From Hayrides to Corn Mazes, and Everything Your Inner Pumpkin Lover Needs for Fall Fun (Yes, There Will Be Pie!)
Every fall, pumpkin patches across the United States come alive with vibrant orange fields, welcoming families and friends for autumn magic and pumpkin patch adventures. From California to Connecticut, these celebrated patches offer much more than pumpkins—they provide a full festival experience with activities like corn mazes, hayrides, petting zoos, and seasonal treats.
Whether you’re wandering the vast fields at Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm in California, tackling the Guinness World Record corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins, or enjoying the festive Pumpkin & Chili Party at Schnepf Farms in Arizona, each location captures the heartwarming essence of fall.
With a blend of rustic charm, lively events, and cozy, seasonal vibes, these pumpkin patches promise memories as colorful as the autumn leaves.
Exploring pumpkin patches is a cherished autumn tradition across the United States. Here are some renowned pumpkin patches that offer unique experiences:
1. Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm – Wheatland, California Located approximately 34 miles from Sacramento, Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm has been a beloved destination since 1973. It boasts a 90-acre U-Pick pumpkin field, making it the largest of its kind globally. Visitors can enjoy a petting zoo, zipline rides, train and carnival rides, live music, pig races, and seasonal treats from Mrs. B’s Bakery.
2. Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm – Lockport, Illinois This family-owned farm offers over 30 attractions, including a 12-acre corn maze and a vast pumpkin patch. Activities such as hayrides, a petting zoo, and various rides make it popular for families.
3. Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch – Middletown, Maryland Spanning 131 acres, Jumbo’s features a 30-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patch, a 15-acre corn maze, hayrides, a petting zoo, and a large playground. Weekend visitors can also enjoy face painting and pony rides.
4. Craven Farm—Snohomish, Washington Craven Farm offers a 20-acre pumpkin patch with over 30 varieties of pumpkins. Visitors can also explore a 15-acre corn maze themed “Alice in Pumpkinland,” enjoy hayrides and participate in weekend activities like pumpkin slinging and storybook scenes.
5. The Great Pumpkin Farm – Clarence, New York Known for its extensive pumpkin selection, this farm also hosts a variety of activities, including a corn maze, hayrides, and a petting zoo. It’s a popular destination for families seeking a full fall experience.
6. Vala’s Pumpkin Patch – Gretna, Nebraska Vala’s offers various activities, including hayrides, a corn maze, and live entertainment. It’s a family-friendly destination that provides a comprehensive fall experience.
7. Cool Patch Pumpkins – Dixon, California. Home to the world’s largest corn maze, certified by Guinness World Records, Cool Patch Pumpkins offers a vast selection of pumpkins and various family-friendly activities.
8. Papa’s Pumpkin Patch – Bismarck, North Dakota This patch features a variety of pumpkins, a corn maze, hayrides, and other activities suitable for all ages, making it a popular spot for family outings.
9. Lyman Orchards—Middlefield, Connecticut Lyman Orchards offers a 35-acre pumpkin patch, apple picking, a sunflower maze, and various family-friendly activities, providing a quintessential New England fall experience.
10. Tom Thumb Pumpkin Patch – Dallas, Texas Part of the Dallas Arboretum’s Autumn at the Arboretum Festival; this patch features over 90,000 pumpkins and a variety of fall plants, offering numerous photo opportunities and seasonal activities.
11. Schnepf Farms – Queen Creek, Arizona Located just outside Phoenix, Schnepf Farms is famous for its month-long Pumpkin & Chili Party. This fall festival includes pumpkin picking, a massive corn maze, pig races, and fun rides like the super slide and roller coasters. With local food vendors, live entertainment, and even a chili cook-off, it’s a go-to destination for a full autumn experience in the Southwest.
Did you know?
Here’s a fun tidbit: At Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, California, you cannot only wander through the world’s largest corn maze, but each year, they redesign it with a completely new layout, often with intricate patterns that can be seen from the sky! This constantly changing maze makes it a unique experience every season—even for regular visitors, it’s never the same adventure twice.
A little history:
Pumpkin patches, once simple farm fields, have grown into vibrant autumn destinations steeped in American history and culture. Many renowned patches today, like Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm in California and Schnepf Farms in Arizona, began as small, family-owned farms several decades ago, aiming to celebrate the harvest season.
Over time, these farms expanded, adding hayrides, corn mazes, petting zoos, and festive events, capturing the nostalgia and joy of rural fall traditions. As urban areas spread, pumpkin patches became cherished escapes to reconnect with the land, offering families a slice of Americana where they could celebrate the harvest with fun and tradition.
