The leaves will turn colors soon, and there’s a crispness in the air, which can only mean one thing: It’s time to hit up a central Iowa pumpkin patch! Happily, no matter where you live in the Des Moines area, there are plenty of pumpkin patches and farms brimming with pumpkins perfect for picking this fall. These venues offer other family-friendly activities such as corn mazes and hayrides, so plan to make a day of it.
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 circumstances can change. You may also want to bring some cash, as not all farms except debit or credit cards.
Family friendly pumpkin patches 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. Admission is $8.00 per person (age 3 through adult). Kids 2 and under are FREE.
Hours: September 23 to the end of October, 2023; Friday 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm; 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
Also known for their sweet corn, Black’s Heritage Farm in Ames, once again has several entertaining activities planned for this fall. Families can pick pumpkins out in the field from the vine or select from pre-picked pumpkins. In addition to their pumpkin patch, families can enjoy a trolley ride, kid’s play area and a pumpkin jump house. On select weekends there will be a blacksmith on duty making some unique things out of metal.
Hours: September 30 through October 30, 2023; 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. Watch their Facebook Page for updates.
Dan-D Farms
2044 Highway 14 • Knoxville • (641) 842-2829
This farm located just outside of Knoxville offers sweet corn in the summer, pumpkins in the fall and Christmas trees in the winter. And 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.
Hours: September 9 through the end of October 2023; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm; Saturday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 to 4:00 pm (CLOSED Tuesday). Watch their Facebook page for updates.
Frey’s Pumpkin Patch
Highway 17 • Madrid • (515) 795-3065 or (515) 975-3917
Frey’s Pumpkin Patch has been welcoming families for 28 years. They’ve opened for the season and you’ll find perfectly plump, fresh from the vine pumpkins in a real farm setting here. 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 have squash, gourds, and their homegrown popcorn for sale. They are located 1-1/2 Miles South of Madrid on Highway 17.
Hours: September 9 through the end of October, 2023; Monday through Friday 3:30 to 5:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Harvest Barn Marketplace
2721 US 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 choose 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. Admission is $8 per person on Friday (Children 2 and under are FREE) and $10 per person on Saturday and Sunday.
Hours: September 9 through October 29, 2023; Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sundays 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. ( The Harvest Barn Store is Open on Wednesdays through Sundays.)
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 $15.00 per person. Military $12 and Senior ages 65+ $10. You can save on admission by pre-purchasing online – $12.00.
Hours: September 11 through October 31, 2023; 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily.
Pierce’s Pumpkin Patch
2491 HWY 14 • Chariton • (641) 344-1344
In business for 42 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 7 and 8, 2023.
Hours: September 23 through October 29, 2023; 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 $8 per person for anyone over 6 years old, Ages 3-6 is $1, Ages 0-3 FREE. Children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Hours: August 5 through October 31, 2023; 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily.
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 acerage 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 September 8 through October 22, 2023; Thursday 2:00 to 6:00 pm; Friday 12:00 to 4:00 pm; Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 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. Admission is $14.00 for ages 3 and up.
Hours: October 6-29, 2023. Thursday through Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
You can also find pumpkins at your local Farmers’ Market and many of the farms listed in our apple picking list also sell and let you pick pumpkins.
Where’s your family’s favorite pumpkin picking spot near Des Moines?
