Outdoors & Nature Insider

It's Halloween! Credit: Luca Nonato

There's something spooky going on in some of Florida's state parks this Halloween!

If you want to break away from the usual routine of trick-or-treating this Halloween, consider a fun event that's family friendly in a Florida state park. Perhaps you are one of those who like to stretch out your Halloween over the course of several days -- so this is even better since the state park events go on for a few nights.

Maybe you are just tired of handing out candy to the legions of costumeless high school juniors (complete with supermarket bags) that seem to always raid the Jack-O-Lantern on your porch. I don't know about you, but I can't afford to stock the graduating class of 2011 with miniature candy bars in this kind of economy. See? There's the only reason you need to shut out the lights, turn on the sprinklers and head to a spooky night out in a Florida state park!

Make sure you check the events section of the Florida State Parks Web site for a complete listing, but here are three that look really cool:

The Friends of the Crystal River State Parks, along with F.E.A.R. volunteers (sounds scary already) will be presenting "Haunted Halloween at the Crystal River Preserve State Park." The festivities will take place on Oct. 23, 24, 30, and 31 between 7 and 10 p.m. They will have Beastly Boat Rides, Terrifying Tram Tours, Castle Keep Resort and other things to frighten you silly.

Hillsborough River State Park will be putting on its 17th annual Haunted Woods event, complete with a Trail of Terror. Don't worry -- it's all fun, safe and family friendly! The Haunted Woods event will be happening on Oct. 23 and 24 from 6 to 10 p.m.

Face painting, games and storytelling are just a few of the things going on at Honeymoon Island State Park's "Shipwreck Island" event. This is another great location that's perfect for a family Halloween outing. There's even a scary trail for the older kids, too. I'm a big baby when it comes to the spooky stuff, so I'd probably be hanging out with the little kids getting a pumpkin painted on my face! The Shipwreck Island event will be on Oct. 23 and 24, from 6 to 10 p.m. That leaves your Halloween open to handing out candy to the high schoolers.

Have a great time this Halloween, and don't eat too much candy corn! I love that stuff.