14 Fall-Tastic Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes in the West

Sure, we love to cook with, arrange, and carve the heck out of pumpkins once autumn rolls around. But, dare we say, the best part of the season is going to pick gourds at the dozens of pumpkin patches that pop up across the West from mid-September through October. It’s even better when those pumpkin patches come with a corn maze, petting zoo, candy apples, and more old-school kicks (as most of the better ones do). Whether you’re looking for a quick California fall trip, hitting the road on a Colorado autumn road adventure, or simply wanting to take an afternoon off to explore a nearby farm, you can add any of these 14 stellar patches to your autumn travel plans.  

Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch, Los Angeles, CA

This Culver City patch takes the cake (or, pie) for most Instagrammable with its quirky pumpkin houses, a tipi village surrounded by colorful gourds, and giant rocking horses (because, why not?). Don’t miss the “Bootique,” where you can snag hipster parent-approved tees, hats, and baby jumpers with the Mr. Bones skull logo. 

Cool Patch Pumpkins, Dixon, CA

A few years ago, visitors had to call 911 to find their way out of this Dixon pumpkin patch’s corn maze, which in 2014 held the Guinness Record for world’s largest at 63 acres. In recent years it’s been closer to 40 acres—still big. The patch also stocks more than 40 varieties of pumpkins, along with a pumpkin cannon, food stands, and hayrides.  

The Lowe Family Farmstead, Kuna, Idaho

Pumpkin hunters on the search for more offbeat, atypical-looking gourds love browsing the more than 40 types grown at this iconic farm that just relocated to a new location this year. At 178 acres, the new Farmstead is three times larger than the previous lot, allowing the family operation to expand on its already stellar pumpkin patch and corn maze. All the activities—from pig racing to hayrides—that have made this place a favorite since 1997 are still on tap. We’re especially keen on the pumpkin smashing and corn-kernel pit. 

Kula Country Farms, Kula, HI

That’s right, Hawaii has pumpkins too, and the patch is downright dreamy at Kula Country Farms, where the Pacific Ocean and Maui’s mountains serve as the backdrop. Located on the rolling hills of the agricultural Upcountry, Kula has 100 acres on which you could pick a myriad of pumpkins and their famously sweet strawberries on the same day, as well as sunflowers, squash, carving supplies, and other fall-ready supplies. Meet the farm animals, sip strawberry lemonade, take a stab at the maze, and then stop by the farmstand on the way out to stock up on carrots, beets, and other fruits and veggies grown onsite, plus artisan goods by neighboring makers. 

Sweet Pickin’s Pumpkin Patch, Kalispell, MT

With a $25 season pass you get daily access to Sweet Pickin’s lineup of train rides, tractor tours, bounce area, and petting zoo, 40 minutes from the west entrance of Glacier National Park. Though they don’t have a maze, there’s no shortage of activities to keep kiddos entertained. On top of the lo-fi attractions, you can plan on rubber duck races, tightrope walking, and snacks—lots of snacks. Feel free to indulge in kettle corn and candy apples—little ones can burn off the energy on the 100-foot-long bouncy pillow. 

Cross E Ranch, Salt Lake City, UT

A working cattle ranch just north of Salt Lake City, Cross E Ranch started up its pumpkin patch in 2015 and it’s been a huge hit ever since. The 200-acre ranch is like a fall theme park with a giant corn pit, pig races, hayrides, zipline, corn and haystack mazes, mega slides, and tons more. Grown-ups and kids, who also frequent the farm for educational workshops throughout the year, roam the 12-acre pumpkin field searching for different types of gourds in this wonderland that stocks all the classics, as well as unique activities like archery and PG movies screened on the side of a red barn on weekends.

Denver Botanical Gardens, Denver, CO

Denver Botanical Gardens—one of our favorite gardens in the West—clearly has a thing for gourds, which it celebrates with two fall events. First, the Pumpkin Festival runs from October 11-13 when hundreds of pumpkins, live music, magic acts, and pony rides fill Chatfield Farms, DBG’s 700-acre native plant refuge. The following weekend, the festivities continue back at DBG headquarters with Glow at the Gardens. Thousands of lights illuminate the botanical gardens and artists show off their creatively decorated, locally harvested pumpkins while fire dancers, LED light performers, and Halloween characters entertain the crowds. 

Mabey Farms, South Jordan, UT

Family-run for more than 25 years, Mabey Farms keeps it low on the frills in favor of focusing on delivering superb and plentiful pumpkins, all grown in South Jordan. The patch is on a farm that’s been around since the late 1800s, and the patch stretches for 14 acres with more than 45 varieties. You’ll find flat-faced orange gourds perfect for carving, little white darlings to line a windowsill, and loads of plump versions for pumpkin pie. 

Laity Pumpkin Patch, Maple Ridge, B.C.

The super-photogenic Laity has two locations with red barns and vast fields. The Laity Pumpkin Patch North, engineered for kids 6 and under, has a forest area to explore with scenes that include gnomes, a Western town, and woodland creatures; a tiny, one-acre maze; and a baby pumpkin patch. Across, the street, the other patch has big-kid versions of the attractions, like a racecourse maze, tractor rides, and petting zoo. 

Craven Farm Pumpkin Patch, Snohomish, WA

Recognized as one of the best pumpkin patches in the country, Craven Farm stocks more than 20 varieties of pumpkins and a 15-acre corn maze with an Alice in Pumpkinland theme. Once you’ve found the gourd of your dreams, tee off at the new miniature golf course or tackle the mazes. No need to double-knot your shoes, you won’t have your socks scared off here: The entire farm is family-friendly and fright-free.

Bella Organic Farm, Sauvie Island, Portland, OR

Sauvie Island is a pumpkin patch hub with at least three family-friendly farms rolling out the hay bales and corn mazes for visitors. Bella Organic stands out with its seven-acre farm, which is shaped like Rosie the Riveter this year to honor the U.S. National Women’s Soccer Team FIFA victory and their work to push for equal representation and pay. Brave souls can take a stab at the other haunted maze onsite, and then calm their nerves with a glass of the house-made wine. 

Longneck Pumpkin Farm, Colorado Springs, CO

Opened by a former teacher and her husband, Longneck complements its pumpkin patch with a story barn, where kids can stop by for storytime. You can feel the personal love that goes into this place through the hand-engineered activities made out of things like painted wooden boards (for the pumpkin chess and bean bag toss), PVC pipes (for the duck races), and giant foam blocks (for building). 

Mother Nature’s Farm, Gilbert, AZ

The whole Kelsall family is involved in creating the magic at Mother Nature’s Farm, 30 minutes from Phoenix. Of all the pumpkin patches, these guys have some of the biggest with gourds weighing up to 500 pounds. Get the largest one you can find, then stick around to feed the animals, take a hayride, get a family photo, or simply relax with a picnic on one of the farm’s many sun-dappled wooden tables. Plan to return in winter for Mother Nature’s Christmas tree farm. 

The Great Peter Pumpkin Patch, Petaluma, CA

Just outside of Petaluma, Great Peter keeps it classic with its location inside an actual farm, where in addition to finding tons of pumpkins on-the-vine and pre-picked, families can also milk cows, dig for potatoes, and taste homemade cheeses. There are no bouncy houses or obstacle courses here. Instead, you can expect some good, old-fashioned fun like swimming in a pit of dried corn, playing cops and robbers in the Western-style village, taking pics in front of the classic white farmhouse, and going on a tractor-pulled wagon ride.