Ghostly Gathering, Monroe Lake’s celebration of Halloween, is scheduled for Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27 at Paynetown State Recreation Area, 4850 S. State Road 446 in Bloomington.

All programs and events are open to both day visitors and campers. If you want to camp, don’t wait too long to reserve your campsite at camp.in.gov; while non-electric sites are still available, the electric ones are already fully booked.

Programming begins on Friday, Oct. 26 with “acorn skulls” from 3 to 4:30 p.m. From 5 to 6:30 p.m., you can make a scarecrow trick-or-treat bag. Ghoulish ghost stories take place around the fire at 8 p.m.

Saturday activities get started with creepy, crawly crafts from 1 to 3 p.m. The costume contest follows at 4 p.m.; prizes are awarded to individuals in 6 age categories (including adults), as well as the best costumed canines and the best group costume (2 or more people competing together).

Trick-or-treating in the campground is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday evening. Campers can also compete in a campsite decorating contest, which will be judged during the same time frame.

The event concludes with a Ghostly Gathering Halloween Party from 8 to 9:30 p.m., with games, activities, and refreshments.

Questions about the event should be directed to Jill Vance, Monroe Lake Interpretive Naturalist, at [email protected] or 812-837-9967.

The property entrance fee for Paynetown SRA is $7 per vehicle with an Indiana license plate, or $9 per vehicle with an out-of-state license plate.

Cost: $7 per vehicle with IN plates ($9 per vehicle with out-of-state plates)

For more information contact:

Paynetown Activity Center
(812) 837-9967
[email protected]