Head to Southwest Kansas for Halloween Family Fun

As the spooky season approaches, it can be awfully tempting to buy pricey tickets to big-name adventure parks for Halloween haunts, but while redecorated amusement parks with “haunted” mazes definitely have their place, Southwest Kansas has an alternative to let families enjoy some seasonal fun while getting outdoors. Oh, and did I mention the zombies?

At HorseThief Reservoir, just outside the town of Jetmore, you’ll find an outdoor-loving family’s dream — camping, fishing, boating, hiking, mountain bike trails, wildlife viewing, games and more. Each October they host an event that has become a family-favorite over the past few years: Zombie paintball. The two-day event draws campers from all over, not to mention locals who want to practice their zombie-hunting skills.

Each October this beautiful outdoor recreation area is transformed with fog machines and spooky music, while volunteers dressed like zombies roam the park. This year’s Wild West-themed festivities, which run Oct. 25 and 26, kick off at dusk on opening night with zombie-hunting hayrides through the maze.

© Eugenia Lazaris

On Oct. 26, the event will start in the afternoon with train rides, carnival games, face painting and an inflatable obstacle course, as well as a stationary zombie target practice. There will also be hot dogs, hamburgers, s’mores and more, along with hot cocoa for kids and a beer garden for adults. Campers are encouraged to decorate their campsites and bring candy for trick or treating, but even if you aren’t camping, you can still purchase a day pass to get in on the fun.

HorseThief offers a variety of camping options, from primitive campsites to utility and full hookup sites. There are even luxury yurts that let you have all the space a family could need. The reservoir has every amenity you might need, from disc golf and playground equipment to handicap-accessible showers and restrooms. Each site faces the water, and the spectacular prairie sunsets that Kansas is so famous for are a wonderful complimentary touch.

At HorseThief, there are a variety of events throughout the year, like the Labor Day Kite Festival and Holiday Lights display in December. In February, they host Old Iron Plow Day with a tractor show and a chili cook-off, and each June they offer music and family activities at Rock the Reservoir, just to name a few.