Get Ready for Spooky Fun: Haunted Walk Through the Woods Returns
Written by Zach Miller on October 21, 2025
Mark your calendars, Elkhart County families! The most anticipated Halloween event in our community is back, and this year it’s bigger, better, and completely FREE! The Elkhart Environmental Center’s 6th Annual Haunted Walk Through the Woods City of Elkhart is returning October 23rd-25th, and trust us – you don’t want to miss this incredible family tradition.
Three Nights of Halloween Magic
Whether you’ve got tiny trick-or-treaters or brave teenagers ready for some real scares, this event has something for everyone in your family. Last year, about 3,000 visitors came out to experience the decorated trails, live music, and local food and artisan vendors Elkhart Truth – and this year promises to be even more spectacular!
Here’s your weekend lineup:
- Thursday, October 23rd | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Special Kids’ Night
- Friday, October 24th | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Full event with scary trail
- Saturday, October 25th | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Full event with scary trail
Kids’ Night: Thursday is All About the Little Ones
Calling all parents! Thursday night is specifically designed for your younger kiddos who might not be ready for the full fright experience. The kid-friendly decorated trail will be open (the scary trail stays closed on Thursday), and at 6:30 PM, there’s a kids’ costume parade that your little ones will absolutely love. Imagine your children marching proudly in their Halloween costumes alongside dozens of other local families – it’s the perfect photo opportunity!
Choose Your Own Adventure: Two Trail Options
One of the best things about this event is that families can customize their experience. The EEC’s 80+ acres of prairies, wetlands, woodlands, and riverfront areas City of Elkhart transform into two distinct Halloween experiences:
The Kid-Friendly Trail: Perfect for families with younger children, featuring fun (not scary!) decorations along the wetland and prairie paths. Think friendly ghosts, silly skeletons, and whimsical Halloween displays that will delight rather than frighten.
The Scary Wooded Trail: Open Friday and Saturday nights only, this trail features costumed actors and genuinely spooky decorations through the dark woodland paths. It’s perfect for your tweens, teens, and adults who want that authentic haunted forest experience!
More Than Just Trails
This isn’t just a walk in the woods – it’s a full Halloween festival! This year’s event features:
- LIVE Music by That Homegrown Halloween Show (getting everyone in the spooky spirit!)
- Local Food Vendors (because who doesn’t love festival food on a crisp October evening?)
- Local Artisan Vendors (perfect for finding unique Halloween decorations or early holiday gifts)
The Best Part? It’s FREE!
In previous years, there was a suggested $5 donation per car, but this year the event is completely FREE! Of course, donations are always appreciated and help the Environmental Center continue to provide amazing community events like this one. But there’s no pressure – just come and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Your Visit
Don’t forget a flashlight! The trails get dark, and while that adds to the atmosphere, you’ll want to see where you’re stepping. Make it fun by letting your kids pick out special Halloween flashlights for the occasion.
Register in advance at https://elkhart-environmental-center.ticketleap.com/ – while it’s not required, it helps organizers plan for crowd sizes and ensures you won’t have to wait in long lines.
Location: The Elkhart Environmental Center is located at 1717 E. Lusher Avenue in Elkhart – the trails are open daily from dawn to dusk year-round PocketSights, but this Halloween transformation is something special!
Want to Get Involved?
The Haunted Walk is a true community effort, and they’re looking for volunteers! Whether you want to help with setup, be a trail monitor, or even dress up as a “scarer” for the scary trail, there are opportunities for everyone. Visit https://elkhart.galaxydigital.com/need/index?s=1&need_init_id=11612 to sign up for a volunteer shift. It’s a great way for families to give back to our community while having a blast!
Mark Your Calendar Now
With Halloween falling on a Friday this year, and this event happening the weekend before (during Elkhart Community Schools’ fall break), it’s the perfect way to kick off your family’s Halloween celebrations. Whether you come for Kids’ Night on Thursday or brave the scary trails on the weekend, the Haunted Walk Through the Woods is becoming an Elkhart County tradition you won’t want to miss.
For more details and updates, check out the event page at https://elkhartindiana.org/haunted-walk/ or follow the Elkhart Environmental Center’s Facebook page.
See you on the trails, Elkhart County! And remember, you can always count on Froggy 102.7 to keep you updated on all the best family events happening in our community!
Have you been to the Haunted Walk in previous years? Share your favorite memories with us on the Froggy 102.7 Facebook page! We love seeing your family’s Halloween photos!
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