With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to go to a pumpkin patch and pick out the biggest one, try on a slew of costumes, and tell scary stories to the kids. For some wholesome Halloween events, there is no better place than the haunted Black Hills!
Rapid City
- Terror in the Dark – This highly anticipated haunted house is open from 7PM to 11PM on October 20, 21, 27, 28, 30, and 31. This haunted house is terrifying and not appropriate for young children, so parental supervision is mandatory. Tickets are $10 at the booth or $15 online. See their Facebook or website for more information. It is held at 800 San Francisco Street in Rapid City.
- Lil’ Harvester’s Pumpkin Patch – This pumpkin patch has not only a variety of colorful pumpkins, but also bounce houses, children corn maze, large sandbox, mule-drawn wagon, tractor-pulled hay rides, and pony rides. All activities are included in the $10 admission. Pumpkins are priced individually. They open for the season on September 19 and continue every weekend until October 31. Saturday hours are 10AM to 6PM; Sunday hours are 10AM to 4PM. The pumpkin patch is at 8686 South Highway 16 in Rapid City.
- Canyon Lake Pumpkin Patch – The pumpkin patch at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church sells pumpkins to benefit local nonprofits like the Lions Club, the Altrusa Club, and the Boy Scout troops. The patch has activities for kids, like a maze and kiddie train. It opens on September 29, and the hours are from noon to dusk. It is located at 3500 Canyon Lake Drive.
- Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival – The Pumpkin Festival is Rapid City’s most popular event – and for good reason! Held on Saturday, September 30 from 9AM to 6PM, visitors can take part in fun events like a pumpkin catapult, giant pumpkin weigh-off, downtown chef competition, Kidz Zone, pony rides, vendors, pumpkin carving, and a pumpkin patch.
- Scare in the Square – Main Street Square hosts this afternoon of ghostly family fun. It is held in conjunction with the downtown trick-or-treat. Children and parents are encouraged to wear costumes, bring their own trick-or-treat bags and meet at Main Street Square, where they may pick up a map of participating downtown businesses. It is on October 28 from 1PM to 3PM.
- Night at the Museum – This annual event is on Saturday, October 28 from 12PM to 4PM at the Museum of Geology, located on the School of Mines campus. Children can come trick-or-treat in a safe environment while learning about dinosaurs, prehistoric mammals, and rocks through games and hands-on educational activities.
- Safe N’ Sweet Trick N’ Treat at Storybook Island – This ticketed event has costumed staff, candy booths, and more. It is on October 28 from 3:30PM to 8:30PM.
Spearfish
- Spooky Spearfish – The Spearfish Rec & Aquatics Center is hosting a safe trick or treating event, with booths from individuals, businesses, and civic organizations. This free event is held on October 31 at 5PM at the Spearfish Rec & Aquatics Center.
- Spooktacular Youth & Family Carnival – Come to this Halloween carnival for games, booths, prizes, candy, fun, and more! It is on October 27 at 5PM. Tickets cost $0.50 and most booths cost one or two tickets. It will be held in the Lookout Room at the Spearfish Rec & Aquatic Center.
- Spearfish Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch – Only three miles northwest of Spearfish, it is a farm where families can pick out their favorite pumpkin and wander around a corn maze. Close to Halloween, the maze turns into a haunted maze after dark! Other fun activities are the hay hop, hay jump, tire climb, duck walk, bale pets, corn box, and petting zoo. GPS is not reliable, so check their website www.spearfishvalleyproduce.com for accurate directions. They open for the season on September 9 and are open every weekend until November 1.
- VFW Family Fun Night – Spearfish’s VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post is hosting their annual Halloween Family Fun Night on October 28 from 6PM to 9PM. The event is open to everyone and a meal will be served. There will be various games and activities for children, as well as a haunted house downstairs.
Deadwood
- Deadweird – Events are held all day on October 27 and 28 for Deadweird, like the Monster Ball at Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort, held on October 27 from 7PM to 10PM, and the Costume Contest at the Silverado Franklin, held on October 28 from 6PM to 9PM.
- Paranormal Investigation Tours at the Historic Adams House – Take part in a paranormal investigation of the Adams House! These tours require a reservation and are held on the 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21. Call 605-722-4800 or visit www.DeadwoodHistory.com for tickets.
Keystone
- Haunting of Keystone – The Keystone Holy Terror Days Association is proud to present the 8th annual Haunting of Keystone. You’ve heard of a haunted house, but what about a haunted town? It will be held on October 13-14, 20-22, and 27-29, with hours of 7PM-11PM on Friday and Saturday, and 7PM-9PM on Sunday. This year, the community of Keystone boasts FOUR haunted attractions:
- 1800’s Schoolhouse Museum – Theme: “Phobia”
- Big Thunder Gold Mine – Theme: “Torture”
- Big Thunder Forest – Theme: “Panic”
- Rushmore Cave @ Rush Mountain – Theme: “Cavernous”
- Keystone Drops Dead Weekend – It’s the “Keystone Drops Dead” season end sales event, to coincide with the opening weekend of The Haunting of Keystone which has now become a major Halloween destination for thousands of people. From a Zombie walk, Boogieman Bingo, Wicked Wheels Contest to trick or treating for the kids and shopping for the adults… Keystone will be decorated up and ready to welcome the visitors. It is held all day on October 14 and 15.
Hill City
- Boys & Girls Club Halloween Carnival – Calling all boils and ghouls! This Halloween festival is a spooktacular event for all ages of goblins and their kooky families. So dust off those cobwebs and come out for this fun evening complete with games, costume contest and goodies on Trick or Treat Street. Check their website for more information.
Belle Fourche
- Belle Fourche Halloween Parade – Held on October 31, this event is a Belle Fourche favorite! Prizes for scariest, most original, and prettiest costume will be awarded by age groups: 0-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10. The parade begins at 4:30PM in front of Pete’s Clothing at 500 State Street.
- PumpkinFest – The PumpkinFest will be held on Saturday, October 28 from 1PM to 4PM at the Tri-State Museum. There will be activities for families and competitions including pumpkin decorating, a kid friendly Halloween play from the Tri-State Performers, haunted cabin, crafts, and more!
Custer
- Merchant Trick or Treat – Head to downtown Custer on Halloween day for a safe and fun trick-or-treating experience. Downtown merchants open for trick-or-treating at 4PM. Make sure to wear a costume!
- Halloween Night Hike – Take a 1.5-mile guided hike along a paved trail and meet costumed characters that portray natural history about various plants, animals or people living in the Black Hills. Each hike will start at the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center and travel to the Game Lodge Campground where characters are staged at various campsites to act out humorous skits. Hikes depart every 15 minutes starting at 5:30PM with the last hike departing at 8PM each night. Reservations are required and can be made starting October 1. It will be held on October 27 and 28.