Spooky Trail – Family-Friendly Halloween Trail in Saratoga Springs
The Spooky Trail is now open at Artisanal Brew Works in Saratoga Springs, transforming our wooded trail into an evening Halloween experience filled with glowing jack-o’-lanterns, eerie scenes, lights, sounds and spooky surprises hiding among the trees.
The trail runs Tuesday through Sunday evenings through Halloween, with a tamer early experience for younger children and guests who prefer things a little less spooky, followed by a creepier nighttime experience after dark.
There are still two special nights ahead this season: Night of the Jack-o-Lanterns on Saturday, October 24, when the trail will glow with community-carved pumpkins, and our Spooky Trail Closing Night Celebration on Halloween, Saturday, October 31, with candy for trick-or-treaters, cider and Saratoga Apple cider donuts for the kiddos.
Spooky Trail 2026 Key Dates
Oct. 3: Soft Opening
Oct. 10: Grand Opening + Witch Way Wanderers
Oct. 24: Night of the Jack-o-Lanterns
Oct. 31: Spooky Trail Closing Night Celebration
A Halloween Trail for Different Comfort Levels
The Spooky Trail is designed so families and Halloween fans can choose the experience that works best for them.
5:30–6:30 PM: Tamer Trail Experience
Our earlier hour is intended for younger children and guests who prefer their Halloween fun a little less spooky.
6:30 PM–Close: Spookier Nighttime Experience
As darkness settles into the woods, the trail’s lights, sounds and creepy atmosphere become more noticeable for guests who enjoy a little more Halloween spookiness.
The Spooky Trail is meant to be fun and atmospheric rather than an intense haunted attraction. The regular nightly trail does not feature scare actors jumping out at guests.
Spooky Trail Hours & Admission
Season: Open through Halloween
Open: Tuesday through Sunday evenings
Closed: Mondays
Tamer Experience: 5:30–6:30 PM
Spookier Nighttime Experience: 6:30 PM–Close
Location: Artisanal Brew Works, 617 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY
Admission is free for guests joining us for food and/or drinks.
For visitors coming specifically to walk the trail without dining or having drinks, trail admission is $5 per person.
Night of the Jack-o-Lanterns – October 24
On Saturday, October 24, the Spooky Trail gets an extra glow during our Night of the Jack-o-Lanterns.
Bring a pumpkin and carve it at Artisanal Brew Works from 2–5:30 PM, or bring one you’ve already carved at home. Need a pumpkin first? Hewitt’s Garden Center is right next door, making it an easy stop before heading over to ABW.
We’ll have kid-friendly pumpkin carving supplies available for guests creating their jack-o-lanterns here.
From 5–7 PM, enjoy live music from Margo Macero while the display starts coming together.
At 5:30 PM, we’ll begin lining the wooded trail with everyone’s creations. Then, from 6–7:30 PM, walk the Spooky Trail as it becomes a glowing gallery of jack-o-lanterns created by the community.
At 7:30 PM, prizes will be awarded for Most Creative and Most Spooky designs in three age groups:
- Youth: 10 & under
- Teen: ages 11–17
- Adult: ages 18+
After the awards, participants are welcome to take their pumpkins home.
Battery-operated lights only, please. Candles and open flames are not permitted on the trail.
Spooky Trail Closing Night Celebration – October 31
Celebrate Halloween with us on Saturday, October 31, as we wrap up the 2026 Spooky Trail season with a special Closing Night Celebration.
We’ll have candy for trick-or-treaters, plus fresh apple cider and Saratoga Apple cider donuts for the kiddos as families make their final trip through the Spooky Trail.
The regular Spooky Trail schedule will still apply:
5:30–6:30 PM: Tamer trail experience
6:30 PM–Close: Spookier nighttime experience
Come in costume, grab some treats, enjoy dinner or drinks, and take one last Halloween walk through the woods before the Spooky Trail disappears for another year.
Before You Hit the Spooky Trail
Bring a flashlight. A flashlight or your phone’s light will help you navigate darker portions of the wooded trail.
Wear appropriate footwear. This is a real forest trail with natural and uneven terrain, so shoes suitable for walking outdoors are recommended.
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. The Spooky Trail is designed to be experienced together, not explored by children alone.
Make a Night of It at Artisanal Brew Works
Before or after the Spooky Trail, enjoy the full Nature’s Edge Bistro menu, including appetizers, burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads and more.
The bar offers Artisanal Brew Works craft beer, cocktails, wine, mocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks, so the Spooky Trail can be part of a full fall evening rather than just a walk through the woods.
With free and easy parking, food and drinks, live music on select nights and a Halloween trail surrounded by forest, the Spooky Trail offers a different way to celebrate Halloween in Saratoga Springs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Spooky Trail open?
The Spooky Trail is open Tuesday through Sunday evenings through Halloween. Artisanal Brew Works is closed on Mondays.
What time does the Spooky Trail open?
The trail opens at 5:30 PM.
From 5:30–6:30 PM, we offer a tamer experience for younger children and guests who prefer less spooky Halloween fun. After 6:30 PM, the lights, sounds and nighttime atmosphere make the trail somewhat creepier.
Is the Spooky Trail appropriate for young children?
Yes. The 5:30–6:30 PM tamer experience is intended for younger children and families who prefer a lighter Halloween atmosphere.
Is the Spooky Trail a haunted house?
No. The Spooky Trail is an outdoor Halloween experience through our wooded trail rather than an intense haunted attraction. The regular nightly trail does not feature scare actors jumping out at guests.
How much does the Spooky Trail cost?
The Spooky Trail is free for guests joining us for food and/or drinks at Artisanal Brew Works.
Trail-only admission is $5 per person.
Do I need a ticket or reservation?
No advance ticket or reservation is required for the regular Spooky Trail.
Should I bring a flashlight?
Yes. We recommend bringing a flashlight or using your phone’s light to help navigate darker portions of the wooded trail.
What should I wear?
We recommend sturdy, comfortable footwear suitable for walking on a natural wooded trail. The terrain may be uneven in places.
Can children walk the trail by themselves?
No. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
What is Night of the Jack-o-Lanterns?
On Saturday, October 24, guests can carve pumpkins and help transform the Spooky Trail into a glowing gallery of jack-o-lanterns.
Pumpkin carving runs from 2–5:30 PM, live music with Margo Macero is from 5–7 PM, the illuminated trail runs from 6–7:30 PM, and awards begin at 7:30 PM.
What happens on Halloween night?
On Saturday, October 31, we’ll celebrate the final night of the Spooky Trail with candy for trick-or-treaters, fresh apple cider and Saratoga Apple cider donuts for the kiddos.
The regular 5:30–6:30 PM tamer experience and 6:30 PM–close spookier experience will still be available.
