(TELLER COUNTY, Colo.) — Do you have what it takes to carve a winning jack-o-lantern? Or do you just enjoy admiring the whimsical carving talents of others? Either way, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) invites you to partake in the Pumpkin Hike in Mueller State Park on Oct. 17.
Visitors to the family-friendly Pumpkin Hike can take a stroll along Wapiti Trail and admire delightfully creative pumpkins carved by state park staff, volunteers, and community members. There will be fun educational activities, like learning about nocturnal animals, creating your own bear ears for a last-minute costume, and trying to survive your own bear hibernation challenge. There will also be hot chocolate!
The hike will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, and visitors will get to vote on their favorite pumpkins.
The event is free, but visitors will need to have a park pass to access the park. Passes can be purchased for $10 per vehicle.
Got a winning jack-o-lantern idea? Community members are invited to contribute a pumpkin to the hike, and the winner with the most votes will take home a prize from the Mueller State Park gift shop. Carvers can drop off their pumpkins at the Mueller State Park Visitor Center Oct. 11-17 between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. to have their pumpkins added to the trail.
CPW suggests visitors attend in warm clothes or their best costumes. No pets on the trail or in the Visitor Center, CPW said.