THE DINOSAURS OF THE HELL CREEK MUSEUM in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, are inviting families to celebrate Halloween with a blend of paleontology and spooky entertainment. Beginning Oct. 28 and running through Oct. 31, the museum’s second annual Haunted Museum Nights will keep its doors open until 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Daily themed activities
Oct. 28 – Dungeons and Dinosaurs: A playful twist on the classic tabletop game invites guests to join a live, interactive adventure. Participants help guide a party of intrepid explorers through a prehistoric maze, solving riddles and learning about fossil preparation along the way.
Oct. 29 – Retro dinosaur sci‑fi screening: The museum will project a mystery dinosaur‑themed science‑fiction film from the 1960s onto the side of the building. The vintage movie offers a nostalgic glimpse of early imagination about prehistoric creatures.
Oct. 30 – Costume party night: Attendees are encouraged to dress in their best Halloween attire for a festive evening. A costume contest will award prizes for the most creative, funniest, and best dinosaur‑themed outfits.
Oct. 31 – Candy hunt: The final night features a treasure‑style candy hunt. Children in dinosaur costumes can search the museum’s halls for hidden containers of sweets, adding a sweet finish to the weekend.
Free admission for little paleontologists
Kids who arrive in dinosaur costumes enjoy free entry for the entire event, making it an affordable outing for families. Throughout the four nights, the museum’s permanent exhibits and active laboratory remain open, allowing visitors to watch paleontologists at work preparing fossils for future displays.
Looking ahead
Director Walter Stein noted that the museum will close for the season at the end of November, but it will stay available for private events and school field trips. The staff will continue fossil preparation and develop new exhibits, with plans to reopen in the spring for another year of educational programming.
For a behind‑the‑scenes look at the planning and preparation for Haunted Museum Nights, KOTA Territory News conducted a live interview with Stein. The full conversation is available in the video links accompanying this story.
Families seeking a safe, educational, and entertaining Halloween option are encouraged to visit the Hell Creek Museum during the Haunted Museum Nights. The event offers a unique way to celebrate the season while fostering a love of science and local heritage.
Original reporting: KOTA (Gray) – local — read the source article.
