Here Are The 7 Absolute Best Pumpkin Patches In Iowa To Enjoy In 2023
Fall in Iowa means one thing – pumpkin picking! I always look forward to walking the fields, finding that perfect pumpkin, whether I’m looking for a delicate paint job or a carved jack-o-lantern. And of course, the perfect pumpkin-picking trip probably includes some smaller pumpkins for pumpkin pie! The best pumpkin patches in Iowa are just as varied as these massive gourds – some are located on small, humble, family-owned farms. Others are located on sprawling rural retreats packed with fall activities. One can only be reached by boarding Iowa’s most famous train! There’s only one thing they all have in common – a trip to any of these pumpkin patches is the perfect way to get in the fall spirit!
Bloomsbury Farm runs its iconic fall festival from September 22nd to October 29th Friday to Sunday. You can expect great food, family-friendly games, a ten-acre corn maze, and a sprawling 18-acre pumpkin patch. That's during the day - at night this whole farm turns into a massive haunted attraction!
The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad is one of Iowa's top attractions, holding specialty rides throughout the year for Christmas, Easter - and its fan-favorite fall event is right around the corner. The Pumpkin Express runs the first, second, and third sundays in October and features all the amazing scenic views you've come to expect from the train and a visit to a perfectly kid-sized pumpkin patch maintained by the railroad.
3. Howell's Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch - Cumming
Howell's Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch opens for the season in September and features a large selection of pumpkins grown on-site. But that's just the start of the fun here. You can expect to find kid-friendly activities, a snack-bar featuring farm-fresh treats, a greenhouse filled with beautiful specimens, and the farm's friendly goats looking to get into some mischief!
Pumpkinville tells you exactly what it's about right in the name, and the farm has an amazing selection of large and mid-sized pumpkins, plus some gorgeous decorative gourds. This rural haven also has a large corn maze and a mini-version for the kids. This is an old-fashioned place, and it still does all the fall classics right.
Uncle Bill's Farm might be the most unique farm in all of Iowa - serving as a farm, a petting zoo, a restaurant, a market, and a pumpkin patch all in one. Pumpkin season is from October 6 to October 29, and the farm charges $14 for admission. That's because this is an attraction in itself - including a hayride to the pumpkin patch.
Fall has kicked off at Harvestville Farm, and the farm is open seven days a week though October 29th. That includes the beloved farm market and cafe, along with a sprawling pumpkin patch filled with classic orange pumpkins and gourds. How big is this pumpkin patch? Try 35 acres of pumpkins, plus a corn maze, wagon rides, and unique fall-themed play areas for kids.
Colony Acres Family Farm kicks off its fall season on September 16 and operates through the end of October, Wednesday through Sunday. Pumpkins, mums, corn stalks, and hay bales are all for sale, but it's not just about the harvest here. Wagon rides and seasonal snacks, including some of Iowa's most delicious donuts, are also available!
Have you visited any of these popular Iowa pumpkin patches? Tell us your picks for the best pumpkin patches in Iowa in the comments section! The fall fun is just getting started, so check out the best fall festivals in Iowa to keep the spirit rolling! Make sure you’re decked out in your best fall gear before you go!
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Raymond Goldfield is a life-long New Jersey resident and an avid traveler and foodie who can be usually found on the Jersey Shore during the offseason or checking out the latest seasonal flavors at The Bent Spoon in Princeton. He has been working for Only In Your State for since early 2022, where he writes for New Jersey and Iowa and edits the Mid-Atlantic region. He can also be found writing about pop culture for GeekDad. When at home, he enjoys reading comic books and is part of The Rabbitt Stew podcast team. While New Jersey is his home base, he travels regularly and has visited Virginia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, and Canada as well as all of NJ's border states. Ultimate travel goal? Visit all the best buffets in the United States.
