For this Halloween we're bringing back an event we haven't done in two decades, Boo in the Swamp! This is a family oriented adventure program where groups will travel around the boardwalk to different stations and learn about the various nocturnal critters that live there, such as snakes and bats. Each station will have one challenge that kids (ages 6 to 19) can attempt to overcome, and if they do so, they'll be rewarded a token that they can spend back at the visitor center for cool treasure! The more challenges they complete the more valuable the reward they can buy.

Also, somewhere along the boardwalk during this adventure is a chance to win free tickets to our Firefly Nights 2026 programs, secreted away and waiting to be found!

But... There's a catch. You are not allowed to bring your own flashlights!

Boo in the Swamp 2025 schedule:

The event will be held on Saturday October 25th, 2025, from 6:30 PM until 9:00 PM. Gates open to the public at 6:00 PM.

Your family will be assigned to a color based on what start time you purchase tickets for.

Group Time Slots:

Note: We recommend that you arrive 15 minutes before your start time so that you can check in and use the restroom. If you wish to shop in the gift shop you should arrive 30 minutes early. If you are not checked in by your group start time, the group will start without you and you'll have to wait until the next available group.

Ticket Prices:

• Adults (20 and up): $20
• Kids (ages 6 to 19): $12

All proceeds help support Beidler Forest. To purchase your tickets, please visit our ticketing page, here.

Event Details:

Overview:

This event is a little different than our other programs. Groups of families will be released out onto the boardwalk and their children will have the objective of overcoming certain challenges in order to win awesome prizes, such as candy, small shiny things, stickers, swamp mementos, and more! Along the boardwalk will be a series of stations each with its own nocturnal animal theme with its own unique challenge. Even if children do not overcome a challenge, they're still given something for their effort that can be used to spend on some rewards at the end. Take your children out on a real adventure and learn about our nocturnal critters, maybe take away a little more about them that you didn't know before, and watch as your kids take on challenges based on the tricks that nocturnal animals use to thrive. While the challenges are relatively simple, they can be a little more daunting in the dark.

All participants will be given their own special light for the program, chosen specifically because it's definitely going to make the swamp look even cooler. Some parts of the swamp will be illuminated in ways never seen before. Because of this visitors will not be allowed to use flashlights, or other sources of light such as from their phones, watches, laser pointers, candles, etc.

This event includes no jump scares. Nothing is going to jump out at you. The swamp can be very ominous at night even without our help, but despite that we may have... Tweaked certain elements to create a certain atmosphere. There also very likely will be a creature encounter of some kind.

Significant amounts of candy will be provided. Water will also be available. You are more than welcome to bring bottled water with you on this journey.

Costumes are not required, but the amount of candy one recieves (among other things) may be significantly increased for those wearing costumes, adults included.

Considerations:

These challenges are designed for children ages 6 to 16, but we're still allowing young adults from 17 to 19 years of age to participate as challengers because that age bracket doesn't get nearly enough consideration even if they are moody, like, all the time.

Those with vision impairments and night blindness may have difficulty navigating the boardwalk at night, even with the lights provided. Some (but not all) of the challenges require the ability to see, so please take all of this into condsideration.

While our boardwalk is ADA accessible, some of these challenges may be more difficult for the motion impaired, but certainly not impossible. We don't see why we can't make special considerations for a motorized chair if that is the case. If you let us know ahead of time, we can consider it even more. 

Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Most of you should know that already, by now.