Fall is the perfect time to Visit the Indiana Dunes State Park. There are lots of activities to participate in, including their Annual Storytelling Festival, Owl Banding as well has Ghost Stories and Halloween Events.
Saturday, October 10th, 2026
10:00am– High Dunes Hike: The trees and plants are showing off their spectacular colors! Join a naturalist at the Nature Center for a hike around the forest and swamp to admire the spectacle!
2:00pm – Fall Phenology Hike:: Join the naturalist in the Nature Center auditorium for a chat about what reptiles call the dunes home. Great chance to get a pic with one of the state park’s ambassador animals!
Sunday, October 11th, 2026
2:00pm – Spotted Lantern Fly Dog Detection Program At the Nature Center, watch some very skilled dogs as they show off their amazing sniffing abilities! A DNR Entomologist will explain about this invasive insect and what we are doing to fight back.
*37thAnnual NWI Indiana Storytelling Festival
Friday, October 16th, 2026
7pm-8pm – Campfire Stories & S’mores
Northwest Indiana Storytellers presents its 37th annual event! Join us for fun stories at the campground shelter next to site #116. Treats at the campfire will be provided thanks to Friends of the Indiana Dunes. Bring something to sit on, as seating is limited. Parking is available at the Nature Center or Campground Gate overflow parking lots.
Saturday, October 17th
10:30am to Noon – STORIES FOR CHILDREN
At the Nature Center fire ring, stories for all ages will come to life with the help of a variety of props, thingamajigs, or puppets to enthrall the listener.
1pm to 2:30pm – STORYTELLER’S FAVORITES
Storytellers have favorite stories too! At the Nature Center, hear the stories that each storyteller loves to tell over and over. Some are hilarious, others are downright strange!
2:30pm-3:30pm – STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD & AN OPEN MIC
Join us at the Nature Center’s Fire Ring where stories will be shared from around the world. Then the floor will be open to anyone wanting to share their favorite story, poem or song.
5:30pm-8:00pm – GHOST STORIES!
A night of fright awaits you at the Nature Center’s, Outdoor Program Area! Bring a blanket, and a friend to hold on to as this program will feature a collection of spooky tales. Two special story sessions will take place. Children age 7 and under are encouraged to listen to the 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. tales. Stories for ages 8 and up will be from 7 – 8 p.m. Snacks provided by the Friends of Indiana Dunes.
Sunday, October 18th, 2026
10:00am – Fall Color Walk:
The trees and plants are showing off their spectacular colors! Join a naturalist at the Nature Center for a hike around the forest and swamp to admire the spectacle!
Friday, October 23rd
2:00pm Campground Rove – Be on the lookout for a park naturalist in the campground. They may bring something interesting with them. Be sure to ask about our Halloween happenings!
6:30pm – Spine-Chilling Spider Hunt Night Hike
At the Nature Center you will discover fascinating facts about our 8-legged friends. Then go on a hunt in the dark to search for these amazing creatures.
Saturday, October 24th, 2026 HALLOWEEM FUN!
10:00am – Woods on Wheels! Slither over to the Nature Center to see some snakes up-close as you face your fears and learn about why they are so amazing! Located in the Campground Parking Lot, Indiana Woods on Wheels is a traveling interactive exhibit that provides information about the Hoosier state’s most renewable resource, our forests. Visitors will feel as if they have been transported to the woods as soon as they enter.
1:00pm- 2:00 – Pumpkin Decorating! Bring the kids to the Nature Center’s fire ring for some pumpkin decorating fun! Free pumpkins are provided while supplies last, thanks to Friends of Indiana Dunes!
12:00pm-3:00pm- Hay Rides, Rides start at the campground gate and will go to the beach and back- fun for all ages! Tickets available at the campground gate. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
3:30pm-5:30pm Trick-or-Treating: Our annual tradition takes place this afternoon! Bring your ghouls and goblins for some trick-or-treating fun in the park’s campground.
3:30pm-5:30pm Campsite Decorating Contest – Judges will determine the spookiest, most creative, and funniest campsites. Campers and visitors can cast their vote for our People’s Choice Award by visiting the Friends of Indiana Dunes table, located near the campground gate. Winners will be announced following trick-or-treating at the Friends of the Indiana Dunes table. Prizes provided by Friends of Indiana Dunes.
7:00pm Full Moon Hike: Whooo’s out at night looking for prey? Owls! Join a naturalist at the Nature Center’s auditorium for an easy walk where we will try to call some owls.
Saw-Whets and S’mores
October 31st, 2026 – 7:00pm- Meet the folks with Indiana Audubon at the Indiana Dunes State Park, Duneside Shelter for the opportunity to see a sawwhet owl up-close! Meet Northern Saw-whet Owls up close during an evening of owl banding, conservation, and s’mores at Indiana Dunes State Park. Join Indiana Audubon’s Project Owlnet team to learn about their migration and the research taking place at the Dunes. Observe captured owls being banded during hourly checks. Programs are free with Indiana Dunes State Park admission. Advance registration is preferred. Project Owlnet is weather dependent, those registered will receive notification if their program night is canceled due to rain, high winds, or other unsuitable conditions. Registration: https://dunesolwnet2026.eventbrite.com
October 2026 Weekday Programs and Events
Mondays –
10:00am- Meet the Beavers: From the Nature Center, we will hike over to one of the state park’s largest beaver dams. Come and learn all about nature’s engineers!
Fridays –
2:00pm- Campground Rove Be on the lookout in the campground for a Park Naturalist. They may have something fun and interesting with them. Be sure to ask about weekend events.
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
