Things to Do in Southwest Washington This Weekend: October 23-25, 2026

Looking for something to do around Southwest Washington this weekend?

We're getting very close to Halloween, which means the fall calendar is getting busier. There are plenty of ways to lean into spooky season, but there are also some great options if haunted houses aren't really your thing.

We've rounded up a few things happening around Vancouver, Yacolt, Washougal and the surrounding area for October 23-25.

🎃 Take a Ride with the Headless Horseman

Saturday & Sunday, October 24-25 | Yacolt

This one might be our favorite pick for the weekend.

The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad's Headless Horseman Halloween Special is back October 24 and 25. The train takes passengers from Yacolt through northern Clark County, with the Headless Horseman making an appearance along the way.

The trains depart at 9:30 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m., and you're welcome to come in costume.

Get the details and ticket information for the Headless Horseman Halloween Special from Visit Vancouver WA.

This feels like one of those quintessential Southwest Washington fall activities. A scenic train ride, a little Halloween fun and a chance to explore one of the smaller communities in Clark County.

👻 Get Spooked in Downtown Vancouver

Friday or Saturday, October 23-24 | Vancouver

If you prefer your Halloween activities a little more local and a little more haunted, the Clark County Historical Museum's Haunted History Walking Tour is happening Friday and Saturday night.

The one-mile tour takes you through downtown Vancouver while guides share some of the strange, mysterious and reportedly haunted stories connected to local history.

When: 7 p.m.
Where: Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver
Cost: $20

Check the Clark County Historical Museum's October calendar for details and tickets.

And if you want to keep the spooky evening going, Saturday is also the final night of Fireside Tales of Horror at historic Covington House.

The event starts at 7 p.m. and features some of the darker stories from Clark County's past, told around the fireplace inside one of the area's oldest historic homes.

Cost: $30 for non-members, $25 for museum members
Ages: 13+

Find the Fireside Tales of Horror details here.

🧪 Visit Columbia Springs for Nature Days

Saturday, October 24 | Vancouver

Not everything this weekend has to involve ghosts.

Nature Days at Columbia Springs is a free community event that gives you a chance to get outside and explore the natural world right here in Vancouver.

There will be activities and presentations throughout the site, including opportunities to explore the trails and learn more about the wildlife and environment around us.

When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Columbia Springs, 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver
Cost: Free

Learn more about Nature Days from the Lower Columbia Nature Network.

We like this one because you can make your own adventure out of it. Walk the trails, check out the activities and spend a little time somewhere you may not have visited before.

🌱 Spend a Saturday Morning Giving Back

Saturday, October 24 | Vancouver

If you'd rather spend part of your weekend doing something good for the community, there are two volunteer opportunities happening Saturday.

The first is Make a Difference Day at the Water Resources Education Center, where volunteers will help restore 3.6 acres of wetlands by planting native trees and shrubs.

When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver

The project is happening rain or shine, and all ages are welcome. Gloves and tools are available, although you're welcome to bring your own.

Get the Make a Difference Day details and registration information from the City of Vancouver.

There's also an Adopt-A-Park event at LeRoy Haagen Memorial Community Park from 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will be removing ivy and other non-native plants to help improve the health of the park's natural areas.

Find the LeRoy Haagen volunteer information and RSVP through the City of Vancouver.

Both require registration, so check the details before heading out.

🏃 Put on a Costume and Go for a Run

Saturday, October 24 | Vancouver

Looking for a way to work off some of those pumpkin patch treats?

The Halloween Dash Bash is happening at Pacific Park on Saturday and includes youth races as well as a community 5K.

And yes, costumes are encouraged.

The community 5K starts at noon, with youth races beginning earlier in the morning.

Where: Pacific Park, Vancouver
Community 5K: Noon
Cost: $13 in advance or $20 on race day

Get the Halloween Dash Bash registration and race details here.

You don't have to be a serious runner either. Sometimes a Halloween-themed 5K is just a good excuse to get outside with friends.

🐕 Watch Some Very Talented Dogs

October 23-25 | Ridgefield

If you're a dog person, the K-9 Sports Agility Trials are happening all weekend at the Clark County Event Center in Ridgefield.

And if watching dogs race through obstacle courses isn't enough, the Vancouver Kennel Club Dog Show is also happening Saturday and Sunday.

Both are at the Clark County Event Center, so you could make a day of it if you're looking for something different.

See the Clark County Event Center's October event schedule for details on both events.

We're always up for a local event that involves dogs, so this one definitely made the list.

🧟 Try a Haunted House

Friday & Saturday, October 23-24 | Vancouver

If you want something a little more traditional for Halloween weekend, The Haunted Laboratory opens for the season on Friday, October 23.

This DIY haunted house in Hazel Dell is designed for ages 8 and up and includes plenty of jump scares, fake blood and other spooky surprises.

When: 7-10 p.m.
Where: 1201 NW 78th St., Vancouver
Dates: October 23, 24, 30 & 31

Get the Haunted Laboratory details from Visit Vancouver WA.

Fair warning: this one sounds considerably scarier than our pumpkin patch recommendation.

🎃 Still Looking for a Pumpkin Patch?

October is flying by, so if you still haven't made it to a pumpkin patch, this is a good weekend to check that off your list.

We've already done the research for you and put together a guide to pumpkin patches around Vancouver, Southwest Washington and Portland.

👉 Check out our Vancouver WA & Portland OR Pumpkin Patch Guide

Whether you're looking for pumpkins, corn mazes, fall treats, family activities or just somewhere to get those annual fall photos, we've got several options in the guide.

What Are You Up To This Weekend?

There are a lot of ways to enjoy October around Southwest Washington, and they don't all have to involve dressing up or getting scared.

You can take a train through the countryside, explore Columbia Springs, volunteer at a local park, watch some talented dogs, run a 5K or just find a pumpkin patch and enjoy a crisp fall afternoon.

Whatever you end up doing, we hope you get a chance to enjoy a little bit of fall around Southwest Washington.

Have a favorite local event or fall activity we missed? Send it our way. We love finding new things to do around Vancouver, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Yacolt and the surrounding communities.