It’s officially fall; my absolute favorite time of year! Fall brings beautiful colors, farmers in the field, football games, fresh apples, sweatshirt weather, spicy aromas of yummy food (I have pear crisp in the oven right now, and my house smells wonderful!), and of course, pumpkins! I’ve had several people ask me about pumpkin patches this year, so I’ve compiled a list of 10 must-see pumpkin patches in Northwest Iowa. We’ve only been to a few of these, so I am relying on word of mouth for the others! I hope you have a wonderful time creating memories and finding the perfect pumpkin this fall!
1. Hawk Valley Garden, Spencer, Iowa
Pumpkins of every shape and size can be found at Hawk Valley Garden! The pumpkins are pre-picked and are artfully displayed. The Squash Shack on the grounds houses over 30 varieties of winter and summer squash. Chickens, ducks, and turkeys also call this place home and are a highlight with the kids! Our family has visited this quaint garden twice. If you are looking to find pumpkins for cooking, decorating, or carving and don’t need all the extras (hayrides, corn maze, etc) this is an excellent place to stop. It was perfect for small children!
4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at 2670 Highway 18, Spencer, Iowa. For more information, find Hawk Valley Garden on Facebook or call 712-363-1587.
2. Hoefling’s Pumpkin Patch, Marcus, Iowa
Travel through the Corn Maze, play pumpkin bowling, shell corn with the hand corn sheller, go for a hay ride, and enjoy picking out some pumpkins! You can choose from more than 15 varieties of pumpkins, 50 different kinds of gourds, broom corn, popcorn and decorative dried wheat. Be sure to stop at the gift shop for gifts and baked goods!
4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the corner of C38 and L36, south of Marcus, Iowa. For more information, find the Hoefling Pumpkin Patch on Facebook or call 712-290-3329.
3. Uncle LeRoy’s Pumpkin Patch, Denison, Iowa
There is something for everyone at this pumpkin patch including hay rides, petting zoo, corn maze, haunted house, concessions, jumping toys, crafts, and a tee-pee. Admission is $5, children 2 and under are free. New this year is a hand-built play hive (looks like a bee hive) for young children.
Closed Monday thru Wednesday, 3 p.m. to dark Thursday and Friday, noon to dark Saturday and Sunday. One mile south of Denison, Iowa on Highway 59. For more information, find the Uncle LeRoy’s Pumpkin Patch on Facebook or call 712-263-5067 or 712-263-6063 or 712-269-0193.
4. Solsma’s Pumpkin Patch, Sanborn, Iowa
There’s more than pumpkins at this patch! Fall produce, gourmet popcorn, a corn maze and country store stocked with goods are just a few of the things you’ll find. Cost for the maze is $5 a person, strollers are free. Fire pits are available, so bring your own hot dogs and marshmallows for an extra special experience!
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at 6190 320th St., Sanborn, Iowa. For more information, visit their website or call 712-729-3174.
5. Harvest Hollow Pumpkin Farm, LeMars, Iowa
This family-friendly pumpkin patch features a corn maze, haunted cemetery, enchanted trail, spook house, petting zoo, games of giant chess and checkers, horse-drawn wagon rides and pumpkins. Admission is $7 per person, children 3 and younger are free.
5 to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday at 23805 Nature Ave., Le Mars, Iowa. For more information, find Harvest Hollow Pumpkin Farm on Facebook or call 712-546-4837.
6. Diane’s Pumpkin Patch, Ireton, Iowa
This is a pumpkin patch the whole family can enjoy! Go for a wagon ride to the field to pick a pumpkin, or select a pre-picked pumpkin. Kids can enjoy fun cut-outs for fun photo ops as well as a petting zoo. Check out the gift shop for even more fun treasures!
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at 22324 Highway C-12, Ireton, Iowa. For more information, find Diane’s Pumpkin Patch on Facebook or call 712-552-1912.
7. Pumpkin Land, Orange City, Iowa
Attractions include a seven-acre corn maze, a children’s maze, and a petting zoo. Check out the many varieties of pumpkins, squash, apples and gourds, along with fall crafts and decorations, jams, jellies and baked goods. You can pick your own pumpkins or purchase ones that have been picked for you. Picnic areas and a children’s play area are also available. Cost for the maze: $6 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-12, free for children 4 and under accompanied by an adult. Fire pits can be reserved for an additional fee.
10 a.m. to dark Monday through Saturday at 4123 Jackson Ave., Orange City, Iowa. For more information, visit their website or call 712-737-8364.
8. The Community Orchard, Fort Dodge, Iowa
Along with hay rides to the pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkins, there are over 17 interactive activities on the grounds including a jumping pillow, corn box, pedal carts, huge checkerboard, farm tile crawlers, swings, slides, and animals to feed. The cost for the Back 40 Playground is $7 for children and $5 for adults. Entry to the 1 1/2 acre corn maze is $3. Before you leave, you must stop at
The Orchard Cafe for yummy treats and the Apple Attic for beautiful gifts and home decor. We visited The Community Orchard last year and had a blast! We all played for hours; there are plenty of activities for adults to try too!
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Back 40 Playground 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the Northwest Corner of the Fort Dodge Airport-2237 160th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. For more information, visit the Community Orchard website or call 888-573-8212.
9. Scarecrow Farm, Lawton, Iowa
Find the perfect pumpkin and pick apples in the orchard when you visit Scarecrow Farm. A corn maze, hayrack rides, jumping pillow, mini train, pedal karts, trike track, straw swings, hay maze, and petting zoo are just a few of the activities you’ll find while you’re there. If you feel extra brave, try out the zip line! Admission is $8 a per person; children 2 and under are free. The zip line is an additional charge. Fire pits and shelter houses are available for rent. The Farm Market features jams, jellies, local honey, and fall decor.
Noon to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 1592 Charles Ave., Lawton, Iowa. For more information, visit their website or call 712-944-5644.
10. Pumpkins on Garfield, Hull, Iowa
A nine-acre corn maze is quite an adventure here! Prizes are given to those who find 10 hidden stations in the maze. To make it an even greater challenge, try the maze at night with a flashlight! They also sell a variety of pumpkins, gourds and produce. Cost for the maze is $6 per person; children 4 and under are free.
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 2846 Garfield Ave., Hull, Iowa. For more information, find Pumpkins on Garfield on Facebook or call 712-578-9001.
This list should get you started this pumpkin season! To find more pumpkin patches throughout the state, click here. Some listings on the website are old, so be sure to do a bit of research before you head out! If you know of other great pumpkin patches, please let me know. My family loves to discover new places!
If you are looking for another way to celebrate fall, here is a fun event to check out in Storm Lake, Iowa:
The Bridge’s Harvest Days, October 2 -4
To celebrate the first year of The Bridge Garden Training Project, a weekend of family friendly events including a corn maze, yard games, hay rides, petting zoo, inflatables, and a small pumpkin patch is sure to be fun! Hours are 4-10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sunday. From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday you can try the corn maze in the dark by flashlight or enjoy s’mores around a fire pit with friends! Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for children 3-12, and $5 for seniors. The festivities are located on 13th Street, behind the ACE Hardware store in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Happy Fall, Everyone!
Thanks for including The Bridge’s Harvest Days!
You bet! Looking forward to checking out the celebration of this year’s hard work at the garden!
Those pumpkins behind Ace are gigantic! Can’t wait to check ‘me out
I just love this time of year and all the pumpkins! It’s so great to find pumpkins and fun experiences so close to home!