This time of year turns most of us into big kids. What with Halloween, NFL games, baseball playoffs, Thanksgiving pies, college basketball & football, and (of course) Christmas, it’s hard to concentrate on work!

Add the fact that Kentucky flat out shows off this time of year with more gorgeous colors than you can imagine and weather so nice it’s hard to stay indoors. Our wonderful state parks are feeling the magic and have lined up a lot of fun for you and your family.

It’s time to get out the pumpkins and ghoulish decorations at Kentucky State Parks as they prepare for one of the most popular times of the year – Halloween.!

Many of the park system’s campgrounds will be having special activities for campers, including decorations, costumes, hayrides and games for the kids. And other resort parks, recreation parks and historic sites will also have special events during October – a great time to be outside with family and friends.

Parents of young children should check in advance – some parks have age recommendations for their events.

Many state resort parks have inexpensive rates for lodge rooms and cottages during the fall. Some weekday lodge room rates start as low as $49.95 a night. Resort parks also have excellent restaurants with your favorite meals. State parks have trails, playgrounds and plenty of wildlife viewing areas and fall color that make for excellent family outings. For more information about state park events or to make lodging or camping reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov or call your favorite park.

Here is the list of Kentucky State Park Halloween events:

Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas

“Spooktacular” Weekend, Oct. 14-15

Barren River Lake State Resort Park will host a “spooktacular” weekend where the ghosts and goblins take over the campground. There will be costume contests for all ages, pumpkin roll contest, tie-dye Boo-danas, trick-or-treating, and a variety of other activities for ghouls of all sizes. On Saturday night, gather around the campfire, if you dare, for scary stories and spooky songs with John Tierney. Campers, don’t forget to bring candy for trick-or-treating. Contact Jamie Avery at 1-800-325-0057 or jamie.avery@ky.gov for more information.

Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill

Carter Caves Haunted Trail, Oct. 14-15, 21-22

The ghouls and goblins have risen from the underground world at Carter Caves to scare you silly on these two weekends! Come and take the walk through our ¼-mile haunted trail, if you dare. Our past trail survivors consider Carter Caves Haunted Trail to be one of the best haunted trails in the region. Trail admission is $8 per person. Concessions will be sold at the beginning of the trail. Not recommended for young children. Transportation to and from the trailhead will be provided. Ticket sales are held on each night of the event from 7:30-10 p.m. at Carter Caves Public Pool. Call 1-800-325-0059.

Halloween Campout Celebration & Ghost Stories in a Cave, Oct. 28-29

This year will be Carter Caves’ seventh annual Halloween Campout Celebration. Some of the special activities include site-to-site trick-or-treating, costume contest including a pet category, pumpkin carving contest, spooky mini-golf (fee required), and a campsite-decorating contest. On Saturday night, imagine yourself encased in total darkness with only the sounds of bats flying through the air. If this sounds like a perfect place to spend your Halloween evening, join us at Cascade Cave for our “Ghost Stories in a Cave” program ($2 per person). Seats are not provided, so bring a lawn or camp chair and your imagination. Call 1-800-325-0059.

Columbus-Belmont State Park, Columbus

Un-BOO-lievable Weekend, Oct. 28-30

Enjoy a fun-filled weekend with campsite trick-or-treating. Prizes will be given for best decorated campsite and best costume. The park will also have a chili & dessert cook-off. Follow up with a “Civil War Ghost Ride.” Call 270-677-2327.

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Burkesville

Haunted Hollow Hotel, Oct. 22

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park dares you to enter the Haunted Hollow Hotel on Oct. 22. Participate in our fun activities such as tie-dye T-shirts ($7), pumpkin carving contest, costume contest, and campsite decorating contest. Special guest John Tierney will entertain your senses with “Spooky Songs and Scary Stories.” For those who just want to sit back and relax, come and enjoy a special haunted buffet at the Mary Ray Oaken Lodge. Campers should remember to bring candy for trick-or-treating. We’ll be waiting for you. For more information call 1-800-325-2282.

E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park, Louisville

Spooky Songs and Scary Stories, Oct. 8

Join our favorite storyteller John Tierney as he strums his way through “Spooky Songs and Scary Stories.” Bring the whole family out for a night around the campfire to enjoy the tales and puzzlers that Mr. Tierney has prepared for us. Drinks and s’mores will be provided with the program cost. Make sure to dress for the weather as this is an outside activity. Participants are encouraged to try out their Halloween costumes at this event! Cost is $4 per person. Open 8-9 p.m. to all ages. Location is the picnic grove area. Call 502-429-7270.

In the Park After Dark, Oct. 22

Have you ever thought about the creepy history of E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park? Join us on this haunted house version of geo-caching. You will be on a caching quest for some of the most likely areas to see a ghost! This is a geo-caching event, which means that you will use a GPS unit to find each place, along with a map of the park. Be careful of surprises that loom for your group on the trails ahead! Think you can find your way through our trails in the dark and avoid the ghouls? Come and see. Don’t have a GPS device? Your smartphone can probably download a GPS app or you could even use the portable device in your car. Just make sure they are charged all the way and that you can input coordinates on them before you plan to come. Also make sure to bring a light source of some sort. Open 8 p.m.-midnight; $10 per person. For teenagers and older. Starts at activities building. Call 502-429-7270.

General Burnside State Park, Burnside

Spooky Weekend, Oct. 22

Come join us if you dare! This is a weekend of spooky fun. Campers, please decorate your sites. Games and activities for all ages. Call 606-561-4104.

General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton

Jump Start Your Halloween Weekend, Oct. 21-23

Get a jump start on Halloween! Join us for activities and entertainment, along with trick-or-treating, all in our campground. Any resort guest staying at General Butler is invited to participate in scheduled activities, which include Saturday’s outdoor Paranormal Workshop by the Tri-State Shadow Chasers. For information about all activities, call the park at 1-866-462-8853.

Halloween Family Fun Weekend: Oct. 28-30

Who’s afraid of the dark? Hopefully it’s not you! Another fun Halloween weekend is planned at General Butler State Resort Park, including activities, entertainment and glow-in-the-dark mini-golf. Albert Bauman and his “Creepy Fingers” pottery workshop will be on hand – along with his warming personality, and Saturday’s trick-or-treating will highlight this event for all ghosts and goblins. Call for information at 1-866-462-8853.

Green River Lake State Park, Campbellsville

Halloween in the Park, Oct. 21-23

The weekend will be filled with fun and enjoyment for the whole family at Green River Lake State Park in Campbellsville. The first 20 campers will receive a free pumpkin to use in the pumpkin decorating contest on Saturday. Activities include: free mini-golf and ghost golf when the full moon comes out. Campsite decorating and pumpkin decorating contests are planned, with prizes for the top three finishers. Other activities include trick-or-treating for campers’ kids (treat bags will be supplied), corn toss championship ($5 entry fee) and a whole lot more! For information call 270-465-8255.

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup

Greenbo Lake Camper Halloween Weekends; Oct. 21- 22, 28-29

Two fun-filled weekends with ghosts, goblins, witches, and more! There will be chili suppers on Friday, Oct. 21, and Friday, Oct. 28, from 5-7p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 22, and Saturday, Oct. 28, there will be a cake walk, scavenger hunt, hayrides, costume contest, pumpkin carving, site decorating contest, and campsite trick-or-treating. On Saturday, Oct. 22, trick-or-treating will be for campers only, from 6-8 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 29, the trick-or-treating will be open to the public from 6-7 p.m. Don’t miss out on these two weekends of ghoulish fun. Call 1-800-325-0083.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg

Haunted Hayride, Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29

If you like to be scared, then Jenny Wiley State Resort Park is the place to be. Come join this annual event and take a tractor-pulled hayride that you soon won’t forget. The Haunted Hayride will be held in the campground and will begin at dark. Fee is $4 per person. Call 1-800-325-0142 for information.

Haunted Campground Halloween, Oct. 21-22

Come join Jenny Wiley’s recreation staff for an evening of ghosts and ghouls. The evening’s activities will consist of a costume dance, a ghost hunt, costume contest and much more. The Haunted Hayride is also available for the Haunted Campground weekend. Happy Haunting!!! Call 1-800-325-0142.

John James Audubon State Park, Henderson

Halloween Spooktacular, Oct. 29

Join us Oct. 29 from 4-9 p.m. for hay rides, crafts, food, carnival games, a Haunted Woods Trail produced by the Henderson County High School Drama Club, magic show, spider show, pumpkin painting, costume contest and photo booth. Admission is $2 per person; ages 3 and under free. (Some activities may charge an additional fee). Call 270-826-2247.

Kenlake State Resort Park, Aurora

Halloween/Camper Appreciation Weekend Oct. 28-29

Kenlake State Resort Park will have Camper Appreciation Weekend on October 28-29. Buy one night, get one night free. Campers must camp two nights to get this rate.

For Halloween fun, campers are encouraged to decorate their campsites. Children can dress in costume and on Saturday, Oct. 29, take part in crafts, games and goodies. The evening should be fun for the whole family! Call 1-800-325-0143.

Kincaid Lake State Park, Falmouth

Halloween Campout, Oct. 28-30

Kincaid Lake will hold its Halloween Campout with hayrides, games, campsite decorating contest, costume contests and trick-or-treating. Call 859-654-3531.

Lake Malone State Park, Dunmore

Halloween Party, Oct. 15

Take part in an old-fashioned hayride, games and crafts. Wear your favorite costume and decorate your campsite. The fun starts at 2 p.m. Call 270-657-2858.

Levi Jackson State Park, London

Halloween Campground Activities, Oct. 20-22

Camping among the ghosts and goblins, beautiful sights of fall decorations, costume contests and trick-or-treating are all part of the Halloween festivities at Levi Jackson State Park. Nightly activities will lead up to a chili cook-off and chili supper on Friday evening. Hayrides, crafts, games, haunted events and other contests are planned for the big and little goblins. Prizes for decorated campsites include best autumn, animated, most creative, and scariest. This event is for campers only. Call the park for more information at 606-330-2130.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade

Spooky Songs and Scary Tales: Oct. 28

As the autumn chill and splashes of color embrace Natural Bridge, what better way to spend your evening than listening to stories of ghosts and goblins? Join special guest performers John Tierney and Anne MacFie as they sing spooky songs and spin yarns that will raise the hair on your neck and send a chill up your spine! This free program will be held in the Woodland Center and will begin at 8 p.m. Suitable for ages 6 and up. Make it a family occasion. Call 1-800-325-1710.

Old Fort Harrod State Park, Harrodsburg

Haunted Frontier, Oct. 28-30

Old Fort Harrod State Park will host the annual Haunted Frontier again this year, Oct. 28–30. The fort will be “haunted” by the spirits of Indians and settlers from long ago. Open 7:30-10 p.m. and the cost is $5. Call 859-734-3314.

Old Mulkey Meeting House State Historic Site, Tompkinsville

Halloween in the Park, Oct. 22

The evening starts at 5:30 p.m. and will consist of a pet costume parade, children’s costume parade (up to age 10), fortune telling, Haunted Trail, Halloween games and more! Prizes will be given to all parade participants. Admission is $4 and includes a hotdog dinner. Preregistration by Oct. 20 is required by calling 270-487-8481.

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs

Halloween Campout, October 28-30

The Halloween festivities at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park will begin Oct. 28 with spooky storytelling around the amphitheater’s campfire, so practice your favorite scary story to tell the entire group. Enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride through the forest beginning at 10 a.m. Oct. 29. At 1 p.m., learn how to make a variety of Halloween crafts. At 3 p.m., meet at the lodge lobby for an exciting cemetery scavenger hunt. From 4-7 p.m., campers are welcome to trick-or-treat throughout the campground and at the lodge. The recreation staff will begin judging the campsite decorating contest and pumpkin carving contest at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced before the start of the costume contest at 7 p.m. at the amphitheater. The costume contest will have separate divisions for children and adults. A full schedule of events will be available at the lodge lobby, camp store, and online at http://www.kspappdev.com/blogs/pennyrile-forest/ Call 270-797-3421 for more information.

Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls of Rough

Halloween Spooktacular, Oct. 22-23

Rough River Dam State Resort Park is hosting its annual Halloween Spooktacular the weekend of Oct. 22-23. The weekend will feature activities scary enough to please all the ghosts and goblins. There will be costume contests for all children, a campsite-decorating contest and trick-or-treating at the campground. There will be hayrides, a bonfire and other activities designed for good, spooky fun. Campers should remember to bring candy for trick-or-treating. Contact Cindy Splittorff at 1-800-325-1713 or roughriver@ky.gov for more information.

Taylorsville Lake State Park, Taylorsville

Happy Halloween 2011 on Oct. 29

Taylorsville Lake State Park offers a safe and fun way to celebrate the Halloween holiday at Happy Halloween 2011. Activities include hayrides, campsite decoration contest, trick-or-treating, and the ever-popular outdoor scary movie. Activities begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. Call 502-477-8713.

Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington

Halloween Ghost Walk, Oct. 21-22

Ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and things that go bump in the night will descend on Waveland State Historic Site for the annual Halloween Ghost Walk on Oct. 21-22. The Ghost Walk is one of the most popular events at the mid-nineteenth century Greek Revival mansion located off Nicholasville Road at 225 Waveland Museum Lane in Lexington. Tickets for the Ghost Walk are $7 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $4 for students. This year’s Ghost Walk will include a terror trail, and the house will host an “evening with Edgar Allen Poe.” Actors will portray characters from Poe’s horror stories. Call Waveland at 859-270-3611.

Paranormal Investigation Oct. 28-29

On Oct. 28-29, the Friends of Waveland will offer another Halloween treat. A paranormal investigation will occur from 9 p.m. to midnight. The investigation will be led by paranormal experts who will search for evidence that Waveland is haunted. Tickets for the paranormal investigation are $20 per person. Call Waveland at 859-270-3611 for ticket information.

White Hall State Historic Site, Richmond

Ghost Walk, Oct. 20-22 and Oct. 28-29

This is a must-see theatrical experience performed by Eastern Kentucky University’s theater department. “Spirit Guides” lead guests from room to room and introduce the spirits of the past, who come out of the dimness to tell the tender and incredible stories of the illustrious Clay family. Each tour is limited to 20 people. First performance is at 7 p.m. with twelve tours per night. Tickets are $10 per person, by prepaid reservation only. Call 859-623-9178 for information and reservations.

Yatesville Lake State Park, Louisa

Halloween Campsite Decorating Contest, Oct. 30

Get out your decorations and bring them camping with you at Yatesville Lake State Park! Call 606-673-1490 for details.

If you’re looking for Halloween Costumes, check The Zombie Sisters’ website!  There are costumes for all ages and they’re some of the most unique one’s I’ve ever seen. They’re presented in a blog-like fashion, so looking through the costumes is funner than most sites.