Creatures of the Dark: Conestee Nature Preserve Explores Bats, Owls, and ‘Zombie Fungus’ on Oct. 24 Night Hike
October 19, 2026
As autumn settles across the Upstate and dusk arrives earlier each evening, Conestee Nature Preserve is opening its trails after hours for one of its most anticipated seasonal traditions: the October Night Hike.
Taking place Saturday, Oct. 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., “Night Hike: Bats, Owls, and More!” invites local families and curious naturalists on an educational guided walk through the preserve’s nocturnal habitats. Rather than relying on jump scares or haunted house theatrics, the program focuses on the science and ecology of the creatures that rule the dark—from silent-flying barred owls and native bats to eerie natural phenomena like bioluminescent decay and “zombie fungus.”
Event at a Glance
Event: Night Hike: Bats, Owls, and More!
Date & Time: Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Check-in begins at 5:45 p.m.; program starts promptly at 6:00 p.m.)
Location: River Entrance (Main Entrance), 840 Mauldin Rd., Greenville, SC (Gather under the trailhead archway)
Admission: $20 per person (plus a $0.50 registration fee). Advance registration is required.
Trail & Safety Rules:
Flashlights are strictly prohibited to allow eyes to adjust to low-light conditions.
Participants will cover just over a mile on foot with limited bench stops.
Participating children must be able to remain quiet for extended periods to avoid startling wildlife.
Pranks or scaring other participants is strictly forbidden—the goal is nature appreciation, not fright.
Tickets & Registration: conesteepreserve.org
Social Media: Follow Conestee Nature Preserve on Facebook (@conesteepreserve) and Instagram (@conesteepreserve) for trail updates and event announcements.
Conestee’s guided night hikes routinely sell out due to capped group sizes designed to minimize trail disruption and maximize wildlife encounters. Guides will lead hikers along low-lit boardwalks and dirt paths bordering the Reedy River floodplain, stopping periodically to listen for territorial owl calls, track bat flight patterns overhead, and observe evening forest adaptations.
Because flashlights are left behind to preserve natural night vision, participants should come prepared for walking in dim ambient conditions. Hikers are instructed to meet at the River Entrance trailhead archway off Mauldin Road by 5:45 p.m. for orientation before heading into the woods.
Tickets must be purchased online in advance via the preserve’s website. Cancellations must be submitted at least three days prior to receive a refund, and weather-related notices will be emailed directly to ticket holders.
