Photo by Mike Jones on Pexels. Illustrative stock photo; not a photograph of this event.

A Halloween outing near Boyne City is taking the celebration onto the trails. The Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy has scheduled its Spooky Hike for Friday, October 23, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Postle Farm Preserve.

The organizer describes the event as free, open to all ages and family-friendly. The advertised activities include candy stations along the trails, a warm fire and nature arts and crafts at the historic red barn. Costumes are welcome.

For families looking for an outdoor Halloween gathering, those are the features to build the plan around. The event description does not present the outing as a commercial haunted house or promise jump scares. Its listed focus is a seasonal trail visit with treats and activities.

A Boyne City-area outing with a rural setting

The event lists 1383 Country Club Road with a Boyne City mailing address. The conservancy’s preserve guide places the property in Melrose Township, Charlevoix County. That makes this a Boyne City-area outing rather than a downtown city event.

Postle Farm Preserve covers 113 acres and was established in 2006, according to the property guide. Its landscape includes meadows, woodland, wetlands and a seasonal creek, with the historic barn serving as a recognizable feature of the preserve.

The guide describes the terrain as moderate. That is useful background, but it does not identify the exact route organizers will use for the Halloween event. Do not assume the candy stations require covering every trail or that the full preserve acreage is part of the evening’s outing.

Plan for costumes on a trail

A costume that works on a sidewalk may need a little adjustment for an outdoor preserve visit. Consider shoes you can comfortably walk in, a hem that does not drag and layers that fit underneath or over the outfit. These are practical suggestions rather than an organizer-issued dress code.

If your group includes a stroller user or someone who needs mobility accommodations, ask about the event route and the barn activity area before attending. The general terrain description alone does not establish whether a particular trail or entrance will meet your needs.

Having a flashlight available is another sensible choice for an evening outing, though it is not listed as a requirement. Keep the two-hour event window in mind and choose a pace that leaves time for both the trail stops and the activities that interest your group.

Use the event page for the latest plan

The Spooky Hike page includes an RSVP option. Use that link to check the current registration details rather than assuming a particular attendance limit or signup deadline. The listing confirms free admission but does not publish a capacity or say how long candy supplies will last.

The preserve guide supplies directions from US-131 via Country Club Road and provides a map link. Review that information before driving, especially if this is your first visit. The guide’s general directions are a better starting point than assuming the event takes place at an in-town park.

For questions, the conservancy lists 231-535-6112 and [email protected]. Ask about the specific trail route, accessibility, RSVP expectations or weather arrangements if those details will determine whether your group can attend.

Check the organizer’s page again close to October 23 for changes. With the location and practical questions settled, the appeal is a compact Halloween outing: two hours of treats, nature-based activities and time outdoors at a preserve near Boyne City.

Sources and event updates

Spooky Hike event

Postle Farm Preserve guide

Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy