Illinois state parks and historic sites are hosting a variety of autumn events this season. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources invites the public to participate in these activities, according to a community announcement.
The events range from guided nature walks to historical reenactments and family-friendly celebrations. Here is a list of upcoming events, according to the announcement:
Sept. 20 and 27; Oct. 4, 11, 18, and 25: Autumn Guided Nature Walks at Illinois Beach State Park in Lake County. Participants can join a naturalist for a guided walk at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The event is free, and no registration is required. Mobility-friendly tours and weekday walks are available by calling 847-748-4713.
Sept. 21: Fall Equinox Sunrise Observance at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Madison County. The event starts at 6:30 a.m. and celebrates the beginning of fall. Details are available on the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site website.
Sept. 25: Loteria Taco Night at Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site in Sangamon County. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and features a game of Lotería, similar to bingo. Registration is required at bit.ly/Hecho2025.
Sept. 27-28: Lincoln Log Cabin Harvest Frolic at Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site in Coles County. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offers a glimpse into 19th-century farm life. More information is available on the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site website.
Sept. 27-28: Jordbruksdagarna at Bishop Hill State Historic Site in Henry County. This annual Swedish fall festival includes agriculture and artisan displays, food and music. Details can be found at www.visitbishophill.com.
Oct. 3-5, Oct. 10-12, and Oct. 17-19: Lincoln's New Salem Candlelight Walk at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site in Menard County. This popular event features candle-lit paths and history interpreters in period clothing. The event has been expanded to three weekends this year.
Oct. 4: Fall Colors Nature Hike at Argyle Lake State Park in McDonough County. The hike starts at 10 a.m. and covers one to two miles on moderate terrain. For more information, call 309-776-3422.
Oct. 4: Explore the Southern Illinois Outdoors Day at Giant City State Park in Jackson County. The event takes place from noon to 3 p.m. and showcases outdoor opportunities such as hiking, biking and birdwatching.
Oct. 4: History of American Pies at Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site in Fayette County. Culinary historian Catherine Lambrecht will discuss the history of pies in the United States. The program is free and includes a question-and-answer session.
Oct. 9: Holey Stumpkins at Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island County. The event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and features a luminated hike, wildlife puppet show and pumpkin carving contest. For more information call 309-788-9536 or email blackhawkhistoricsite@gmail.com.
Oct. 10: Ghost Stories Plus at Volo Bog State Natural Area in Lake County. The 40th annual event includes a visit to the bog and haunted woods, cider and donuts, and ghost stories. Reservations are required.
Oct. 11: Rise and Shine Leaf Peeping Time at Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County. The program begins at 8:30 a.m. and includes an educational hike to identify trees and discuss seasonal changes. More information can be found at the Starved Rock State Park Facebook page.
Oct. 11: Kincaid Mounds Archaeological Field Day at Kincaid Mounds State Historic Site in Massac County. The event features presentations on Mississippian culture, artifact displays and an optional walking tour.
Oct. 17: Illinois Bats: Facts and Myths at Argyle Lake State Park in McDonough County. The presentation starts at 6 p.m. and will cover information about bats, including a demonstration of echolocation. For more information, call 309-776-3422.
Oct. 18: Trick-or-Treat at Sam Parr State Fish and Wildlife Area in Jasper County. Campers can decorate their campsites and participate in trick-or-treating. Reservations can be made online.
Oct. 18: Fox Ridge Campground Fall Celebration at Fox Ridge State Park in Coles County. The event includes campsite decoration and trick-or-treating, with prizes for best decorations. Campsites can be reserved online.
Oct. 18-19: Fort Massac Encampment at Fort Massac State Park in Massac County. This annual event features historical military reenactments, crafts, and family-friendly activities. More information can be found at Fort Massac State Park on Facebook.
Oct. 25: Trick-or-Treat at Beaver Dam campgrounds at Beaver Dam State Park in Macoupin County. Campers can decorate their campsites and enjoy trick-or-treating. Refreshments will be available. Campsites are available for reservation online.
Oct. 25: Trek 'n' Treat at Giant City State Park in Jackson County. The event starts at 1 p.m. and includes a self-guided hike with educational creature characters and treats for hikers. Additional information can be found at the Giant City State Park Facebook page.
Oct. 25: Atkinson McCord Cemetery Tour at Argyle Lake State Park in McDonough County. The historical walking tour begins at 10 a.m. and covers moderate terrain to the cemetery. Additional information is available at the Argyle Lake State Park information page.
Oct. 25: Ghosts of Starved Rock's Past at Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County. This outdoor night hike is for adults and mature youth 12 and older. Registration opens the last Saturday of September.
Oct. 25: Halloween Spooktacular at Weldon Springs State Park in DeWitt County. Registered campers can participate in a costume contest, campsite decoration contest, movie after dark, trick-or-treating and hayrack rides.
Oct. 25: Trunk or Treat at Fort Massac State Park in Massac County. The event runs from 4-8 p.m. and includes a costume contest and free hotdogs, chips, and drinks.
Oct. 25: Torchlight Halloween Hike and Wiener Roast at Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site in Coles County. The event is from 5-8 p.m. and features illuminated paths, music, storytelling and a wiener roast.
Oct. 25: Howl-o-ween at Kankakee River campgrounds at Kankakee River State Park in Kankakee County. The event includes hayrack rides, a pumpkin contest, scavenger hunts, trick-or-treating and a movie after dark.
Nov. 1: Day of the Dead at the Illinois State Museum in Sangamon County. The celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes entertainment, arts, crafts and refreshments. More information can be found at the Illinois State Museum website.
For more information and updates, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources events calendar online.
This story was created by reporter Abreanna Blose, ablose@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.