Fall Camping & Outdoor Activities During Spooky Season

The rain has already started in the Pacific Northwest, that means fall is here and that spooky season is just around the corner. For those of us who grew up in this area, the rain doesn’t deter us from getting outdoors and enjoying everything this beautiful area has to offer. (If I didn’t get outside and explore when it was raining, I would never go anywhere). To me, fall camping is actually the best, and the earlier sunset and often drearier weather adds a spooky vibe that is perfect for Halloween. 

So, whether you’re looking for some camping tips, or some outdoor activities to get you in the Halloween vibe this year, you’ve come to the right place. 

Top Spooky Activities in the Lower Mainland

There are many fun activities like corn mazes and haunted houses in the lower mainland that are worth checking out. If you're looking for spine-chilling thrills or family-friendly fall activities in the Greater Vancouver area, here are some top Halloween events happening in 2024:

For the Scares

• Brinkworth Dungeon – A standout haunted house in Langley, Brinkworth Dungeon ran from October 4th to November 5th last year. Stay tuned for updates on this year's schedule as it's sure to deliver more hair-raising scares. And it looks like they plan to add an escape room this year. 
• Dreadworks Haunted House – This immersive experience in Surrey combines elements of live theatre, haunted houses, and escape rooms. Tickets are already on sale, and Dreadworks runs until November 3rd. It's an interactive fright fest you won't want to miss.
• Cougar Creek’s House of Horrors – Another haunted house experience in Surry that is sure to be an adrenaline-pumping night out. Cougar Creek’s House of Horrors features 5 interconnected haunted houses as well as other spooky attractions like night stage performances, a buried alive experience, and a haunted photo booth. For those looking for family friendly Halloween adventures, they offer Horrors Junior most Saturdays and Sundays between 2 and 5pm. Get your tickets now. 
• Haunted Corn Maze – Looking for a cute Halloween corn maze? This one is not for you (Maan farms does have that option though and I’ll let you know more about it below). Maan Farms haunted corn maze is one of the scariest corn mazes in Canada and definitely worth checking out. 
• Reapers Haunted Attraction – A little further east, in Chilliwack, BC, there is the popular Reapers Haunted Attraction is another haunted corn maze that is bound to give you goosebumps when an unknown figure could be lurking around any corner. 

For the Halloween Vibes

Haunted houses are too scary for many people, adults and children alike, so here are some events that are a little less frightening that will definitely get you feeling the Halloween spirit. 

• Maan Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze – Families can enjoy fall fun at Maan Farms in Abbotsford, where the seasonal activities include a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and so much more. 
• Chilliwack Corn Maze – Another wonderful corn Maze experience is at Greendale Acres in Chilliwack. This year it is country music themed, so you don’t have to worry about spooky vibes at all. The layout of the 10-acre field bears the name and likeness of the five-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan strumming a guitar along with a pair of cowboy boots. 
• Pumpkins After Dark – Pumpkins After Dark in Burnaby is a Halloween attraction that showcases mesmerizing light displays and intricately carved Jack-o-lanterns that are absolutely a sight to see. However, it’s not the kind of place where you go to pick out a pumpkin to bring it home for carving. If you’re looking for a pumpkin patch, check out this list of amazing options in the lower mainland. 
• Grave Tales in Fort Langley – Halloween isn’t complete without ghost stories and Fort Langley has so many incredible stories to tell. Take this evening walking tour to learn about the area's creepy past. Learn more about the Grave Tales Tours here. 
• FANG-Tastic Halloween – Halloween activities take place at Britannia Mine Museum between West Vancouver and Squamish on the last two weekends of October in 2024

Halloween Camping in the Pacific Northwest

Fall is the perfect time to infuse your camping trip with a spooky atmosphere and it's not uncommon to see people turning their regular outdoor adventure into a thrilling Halloween experience by decorating their campsites. With the crisp air, early sunsets, and eerie quiet of the wilderness, the setting is naturally ripe for a spooky transformation. 

Here are some tips on how to infuse the spooky vibes in your fall camping trip with spooky season decorations and fun fall camping activities. 

1. Eerie Lighting

The right lighting can set the mood for a spooky evening no matter where you are. 

• Solar-Powered Lanterns: Use solar-powered lanterns with a dim setting to cast eerie, flickering light around your campsite. Hang them from trees to create shadows that sway in the breeze.
• LED String Lights: LED string lights are another great option. Choose orange, purple, or red lights to enhance the spooky vibe for top-notch Halloween camping vibes.
• Carved Pumpkins: Bring along a few pumpkins to carve spooky faces or designs. Not only is pumpkin carving a fun activity, lighting them up around your campsite is brilliant for Halloween camping. You can also definitely roast the pumpkin seeds on your BBQ or campstove. Remember if you are putting candles in your pumpkins to make sure to keep them in view so you can monitor them and blow them out before going to bed or leaving your site. 

2. Creepy Decorations

It’s common for people camping during the month of October to decorate their camp to fully embrace the festivities. But know, you don’t need to pack plastic Halloween decorations to make your campsite spooky. Using natural materials from the surrounding area, you can create eco-friendly decorations that add an element of surprise and creepiness to your setup.

• DIY Ghosts: Use fallen branches to create ghostly figures draped with old, white sheets or fabric. Tie the fabric around the branches to mimic floating ghosts and place them around your campsite.
• Spider Webs from Twine: Create natural spider webs using biodegradable twine or hemp string. Weave the twine between trees and bushes near your tent for a spooky web effect. Add some pinecones or stones as “spiders” for a realistic touch.
• Natural Totems: Collect twigs, leaves, and rocks to craft eerie-looking totems or stick figures, reminiscent of horror movies like The Blair Witch Project. These can be placed subtly around the campsite to give off a mysterious and creepy vibe.

Don’t forget to take anything you bring home with you when you leave. 

3. Spooky Storytelling by the Fire

Of course, no Halloween camping experience is complete without telling ghost stories around the campfire. Make the experience extra scary but researching some of the local legends or ghost stories from your area. 

For example, if you're camping in or near Vancouver, you can share the legend of the Sasquatch or stories of haunted landmarks like Stanley Park or Gastown. Local tales add authenticity and a regional twist to your spooky stories. If you don't already know the local history of these stories, I definitely recommend learning more. One of the areas most know for Sasquatch sittings is near Harrison, so that may be an area you want to look for camping this fall.

4. Ghostly Campfire Snacks

Halloween-themed snacks can add to the experience, and there are so many that are easy to make even when camping. These are my favourites: 

• Ghost Marshmallows: While roasting marshmallows over the fire, use a small stick or toothpick to carve spooky faces into the marshmallow before toasting it. The heat will slightly melt the face, making it look like a ghostly figure.
• Pumpkin-Infused Campfire Treats: If you bring pumpkins to carve, you can fairly easily roast the seeds on a BBQ or camp stove which are the best treat to take with you on a hike. Or you can bring some pumpkin puree to make campfire bush pies (at least that’s what we call them here). They’re easy to make with a cast iron cooker (this is the one I have), all you need to do is put the pumpkin puree between two slices of buttered bread (make sure to butter both sides so it doesn’t stick to the iron). Another option is to use packed flaky dough rather than bread, like in this recipe. 
• Apple Cider: Bring along a thermos of warm apple cider, infused with cinnamon sticks and cloves. For an added Halloween twist, drop in a few “eyeballs” made from peeled grapes to give it a spooky feel (I don’t know why the kids love this, but they definitely do).

5. Haunted Hike

Take advantage of the early fall sunsets to plan a spooky night hike, but be sure to do so responsibly to keep yourself and your friends safe and avoid disturbing wildlife.

• Full Moon Hikes: Plan your camping trip during a full moon to illuminate your path and add a spooky ambiance to the evening - in the Vancouver area, the full moon in October is on the 17th this year. Even if you aren’t going camping, you can still enjoy a spooky season hike. Here are some of the best trails close to Vancouver. 
• DIY Scavenger Hunt: Create a spooky-themed scavenger hunt using natural items you find along the trail. Look for things like animal bones, strange rocks, or oddly shaped branches. Set up clues that lead your group to different parts of the trail, adding an extra element of mystery to the hike.
• Glow-in-the-Dark Markers: Use eco-friendly, glow-in-the-dark paint on small rocks or sticks to mark the trail for your group. These markers will add an eerie glow as you move through the forest, giving off the sensation that you're being followed!

If you’re going to be out hiking as it starts to get dark there are a few things you should keep in mind to stay safe.

• Know where you are going. Hike in a familiar area and along marked trails. Ideally you also want to have a compass, map, and GPS.
• Ensure you have proper lighting. A headlamp is my go to, but it’s also important to carry a backup flashlight just in case and always be sure to check your batteries. 
• Never hike alone.
• Wear proper clothing. Ensure you wear appropriate clothing to keep you dry and warm (think layers), and consider reflective materials so the other people in your group can easily find you. And don’t forget about proper hiking footwear. 
• Carry essential safety gear, like a first aid kit. 

Fall Camping Essentials

When it comes to camping in the fall in the Pacific Northwest, you definitely need to be prepared for the rain. Check out my article on how to prepare for camping in the rain and winter camping tips to make sure you have everything you need to stay warm and dry no matter the weather. 

I had to include this picture from one of my amazing trips from late fall 2023 in Squamish BC. 

Do you regularly go camping in the fall? If you do, what’s your favourite Halloween camping tradition?