Spookapalooza and Plenty of Creative Competition at DeSoto State Park

DeSoto State Park will get visitors into the Halloween spirit with its annual Spookapalooza celebration on Saturday, October 24, offering an afternoon of family-friendly activities throughout the park.

The popular fall event will feature trick-or-treating, games, animals, storytelling, and other activities. Events are free and open to all ages, and visitors are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite costumes.

A highlight of the celebration is DeSoto’s 15th annual Pumpkin Carving Contest, which invites participants of all ages to show off their creativity. Pumpkins will be judged on overall appearance, creativity, neatness, and originality. Entries may feature any theme or design, including Halloween, nature, or the fall season.

Pumpkins must be turned in by noon Saturday, Oct. 24, at DeSoto’s Country Store on County Road 89. A table will be set up on the store’s porch for entries. Winners will be announced Sunday, Oct. 25, through DeSoto State Park’s Facebook and Instagram, #desotostatepark. Pumpkins may be picked up at the Country Store on Monday, Oct. 26.

The creative competition extends beyond pumpkins this year with a Campsite Decorating Contest. Campers have decorated their sites for Halloween for years, and now the park is turning that tradition into a contest, with prizes — including free camping — going to some of the best-decorated sites.

Campers are encouraged to create the most original and creative Halloween displays they can, with sites to be completed by Saturday, Oct. 24, for judging. Decorations must remain on individual campsites and cannot extend into neighboring sites, roadways, or trails. The park also asks campers to avoid glitter, confetti, paint, toilet paper, and other materials that could damage the park or leave behind litter. All decorations must be removed when campers check out. Winners of the campsite decorating contest will be announced Sunday, Oct. 25, on DeSoto State Park’s Facebook and Instagram and will be contacted by email or phone.

For visitors looking to enjoy the Halloween fun without camping, trick-or-treating will take place throughout DeSoto State Park’s Improved Campground from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Campers will set up candy stations along the campground loops for costumed trick-or-treaters.

The campground will have special traffic restrictions during the event. The Improved Campground gates will open at 3 p.m., and no public entry will be allowed before 3 p.m. or after 5:30 p.m. Visitors are asked not to line up at the gate before 3 p.m. The upper and lower campground loops will also be closed to vehicle traffic from 2:30 to 6 p.m.

Parking inside the campground is limited. Visitors who are willing to walk are encouraged to park at DeSoto’s Country Store or the picnic area and walk to the lower campground loop. The park recommends using the gold trail, located behind the Country Store, or the silver trail at the end of the store’s parking lot. Some parking will also be available near campground bathhouses and along roadsides within the campground.

With costumes, candy, decorated campsites, and carved pumpkins all competing for attention, Spookapalooza offers plenty of ways for families and campers to get creative while celebrating Halloween at DeSoto State Park.

For complete details, contact DeSoto State Park at 256-997-5025 or visit www.alapark.com/DSP-Spookapalooza. Additional information is also available from the park at 256-845-0051.

DeSoto State Park is located at 7104 DeSoto Parkway NE near Fort Payne.