Halloween Hike Event

🎃 Ready for a Spooktacular Night Under the Trees? Join UWF Outdoor Adventures (OA) for one of our favorite annual traditions—the Halloween Night Hike on the Edward Ball Nature Trail! Whether you're looking for spooky surprises, plenty of laughs, or simply a memorable night outdoors, this haunted hike is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween. Glow sticks and candy will be provided!

The trail comes alive on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 7:00 PM–10:00 PM...if you dare! 👻 The last entry time for the trail will be at 9:40 PM.

FREE for all UWF students, faculty, and staff! Just bring your Argo Card! If you pre-register, please have a screenshot of your registration ready at check-in to help the line move as quickly as possible.

Community members are welcome, too! Admission is just $10 per group (up to 5 people). Groups with more than 5 participants must purchase an additional group registration. Solo participants are also welcome for $10. Only one person per group should register to avoid duplicate payments (you'll have to create a free Rec Account). All payments must be made through the registration process. Cash, Apple Pay, and all other forms of payment will not be accepted at the event. All registrations are final and non-refundable. After registering, you'll receive a confirmation email with a waiver link to share with the rest of your group, or they may complete their waivers upon arrival. Please note: If you register in advance, please bring a screenshot of your registration receipt and a valid photo ID so we can verify your registration at check-in. Your entire group must arrive together. If members of your group arrive separately, they will need to register and pay separately.

Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required! All participants must sign a waiver before entering the trail and no one walks the trail alone! If you arrive by yourself (which is totally okay!), we'll pair you with another group before sending you onto the trail.

📍 Location: Edward Ball Nature Trail (behind Crosby Hall, Building 10). Parking is available in Lots G and F. Follow the glowing directional yard signs—they'll lead you straight to the start!

🎭 Feeling Festive? Arrive a little early and enter our Halloween Costume Contest from 7:00–7:15 PM! The top three costumes will each win a Halloween prize bucket. Show off your spooky (or silly!) style, impress the judges with your creativity, and earn bonus points for an entertaining costume backstory. Best of all, costume contestants get first access to the haunted trail!

🌙 Night Hike Overview: The trail is a simple ½-mile loop that normally takes about 10–20 minutes to complete. You may have walked it dozens of times during the day—but at night, with only glow sticks lighting the path and a few mischievous OA staff lurking in the woods, it becomes a boo-tifully spooky adventure you'll never forget! (You are welcome to walk the trail multiple times!)

⚠️ Before You Hit the Trail, please review the following guidelines to help keep the event safe and enjoyable for everyone: •No touching actors or props. Any physical contact with actors or staff will result in immediate removal from the event and may involve UWF Police. •Prohibited items and behaviors: Weapons, drugs, alcohol, smoking or vaping, lighters, running, flashlights, and throwing glow sticks or any other objects are strictly prohibited. We have zero tolerance for unsafe behavior. •Leave pets at home. Even the bravest furry friends can become frightened by the sights and sounds along the trail. •Wear closed-toe shoes. The trail has uneven terrain and is not accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, or crutches. Uneven areas will be marked with lights, but please watch your footing and walk carefully. Remember—you'll be on a natural trail, so use caution to avoid slips, trips, or twisted ankles. •Be prepared for Halloween effects. The hike may include strobe lights, fog machines, loud music, sudden noises, jump scares, and low-light conditions. •Keep phones put away. Please silence your cell phone during the hike. Feel free to snap a quick photo before or after your walk, but while on the trail, please limit photos and videos and do not use flash photography.

Want to help bring the fright? If you're dying to deliver a few jump scares, sign up through the volunteer offering! We'll send you all the details after you register. We'd love to have you creep it real with us!

Have questions? Email us at [email protected] or call 850.474.2819 / 850.474.2204