With Halloween just around the corner, the National Park Service (NPS) is getting wildlife enthusiasts ready for some festive fun. They’ve released a collection of pumpkin carving templates perfect for creating Jack-O-Lanterns that celebrate the beauty and intrigue of national parks.
This initiative is part of the NPS’s annual pumpkin carving challenge, inviting participants to use these templates—or craft their own unique designs—to make national park-themed pumpkins and share their creations on social media. The NPS has unveiled seven delightful templates, showcasing designs featuring wolves, vibrant fall foliage, spiders, bats, the iconic “fat bears,” and even a humorous depiction of a bison tossing a tourist—drawing inspiration from wildlife safety incidents that made headlines this year.
While many of the templates are charmingly festive, the “Close Encounter” design, featuring the tourist-tossing bison, adds a spooky twist meant to remind visitors about the importance of keeping a safe distance from wildlife.
In addition to the pumpkin designs, the NPS has shared links to wildlife safety tips, encouraging visitors to have “unscary” encounters with the animals in the parks.
Overall, the NPS is eager to celebrate the fall season. They invite everyone to get creative with their pumpkins and share their photos on social media using the hashtags #FindYourPark or #EncuentraTuParque, joining in on a virtual pumpkin patch. Just remember to dispose of your pumpkin responsibly when the festivities are over!
You can download and print all the designs for free at home or at your local library. Get ready to carve out some fun this Halloween!
The Close Encounter
“Few things are more terrifying than people getting too close to wildlife,” NPS writes. “National parks are packed with creatures of all shapes and tooth sizes.”
The Batty One
Did you know that national parks serve as vital roosting grounds and migratory stops for millions of bats? The National Park Service (NPS) encourages everyone to take the initiative to learn how to protect these important creatures in their local areas. Bats play a crucial role in our ecosystems, from pest control to pollination, and safeguarding their habitats is essential for maintaining biodiversity. By raising awareness and taking action, we can help ensure that bats continue to thrive in our neighborhoods and beyond!
The Autumn Leaves
Leaf-peeping is a seasonal activity that brings thousands to state and national parks. Just be sure to leave no trace and clean up after yourself!
The Camper
Bundle up and camp responsibly this season! Always be sure to know more about fire restrictions to ensure the safety of you and the ecosystems around you.
The Full Moon
Tap into your inner werewolf with this design and pay homage to the stunning night skies in national parks or in your own neighborhood — visible without light pollution.
The Web Designer
No fears about creepy-crawlers here! Let this spider-centric template empower you to get connected to conservation inside and out of the country’s national parks.
The Fat Bear
These guys might be friend-shaped, but you’ll still want to be bear-y careful around them — especially as they gear up for hibernation! Once again, we urge you to practice wildlife safety.
