So let's play a lightning round. Name three words that come to mind if I ask you about your childhood.

(Keep in mind, I'm a magazine editor, not your therapist.)

For me, three of those words might be: fishing, camping, and Halloween.

When I was growing up, we lived on a country road outside Weatherford. There were other houses on our street, but not enough to score a meaningful Trick-or-Treat haul. So every year, I'd go to my friend Andy's house in town, and we'd walk the streets of his neighborhood until we'd secured enough good candy to ensure stomachaches later.

Andy and his family also feature prominently in my memories of summer—specifically the parts where our two families drove to Colorado's Collegiate Peaks area every summer. We set up primitive campsites and spent a week or two fishing, hiking, reading books, exploring old mining towns, and telling tales around the campfire. Andy and his folks weren't so much into the fishing part—not like us Gunters—but we always enjoyed our time together.

You can't be a Gunter and not learn how to fish, though, so many, many of my childhood memories involve my parents, my brother, my cousins, and I climbing down the tall rock dam at Foss Lake State Park to fish for sand bass at sunset. Even today, I'm like a mountain goat: that climb lives in my muscle memory very near the place where I can still send out a perfect cast from a cheap rod and reel.

So this blog post excites me, because it combines all three of these words in ways that excite me to no end. Because this fall, Oklahoma's State Parks are offering a bevy of events that are sure to help you and your family and friends make some seriously amazing memories. I'll break it down by region to make it easier.

Trunk or Treat is a popular activity at Oklahoma State Parks. How will you decorate your campsite? Photo provided.

Southeast

It's not like you need a reason to visit southeastern Oklahoma in the fall (or any time). Autumn brings a veritable fireworks show of turned leaves, crisp blue skies, and unbeatable vistas from the lofty tops of the Ouachitas. Still, the region's parks are ready to roll.

At Robbers Cave State Park, October 20-22 brings the annual Fall Festival, which is sponsored by AARP Oklahoma and features more than two hundred arts and crafts vendors (start your holiday shopping!), carnival rides, and an entertainment stage with live music. There are even shuttle buses so you can park in downtown Wilburton, avoiding the traffic into the park (this is a big event that attracts tens of thousands, so we recommend the shuttles). Come on Saturday for the Fall Foliage Cruise, a pre-1984 car show that in the past has attracted more than five hundred hot rods to the Sans Bois Mountains. Then on October 28, Hike for Whole Health will host a free hiking event in the park, which has some of the best hiking trails in the state. And on Sunday, October 29, come by for a mini-festival with games, prizes, nighttime boat rides, pumpkin decorating, and costume contests. It's a fantastic way to Trick-or-Treat in a safe environment.

When you stay at a cabin at Lake Wister State Park, this is your view. Try to resist. Photo by Lori Duckworth

At Lake Wister State Park near Poteau, Trail of Treats is 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 28, featuring a Trunk or Treat event at the Below the Dam campground. There'll be a costume contest and prizes for the best Trunk or Treat station decorations as well. If you'd like to host your own, call the park office at (918) 658-2965. And if you can't make it there, let me put this bug in your ear: Lake Wister's cabins are my favorite State Park overnight in fall and winter. The views across the lake, the access to southeastern Oklahoma—particularly the amazing towns of Poteau and Heavener, which are both nearby—and the general quiet, laid-back vibe of the park are just what this time of year calls for.

And finally, if Halloween truly isn't your deal—no judgement, more candy for us—you'll want to head to Beavers Bend State Park for the annual Folk Festival and Craft Show November 10-12. Also cosponsored by AARP Oklahoma, this is one of the parks system's biggest annual events, drawing people from all over for folk music, a petting zoo, and turn-of-the-twentieth-century skills demonstrations, to name just a few of the many enjoyable activities. Plus, November is an ideal time for fly fishing, and the Lower Mountain Fork River is stocked with trout year-round. So go listen to some folk music, watch a woodturning demonstration, and try your hand at snagging a trout of your very own.

Northeast

Controversial opinion, but in fall, Green Country kinda doesn't live up to its name. Sure, our state's northeastern quadrant shines year-round in a million shades of chlorophyll, but in fall, there are bright reds, explosive golds, cozy browns, and OSU Cowboys orange, and we're here for it all. When was the last time you saw Sequoyah State Park in the fall? Well brother, that's too long.

At Greenleaf State Park beginning this Friday, October 13 (don't let the date scare you) and continuing through Tuesday the 17th, the Fall Break Bash will feature arts and crafts like pinecone spiders and monster handprints, and at 5 p.m. each day, visitors who buy a $10 ticket get to take off on a hayride complete with s'mores (just be sure to buy your ticket before 4:45 p.m.). Then for the costume-inclined, Friday October 20 through Tuesday October 24 brings the annual Halloween Bash—they like bashes at Greenleaf, and who can blame them?—and what a bash it will be. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights bring the Halloween Trail Ride of Terror, while Saturday will feature safe Trunk-or-Treating in the marina parking lot. Then Monday and Tuesday, the hayrides begin with less of a spooky bent. Plus, Greenleaf is an absolute treasure with more natural beauty than it's possible to take in, so you're pretty much guaranteed a great time.

Or how about Tenkiller State Park? Also beautiful, and every Tuesday through Sunday this month, the park's Nature Center will host fall-themed activities like crafts, pumpkin carving and costume contests, hikes, and more. Then on Saturday, October 28, there'll be Trick or Treat in the Nature Center with some great activities like making nature-print T-shirts, a meet and greet with some local toads, and a blacklight-glow egg hunt. Trick or Treating continues on Sunday, October 29, along with the chance to make a sun catcher or a cedar disk pumpkin in the craft area. Trick or Treat also happens at the Nature Center on Halloween day, and park staff will help kiddos make a leaf owl or a flappy bat. We're big supporters of education, but it all sounds like a good time to teach the kids what playing hooky means.

The good folks at Lake Eufaula State Park are hosting a haunted trail every Saturday in October for $3 per participant. And on Friday, October 27, the Lake Eufaula Association will host its annual golf tournament, a two-man scramble that begins at 9 a.m. Registration is $75 per person—$55 for course members—and includes greens and cart fees, lunch, prizes, and a goodie bag. Visit the Lake Eufaula Association website for more info.

And at the lovely Sequoyah State Park—seriously, book a stay at the amazing lodge here—every Saturday in October will bring Camp-or-Treat, letting costumed kiddos wander campsite to campsite in search of goodies. Every Friday during autumn, there are Fall Sunset Tram Rides for a mere $5 per person over the age of 5. Space is limited, and the rides tend to fill up fast, so inquire upon arrival. On Saturday, October 21 and 28, naturalists will host "Scales, Tails, & Turtle Shells" at the lodge, letting kiddos of all ages get an up-close look at some of Oklahoma's friendly creepy-crawlies. Also on the 28th, get super competitive with your fellow campers by decking out your site in the best spooky you can dream up—there are prizes at stake in the Campsite Decorating Contest. And on Friday, November 24, for those who may have overeaten and don't care to fight Black Friday crowds, join the Turkey Strut Hike beginning at 10 a.m. It's fewer than five miles; you'll do great.

Central and South-Central

If you're a denizen of the Oklahoma City metro, perk up! At Lake Thunderbird State Park on Thursday, October 26, the Little Axe Campground will host the Fall Festival and Zombie Run starting at 5 p.m. With 5K run and one-mile walk options, this race—hosted in partnership with the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System—is sure to burn off some of the candy you'll absolutely nick from your kid's bag later. And once everyone's got the running out of their system, stick around after dusk for an evening of games, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and trunk or treat.

State Park Naturalists are absolute treasures, and so is Lake Murray State Park. So go hang out with some treasures inside a treasure as the park hosts guided hikes this Saturday, October 14, and again on Saturday, October 28. Ranging from easy to moderate, the hikes begin at 10 a.m. and go for a maximum of one-and-a-half miles. Only fifteen spaces are available for each hike, so call the park office at (580) 223-2109 to reserve your spot. But if you'd rather ride than walk, the park also hosts Wildlife Tours on Sunday, October 15 and Sunday, October 29. These tours depart from Tucker Tower Nature Center at 7:30 a.m., and only ten spaces are available for each one, so call the number above to get on board. Finally, the park is hosting weekend craft sessions all month long. This weekend, participants will learn how to draw spider webs; next weekend, October 21-22, learn how to create your own bat. You'll be making your own Halloween decorations before you know it!

Lake Murray also is hosting a bird tour on Saturday, October 21, which promises to be fascinating, as autumn is prime migration season, and there will be much to see. If you've got a servant's heart or are trying to raise responsible citizens of the earth, come by on Friday, October 27 for a special trash pickup event that will not only let you help the park look nice, it'll net you a cool collectible button. Supplies are provided; simply call (580) 223-2109 to sign up.

And finally, on Saturday, October 28, Lake Murray will host a Paint-a-Pumpkin event—a perfect way for those without the dexterity to be trusted with knives (a population that includes yours truly) to create a Jack o' Lantern of their very own. All of these programs are hosted at Tucker Tower unless otherwise noted, and as always, kids must be accompanied by an adult.

Northwest

Man, there's just something really special about northwestern Oklahoma. The high elevation of rolling plains, incredible views, and the odd mesa rising from the horizon—it makes you feel small in the very best way.

Little Sahara is a scenic glory no matter what time of year you visit. Photo by Nathan Gunter

At Little Sahara State Park, drop by on Saturday, October 21 for Spooktacular!, hosted by the Waynoka Chamber of Commerce. There'll be a parade from the park to downtown Waynoka, followed by a chili cook off, costume and pumpkin-decorating contests, and more great fun. And if you've never done it before, get out on those dunes in an ATV. You know you've been dying to.

Or how about one of my childhood favorite parks, Roman Nose? On Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28, walk the Halloween Trail through the park for some good frights—plus the fact that this haunted trail begins with a hayride. Nice way to lull people in before a good jump scare.

And is there a state park that says Halloween more than Alabaster Caverns? The caves! The bats! It's all right there! Come by on Saturday, October 28 for Trunk or Treat, featuring a Black Out Tour at 5 p.m., campfire s'mores and scary stories at 6 p.m., and the big candy-getting event beginning at 7. But we recommend arriving early enough to take a guided tour of the cave itself—it's the perfect way to set the mood.

Southwest

As a Weatherford native, I admit, I'm partial to southwestern Oklahoma. At my beloved Foss State Park, Friday, October 20 brings the Haunted Trail, a half-mile walk beginning at dark that is sure to bring the screams. Just remember not to punch the scary clown—he's just a dude in a costume who absolutely will not hurt you (I'm speaking from experience here; just take my word for it and learn this lesson the easy way). On Saturday, October 21, kiddos in groups of 0-3 years; 4-7 years; and 8-12 years old can take part in the Haunted Egg Hunt, and at dusk, they can Trick or Treat in the park's Mouse Creek, Sandy Beach, Cutberth, Buffalo Bend, Cottonwood, and Cedar Point campgrounds. Plus, there will be prizes for the best campsite decorations—park staff simply ask that, due to fire risk, all lights be of the LED variety.

Written By

Nathan Gunter

A sixth-generation Oklahoman, Weatherford native, and Westmoore High School graduate, Nathan Gunter is the magazine's editor-in-chief. When he's not editor-in-chiefing, Nate enjoys live music, running, working out, gaming, cooking, and random road trips with no particular destination in mind. He holds degrees from Wake Forest University and the University of Oklahoma. He learned how to perform poetry from Maya Angelou; how to appreciate Italian art from Terisio Pignatti; comedy writing from Doug Marlette; how to make coconut cream pie from his great-grandma; and how not to approach farm dogs from trial and error. A seminary dropout, he lives just off Route 66 in Oklahoma City.