Cooler weather, beautiful foliage and tons of family activities make fall a great time of year to join together and get outdoors. Whether you want to explore other parts of the country or camp someplace near home, these 16 pumpkin patches and fall festivals from across the U.S. provide the perfect opportunity to plan a camping trip and enjoy all that the autumn months have to offer.
From Dallas, Texas to Gretna, Nebraska and Half Moon Bay, California, these are America’s best pumpkin patches and fall festivals in 2018.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
Louisville, Kentucky: October 9 to November 4, 2018
Held in Iroquis Park, visitors will be treated to a quarter-mile of artistically carved pumpkins that are illuminated each night. The exhibit is a perfect outing for families with children of all ages and is open every night, closing at 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight Friday and Saturday.
Where to camp: Silver Lakes MHC & RV Park
More information: jack-o-lanternlouisville.com
Great Vermont Corn Maze
Danville, Vermont: September to October 14, 2018
Calling all adventure-seekers! Make no mistake—this is no ordinary corn maze that you can just breeze right through. If you choose to tackle it with no clues, the 24-acre maze with 10-foot-tall corn walls will take more than two hours to hike, with some up and downs to navigate. A less complex attraction for the older kids, the scenic maze is another option that only takes about 40 minutes and features an underground tunnel, dinosaurs and bridges with panoramic views.
Where to camp: Moose River Campground
More information: vermontcornmaze.com
Sleepy Hollow Halloween
Sleepy Hollow, New York: October, 2018
If you’re in love with Halloween, add Sleepy Hollow to your bucket list. The festive New York town’s favorite month comes alive for the Halloween season, with numerous events and attractions including the Headless Horseman at Horseman’s Hollow, storytelling at Irving’s Legend, the annual Haunted Hayride and spooky cemetery tours. Continue the Halloween spirit with stories around the campfire.
Where to camp: Beaver Pond State Park
More information: visitsleepyhollow.com
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Shady Brook Farms
Yardley, Pennsylvania: October 2018
Bring the whole family to kickoff the fall season in Pennsylvania. This beloved local pumpkin patch is located on a 100-year-old family farm, and also features apple picking and a weekly farmer’s market onsite. Mark your calendar for fun fall events at Shady Brook Farms this October, including PumpkinFest & PumpkinFest After Dark, HorrorFest and the new unWINEd on weekends.
Where to camp: Washington Crossing Historic Park
More information: shadybrookfarm.com
Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm
Lockport, Illinois: September 29 to October 31, 2018
For a day of affordable family fun, this fall festival spanning the month of October has been voted one of the best in the country. In addition to the classic pumpkin patch and 15-acre corn maze, this year will also feature around 30 activities including hayrack rides, jumbo jumpin’ pillows and a new waterslide. Siegel’s is easily accessible from Chicago, and the region also has a must-visit haunted house.
Where to camp: Leisure Lake Resort
More information: ourpumpkinfarm.com
Tom Thumb Pumpkin Patch
Dallas, Texas: September 24 to December 31, 2018
Located inside the Dallas Arboretum, Pumpkin Village is a holiday attraction your family will never forget. Built with more than 90,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash, it’s truly an amazing site to see. Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage, a hay bale maze and a scavenger hunt will entertain the little ones. Soak in the artistic inspiration, and then pick your own pumpkin to take home from the patch.
Where to camp: Sandy Lake RV Resort
More information: dallasarboretum.org
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Vala’s Pumpkin Patch
Gretna, Nebraska: September 14 to October 31, 2018
Go big or go home at this Nebraska staple. With over 50 themed attractions, you can make a whole weekend of fun at Vala’s. Get active with graveyard golf, derby pig races and the great pumpkin jump. Enjoy live shows, explore the haunted farmhouse or get lost in the pirate maze. Treat the family to campfire s’mores and caramel apple treats, and take a photo at the giant windmill.
Where to camp: Two Rivers SRA
More information: valaspumpkinpatch.com
Craven Farm
Snohomish, Washington: September 22 to October 31, 2018
With 50 pumpkin varieties on a 20-acre patch, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect match. After you select your favorite pumpkins, head over to test out the apple slinger or find your way through the corn or adventure maze. Miniature golf, duck races, face painting and apple cider donuts are a few of the other highlights you’re sure to enjoy at the local favorite farm this holiday season.
Where to camp: Thunderbird RV and Camping Resort
More information: cravenfarm.com
Yahoo Farm
Jasper, Georgia: September 22 to October 31, 2018
Think the kiddos might enjoy a haunted hayride, cosmic corn maze and corn cannon? How about digging for fossils and gems, or a pony ride? This family-friendly farm located an hour outside of Atlanta has plenty of cool fall activities to get you in the holiday spirit at any age.
Where to camp: Plum Nelly Campground
More information: yahoofarm.com
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Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival
Half Moon, California: October 13 & 14
Halloween spirit with a beach view. Along the picturesque coast of Half Moon Bay, this fall festival in the “World’s Pumpkin Capital” will host a Halloween parade alongside a costume and pie eating contest, plus seasonal food and live music. If you’re into really, really big pumpkins, head to town early for the World Championship Pumpkin weigh off on October 8th.
Where to camp: San Francisco RV Resort
More information: pumpkinfest.miramarevents.com
La Union Corn Maze
Anthony, New Mexico: September 22 to November 4, 2018
Whether you’re taking the wagon ride to pick your own pumpkins, tubing down the slides or riding the cow train to the one-of-a-kind corn maze, this fall event is a Southwest classic that’s fun for the whole family. Enjoy the non-stop entertainment, and re-fuel with seasonal bites.
Where to camp: El Paso West/Anthony KOA
More information: exetercornmaze.com
Uncle Bill’s Pumpkin Farm
Grinnel, Iowa: September 17 to October 28, 2018
With vintage tractors, a farm animal haven, a 10-acre maze and a pumpkin catapult, there’s plenty to like about this old-school farm in Iowa. Out of all the attractions, we like the kids tree house and replica milking cow for farmers-in-training. And don’t forget to treat your sweet tooth with candy apples.
Where to camp: Rock Creek State Park
More information: unclebillsfarm.com
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Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival
Miami, Florida: October 13 & 14, 2018
Just because you’re enjoying beach views and warm weather in Miami doesn’t mean you can’t also celebrate the onset of fall. This one-weekend festival features a pumpkin patch, carnival rides for the kids, a pumpkin decorating tent and scarecrows you can dress up. Check out the pumpkin beer bar for adults and pumpkin-themed food court for everyone.
Where to camp: Miami Everglades RV Resort
More information: coconutgrovepumpkinpatch.com
Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Sonoma, California: October 5-7, 2018
Calling all wine lovers! This wine country weekend is fit for the whole family, with plenty of fall attractions for adults and kids. In between food and wine tasting, you’ll enjoy twilight grape stomping, chef demonstrations, live music and pumpkin decorating workshops. For the little ones, there’s a barnyard scramble, pumpkin bowling, easy pumpkin pie baking and apple slingshot.
Where to camp: San Francisco North/Petaluma KOA
More information: harvestfair.org
Cox Farms Fall Festival
Centreville, Virginia: September 22 to November 6, 2018
If you want to teach the kids what it’s like to work on a farm, this East Coast fall festival will do the trick. The farm chore center will show them how to hoist bales of straw, use the grain elevator, pump water and feed the animals. Afterwards, they can head to the kid zone for fun chores, like rope swings, mining for jewels and picking pumpkins, with a pumpkin pie tasting reward waiting at the finish line.
Where to camp: Bull Run Regional Park
More information: coxfarms.com
Exeter Corn Maze
Exeter, Missouri: September 8 to November 14, 2018
The go-to Midwest fall fun center, Exeter Corn Maze is centrally located; a 30 minute drive from Northwest Arkansas and a 45 minute trip from Joplin and Springfield. The 50-acre pumpkin patch and gigantic corn maze are can’t-miss attractions when you’re in the area. But, true Halloween fright fans will love the haunted barn, zombie paintball and haunted corn maze.
Where to camp: Eagle Rock
More information: exetercornmaze.com
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