It is that time of year again. Time to pick out the perfect pumpkin, slice it with a giant knife, and casually rip its guts out. Pumpkin carving is always one of our favorite fall events in my household. Taking time to precisely carve the perfect design into a hollowed-out gourd. Picking the design can be tough though. Some years I go "free-hand" and just start cutting. Other years I like to use templates that help keep the lines straight and the designs immaculate.

The National Park Service recently unveiled a "Park Pumpkin Carving Challenge." A challenge that features downloadable templates that represent iconic images of things you may see in our National Parks.

THE BATTY ONE

Our National Parks host tons of bats. Why not slap one on a pumpkin?

National Park Service
National Park Service
loading...

THE AUTUMN LEAVES

Lots of tourists flock to our National Parks every Fall to witness the changing colors of nature.

National Park Service
National Park Service
loading...

THE FULL MOON

One of the first animals that come to mind when you think of Yellowstone National Park is the wolf. This template features a howling wolf.

National Park Service
National Park Service
loading...

THE CAMPER

Camping is all part of the fun of visiting our National Parks. This fun template features your little home away from home.

National Park Service
National Park Service
loading...

THE FAT BEAR

Another iconic image that comes to mind when you think of our National Parks. The hungry bear trying to steal your picnic basket.

National Park Service
National Park Service
loading...

THE WEB

What pumpkin display would be complete without a spider web. This template will allow you to carve the perfect web.

National Park Service
National Park Service
loading...

FINALLY....MY FAVORITE TEMPLATE

THE CLOSE CALL

This template features what we call a "touron" getting a little too close to some of the residents of our National Parks. Nothing is more terrifying than having 1 ton of mad bison chasing you. Why not put it on a pumpkin?

National Park Service
National Park Service
loading...

Download any or all of these templates for FREE at the National Park Service website

 

SWEET: Here are the most popular Halloween candies

 

LOOK: 34 spooky dessert recipes for this Halloween

 

 

More From 96.3 The Blaze