20 Texas pumpkin patches ripe with fall fun

It’s the most gourd-geous time of year again when we bid goodbye to triple-digit days, bask in October’s brisk breezes and find some fall-themed fun on the farm at pumpkin patches cropping up across Texas. Whether you’re looking to pose the kids in pretty pumpkin patches, weave through corn mazes or find your future jack-o’-lanterns, carve out some time to visit these 20 Texas pumpkin patches (listed by distance from Austin) prime for pumpkin-picking and harvesting fabulous fall memories with the family.

Crowe’s Nest Farm 

Meeting the farm animals is part of the fall fun at Crowe’s Nest Farm. Photo by Mauri Elbel

Just east of Austin in Manor, Crowe’s Nest Farm is a 100-acre nonprofit working farm brimming with farm animals ranging from bison to llamas, educational exhibits, organic gardens and plenty of pumpkins this time of year. At Fall Family Fun Festival Days, visitors can expect a pumpkin patch, hayrides, animal shows including raptors and snakes, cow milking demos, a farmer’s market, live music, food, vendors, air cannons, haystack play, a barrel train, horse rides ($3) and more. 

Info: 10300 Taylor Lane, Manor; 512-272-4418

Hours and pricing: Every Sat. and Sun. in October from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for kids and free for kids under 2. A family pack with four tickets is $40.

More: www.crowesnestfarm.org

Texas Pumpkin Fest 

The Texas Pumpkin Fest has been producing pumpkin patches for more than 30 years, and this year you’ll be greeted with more than 250,000 pounds of pumpkin and gourds on opening day. In addition to the plethora of pumpkins on offer at this pumpkin patch unfolding in Leander at the no-kill nonprofit Texas Humane Heroes, expect tons of family friendly fun in the form of games, a corn maze, a massive 65-foot super slide, a pumpkin spinner, kiddie trains, an inflatable obstacle course, festival foods and more. October is also National Magic Month, so visitors can expect a stage featuring magicians, an assortment of entertainment and music every weekend and selfie stations with magical photo ops. Standard COVID safety procedures are being implemented and masks are encouraged.

Info: 10930 East Crystal Falls Parkway, Leander; 512-222-8055   

Hours and pricing: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. now through Nov. 7. Admission is $10 per person Fri.-Sun.; free on Mon.; $5 Tues.-Thurs.; and free for kids in diapers.  

More: www.texaspumpkinfest.com.

Evergreen Farms 

Hunt for mini pumpkins at Evergreen Farms. Contributed by Evergreen Farms

Tucked off of Monkey Road in Elgin, Evergreen Farms’ Pumpkin Hunt brims with pumpkins available for purchase, photo ops and tons of family-friendly fun — and the best part is that admission and parking are always free, so you only pay for the activities you choose to do. Ride into fall on a tractor-pulled wagon winding through the Christmas tree fields to “hunt” for mini pumpkins (one ticket gets you two mini pumpkins). You can buy $3 tickets in the gift shop to use toward the pumpkin hunt, pumpkin launcher, train ride, fishing pond, spinner, bounce track, kid zipline, mazes and the famous striker. Check out COVID-19 safety procedures online.

Info: 242 Monkey Road, Elgin; 512-281-4833

Hours and pricing: Open Oct. 2 through Oct. 31. Mon.-Fri. (12 to 5 p.m.), Sat. (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Sun. (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.). Admission and parking are free, but activities require a $3 ticket. 

More: www.evergreen-farms.com

Elgin Christmas Tree Farm

Starting this weekend, fall fun flourishes at Elgin Christmas Tree Farm in the form of navigating crazy corn mazes, racing rubber ducks, posing in the pumpkin patches, visiting animals, train rides, hayrides and playing on the playscape. There are picnic areas on site and guests are welcome to bring their own food (we suggest picking up some of Elgin’s famous barbecue). 

Info: 120 Natures Way, Elgin; 512-281-5016

Hours and pricing: Open Oct. 2 through Oct. 31. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sun. noon to 5:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for ages 2-99.  

More: www.elginchristmastreefarm.com/fall-fun 

Barton Hill Farms 

Pose your lil’ pumpkins with the pumpkins at Barton Hill Farms. Credit Barton Hill Farms

Find old-fashioned fun on the farm just 30 minutes outside of Austin in Bastrop at the 10th Annual Fall Festival, Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze at Barton Hill Farms. On weekends now through Nov. 7, you can escape to this favorite fall festival unfolding on this 118-acre farm fringing the banks of the Colorado River. Admission prices are higher than most surrounding farms, but you’ll find a 5-acre “Hey Elon!” Space X-themed corn maze, pumpkin patches, u-pick flowers, hayrides, live music and more than 30 other activities to entertain the whole crew. Refuel on chicken tender baskets, freshly made pizza, sweets, desserts, fresh lemonade, canned and draft beer, frozen sangria and more.

Info: 1115 FM 969, Bastrop; 855-969-1115

Hours and pricing: Open every Sat. and Sun. (and Mon. Oct. 11) through Nov. 7. Admission is $21.95 for ages 3 and older and must be purchased online and redeemed up to one hour after stated admission time. Purchasing pumpkins, u-pick flowers, apple cannons and face painting requires additional fees.

More: www.bartonhillfarms.com 

RELATED: Glamping out in Bastrop

Dripping Springs Pumpkin Festival

Face-painting is part of the pumpkin festival fun. Credit Dripping Springs Pumpkin Fest

Dart to Dripping Springs for this kids-focused, family-friendly pumpkin patch unfolding on the Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead for a robust roster of fall-inspired activities and attractions and plenty of pumpkin photo ops. Located in the heart of Dripping Springs’ Founders Memorial Park, this pumpkin festival features fun in the form of photo-worthy pumpkin patches, a 22-foot bouncy slide, a kids hay maze, corn pit, sack races, face painting, balloon artists, live music, kiddie barrel races and more.

Info: 419 Founders Park Road, Dripping Springs

Hours and pricing: Open daily now through Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free on Mon., $5 Tues. through Thurs. and $10 on Sat. and Sun. Check website for daily specials and discounts.

More: https://drippingspringspumpkinfest.com/

Sweet Eats Fruit Farm

Go for the pumpkin patch and 40 varieties of pumpkins. But stay for the 11-foot-tall pumpkin house, fireworks, 4.5-acre corn maze, mutton busting, horse trick show, pig races, wagon rides, face painting, live music, food trucks, turkey legs, Oktoberfest beer and more at this Georgetown gem. If you only want to purchase pumpkins ($0.79 per pound), just show up and enjoy the pumpkin patch. But tickets must be purchased to enjoy the rest of the fun flourishing on this farm. 

Info: 14400 E. State Highway 29, Georgetown; 512-766-3276

Hours and pricing: Admission is $17.95 Mon.-Thurs. in Oct. from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission for weekends in October is $21.95 when gates open at 9 a.m. and close 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and 8 p.m. on Sun.

More: www.sweeteats.com 

Float In Pumpkin Patch on the Comal River

Get your pumpkin patch photos with a river background in New Braunfels. Credit Float In

Float on over to this pumpkin patch fringing the banks of the Comal River in New Braunfels at the Float In. Snap riverfront pumpkin patch photos and purchase pumpkins from the live pick-your-own pumpkin patch, then enjoy fall sweets and drinks, breakfast on the banks every weekend (9-11 a.m.), weekly special events, yard games and more throughout October.

Info: 462 E. Mill St., New Braunfels; 830-213-2355

Hours and pricing: Open Oct. 1-31 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs. $1 entry except during scheduled events; Fri.-Sun. admission is $10 adults, $7 kids 3-11, and free for kids under 3. 

More: www.thefloatin.com  

RELATED: Daytrip to Gruene Hall

Sweet Berry Farm 

It’s always a sweet time at Sweet Berry Farm’s pumpkin patch. By Mauri Elbel

Unfolding on 60 beautiful acres in Marble Falls, Sweet Berry Farm transforms into a pumpkin playground each year during its Harvest of Fall Fun. One of the biggest perks of this pumpkin patch just an hour from Austin? Admission and parking are free, so you only pay for the activities that you want to do –– a huge savings for families with multiple kiddos. Pick your own colorful zinnias from the flower field, take a ride on the Sweet Berry Express Barrel Train, hop on the Berry Bounce, run through the Texas Maze, enjoy pony rides (Fri.-Sun. only), and pick out the perfect pumpkins and gourds to take back home. There are myriad pumpkin photo ops, a Pumpkin Grill open on the weekends serving up grilled corn, hot dogs and more, and  homemade farm-crafted ice cream and popsicles to sweeten the visit. 

Info: 1801 FM 1980, Marble Falls; 830-798-1462

Hours and pricing: Open through Nov. 7 Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri., Sat. 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Wed. closed. Prices vary for fall activities.

More: www.sweetberryfarm.com

Jenschke Orchards’ Pumpkin Patch

Flock over to Fredericksburg for some fall fun at Jenschke Orchards’ pumpkin patch. Admission to this Fredericksburg pumpkin patch comes with farm-tastic fun in the form of a giant corn maze, corn hole, Texas-size jumpy pillow, corn box, wagon ride and cowboy roping. Pick your own pumpkins are $0.75 per pound.

Info: 8301 East US Hwy 290, Fredericksburg; 830-997-8422

Hours and pricing: Open Fridays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Halloween. Admission is $12 (2 and under free).   

More: www.bestfredericksburgpeaches.com/corn-maze 

The Robinson Family Farm

Capture unique photo ops with the fun pumpkin props at The Robinson Family Farm. Contributed by Robinson Family Farm

You’ll want to squash this fall festival off your list. Admission to The Robinson Family Farm in Temple includes access to more than 20 activities and attractions including the pumpkin patch, pumpkin houses, axe throwing, corn maze, hayride, live music, barrel train, bounce pad, farm animals, playground, corn cannons, shark races, giant pumpkin bounce pad, sand art, corn pit, yard games, ball zone and tug-a-war. Come on Saturdays to see the chainsaw wood carver and on Sunday afternoons for the herding shows. There’s live music from noon to 4 p.m., food trucks and unique pumpkin photo ops ranging from a 10-foot tall picture frame to the largest pumpkin house in Texas.

Info: 3780 White Owl Lane, Temple; 254-931-9564

Hours and pricing: Saturdays and Sundays (and Mon. Oct. 11) through Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $13.95 (online) and $19.12 (gate) for ages 3 and up.

More: www.therobinsonfamilyfarm.com

Pipe Creek Pumpkin Patch

For an affordable autumn experience, head to Pipe Creek Pumpkin Patch. Sandwiched between Bandera and Boerne, the reasonable admission includes a hayride, scarecrow dressing, visits with farm animals, playing in the sandbox, rubber duck races, pumpkin painting and pumpkin patch photo ops. You can purchase tickets for the kiddie barrel train and snacks spanning hot dogs and Frito pie to marshmallows for toasting. Pumpkin patch activities are geared for children 10 years and younger, and face masks are requested. 

Info: 805 Phils Road, Pipe Creek; 210-426-6191

Hours and pricing: Open weekends in October from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is $6 and free for 2 and under. 

More: www.pipecreekpumpkinpatch.com 

Devine Acres Farm

Capture pumpkin patch memories at Devine Acres Farm. Credit Devine Acres Farm.

Fill up on fresh air and all the fall fun your crew can handle at Devine Acres Farm’s October Fall CountryFest. Down on this farm in Devine, fall-themed fun flows freely and admission comes with live entertainment, events and around 50 activities spanning a BobALong Barrel Train ride, scenic hayrides, catch-and-release fishing, posing with plenty of pumpkins and more. Whether you’re petting friendly farm animals, fishing for perch, stuffing a scarecrow or piling a heap of pumpkins into your trunk, you’re sure to find loads of family fun down on this farm.

Info: 944 FM 2200 W Devine, TX; 830-665-9730

Hours and pricing: Sat. and Sun. in October from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $16 (gate) and $12 (online) for 3 and up. Free for 2 and under. 

More: www.devineacresfarm.com 

Graff 7A Ranch

Head to Hondo, just a short country drive from San Antonio, for all the fall fun y’all can handle. Pick out pumpkins, climb up and slide down the MatterCorn (the tallest “mountain” in Medina County), enjoy a nostalgic hayride, hop on the Corn Pop-Poppers or bounce on the jumping pillows, run through a 7-acre maze and much more, all included with the price of admission. More fall fun is available for additional fees, and campfire sites can be reserved at night.

Info: 911 US Hwy 90 East, Hondo; 830-741-3968

Hours and pricing: Open now through Nov. 21 every Fri. 6-9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sun. 12 to 5 p.m. General admission is $18.50 (ages 3-64), $14 (seniors), and free for kids 2 and under on weekends; $10 general admission on Friday evenings. 

More: www.graff7aranch.com 

Love Creek Orchards

Get your fill of old-fashioned fall fun at Love Creek Orchards’ Great Hill Country Pumpkin Patch in Medina. Affordable admission gives guests access to hayrides, pumpkin painting, farm animals, apple orchard tours, scarecrow building, playing in the hay bale maze, storytelling, singalongs and more. It even tastes like fall out here just northwest of San Antonio — enjoy tree-ripened apples, old-fashioned sweet cider and apple goodies.

Info: 14024 State Highway 16 North, Medina; 830-200-0302

Hours and pricing: Open Oct. 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 for ages 3 and older (active military is $4) and free for ages 2 and younger.

More: lovecreekorchards.com

Blessington Farms

Pick out and pose with plenty of pumpkins, then enjoy animal encounters, hayrides, barrel train rides, pony hops, pedal cars, steer roping, fossil digs and even camels at Blessington Farms just outside of Houston. Come for the fresh country air and tons of farm activities, all of which are all included with admission except animal feedings and flower picking.

Info: 510 Chisolm Trail, Simonton; 832-444-8717

Hours and pricing: Open every Sat. and Sun. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 21. Admission for 3 and up is $24 per person, $18 for seniors and free for children under 2, military, veterans and first responders. 

More: blessingtonfarms.com

Dewberry Farm

Find more fall fun than you can possibly “dew” in a day at Dewberry Farms. Credit Dewberry Farms

Just west of Katy in bustling Houston’s backyard, you’ll find more than you can possibly “dew” in a day at Dewberry Farm’s Fall Festival. General admission includes more than 40 farm activities — get lost in a corn maze, take a ride on the mile-long DewVille Express, whirl around on a carousel, go flower picking, and poke through the sprawling field of pumpkins until you find the perfect one to carve into a jack-o’-lantern or puree for a pie. Pony rides and face painting are extra.

Info: FM 362 & Morrison Road, Brookshire; 281-934-3276

Hours and pricing: Open weekends now through Nov. 14 and October Fridays from 4 to 10 p.m. Admission starts at $19.95 but varies by day and weekend. Check prices and purchase online. 

More: dewberryfarm.com

TSRR Pumpkin Patch Express, Rusk

Is there a cooler mode of transportation to take you to a pumpkin patch than a train? Take your little pumpkins to climb aboard the Texas State Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch Express, which departs five times a day on three Saturdays in October from Rusk Depot. Kids of all ages can ride the historic rails for a 30-minute train ride to the pumpkin patch with activities including interactive games, prizes, tricks and treats. These daytime events are fun, not frightening, and passengers are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween best.

Info: 535 Park Road 76, Rusk; 855-632-7729

Hours and pricing: Oct. 16, 23 and 30 departing at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Coach class tickets are $35 for adults, $40 for adults with a lap child, $25 for children 2-12. Open-air coach and first-class tickets also available.  

More: texasstaterailroad.net/events/pumpkin-patch

Autumn at the Arboretum

Autumn at the Arboretum is known as one of the country’s Best Pumpkin Festivals. Credit Autumn at the Arboretum

This year’s Autumn at the Arboretum in Dallas, known as one of America’s Best Pumpkin Festivals, is back with 90,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash and a “Bugtopia” theme. The 16th annual fall festival features the nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village with 20-foot-tall decorated pumpkin houses as well as larger-than-life insect topiaries, bugged-out pumpkin houses, a maze for young visitors and even an 18-foot-long dragonfly. You can also expect 150,000 breathtaking fall flowers, live music every weekend, insect encounters and demonstrations, nature art, expert chats and more. Pose with pumpkins, snap social media selfies, and on Oct. 9, 10, 30 and 31, enjoy a petting zoo and face painting. 

Info: 8525 Garland Road, Dallas; 214-515-6615

Hours and pricing: Now through Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $17 for adults (13-64), $14 for seniors (65+), $12 for children (2-12). 

More: www.dallasarboretum.org 

Yesterland Farm, Canton

It’s worth a trip to this pumpkin patch. Credit Yesterland Farm

It’s worth the trip to Yesterland Farm, where you’ll find more Texas-size fun than you can handle. Sure you can pick pumpkins from patches scattered around the farm, but you can also expect sunflowers, a corn maze, carnival rides, festival food, pumpkin houses, pig races, fireworks and more. This old-fashioned family farm between Tyler and Dallas gets spooky on Friday and Saturday nights when it transforms into Spooktacular Nights with activities like a creepy corn maze and goblin glow.

Info: 15410 Interstate 20, Canton; 903-567-2255

Hours and pricing: Open every October Fri. and Sat. from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fall admission is $21.95 online and $27.95 at the gate.  

More: yesterlandfarm.com