15 biggest & best pumpkin patches in North Carolina

We’ve found the 15 biggest and best pumpkin patches spread across North Carolina. 

Native to North and Central America, the pumpkin is believed to have grown in our country since long before it was “our country,” an estimated 10,000 years in fact. Indigenous populations once featured the ingredient, harvested in October, prominently in soups, roasts and jerky-like strips that could last through winter. 

While the Europeans who would later colonize the country continued to include the pumpkin in plenty of meals, over time, it shifted from a source of sustenance to a symbol of autumn. This is thanks in part to the arrival of Irish immigrants who imported their tradition of carving scary faces into turnips and potatoes and adapted it to the pumpkin, which makes for a better canvas. 

These days, pumpkins are still used for certain fall recipes, like pumpkin pie, but during this century specifically, much of the pumpkin spice craze you see prevalent in coffee shop menus and other establishments has no connection to the fruit itself—just artificial flavoring. 

Nevertheless, actual pumpkins remain a staple of fall, and many pumpkin patches are currently open across North Carolina, offering a day of fun in which you and family or friends can pick for yourself the perfect jack-o’-lantern canvas. 

We’ve split our list of 15 of North Carolina’s biggest and best pumpkin patches into regions to make things more navigable. A day of fall fun is never a far drive away.

Pumpkin patches in Western North Carolina

It should be noted that, as of the time of this writing, western North Carolina is still under a travel advisory due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. “State and local officials strongly advise motorists avoid travel in Western North Carolina due to the risks associated with landslides, slope failures, downed trees and road closures,” reads the advisory. 

With that in mind, if you already live in western NC and feel safe traversing the roads near you, we have compiled this list of five pumpkin patches that have reopened and could really use your support. However, keep in mind that the storm has already disrupted the short pumpkin season.

Ashe County Corn Maze & Pumpkin Festival

1332 NC Highway 16 S, Jefferson

Dates: Sept. 14-Oct. 27

The Ashe County Corn Maze and Pumpkin Festival celebrated its official reopening on Oct. 12 after suffering much wind and flood damage during Helene. “While many of our surrounding communities are struggling to recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene, we hope that a sense of normalcy can be a comfort,” they wrote on Facebook. 

Management warned that the corn maze won’t be what it once was, writing, “Our maze was badly damaged during the storm. We are working hard to stand the corn back up and make repairs as we can, but it will likely be in rough shape.” That said, they’re still offering face-painting, pumpkin bowling, tractor hayrides, basketball, soccer, a corn pit, a pumpkin cannon, and concessions and pumpkins for purchase. The farm is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, costing just $10 for admission. 

 

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Darnell Farms

2300 Governors Island Road, Bryson City

Dates: Through Nov. 3

Located along the banks of the Tuckasegee River, Darnell Farms was in a bad spot during Helene. On Oct. 12, however, they triumphantly invited supporters back, posting on Facebook, “Come on by and try out the straw bale maze the crew put together yesterday or test your skills in the corn maze that even a flood couldn’t beat!! Take a hayride to get yourself a pumpkin from a real pumpkin patch, hang out and enjoy some good music and fellowship, or just lounge around by the river and enjoy the clear mountain air.”  

A hayride to the pumpkin patch will run you $22, with a pumpkin of your choice included. 

Grandad’s Apples ‘N Such

2951 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville

Dates: Until Nov. 3

It was a slow process, but the popular Grandad’s Apples reopened despite service and power outages in early October and have been expanding their services ever since, including access to a U-pick pumpkin patch, allowing visitors to pick pumpkins straight from the vine for the first time in orchard’s history. 

The farm has now also reopened its cow train, grease wagon, apple cannon, U-pick apple orchard and bakery serving hot cider donuts, fried apple pies, apple caramel coffee, and more. Interstate 26 is open and the roads to Grandad’s are clear. Their new hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays and open until 6 p.m. weekends. 

Justus Orchard

187 Garren Road, Hendersonville

On October 10, the folks at Justus Orchard posted on Facebook that “slowly but surely things are getting back close to normal,” adding that a loyal regular had installed Starlink that very day, allowing management to access WiFi asking just for apple cider doughnuts in return. 

The Justus family has reopened its U-pick apple orchard, jump pad and playground (available every day), jumping pillow, cow train, and apple cannons (available weekends). There’s also the bakery, which serves the establishment’s famed apple cider doughnuts, fried apple pies, fritters, apple caramel cookies, apple dumplings, and different variations of cider. We gave them a call to ask about a pumpkin patch, and while they don’t feature a patch per se, they assured us that, “We have buku pumpkins spread throughout the property for purchase, inside and outside.” That’s enough like a patch for us. The business is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Red Wolf Farm

1900 HW Farm Road, Maiden

Dates: Sept. 28-Oct. 27

Following a closure due to Helene in late September, the folks at Red Wolf Farm were able to reopen on Oct. 5, featuring bounce houses, the corn maize, barnyard basketball, food trucks, local vendors, and plenty o’ pumpkins.  

The pumpkin patch and maze are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with a $9 general admission ticket granting access to all activities, which also include hayrides, themed playsets, inflatables, pedal tractors, pumpkin bowling, farm animals, and more.  

 

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Pumpkin patches in Piedmont

Gross Farms Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch

1606 Pickett Road, Sanford

Dates: Sept. 14-Nov. 3

This seventh-generation century farm offers activities for all ages, whether you’d like to navigate through the large corn maze or sit back and be transported by hayride around the farm, you’ll still get a chance to pick your own pumpkin after exploring everything else the farm has to offer. 

Other attractions include Tom’s Tunnel; a pumpkin jump; castle, boat, and train playsets; a jump pad; a tire mountain; John Deere tricycle track; pipe swings, a pedal-kart track; concession and picnic areas, face boards, and live music when scheduled. The pumpkin patch alone is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekdays while the entire farm opens up on Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday. A pumpkin patch pass that includes admission to the concessions is worth $5 while all-access day passes are available for $20. 

Hodges Family Farm

3780 Rocky River Road, Charlotte

Dates: Sept. 28-Oct. 31

A rural oasis that tucked away in east Charlotte, Hodges Family Farm is recognized as a well-preserved early-20th-century farmstead associated with a prominent local family and an essential contributor to Mecklenburg County’s agriculture industry, Eugene Wilson “E.W.” Hodges, in the early 1900s. The farm was opened to the public in 1999 and remains in the Hodges family today. 

Open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., the Hodges’ pumpkin patch is free to visit. It includes pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, hay bales to climb and jump on, barnyard animals, photo opportunities, and picnic areas. On weekends they open the farm shop—offering treats such as kettle corn, funnel cakes, drinks, apple cider doughnuts, coffee, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and more—and offer hayrides for $5 per person.  

Millstone Creek Orchards

506 Parks Crossroads Church Road, Ramseur

Dates: Sept. 28-Oct. 27

Having planted more than 20,000 pumpkin seeds and countless sunflower seeds in the lead-up to autumn, this year’s Autumn Harvest Adventure at Millstone Orchards will feature the biggest pumpkin patch they’ve ever hosted. 

Tickets, which cost around $20 each, include access to the pumpkin patch and sunflower fields, an apple cider pressing demonstration, an apple cider slushie, pumpkin seed tasting, an orchard hayride, and a meet-and-greet with Dooley & Rooster, the orchards’ Highland cows. Check out their plans for Halloween weekend, which will include a number of additional free events including a Spooktacular dance party, lawn games, a spooky scavenger hunt, Halloween piñata, apple cider doughnut eating contest, and more.  

 

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Patterson Farm Market

10390 Caldwell Road, Mount Ulla

Dates: Sept. 16-Nov. 11

Six generations strong, the Patterson family has been farming in Rowan County for 125 years. Bring your most curious kids to Patterson Farm Market, as they’re known for hosting educational tours year-round. The pumpkin patch offers “picture perfect photo-ops” and plenty of varieties ranging from jack-o-lanterns to novelty pumpkins. 

Fall Fun on the Farm season is in full swing at Patterson Farm Market, open on weekday afternoons and all day during weekends through Nov. 11, with tickets getting you access to PawPaw Carl’s Playground, the barnyard, Cow Barrel Train Ride, corn maze, wagon ride, and 40+ attractions including the pumpkin patch (pumpkins sold separately). Open 10 a.m to 6 p.m. on weekends, admission costs $17-$20, while weekday afternoon admission from noon to 5 p.m. is $15-$18. The market and ice cream shop is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and stays open until 7 p.m. on weekends. 

Hill Ridge Farms

703 Tarboro Road, Youngsville

Dates: Sept. 25-Nov. 1

Open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Fall Pumpkin Festival at Hill Ridge Farms is a very popular attraction in the Franklin County/Wake Forest area. Reaching peak capacity almost every weekend in October, your best bet is to visit on a Wednesday or Thursday after 1:30 p.m., which is when the last field trip ends. 

A $20 general admission ticket, which is only available at the ticket booth on the property and can’t be purchased online, includes a wagon ride during which you can choose your very own free (with admission) pumpkin along with access to the park, play, and picnic area. An extra $10 gets you a train ride, carousel ride, a duck for the duck race, and gem-mining bag thrown in. 

Concessions include Granny’s Snack Shack, which serves homemade hot cider doughnuts, homemade fudge, cold and hot apple cider, and lemonade, along with Crystal Coast Kettle Corn, Coney Island Food Truck, and Patty’s Place. 

Pumpkin patches in Eastern North Carolina

Hubb’s Farm

10276 US Hwy 421 North, Clinton

Dates: Sept. 28-Nov. 2

John and Tammy Peterson started Hubb’s Farm in 2008, shortly after the birth of their son, Luke, with a goal to create a family-friendly agritourism destination for all ages. They originally opened as Hubb’s Corn Maze then gradually added activities and attractions, eventually changing the name to Hubb’s Farm. While they still host the 10-acre corn maze (this year’s design pays tribute to late country star Toby Keith), there is much more to do these days at Hubb’s. 

The fall festival includes the corn maze, a pumpkin patch, farm animal encounters, and, for the first time this year, a gem mining with Paydirt Pete. That’s on top of the 30+ other attractions the farm has on its property. The farm is open Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Smith’s Nursery & Farm Market

443 Sanders Road, Benson

Smith’s Nursery is a family-owned-and-operated nursery and produce farm in Johnston County. The fall season means the pumpkin patch is open, with hayrides being offered on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting. Shop for cute pots, gift items, fresh bread and dairy, seasonal veggies, meats, ice cream, coffee, tasty treats, landscape plants, and more. 

Smith’s also offers an attraction that has been conspicuously missing from this list thus far: Halloween attractions in late October. On Friday, Oct. 25, they’ll offer a moonlight hayride and outdoor movie night with s’mores, followed by a haunted trail and movie night on Oct. 26. 

Fisher Pumpkin Farm

7413 Red Oak Blvd, Rocky Mount

There is no website for Fisher Pumpkin Farm beyond a Facebook discussion group, but maybe that’s what they meant when they suggested visitors come to “enjoy the quiet side of country life.” Pumpkins are at the center of the farm’s many exhibits, which also feature farm animals wandering freely. 

“We feature all kinds and sizes [of pumpkins] for your pleasure,” the establishment wrote in a FarmFun entry. “So whether you are looking to decorate for Halloween and Thanksgiving or you love to make pumpkin pie, come make your selections of fresh pumpkins from the fields straight to you.” Admission is free, with pumpkins costing between $1-$10. 

Mike’s Farm

1600 Haw Branch Road, Beulaville

Dates: Through October

Mike’s Farm is Onslow County’s original agri-tourism farm offering seasonal hayrides, pumpkin and strawberry picking, a family-style restaurant, shopping, event venues and more. One of the most popular year-round events are the hayrides, many of which tend to break out in a “singing jubilee” that can be heard all over Onslow, according to the website. 

In October, the hayride takes a stop at the pumpkin patch, where you can select the perfect pumpkin to bring home. Hayrides run Tuesday & Wednesday from 1 to 5 p.m., Thursday & Friday from 1 to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $3 per person for ages 3 and older. Pumpkins run $0.79 per pound with a $4 minimum.

 

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Briley’s Farm Market

5290 Old Pactolus Road, Greenville

Dates: Sept. 21-Nov. 3

Briley’s Farm is a third-generation, family-owned farm in Pitt County that specializes in fresh produce and vegetables. In the fall the farm opens up for pumpkin picking, adding games, hayrides, animal visits, and more. 

Each $15 admission ($16.50 if you use a card) gets you a free pumpkin plus access to hayrides, the mega slide, jump pad, giant tube-slide, 65-foot fun slide, inflatables, train rides, corn maze, corn pit, sunflower maze, Zinnia field for pictures, duck races, tube swing, playgrounds, cow train, sunflowers (while supplies last) and more. There’s a wide selection of hay, mums, pumpkins, cornstalks, Indian corn, and more for purchase. The farm is open Fridays, 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 6 p.m.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.