Find an updated list of 2021 pumpkin patches here.
Signs of Halloween are starting to crop up everywhere, and it’s time to start thinking about finding your perfect pumpkin. While grocery stores and big box warehouses typically have some handsome specimens, it can be a lot more fun to pick your own straight from the fields they were grown on. Most of the spots listed below even allow you to pull your picks straight from the vine, which can be a special experience akin to cutting down your own Christmas tree. Plus, many of these pumpkin patches offer additional activities for families, like hayrides and corn mazes, so you can turn your hunt into a fun fall day excursion.
For even more ideas for fall family fun, be sure to visit our Fall Fun Guide, sign up for our weekly newsletter and check out our round up where you can find the season’s other favorite fruit: apples.
Pumpkin Patch Season is Mid-September through the end of October. Be sure to call ahead or check social media sites to confirm hours, attractions, availability, and prices, as weather, fruit conditions and of course this year, COVID-19 can create unexpected changes. You may also want to bring some cash, as not all farms except debit or credit cards.
Here’s 12 pumpkin picking spots near Des Moines:
Autumn Acres Pumpkin Patch
2421 Highway 92 • Oskaloosa • (641) 672-1437
Pumpkins are typically available mid- September to late October at Stam Garden Center and Nursery’s Autumn Acres Pumpkin Patch. While you’re there picking your pumpkins be sure to check out their super slide down hay mountain, rope swing, slingshot, petting zoo and more for an $8.00 per person (age 3 through adult) admission.
Hours: September 25 to the end of October, 2020; Thursday and Friday 4:00 pm until dark; Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; CLOSED Sunday; Weekdays-by appointment for groups of a dozen or more.
Black’s Heritage Farm
26156 530th Avenue • Ames • (515) 292-1936
Known for their sweet corn, Black’s Heritage Farm in Ames, once again has several entertaining activities planned for this fall. In addition to their pumpkin patch, families can enjoy a trolley ride or kiddos can go on a pony ride and even get a little education in at their Farm History Learning Center.
Hours: September 25 through October 31, 2019; 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. Watch their Facebook Page for updates.
Dan-D Farms
2044 Highway 14 • Knoxville • (641) 842-2829
Dan-D knows how to celebrate Fall! In addition to pumpkin picking, families will enjoy their corn maze, wagon rides, farm animals and more. They also host a Fall Festival, birthday parties and school tours. Watch their Facebook page for event updates.
Hours: September 19 through the end of October, 2020; Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 8:00 pm (CLOSED Monday through Thursday).
Frey’s Pumpkin Patch
Highway 17 • Madrid • (515) 795-3065 or (515) 975-3917
Celebrating their 25th anniversary Frey’s pumpkin season starts in mid-September. Find perfectly plump, fresh from the vine pumpkins in a real farm setting at Frey’s Pumpkin Patch. If you want to pick it yourself, they’ll provide the clippers and wagon, they also offer already picked varieties. In addition to pumpkins of all shapes and sizes they also have squash, gourds, and their homegrown popcorn for sale. They are located 1-1/2 Miles South of Madrid on Highway 17.
Hours: September 12 through the end of October, 2020; Monday through Friday 3:30 to 5:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Geisler Farms
5251 NE 94th Avenue • Bondurant • (515) 964-2640
Another farm that’s a down-home good time. At this farm they harvest pumpkins from their 10-acre field and move them to their patch for you to choose. You can also saunter through their corn maze. There’s no cost to visit the Pumpkin Patch. The Corn Maze, Fun Zone and Wagon Ride is $8.00 for ages 3 and up. Ages 2 & younger are FREE.
Hours: September 12 through October 25, 2020; Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Harvest Barn Marketplace
2721 Hwy 34 • Osceola • (641) 342-4039
You don’t pick pumpkins from the patch here, you get them at the Barn where there’s plenty to pick from, along with everything else you need to decorate the house. The also have many Farm Fun activities for the kids including, but not limited to a corn maze, zipline, barnyard critters and weekend wagon rides.
Hours: September 12 through the end of October, 2020; Wednesday through Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sundays 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Harvest Barn is CLOSED Mondays and Tuesdays.
Howell’s Pumpkin Patch
3145 Howell Court • Cumming • (515) 981-0863
At Howell’s you can pick your own pumpkin right off the vine. Take a wagon ride around this 800-acre farm, visit the goats, launch some corn and race through their corn maze and more. Admission (24 Months and older) is $11.00 per person.
Hours: September 12 through November 1, 2020; 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily.
Pierce’s Pumpkin Patch
2491 HWY 14 • Chariton • (641) 344-1344
In business for 40 years, Pierce’s Pumpkin Patch works hard to put on a great event every fall. They grow over 145 varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds from miniature to giant pumpkins. If all that wasn’t enough, they also host an amazing harvest festival each pumpkin season, which will be October 10 and 11, 2020.
Hours: September 26 through October 25, 2020; 8:00 am to 7:00 pm daily. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.
Pumpkinville and Corn Maze
618 Center Avenue S • Mitchellville • (515) 710-2843
Allsup’s Pumpkinville and Corn Maze features a pumpkin patch, corn maze and hayrides. Pumpkins are priced based on size and range from $1 to $30. Entry to the farm is FREE and includes all the fun fall activities except the corn maze. The Mini Maze costs $1 per person and the Big Maze is $7 per person.
Hours: September 19 through October 31, 2020; 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily.
The Pumpkin Ranch
2425 Hiatt Apple Road • Winterset • (515) 490-9281
With pony rides and a giant corn maze this convenient pumpkin picking spot is a great one to bring your little tykes for a festive fall outing. General admission to The Pumpkin Ranch is $9.50 per person on Saturdays and Sundays and $7.00 per person on Fridays. Children under two are FREE.
Hours: September 18 through October 31, 2020; Fridays 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Saturdays 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sundays 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.
Rose Farm
7197 43rd Avenue • Norwalk • (515) 988-7395
Pack up your picnic basket and a blanket and get ready to enjoy fall on the farm! This popular acreage in Norwalk is known for its welcoming farm experience for kids at any age. During pumpkin season, Rose Farm sells already picked pumpkins. They also have apple cider, fresh bouquets, mums, eggs, sweet treats and more available for purchase.
Hours: Fall Hours beginning September 11, 2020; Friday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Uncle Bill’s Farm
244 400th Avenue • Grinnell • (641) 236-7043
Uncle Bill’s Farm has been helping families enjoy fall fun and create wonderful memories for over 25 years. It’s soup to nuts here with a u-pick pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm animals, jumping pillows, live entertainment on the weekends and more. There’s also produce, a gift shop and a restaurant. Week day admission is $8.00 Ages 3 and up. Weekend admission is $11.00 Ages 3 and up.
Hours: They are hoping to open for an “Amended Pumpkin Season” in October. Stay tuned for details. Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Did we miss your family’s favorite pumpkin picking spot near Des Moines? Let us know in the Comments below!
