No Section

Guided hikes and events with a Halloween bent at Minnesota parks

Walks and programs at Sibley, Mille Lacs Kathio, Whitewater and Lake Maria.

October 27, 2016 at 5:45PM

(Robert Timmons/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Jack-o'-lantern walk

Sibley State Park, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday

Hike the Pond View Trail, which will be lit by jack-o'-lanterns. A few activities, a snack and hot drink will follow. Pack a flashlight to help guide you to and from your vehicle. (1-320-354-2002, mndnr.gov)

Creatures of the night

Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Saturday

Learn about what is making those sometimes eerie noises at night. Meet at the Interpretive Center. Stick around for a Halloween Film Festival featuring nature films about owls, bats, wolves and spiders from 1 to 3 p.m. (1-320-532-3269, mndnr.gov)

Geocaching

Fort Snelling State Park, 1-3 p.m. Saturday

Explore the history of the park with a scavenger hunt-style geocaching course. Equipment and instruction will be provided. Registration required. Call 612-725-2724 (mndnr.gov)

Halloween howl

Lake Maria State Park. 5-8 p.m. Saturday

This event begins with a program on the snakes of Minnesota, their unique lifestyles and where to find them. The naturalist will bring live snakes. At 6 p.m., there will be a crafts program for children. Feel free to wear a costume. Registration required. Call 763-878-2325. (mndnr.gov)

Ghost walk

Whitewater State Park, 7-9 p.m. Saturday

Learn about the fascinating people who influenced the history of the Whitewater Valley. Guided groups will "hear" from ghosts of the valley during a night hike through one of the park's picnic grounds. Bring a flashlight and meet at the Nature Store parking lot. (1-507-932-3007, mndnr.gov)

Beat back buckthorn

Hyland Lake Park Reserve, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday

Help preserve forests and woodlands by removing an invasive species. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required. For ages 8 and older. This event is at Tierney's Woods.

Scavenger hunt

Cleary Lake Regional Park, 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday

Use a map and compass in this orienteering outing. Children 11 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations required by Sunday. Cost is $8. (763-694-7777)

Outdoors skills

French Regional Park, 1-3 p.m. Thursday

Practice the lifesaving skills of fire- and shelter-building, signaling and wilderness safety. Adult leaders are free of charge and required to attend and participate with students ages 11 and younger; ages 12 and older may attend unaccompanied with a signed waiver. Reservations required by Tuesday. (763-694-7750)