Fall camping always brings the unpredictable, from sudden cold spells to pouring rain to campfires that won’t burn. This year’s Camp-O-Ween weekend was no exception. I packed up the camper, got the grandkids after school on Friday, and we headed out for a weekend of Halloween themed fun, friendship, and adventure.
Friday Night Frights (not the fun kind)
We got a late start Friday afternoon then ran into trouble along the way. I realized I had left my purse in my car, along with my money and driver’s license. We were over an hour from home when I made this discovery, and only had half a tank of gas. After a few panicked phone calls home and to the bank, I found a branch office about ten miles from where we were and programmed the GPS. Luckily the bank had enough details and I was able to answer enough questions correctly that I was able to withdraw a little cash. As for the driver’s license – I just had to hope I didn’t need it.
We finally pulled into the campground after dark. Big mistake! There were absolutely no lights anywhere. No streetlights, no campsite markers, nothing but blackness and a dark forest. We spent the first half hour driving around in circles trying to find our site, squinting to find site numbers in the dark. When we finally spotted a site we thought said 30, it turned out to be a short narrow space wedged between trees. I tried to back in several times and ended up hitting a tree with the Pathfinder.
That was it! I was done. I wanted to go home, but the kids really wanted to camp, and I did too. There was no way I was going to be able to back into that black hole, so we drove around and found a place to pull off for the night. I was angry, frustrated, and tired. We ate a quick bite and went to sleep.
A Visit From A Ranger
At around 7 a.m. we got the dreaded knock. I was expecting it and had even warned the kids it might happen. Sure enough, a park ranger was banging on the door. She was very nice and listened while I explained our mishaps from the night before. She told me to get the vehicle moved and get into my campsite by 10 a.m. We didn’t wait. As soon as she drove away we secured the few things we had out and drove along the curvy, narrow roads until we found site 30. Sure enough, it was the same one I had tried backing into the night before. In the daylight, it looked just as narrow. Plus, we were now able to see the holes and unlevel ground we were expected to park on. I backed the camper into place (on the first try I might add), and the first thing I noticed was all the hookups were on the wrong side of the campsite. Geez, what a mess.
Saturday Morning – The Fun Begins
Once we got everything leveled and plugged in, it was time to forget the horrors of Friday night and have some fun. We started decorating for Camp-o-ween — and if there’s one thing the Glamping Grannies don’t skimp on, it’s festive décor.
We set up a four-foot inflatable pumpkin, a stretchy spider web between the trees, and hung several fabric ghosts with light-up hats. Our homemade floating candles were my favorite touch — toilet paper tubes coated with hot glue and white paint, each holding a flickering battery-operated tea light. We hung everything with monofilament line so they would really look like they were floating in the night air.
Before long, our campsite looked downright magical. That’s when we met up with our new friends Barbara and her grandson J, and Vicki with her grandsons C and B. The boys — five of them, all between ages five and nine — wasted no time turning the campground into their playground.
Games, Crafts, and a Lot of Laughs
At 11 a.m., everyone gathered for a scavenger hunt. The boys raced around looking for natural treasures: pinecones, acorns, feathers, bird nests, and walnuts. They came back with most of the list but were baffled by the total absence of squirrels, feathers, or nests. (“How can there be no squirrels?!” one asked, dramatically.)
After a playground break and some lunch, it was time for crafts. Each boy got a foam pumpkin and one rule: make it look like anything except a pumpkin. I spread out paint, markers, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, glue sticks, and construction paper. What they created was pure kid magic — two spider pumpkins, a vampire, an astronaut, and one that looked suspiciously like a famous cartoon character.
Then came the egg-and-spoon race — except we swapped eggs for plastic eyeballs. The kids were surprisingly good at it, the adults… not so much. We followed up with a “design your own monster” craft using Halloween sticker sheets, and then a water gun contest. The original plan was to shoot rubber ducks in Halloween costumes, but Amazon had other ideas — our shipment never arrived. So, we improvised with pinecones. (The kids thought it was hilarious.)
After more playground time, badminton, soccer, and tag, everyone was exhausted and hungry — which meant it was time to heat up the campfire again.
Hot Dogs, Apple Treats, and S’mores
We stirred the embers back to life, added a few logs, and handed the boys long roasting forks and hot dogs. They loved cooking over the fire (with plenty of adult supervision). Some hot dogs were barely warmed through; others were burned to a crisp — but every one of them was eaten with pride. We filled plates with macaroni salad and fruit, and Barbara brought a yummy Halloween surprise: apple slices on lollipop sticks, with dishes of caramel, fudge, marshmallow fluff, chocolate chips and candy sprinkles. It was sticky, messy, and absolutely delicious.
Of course, no Camp-o-ween is complete without s’mores. The kids roasted marshmallows (and dropped a few into the fire — to their great delight). Sticky fingers, smoky clothes, and huge smiles all around.
Trick-or-Treat Around the Campground
Since the state park hadn’t organized anything official, I decided to do a little bit of organizing of my own. Earlier in the day, I went from campsite to campsite asking if anyone wanted to hand out candy. I had prepacked some candy treat bags and passed them out to willing campers. A few already had treats ready, and several more agreed to join in. One sweet older couple even said they were heading to the store to buy candy for all the kids.
That’s one of the best things about camping — the people. Everyone’s so willing to pitch in and make memories together.
By dark, our campsite was glowing with jack-o’-lanterns, twinkle lights, and our floating ghosts. We rounded up our costumed crew and set out trick-or-treating. The boys’ laughter echoed through the campground, and the adults handing out candy were just as thrilled to see them as they were to collect treats.
We were supposed to join a ranger-led “Spooky Sounds of the Forest” hike later that night, but the weather forecast changed to an 80% chance of storms by morning. So, we decided to pack up and head home before the rain moved in.
Camp-O-Ween Memories
Was it a perfect weekend? No — the campground lighting (or lack thereof) definitely made for a frustrating start, and the unlevel sites need some attention. But the weekend turned into one of those classic glamping stories that you talk about for years: a little chaotic, a little exhausting, but filled with laughter, friendship, and sticky s’mores smiles.
If you ever get the chance to attend a Camp-o-ween event — or host your own — I highly recommend it. Bring your decorations, your sense of humor, and maybe a few extra flashlights.
💬 Have you celebrated Halloween at the campground? Share your favorite memories or campsite photos in the Glamping Grannies Facebook Group — we’d love to see them!
And don’t forget to check out our full Fall Camping Guide for more fall festival ideas, cozy campfire recipes, and trip inspiration for your next glamping adventure.