Jeepers creepers! DuPage County’s Forest Preserves go all out for Halloween

Posted October 13, 2025 12:06 pm

By Beth Schirott, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

From family-friendly pumpkin hikes to trick-or-treat with the horses, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has a frightfully fun Halloween lineup this October.

Pumpkin Night Hike for Families: On Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17-18, bring the family to Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, 3609 Spring Road in Oak Brook, between 5:30 and 9 p.m. for a self-guided pumpkin- and lantern-lit hike through the woods. Kids can use their sleuthing skills on a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt and then collect a treat when they’re done. Hikes leave every 15 minutes; the last group leaves at 7:30 p.m., and trails close at 9 p.m. This all-ages hike (under 18 with an adult) is $10 per person for ages 3 and up and free for ages 2 and under. Register online at dupageforest.org or by calling (630) 933-7248.

Lantern-Lit Halloween Hike: On Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, take a self-guided hike on a two-mile lantern-lit trail at St. James Farm, 2S541 Winfield Road in Warrenville, from 6 to 9 p.m. The hike starts with a ghost story and ends around a cozy fire. Hikes leave every 15 minutes; the last group leaves at 7:30 p.m., and trails close at 9 p.m. This all-ages hike (under 18 with an adult) is $10 per person. Register online at dupageforest.org or by calling (630) 933-7248.

Lanterns and Legends-A Historic Jack-O’-Lantern Event: Visit the Graue Mill and Museum, 3800 York Road in Oak Brook, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25-26, to carve a pumpkin and craft a candle while hearing the legend of this spooky Halloween tradition. Supplies are provided. Family-friendly stories will be presented between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; stories for ages 10 and up are 2 p.m. and later. This all-ages event (under 18 with an adult) is $15 per pumpkin. Register online at dupageforest.org or by calling (630) 850-8110.

Trick-or-Treat at Danada: On Saturday, Oct. 25, horses in the barn will be giving out candy and dressed up for Halloween at the Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton, from noon to 4 p.m. Vote for the one with the best costume, and then take a tractor-drawn wagon ride through the fall forest preserve. Admission is free for this all-ages program. Wagon rides (ages 13 or younger with an adult) are $5 per person for ages 5 or older or free for kids under age 5. Registration isn’t required, but if you have questions, call (630) 668-6012.

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is hosting several Halloween events throughout October, including pumpkin hikes, lantern-lit trails, and trick-or-treating with horses. Courtesy of Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

About the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County improves the quality of life for all DuPage County residents. Its 26,000 acres of woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and waterways contribute to cleaner air and water, help with flood control, create vital habitats for wildlife, and provide safe spaces where people can boost their physical and mental health. More than 5.9 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 175 miles of trails, seven education centers, and scores of programs each year.

For information, call (630) 933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the district’s e-newsletter and Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok pages.