The Hollows at Phantom Lake: A Complete 2025 Family Guide

Wisconsin's most enchanting Halloween experience awaits in the wooded trails of America's oldest YMCA camp, where over 3,000 hand-carved pumpkins transform into a magical fairy tale kingdom.

The Hollows at Phantom Lake creates an otherworldly autumn evening that combines artistry, nature, and Halloween magic without a single scare—just pure wonder that captivates visitors from age three to ninety-three. This extraordinary fundraising event at Phantom Lake YMCA Camp in Mukwonago has become Wisconsin's premier fall destination, drawing thousands of families each October to experience something truly unique. Unlike typical Halloween attractions, The Hollows emphasizes "magic, legend and lore," creating an inclusive, family-friendly celebration where fairy lands, Viking ships, and mystical creatures come alive through the warm glow of expertly carved jack-o'-lanterns. The event supports the camp's groundbreaking inclusion program, making every ticket purchase a contribution to providing transformational camp experiences for children with special needs.

🎃 Quick facts:
Step into a glowing, spooky wonderland filled with pumpkins, lights, and magical Halloween scenes.

📍 Phantom Lake YMCA
S110W30240 YMCA Camp Road
Mukwonago, Wisconsin

📅 Dates:

• Oct 3–4, 2025

• Oct 10–12, 2025

• Oct 16–19, 2025

• Oct 23–26, 2025

🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
🎟 Tickets: thehollowsphantomlakeymca.com

Perfect for families, friends, and anyone who loves Halloween nights under glowing trees and lantern-lit paths.

A magical mile in enchanted Wisconsin wilderness

The heart of The Hollows experience unfolds along a mile-long journey through the historic camp's wooded trails and along the glistening shores of Phantom Lake. Over 3,000 hand-carved, illuminated jack-o'-lanterns line the unpaved paths, creating glowing art installations against the night sky that visitors describe as "the only one of its kind in Wisconsin." The walk takes approximately 30 minutes, winding through rolling hills and scenic lake shores dating back to 1896 when this became the nation's first YMCA camp.

Visitors journey through distinctly themed wonderlands that feel pulled from classic fairy tales. The magical fairy lands feature hillside descents that make you "feel like you're in a movie," according to one enchanted family. Viking ship installations transport guests to Nordic adventures, while mermaid coves create underwater fantasies complete with aquatic displays. Witches and wizards add mystical magic without frightening elements, and mysterious woodland creatures seem to roam between the carved pumpkins and twinkle lights.

The atmospheric magic extends beyond the visual spectacle. Harry Potter-esque background music flows throughout the trails, while strategic lighting highlights artistic pumpkin installations against the dark forest backdrop. The natural ambiance of pine scents, lake reflections, and the sounds of autumn woods creates an immersive experience that visitors consistently describe as "enchanting" and "magical."

Essential planning for your Halloween adventure

Advance ticket purchase is absolutely required—no tickets are sold at the door due to capacity limitations and timed entry management. Tickets cost $18 for adults (ages 12+) and $10 for children (ages 3-11), with infants under two admitted free. The 2025 season typically runs on October weekends from 6:00-10:00 PM, with grounds opening at 6:30 PM for optimal twilight viewing.

The trail is not wheelchair or stroller accessible, making this adventure best suited for visitors who can comfortably walk on unpaved woodland paths. The natural terrain includes roots, rocks, and uneven surfaces that require steady footing. Free parking is available on-site, though carpooling is encouraged during peak attendance periods.

October Wisconsin evenings demand thoughtful preparation. Dress in warm layers with sturdy, closed-toe shoes offering good traction—hiking boots or sturdy sneakers work best for the woodland conditions. The event proceeds rain or shine with a strict no-refunds policy, but umbrellas are prohibited for safety and viewing reasons. Instead, pack ponchos or raincoats for wet weather, and consider hand warmers for particularly chilly evenings when temperatures can drop into the 30s and 40s.

Capturing the magic through your lens

The Hollows offers extraordinary photography opportunities for those prepared to work with challenging low-light conditions. Arrive early around 7:00-7:30 PM when twilight provides just enough ambient light to illuminate pumpkin edges while preserving the magical glow of carved designs. A tripod becomes essential equipment for the 2-10 second exposures needed in these conditions, while ISO settings between 250-500 typically yield the best results.

Skip the flash entirely—it overpowers the warm pumpkin illumination that creates the event's signature atmosphere. Instead, position yourself to capture side lighting on the jack-o'-lanterns, which provides the best shadow definition and artistic depth. The themed installations offer particularly striking photo opportunities, from fairy land hillsides to lakefront Viking ships, all enhanced by the strategic placement of twinkle lights throughout the wooded setting.

Crowd management through timed entry means no waiting in lines, making this an ideal environment for photography enthusiasts. Early evening slots tend to be less crowded than prime-time weekend hours, offering more space for composition and creative angles.

The inspiring story behind Wisconsin's Halloween magic

Phantom Lake YMCA Camp holds the remarkable distinction of being America's oldest continuously running YMCA camp, establishing its mission in 1896 on 72 acres of rolling Wisconsin wilderness. The property's history runs even deeper—the Potawatomi Indians originally called these waters "Spirit Lake" and referred to the surrounding area as "The Gardens" due to beneficial mineral springs.

What makes The Hollows truly special extends beyond its impressive scale and artistic execution. This Halloween spectacular serves as the camp's largest annual fundraiser, with all proceeds supporting their groundbreaking inclusion program for children with special needs. About a decade ago, the board of directors set an ambitious vision to transform Phantom Lake into a fully inclusive environment, fundamentally redesigning the camp experience with special needs children at its center.

The transformation has created profound community impact. Local families share stories of children with ADHD, autism, Down syndrome, and other special needs being rejected from other camps, making Phantom Lake a crucial resource. One mother describes her son "graduating his problems" after just one summer, while non-verbal children become "chatterboxes" and anxious kids become activity champions in this accepting environment.

The Hollows requires "a team of committed creators, doers, and artists" who volunteer their time to design and execute this massive undertaking. Community volunteers handle everything from trail monitoring and ticket taking to setup crews and promotional outreach, creating the beautiful circle where neighbors come together to create magical experiences that directly enable more children with special needs to access transformational camp opportunities.

A safe and welcoming experience for all ages

The Hollows maintains its reputation as a completely family-friendly Halloween celebration with no scary elements, sudden noises, or frightening surprises. This intentional design choice reflects the camp's core mission of inclusion and accessibility, ensuring that visitors with sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or young children can fully enjoy the experience.

Safety protocols emphasize proper preparation for the natural woodland environment. Trail monitors provide guidance throughout the experience, while clearly marked paths and adequate lighting ensure comfortable navigation. The event maintains "a crazy obsession with safety," following industry best practices that have earned recognition throughout the camping community.

Bathroom facilities and a concession stand remain open throughout the evening, accepting major credit cards for snacks and beverages. The timed entry system prevents overcrowding while allowing families to move at their own comfortable pace through the mile-long journey.

Parents should supervise children closely on the uneven terrain and consider baby carriers or backpacks rather than strollers for very young visitors. The combination of natural beauty, artistic displays, and inclusive atmosphere has created an event where "the joy of watching so many families and faces light up in delight and wonder" brings volunteers back year after year.

Conclusion

The Hollows at Phantom Lake represents something rare in today's entertainment landscape—an experience that combines breathtaking artistry with meaningful community purpose. This isn't merely a Halloween attraction; it's Wisconsin's most spectacular celebration of autumn magic that happens to support one of the most important inclusion programs in camping. The convergence of 3,000 hand-carved pumpkins, historic camp grounds, fairy tale themes, and a mission to support children with special needs creates an evening that resonates far beyond the carved jack-o'-lanterns lighting the October trails.

Ready to experience Wisconsin's most magical Halloween tradition? Visit thehollowsphantomlake.org to secure your timed entry tickets for the 2025 season. Remember that advance purchase is required, dates sell out quickly, and every ticket supports life-changing camp experiences for children with special needs. Dress warmly, bring your sense of wonder, and prepare to walk through a fairy tale that happens to be real.