Fall is the best time to explore the Great Outdoors, and made even more fun with the addition of costumes and kid-friendly frights during the month of October.
We’ve rounded up our favorite Family Friendly Halloween Hikes in Cincinnati so your little ghouls and boys can enjoy some festive fun this month!
Spring Grove Cemetery
Check website for a schedule
This beautiful hidden gem offers a variety of walking and tram tours throughout the month. Be on the lookout for a “Twilight Tour” – admission is free and you’ll see the cemetery in a whole new light! (Pun intended.)
Scarecrow Row
Sept. 29-Oct. 14 at Otto Armleder Park/Lunken Airport
Don’t let its name fool you: Scarecrow Row is anything but super scary. Silly, fun, festive — Scarecrow Row is an act of art: local businesses dress up scarecrows on the two-mile stretch of adjoining trails of Lunken and Otto Armleder Memorial Park. It’s free and fun for everyone!
Luminary Night Hike
Oct. 6 at 6:30 pm at Glenwood Gardens/Gatehouse
Take a magical night hike through lantern-lit woods. You will meet different characters along the way who will introduce you to legends and lore. Guided hikes will depart every eight minutes between 6:30-8:30 pm. Bring your own stick to toast marshmallows over the fire while you wait for your group to depart. $5/person ages 2 and up; register by Oct. 4.
Halloween Storytelling and Night Hike
Oct. 12 from 7-8:30 pm at Chilo Lock 34 Park
Join the Dreamweavers and your local naturalists to find out what goes bump in the night on a guided night hike, then relax by the fire as we share spooky-fun stories! This program is free. RSVP to Naturalist at 513.240.2615 or [email protected]
Not-So-Spooky Night Hike
Oct. 13 at 6 pm at Sharon Woods/Buckeye Falls parking lot
We’ll take an evening stroll along the Gorge Trail and look for some of the night animals that call Sharon Woods home. Dress for the weather. FREE.
Preparing for Night
Oct. 13 from 5-10 pm at the Cincinnati Nature Center
Discover the mysterious sights and sounds of night at this fun-filled family event! Visit interactive stations, along the Discovery Trail featuring animals, games, star-gazing and more! Enjoy a picnic with live music and free ice cream. Food trucks will be available. Presenting sponsor is L.L. Bean. Preregistration preferred as it may sell out. Admission for member adults is $12/children $6; nonmember adults are $14/children $8. Discounts for early registration!
Haunted Village
Last three weekends of October at Heritage Village Museum
The Haunted Village at Heritage Village Museumprovides festive fun for the entire family, from trick-or-treaters to thrill seekers. During the last three weekends of October, the town transforms into a “slight fright” haunted village, perfect for a family Halloween night out.
Annual Magic Forest Halloween Hikes
Oct. 19 and 20 at Caldwell Nature Center
Walk through a pumpkin-lit trail and meet costumed characters from nature and history. This is a non-scary holiday walk best suited for children ages 3-10. Hikes start at 7 pm with the last hike leaving at 8:30 pm. We organize hike groups by type: scouts, families with young children, and families with older children. Each hike lasts approximately 1 hour. Cost is $6 per person. Children 2 and under are FREE. There is a $3 administrative fee (per order, not per ticket). Register online here.
Halloween Trail
Oct. 19 at 7 pm at Middleton-Mills Park: 3415 Mills Rd., Covington, KY 41015
The Haunted Halloween Trail is a quarter-mile long filled with slight fright and drama! Ghosts, goblins, witches and creatures are ready to frighten those attending! Stay upon the torch lit trail and you may survive! Gate closes at 10:30 pm. There will be a hayride shuttle that will take participants back to their vehicles. Recommended for children aged 6+. Trail is a quarter mile long and is meant to scare! Admission is FREE with a non-perishable food or personal care item donation (or $1 per person).
Halloween Happenings: Kid’s Fun Day/Character Trail
Oct. 20 from 1-4 pm at Middleton-Mills Park: 3415 Mills Rd., Covington, KY 41015. Shelterhouse 2
This is an opportunity for kids of all ages to meet a few friendly characters and get some treats! There will also be opportunities to play fun, Halloween games. No admission fee, KCP&R collects donations of non-perishable food and personal care items for Be Concerned.
Howl-o-Ween in the Woods
Oct. 21 from 12-3 pm at Caldwell Nature Center
Dress up in awesome costumes and sniff up some fun with your canine companion! Take a walk on our trail filled with over 100 carved pumpkins and along the way meet local pet specialists that will fill your goody bag. Stop by the photo booth to capture this special day with your dog and join our costume contest! Discover new canine products and receive free supplies from our Spooktacular sponsors! Cost is $10 per dog. Register online before Oct. 20 here.
Halloween Walk in the Woods
Oct. 27 from 1-3 pm at Blue Ash Nature Park
Get dressed up early for Halloween and spend the afternoon trick-or-treating at the Blue Ash Nature Park. This event is geared towards children 10 and under and is free and open to the public!
Nature at Night Pumpkin Hike
Oct. 27 at 6:30 pm at Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve/Ellenwood Nature Barn
Jack-o’-lanterns will light your path as you discover the wonder of nature at night along the Pin Oak Trail. Bring a flashlight and arrive any time between 6:30–7:30 p.m. to check in for this self-guided hike. A limited number of pumpkin tickets will be sold for the 8 p.m. jack-o’-lantern drawing. Free; some crafts available for an additional fee.
Make is a festive fall with these slightly spooky walks!
