Every October, families circle two dates on the calendar for one of the campground’s most beloved fall traditions: Big Pumpkin Weekend at Caboose Lake, happening October 9 and 10, 2026. It’s the kind of weekend that turns a regular camping trip into a full-on fall celebration, with pumpkin carving, Halloween activities for kids, trick-or-treat time, and the campground’s always-popular Best Decorated Campsite Contest.
If your family has been on the fence about joining in on one of Caboose Lake’s fall weekends, this is a great place to start. It’s family-friendly from morning to night, and it’s become one of the more anticipated weekends on the campground’s fall calendar.
What’s Happening During Big Pumpkin Weekend
Big Pumpkin Weekend at Caboose Lake is packed with activities built for kids and families:
- Pumpkin carving for the whole family are available in the store for $8/each, 11am-1pm Saturday
- Halloween activities designed specifically for kids, and all take place in the pavilion. Please note ET time zones for all activities
- Magic pumpkin patch is available to families, plant your seeds at checkin Friday night and see them grow! Check on your pumpkin on Saturday to see if it grew!
- Trick-or-treat time around the campground from 4pm – 5pm ET, small train is available for younger children
- Make sure to bring your own candy so that you may pass out to our trick-or-treaters at your campsite!
- The Best Decorated Campsite Contest!
Tips for Making the Most of the Weekend
Families who’ve been to past fall weekends at Caboose Lake recommend arriving Friday if possible, since it gives kids a chance to settle in before the Saturday activities kick off. Bringing your own carving tools and a few extra pumpkins for site decorating is also a popular move for families hoping to compete in the Best Decorated Campsite Contest.
Why This Weekend Matters for Families
Caboose Lake has hosted this event for years, and it’s designed to be approachable for campers of every experience level, whether you’re in an RV, a cabin, or a tent. It’s also a great low-pressure way to try out a fall camping weekend if your family typically only visits in the summer. The cooler weather, the community feel of the campground during event weekends, and the sheer amount of kid-focused activity make it worth the trip.
Plan Ahead: More Fall Fun Follows
If Big Pumpkin Weekend isn’t enough Halloween spirit for your family, Caboose Lake follows it up the very next weekend with Haunted Caboose Weekend on October 16 and 17. You can read more about that event in our Haunted Caboose Weekend guide, or check the full fall lineup on the campground’s Park Activities page.
For families searching for a Halloween-themed camping weekend that’s genuinely built for kids, Big Pumpkin Weekend at Caboose Lake delivers on every front. Reserve your site early, since fall weekends fill up quickly once families start planning their October calendars.
Ready to join in? Visit CabooseLake.com to check availability for October 9 and 10.
