Hobgoblin Hike at Twin Lakes Park 2026: Your October 24 Guide

This Saturday, October 24, two Halloween events share Hempfield's evening. One closed its guest list more than three weeks ago. The other is free, needs no registration, and didn't happen at all last year.

The first is Hempfield Township's Fall Family Festival and Trunk or Treat at Hempfield Park. The second is Westmoreland County's Hobgoblin Hike at Twin Lakes Park, a half-mile walk through haunted woods. The county has run these walks since 1977. In 2025, the county canceled them because the state budget wasn't passed on time. If you missed the festival's sign-up, the hike is the part of Saturday you can still attend.

Saturday, Hour by Hour

The festival includes a bonfire, face painting, a balloon artist, pumpkin decorating, and food trucks. The township's Fall Family Festival announcement told trunk decorators to bring enough candy for about 300 trick-or-treaters. Costume prizes go to the Frightfully Fabulous Family and to the best-dressed kids in three age groups. Decorated trunks compete for Best-Decorated, Scariest, and People's Choice. The same announcement says everyone attending had to pre-register by September 28. If you didn't, call the township before Saturday rather than counting on walk-up entry.

The festival ends at 6, and the gates at Twin Lakes open for the hike at 7. That leaves an hour for dinner, and the county event needs no paperwork.

Why Last October Went Dark

On September 18, 2025, Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation canceled both of that year's Hobgoblin Hikes. One was set for Twin Lakes on October 18, the other for Cedar Creek Park on October 25. The county's news release blamed the Pennsylvania state budget impasse, and it explained the decision in one line:

"With the current budget gridlock, the necessary resources to safely and effectively host the events this year are not available."

The impasse ended on November 12, 2025, when the governor signed the 2025–26 budget. By then, Halloween had passed. So a free, volunteer-heavy event that had run for decades skipped a year because of a budget fight in Harrisburg.

Twin Lakes and Cedar Creek, Scheduled Again

The hikes rotate among four county parks: Cedar Creek, Twin Lakes, Northmoreland, and Mammoth. In 2023, TribLive reported that the hikes were at Cedar Creek and Twin Lakes, and that 2024 would move them to Northmoreland Park in Allegheny Township and Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township. The pair came back to Cedar Creek and Twin Lakes for 2025, which is the year that was canceled.

The county's September 14, 2026 announcement names the same two parks again. Cedar Creek's hike was Saturday, October 17, so it's already over. Twin Lakes is the only one left this year. That makes Saturday the first Hobgoblin Hike at Twin Lakes since 2023.

The turnout explains why the county keeps funding it. In the same TribLive story, parks communications coordinator Lauren Titterington said more than 4,000 people came to the hikes in 2021. She called them "the only free events of their kind in our area" and said the goal was "to provide low-cost and family-friendly events for everyone in our community." The 2026 county announcement repeats the "only free events of their kind" line, and it still holds.

What the Half Mile Is Like

Guides lead groups on a half-mile walk through the park's woods. The county's 2026 announcement describes tunnels, cemeteries, and more than 100 zombies, ghosts, and monsters, and says every park sets up its own scenes. In 2023, TribLive's account listed a graveyard, a morgue, a funeral parlor, and a zombie apocalypse among the scenes. Titterington said no two hikes are decorated alike.

A few details are worth knowing before you go:

1. Age. The county recommends the hike for ages 8 and older and encourages parents to walk with their children.
2. No candy. Volunteers don't hand out treats, though costumes are welcome. The county pitches the hike as a family alternative to regular trick-or-treating.
3. Weather. Hikes run continuously from 7 to 9 p.m., rain or shine. The county cancels only for dangerous, severe weather.
4. Timing. In 2023, Titterington told TribLive that arriving later in the evening helps you avoid lines, and that walkers should dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.
5. Cost. Admission is free, and the county welcomes cash donations.

Volunteers age 15 and older work as scare actors and trail guides. Their meeting was Tuesday, October 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Twin Lakes Park Activity Center. If you'd like to help out at a future hike, the volunteer line is (724) 830-3968. For general questions, call Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation at (724) 830-3950.

Twin Lakes Before Dark

Twin Lakes sits on a township line, which is why it gets described in different ways. A county rehabilitation bid puts Pavilion #8 in Hempfield and Pavilion #6 in Unity. The 2023 TribLive story placed it in Unity Township, and the county calendar lists the address as 219 Twin Lakes Road, Latrobe. The quickest way in from most of Hempfield is Donohoe Road off Route 30.

At night you'll only see the half-mile hike route. The rest of the park covers about 467 acres, according to county recreation materials, with stone walkways and three fishing decks. A 2.5-mile figure-eight walkway circles the Upper Lake and the Lower Lake. Pittsburgh Magazine describes the Ferrier Family Life Trail as a 1,900-foot route with seven exercise stations. The county's 2025 park map also shows a Wilderness Trail, a self-guided nature trail, a dog park, a skate park, ten pavilions, Reflection Island, the Boathouse, and the Vietnam Veterans of Westmoreland County Memorial.

If your family has never been to Twin Lakes, try a daylight loop of the lakes on Sunday. You'll recognize the woods you walked through the night before.

The Hour Between

If you go to the festival and then the hike, you'll have about an hour for dinner. Route 30 between Hempfield Park and Donohoe Road has several options. Applebee's at 5290 Route 30 is near the Donohoe Road turn. IHOP is at 5159 Route 30. Texas Roadhouse is farther east at 6228 US-30 E.

The newest option is Plaza Azteca. TribLive reported that it opened May 29, 2026, in the former IronRock Tap House building outside Westmoreland Mall. Saturday night near the mall and Route 30 will be busy, so check hours and wait times before you go.

Two more dates are on the township calendar after Saturday. Trick-or-treating in Hempfield is Saturday, October 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. Light Up the Park at Founders Park is December 4, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., with caroling, carriage rides, and Santa. It's free for township residents, and registration closes December 1 at noon. Like the October festival, it needs sign-up ahead of time, so put the December 1 deadline on your calendar now.

Local events like these are a big part of what makes this area feel like home. I'm Elizabeth Bires, and if you have questions about Hempfield, Twin Lakes, or the communities along Route 30, I'm always glad to talk them through. Elizabeth Bires is here when you're ready. Let's Connect.