Haunted Hike & Hayride: Fright Night

Schedule

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026 at 05:00 pm to Sat, 17 Oct, 2026 at 08:15 pm

UTC-05:00
Location

2204 Dewitt Ave E, Mattoon, IL, United States, Illinois 61938 | Mattoon, IL

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What to Expect:
Haunted Hike & Hayride is a 20 Minute Guided Walk through the Douglas-Hart Nature Center where you will encounter several costumed characters and stations for the theme: FRIGHT NIGHT! End the walk with a haunted hayride back to the visitor center. 5-6 pm (kids can dress up and scare our characters). 6-8pm (It's scary out there! Lots of jump scares, screaming, and lights).
Visit: https://www.dhnature.org/hauntedhike.html
Not interested in attending, but want to volunteer? Email [email protected]
​Purchase tickets at the door (Unless you are a DHF member; you may purchase pre-sale tickets) $10 per person, 2 and under are free.
Receive a hike time at admissions. Groups are capped at around 15 people for a better experience and leave every 5 minutes! (If you have a large group, please be prepared to be split into multiple groups!)
While you wait, enjoy snacks like popcorn and cider, OR chill by the campfire (favorable weather conditions only), take photos with our photo booth props or characters, and more, all in the outdoor classroom.
The hike and hayride are all outdoors; please dress accordingly.
Hikes line up on benches in the outdoor classroom approximately 5-10 minutes before your scheduled time. The "ringmaster" will call out hike times to get groups gathered on benches. Group hikes are to remain on benches until your Haunted Hike guide calls your hike time to leave.
Please stay with your group at all times, no exceptions. The guide will walk you through all the trails and get you safely to the hayride.
During the hike, you can expect jump scares, screams, flashing lights, strobes, decorated trails, decorated stations, costume characters, sound effects, loud noises, and more.
The hike lasts approximately 20 minutes and traverse .5 miles, followed by a 10-minute hayride back to the visitor center and parking lot.
5:00-5:40pm is Reverse Scares. Children attending are encouraged to dress up and scare the characters on the trails! Groups departing after 5:45 may complete some of the hike during the scare times starting at 6pm. At that time, our volunteers begin scaring patrons.
While this is a family-friendly event, nighttime hikes can be quite scary for children. Plan accordingly - you know your child best.
If you miss your check-in time/hike, you MUST purchase new tickets for a new time. No Refunds!!! ​
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Where is it happening?

2204 Dewitt Ave E, Mattoon, IL, United States, Illinois 61938

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

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Douglas-Hart Nature Center
Host or PublisherDouglas-Hart Nature Center

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