Find Fall Fun in Utah’s State Parks

We’ve compiled a guide to this season’s activities, events and must-see locations. Be sure to check back for updates as the season unfolds!

AUTUMN FUN

(Pumpkin Spice) Coffee with a Ranger
Dead Horse Point State Park
Friday, October 3rd at 9:00am

Start your spooky season with a trip to Dead Horse Point State Park, and chat with a Park Ranger while sipping a complementary pumpkin spice coffee (or hot chocolate)! This will be a great opportunity to learn about Dead Horse Point and to ask questions about the park and its surrounding area in a warm and welcoming environment. Meet at the Visitor Center at 9:00am!

Geology Hike!
Wasatch Mountain State Park

October 4, 2025 – 8:30 AM

Expand your knowledge of our valley’s geologic history and the creation of the Wasatch Mountains. Please bring water, hiking shoes, extra layers of clothing for unexpected weather, and a snack to enjoy at our destination. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Arts & Crafts- Make Your Own Fossil!
Utahraptor State Park
October 9, 2025

Join us as we use homemade salt dough and make imprints to create our very own FOSSILS! If you have a favorite dino toy at home- feel free to bring it! Otherwise, we will have plenty of fake dinos to make your imprint with. 7 PM. Utahraptor Visitor Center located at: (38.70134, -109.69764)

Ghosts of Camp Floyd
Camp Floyd State Park Museum
October 10, October 11, October 18, October 31

Is Camp Floyd haunted?  The public is invited to participate in a paranormal investigation of Camp Floyd.  Because of the popularity of this program, four sessions will be conducted this year with each date limited to 40 participants.  Admission fees are $10 per person and reservations are required.

Participants are encouraged to view the museums at Camp Floyd during daylight beginning at 6 pm, with the event starting at 7:00 PM and ending at 9:00 PM.  Participants are encouraged to bring their own flashlights, recorders, cameras, digital and infrared cameras where park staff will assist participants in the use of their equipment in finding paranormal orbs, mists and sounds.

A brief presentation will be conducted to familiarize participants with paranormal investigating techniques and findings as the investigation starts.  All participants will be invited to present their findings at the conclusion of the investigation and will have the opportunity of viewing photographs along with other paranormal evidence gathered at this historic site. Admission fees are $10 per person and reservations are required. For more information and to reserve your spot please email campfloyd@utah.gov.
Only 40 spots available for each event. Spots are filling up fast!

Haunted Homestead
Frontier Homestead State Park Museum
October 16, 2025

Cemetery tours, a haunted house, games & activities for the whole family, evenings about 2 weeks before Halloween; $4/person, $20/family. This year our family-favorite carnival will be held Thursday, October 16th, from 5:30 to 8:00. We’ll follow up the carnival with a special candlelight museum tour at 8:00 that evening. Additionally, we’ll offer guided cemetery tours in the evening October 2nd, 9th, 23rd, and 30th.  A free self-guided cemetery tour is available all month. Call us for more details.

Pumpkin Painting
Fremont Indian State Park and Museum
Saturday, October 18th

Get ready for Halloween with us at Fremont Indian State Park! We will be having pumpkin painting from 4pm-6:30pm. All supplies are included, just come and have fun. Normal day-use fees apply.

Halloween Sunset Hike!
Goblin Valley State Park
October 18

Hike with a ranger around the Valley of the Goblins and learn about the spookiest animals of the park! We may even find some scorpions. 6:30pm at the Observation Point.

Guided Hike Badeau Ridge
Yuba State Park
Sunday, October 19, 1p.m. – 3 p.m., Juab County

Join us at Yuba State Park for an October walk along the Badeau Ridge.  On this 4.5 mile high desert route, you’ll enjoy the same vistas as the Dominguez-Escalante and Fremont Expeditions with views of the Sevier River to the west and Mt. Nebo, the highest peak on the Wasatch Range, to the north. Join your hike leader at the Oasis Campground for this moderately easy trail with a slight 200 feet of elevation gain.  Directions available here.

Pumpkin Painting!
Utahraptor State Park
October 23, 2025

Get into the Halloween spirit and come paint pumpkins at Utahraptor State Park! Pumpkins and materials will be provided. 7 PM

2025 Annual Bison Roundup
Antelope Island State Park
October 25

Spectators come and watch over 200 riders on horseback round up the island’s 750 bison during the annual bison roundup. The roundup is an important part of the bison and island management.
Park Impacts: Increased traffic on roadways.  All trails but Buffalo Point, Ladyfinger Point and Lakeside Loop will be closed.
Roundup Watch Party / Exposition
Join us in White Rock Bay starting at 10:00 am to watch the team of riders make the final push leading bison into the corrals.  We’ll have food, games and fun activities for families.  Bring cash – some vendors may not be able to accept credit.
Vendors and community partners, and anyone with questions should contact tackley@utah.gov

Movie Meetup
Sand Hollow State Park
Tuesday, October 28⋅7:30 – 9:00pm

Spooky season is upon us. Come with blankets and chairs as Sand Hollow State Park hosts an outdoor movie night. Bring popcorn and hot chocolate to enjoy a holiday inspired movie with a Park Ranger! The program will be held at the OHV staging area. It is weather dependent.

Prehistoric Scavenger Hunt
Utahraptor State Park
October 30, 2025

COSTUMES ENCOURAGED! Join us for a 0.5-mile scavenger hunt! Kids will get to search for dinosaur eggs with prizes inside, painted pumpkins, and more! 5 PM. Meet at Historic Site, located at (38.711910, -109.700358)

DARK SKY

Howling Moonlight Hike
Dead Horse Point State Park
Saturday, October 4th at 7:30pm

Darkness falls across the land, the midnight hour is close at hand… Join us for a “thriller” of a hike under the waxing moonlight and learn about all the night-crawling creatures that call the park home, including beasts of folklore and tradition. This hike will be approximately one mile in total, crossing rocky terrain. A red light is advised. Meet at the Visitor Center at 7:30pm.

International Observe the Moon Night
Snow Canyon State Park
October 4, 2025

Snow Canyon Scenic Overlook. 8:00pm-9:30 pm. Join us to gaze at the moon and learn about its geology! Bring a chair to get cozy.

Full Moon Hike!
Goblin Valley State Park
October 6 

Join a ranger for a short hike in the Goblin Valley while learning about the moon, dark skies, and nocturnal wildlife. Observation Point, 6:30PM.

Full Moon Talk with a Ranger!
Utahraptor State Park
October 6, 2025

Come explore the wonders of the night sky with us! Learn about the science, stories, and significance of the full moon during a brief presentation, followed by an opportunity to view the moon up close through a telescope. 8:00 PM. Meet at the Historic Site, located at: (38.711910, -109.700358)

Full Moon Paddle Tour
Sand Hollow State Park
Tuesday, October 7⋅7:00 – 8:00pm

Did you know the reservoir is haunted?? It actually is not; but you can join a Park Ranger for our Full Moon Paddle Tour to learn about spooky lore and water safety. This is a registered event and registration can be found on our website closer to the event date. The program will be held at the dive park dock.

Star Party: The Terror of Tiamat
Dead Horse Point State Park
Wednesday, October 8th at 8:00pm

According to the most ancient of legends, the stars are all that remain of the dragon Tiamat. Hanging high above the autumn skies, her ever-present silhouette was said to haunt mankind below. Learn about Ancient Babylonian contributions to our understanding of the heavens as we explore their constellations and associated mythologies with the aid of telescopes. We’ll be looking up for most of the evening, so a chair or blanket is recommended for comfort! This event will begin at the Visitor Center Parking Lot at 8:00pm.

Stars Among the Sands
Sand Hollow State Park
Friday, October 10⋅7:00 – 8:30pm

Join a Park Ranger for an evening on the beach looking up at the stars. Bring blankets or chairs to truly enjoy the program. Learn about the stars, constellations, and possibly get a deeper look into deep space. The program will be held on the south beach.

Ye Olde Scorpion Hunt
Dead Horse Point State Park
Saturday, October 11th at 7:30pm

Hark! Tis spoken afar that vile Scorpions do sorely afflict the goodly people of Dead Horse Point! Pick up thee thine lantern of strange and spectral Light and join in the righteous Pursuit of these darksome, shadow-dwelling Creatures of mischief! But be ye wary, touch them we may not, for within their Frame doth much Venom boil. Join thee our Rangers at half past the nineteenth hour (7:30pm) at the Mountain Bike Lot, for this, our final Scorpion Hunt of the season!

Vlad Dracutah’s Bat Bonanza
Dead Horse Point State Park
Sunday, October 12th at 6:00pm

Bats! These flying mammals have instilled awe and horror in humans for centuries. But what’s the true story of these creatures that flit above the park’s evening sky? Do they drink blood? Will they get caught in your hair? When darkness falls, will they transform into… vampires!? Find out for yourself in this engaging and family-friendly presentation on all things bats! Meet at the Visitor Center at 6:00pm!

Stellar Star Party
Snow Canyon State Park
October 17, 2025 

Upper Galoot Picnic Area. 8:00pm-9:30 pm. Bring a blanket and chair to join us in exploring the night sky! Red light flashlights encouraged.

OAS Public Star Party
Antelope Island State Park
October 18
5:00PM White Rock Bay Event Area

Join volunteers from Ogden Astronomical Society for an evening of gazing into the cosmos. Starting at 6:00 we’ll begin by viewing our star, the sun; safely through filtered telescopes. Once the sun sets, equipment will be switched out for dark sky viewing of planets, nebulae, star clusters, and even far-away galaxies. Telescopes will be provided. There is no fee for this event. Regular park entry fees apply. Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.

Park Impacts: Road closures and changes in traffic patterns beginning at 4:00pm in the area around White Rock Bay. Follow signs to event parking.

Spooktacular Star Party
Fremont Indian State Park and Museum
Saturday, October 18th

Come learn more of the more spooky star stories as well as some other fun and entertaining myths. This star party will have plenty of star gazing, telescope viewing, and constellation naming! Meet at the Museum at 7:30pm.

Star Party: Curse of the Demon Star
Dead Horse Point State Park
Saturday, October 18th at 8:00pm

The Gorgon, the Demon Star, the Head of the Ghoul: across time and space, the star Algol has inspired tales of dread and misfortune bestowed by its wink. But what’s the truth of this strange flickering star? Peer through a telescope and learn about Algol and other strange star systems! We’ll be looking up for most of the evening, so a chair or blanket is recommended for comfort! Meet at the Visitor Center Parking Lot at 8:00pm.

Bats of Snow Canyon
Snow Canyon State Park
October 19, 2025

Bust some myths about these wonderful creatures during spooky season! 9:00am – 11:00am. *Registration required*

Star Party
Goosenecks State Park
October 21, 2025 7:00 PM

Join Bears Ears Partnership for an evening of gazing into the cosmos. We’ll be viewing our galaxy’s celestial wonders through a telescope. Get ready for a night to remember as we get a closer look at nearby planets, nebulae, star clusters, and even far-away galaxies. Telescopes will be provided. Please bring red light flashlights or headlamps if you have them. Chairs, blankets, and layers are recommended for comfort during changing temperature conditions. This event is free and open to the public.

New Moon Star Party!
Utahraptor State Park
October 21, 2025

Join us for a presentation on our night sky and a telescope viewing! 7:30 PM. Meet at the Historic Site, located at: (38.711910, -109.700358)

Extraterrestrial Extravaganza
Dead Horse Point State Park
Friday, October 24th at 7:30pm

Everyone loves to visit the Moab area! Perhaps even visitors from very far away? More UFO sightings have been reported around Moab than above any other site in Utah. Join us as we explore these reports and look through binoculars and telescopes ourselves to see what might really be out there. Tinfoil hats supplied and encouraged! Meet at the Balcony of the Visitor Center at 7:30pm!

Halloween Constellations!
Goblin Valley State Park
October 24 

Learn about the spookier myths of the sky during this unique constellation tour! 8:30PM at the Observation Point.

Bat’s Incredible, Bat Walk
Fremont Indian State Park and Museum
Saturday, October 25th

For this year’s Bat Week join us on our bat walk where you can learn more about these amazing creatures and see some in action. We will be meeting at the Museum Activity Center at 7pm.

Star and Planets!
Goblin Valley State Park
October 29

Join rangers to learn some basics of astronomy and the importance of dark skies and then view space objects through park telescopes! 8:30PM at the Observation Point.

Star Party: Galactic Trick or Treat
Dead Horse Point State Park
Thursday, October 30th at 7:30pm

Join us for a special Halloween Star Party! Come dressed up in your favorite family-friendly costume as we hop across our Galactic Neighborhood and beyond! Our telescopes will take us to the front steps of Andromeda, Bode’s Galaxy, and more! Bring a comfy chair or blanket, and a telescope if you have one! Meet at the Visitor Center at 7:30pm.

Stars Among the Sands
Sand Hollow State Park
Thursday, October 30⋅7:00 – 8:30pm

Join a Park Ranger for an evening on the beach looking up at the stars. Bring blankets or chairs to truly enjoy the program. Learn about the stars, constellations, and possibly get a deeper look into deep space. The program will be held on the south beach.

AUTUMN SAFETY

As the weather cools down, safety remains vital for your outdoor adventures! Here are some essential tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience:

• Review park websites for any closures, hazardous conditions, or special instructions, and ask rangers for up-to-date information. This includes boat ramp closures and possible fire restrictions. 
• Always inform a trusted person of your destination and estimated return time. 
• Pack a kit with essentials for handling minor injuries. Bring important items like sunscreen and bug repellent. Communication devices such as cell phones or radios are vital for reaching out for assistance in an emergency.
• Avoid going solo. Bring a friend when exploring for an extra layer of security.
• Stay informed about weather forecasts and keep an eye out for potential storms.
• Temperatures can drop significantly, especially in the evening and at higher elevations. Dress in layers so you can adjust to changing conditions throughout the day. Bring a jacket, even if the day starts out warm.
• Stay on marked trails and know your route. Have a physical map and compass, and be aware of the expected time and distance for your hike, including uphill sections. 
• Always wear appropriate safety gear, including life jackets for boating and helmets for off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding. Be aware of Utah’s laws regarding life jacket and helmet requirements.
• Know the boating rules and regulations before hitting Utah’s lakes and reservoirs. Observe speed limits, watch for other watercraft, check water levels and hazards, and never boat under the influence. Always designate a sober driver. For more tips, visit the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation.
• Always check fire restrictions in advance and practice campfire safety. Never leave fires unattended, contain them in approved pits or cleared areas, avoid windy days and keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby. For more tips, visit utahfiresense.org. 

Prioritize your safety and have a fantastic time exploring Utah’s stunning landscapes!

Fall at Utah’s state parks is full of beauty and adventure waiting to be explored. Grab your friends and family and experience the best of the season. Whether it’s hiking through the fall foliage, learning something new at a ranger-led event or telling spooky stories around the campfire, this fall is all about making lasting memories.