remove lint and dust from cave formations, clean algae, and repair trails. Interested participants should RSVP by emailing Lewis&ClarkCavernsStatePark@mt.gov by Friday, Oct. 2.

Travelers' Rest State Park near Lolo continues its free "Trekker Kids" program series every Saturday in October at 11 a.m., featuring interactive activities like Living with Fire, Wild with Wolves, Candle Making, and Animal Wonders. Contact Luke Crews at 406-273-4253 for more information.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism officials at Petit Jean State Park to celebrate the renovated Mather Lodge, new outdoor recreation including the country's first via ferrata in a state park, and an Arkansas 250 historical marker. The park also welcomed new superintendent Will Ward.

Nebraska state parks offer diverse October events including night sky viewing at Merritt Reservoir with the Platte Valley Astronomical Observers, naturalist-led hikes at Ponca State Park, a reenactment of an 1897 Nebraska National Guard training camp at Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park, candlelight tours at Arbor Lodge Mansion, and volunteer opportunities at Schramm Park State Recreation Area.

South-central Montana state parks including Chief Plenty Coups, Cooney, Greycliff Prairie Dog Town, Lake Elmo, and Pictograph Cave are transitioning to winter schedules and amenities. Most parks implement reduced hours beginning September 21, with limited services such as closed comfort stations, restricted camping, and walk-in access only during winter months.

Nebraska state parks are hosting family-friendly Halloween activities throughout October, including Dusty's Pumpkinfest at Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, Indian Cave State Park's 31st Annual Haunted Hollow, Johnson Lake State Recreation Area's Halloween Haunt, Ponca State Park's 28th Annual Hallowfest, and Chadron State Park's Trunk-or-Treat Adventures, featuring trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, haunted hayrack rides, and campsite decorating contests.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled engaging October events including Curious Caterpillars, Wise and Wild at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park's James Family Conservatory, Little Saplings at Schramm Education Center, Sensory Safari at Lincoln Children's Zoo, virtual wasp science webinars, Wildcat Hills homeschool and preschool programs, Bat Bonanza workshop, and Homeschool Hikes exploring prairies.

Andy Keller, the new recreational park manager for Pictograph Cave State Park district in FWP Region 5, shares his background growing up in Sidney, Montana, and his vision to provide welcoming educational experiences. Keller plans to expand programs like Junior Rangers and highlight the park's 106 documented pictographs from 1937-1941 excavations.

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is offering Sunset and Full Moon Hikes led by park manager Clark Aasom on September 26 and October 24. The moderately difficult 3-mile hike combines scenic views with cultural and historical significance, limited to 25 participants per evening at $4 per person.

Makoshika State Park, Montana's largest state park, features nearly 12,000 acres of badlands formations and extensive dinosaur fossil remains from the late Cretaceous period. The park offers 11 hiking trails, a visitor center displaying original fossils including a Triceratops skull, and hosts the annual Makoshika Music & Arts Festival on September 12.

The Michigan DNR is requesting public input on an update to Ludington State Park's general management plan through an online survey available until October 4. The survey will help guide park management over the next 10 years, building on recent improvements including a $4.85 million investment through the American Rescue Plan Act.

The annual Autumn Harvest Hoedown returns to Pokagon State Park on September 26, 2026, featuring the Spy Run String Band playing traditional dance music. The Friends of Pokagon, Inc. will offer fresh apple cider from Stroh Orchard and popcorn, with the event sponsored by the Steuben County Tourism Bureau.