Do you have your pumpkins yet? Sure, you could pick some up from the bins outside the grocery store, but a trip to the pumpkin patch checks off all kinds of activities on a fall Bingo card — hayrides, apple cider, corn mazes, autumn photo opps and picking plump pumpkins from the vines.
Pumpkin patch pro tips: Bring a wagon along to haul your pumpkins and wear close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting a little dusty.
Read on for seven pumpkin patches close to Denver.
Mile High Farms in Bennett
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 28 through Oct. 27
While Denver is home to several urban farms, you’ll need to head a little east of the city to find the biggest pumpkin patches.
Mile High Farms, just outside of Denver in Bennett, is one that’s worth a visit. The farm features two corn mazes spread out over 11 acres, antique tractor hayrides, barrel cart rides, a petting zoo and a playground. It’s set up in a quirky Halloweentown so imaginations can run wild.
You’ll find a variety of pumpkins at Mile High Farms, including “Cinderella” pumpkins that range in color from light pink to light orange and bluish-gray “Blue Delights.” You can also haul home huge “Prizewinner Pumpkins.”
Pumpkins cost 85 cents per pound up to 40 pounds and 60 cents a pound beyond that. Tickets cost $19 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $14 for kids age 5 to 12. Kids age 4 and under are free. 11 Cavanaugh Road, Bennett, CO 80102
Anderson Farms in Erie
When: Timed entry from September 25 through November 2
Visiting Anderson Farms in Erie is a fall bucket list must-do, especially if you’ve got little ones in tow. They’ll love exploring the 25-acre corn maze and participating in other activities, from gliding down the combine slide to riding the barrel train and more.
Tickets are $17-39, or you can buy a season pas for $99. Kids under the age of 3 are free. Pumpkins are available for purchase. 6728 County Road 3¼, Erie, Colorado 80516
Rock Creek Farm in Broomfield
When: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily between Sept. 28 and Oct. 31
Many pumpkin patches are weekend-only, but Rock Creek Farm bucks the trend, operating throughout the week. Find perfect pumpkins among 100 acres of the gourds, and snip them from the vines.
Rock Creek also has three corn mazes plus a hay bale maze for little ones. Families and field trippers can also meet farm animals like goats, sheep, pigs, and cows.
Before heading out, pick up some seasonal baked goods, like Rock Creek’s famous pumpkin bread.
Tickets are $10 per person Friday through Monday (though kids under 4 are free) and farm admission is free Tuesdays through Thursdays. 2005 South 112th Street, Broomfield, CO 80020
Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms Location in Littleton
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11-13
Picking pumpkins from a 10-acre pumpkin patch is just part of the fun at the Fall Festival at Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farms location. You can also get lost in a corn maze (there’s a mini maze for younger kids), go on a hayride and check out the antique tractor exhibit. Buy tickets online before heading to the farm; they’re not available on-site.
Pumpkin prices vary by size, but on average are about $8 a piece.
Admission costs $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, $12 for children (ages 3-15) and admission is free for children 2 and younger, and botanic gardens members get a discount. Each child’s admission ticket comes with carnival tickets that can be used on inflatable bounce attractions, slides and an obstacle course. 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO 80128
Cottonwood Farms in Lafayette
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Sept. 28 to Oct. 31. Wagon rides available on Saturdays and Sundays
Families can enjoy authentic farm experiences at this pastoral Lafayette farm about 20 miles outside of Denver. Borrow a red wagon to haul into the patch to find your perfect pumpkin. There’s also a corn maze, a straw bale maze, vintage farm equipment to check out and hay rides on the weekends. While there’s no petting zoo at Cottonwood Farms, you’re likely to spot some farm animals during your visit, including inquisitive goats romping around on their play structures.
Admission is $8; wagon rides are $5 per person; children 5 and under and seniors 65 and over get free admission and wagon rides. 10600 Isabelle Road, Lafayette, CO 80026
Maize in the City in Thornton
When: Runs through Oct. 31 on select days. Hours vary; check the schedule here.
In addition to picking a pumpkin from the field, you can launch ears of corn from a corn-launcher at this pumpkin patch that’s set in a corn field. (Two dollars gets you three ears of corn to chuck). Kids will love playing around in a big ol’ box of corn kernels. Maize in the City also has escape rooms, a corn field maze and a mini maze for younger kids, barrel train rides, face painting and more fall fun. Admission to the site is free, and attraction prices vary, from free to around $14. 10451 McKay Road, Thornton, CO 80233
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns in Littleton
When: Runs select nights between Sept. 20 and Nov. 2. See the full calendar and buy tickets here.
A TikTok favorite, the Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns is back for a fourth year, bringing Halloween lovers out to gawk at more than 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins along a glowing trail. While there aren’t any pumpkins to pick, you’ll surely leave with plenty of carving inspiration.
The attraction also features themed displays, like a nautical seascape, pumpkin dinosaurs and a pirate ship. Fan favorites from previous years include a Harry Potter display, as well as paintings like Mona Lisa and Starry Night carved into gourds. The glowing Ferris wheel of pumpkins is also a must-see.
The display is at The Hudson Gardens, and tickets are required for entry at night. Prices start at $18.99 for kids and $23.99 for adults, and no tickets are required for children 2 and under. Some nights sell out, so get your tickets now. 6115 S. Santa Fe. Drive, Littleton, Colorado, 80120
Munson Farms
When: The pumpkin patch is open from mid-September to Oct. 31, then becomes a Christmas tree lot in December
Located just outside of Boulder, Munson Farms has fields of pumpkins. With mountains in the backdrop, it’s the perfect spot for a fall family photo. Bring your farmers market bag, because you’ll want to load up on sweet corn and other late-summer and fall veggies and squash.
The folks working the stand have plenty of ideas on how you can use your produce, and can offer tips for making seasonal soups (like adding apples to your butternut squash soup). There’s also a free corn maze this year. 7455 Valmont Road, Boulder, CO 80301
