Picking your own pumpkins for Halloween decorations and cooking is an October tradition just about everywhere in the United States. Arizona is no different, and there are several places you can go to enjoy picking your pumpkins from a pumpkin patch.
Pumpkin Patches
Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party
24810 Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek
At the Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party, activities include Hay rides, miniature golf, 4 acre and 10 acre "Celebrity" maize, country road rally, honeybee adventure, carousel rides, petting barn, Hillbilly Bob's Pig Races, Swinging Lady Bugz ride, Flying Farmers ride, Pumpkin Launch, Witch Mountain, Peachtree Express roller coaster, SRP Earthwise energy Maze, rock climbing wall, golden goat bridge, "live" entertainment on two stages (last two weekends), bon fires & marshmallow roasting (6:30 p.m.), lil' farmers play yard, inflatable bounce, Friday and Saturday night outdoor Movie Feature (bring blankets and chairs) begins at 8:30 p.m., Rocket's K-9 Comets Frisbee Dog Stars. Fireworks Friday and Saturday nights, weather permitting. Some rides and features have additional charges. $14, 2 years old and under free. Seniors and Queen Creek residents 1/2 price Thursdays (must show proof). There are extra charges for pumpkins, train ride and food/beverage. Check at Fry's for discounted tickets.
In 2009: Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October
See 6 photos of October festivities at Schnepf Farms!
Brooke’s Pumpkin Patch at Mother Nature’s Farm
1663 E. Baseline Rd., Gilbert
Pumpkin Patch is stocked with fresh pumpkins daily, ranging from 1 ounce to 500 pounds. Pumpkin weigh-off October 3, 2009 at 9 a.m. $7 per child includes an OZ pumpkin, decorating the pumpkin, air bounce, hayride, straw bounce, feeding the animals and Alexander’s Adventure Maze. Adults are $3 to tag along and ride the hayride. Bring a picnic lunch or buy snacks.
In 2009: October 1 - November 6
See 6 photos of October festivities at Mother Nature's Farm!
Tolmachoff Farms
5726 N. 75th Avenue
Glendale, Arizona
From the web site: "Great big pumpkin patch, 6 acre family corn maze with a crowing rooster theme (search for pieces of your map as you walk through), haunted corn maze (dare to enter), mini corn maze (perfect for little ones), petting zoo, train ride, hay pyramid, farm theme activities (corn grinder-grind corn to feed chickens), play area (duck race, corn box, adult/child pedal cart track) and much more." Admission includes family and mini maze, petting zoo, play areas, bounce house (bounce house on weekends only). General admission $7 per person ages 2 & up. Pumpkins: price varies; train ride: $2 (weekends only).
In 2009: Every day in October through November 22 except Mondays in November
See 9 photos of October festivities at Tolmachoff Farms!
The Great Pumpkin Festival
Desert Botanical Garden
Papago Park, Phoenix
Take a hayride out to the Garden’s pumpkin patch, where children 12 and under can choose their own free pumpkin. Get lost in the Amazing Hay Bale Maze, visit with friendly animals in the petting zoo, enjoy lively country-western entertainment. Free pumpkins for children 12 and under. Activities and hayride included with Garden admission.
In 2009: October 22 - October 25
See 3 photos of the Desert Botanical Garden Pumpkin Festival!
MacDonald’s Ranch Pumpkin Patch
26540 N Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
Petting zoo, hay maze, sack racing, a gem mine, western golf game and two horseshoe pits.
Horse or Mule drawn Hay ride to and from our pumpkin patch. See the little pig Charlotte and her son Jimmy Dean, the miniature pony Chocolate, the goats Shrek, Fiona and Baby Friday, the miniature donkeys Pete and Repeat and all of the other critters. Pony rides available. 6$ entrance fee per person, and 6$ per pumpkin. You may bring your own sack lunch.
In 2009: October 3 - 31 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
See 4 photos of MacDonald’s Ranch!
Take a Day Trip to Pick Your Pumpkin
These pumpkin patches and fall harvest festivals take place at real farms that are outside Greater Phoenix, but might make a great day trip for the family. They are probably between two and three hours away, depending on where you live and how fast you drive!
Apple Annie’s Produce & Pumpkins
6405 W. Williams Rd.
Willcox, AZ 85643
Old-fashioned family fun picking your own pumpkins, fall vegetables and apples. Pumpkins of all sizes, shapes and colors will be available for picking in the pumpkin patch. $3/person fee includes hayride to the pumpkin patch and children's play area; children 2 and under are free. We-pick pumpkins available. The Corn Maze has 3 levels of difficulty. "All-You-Can-Eat" pancake breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or the Apple Smoked Burger lunch served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your camera and a jacket, as fall days can be quite cool in Willcox.
In 2009: September 26-27, October 3-4, October 10-11, October 17-18, October 24-25, October 31
Agua Linda Farm
Amado, Arizona
Pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, pony rides, farm raised burgers, you-pick vegetables, Farm Store, homemade pumpkin pie, hay bale maze, live music and movie nights by the pumpkin patch. $7 per car admission includes hayrides, petting zoo and maze. No additional charge on movie nights Oct. 16, 23 & 30. Free admission opening weekend only Oct. 3 & 4.
In 2009: Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31. Some Friday evenings, too.
Freeman Farms Pumpkin Festival
1096 E. Road 3 South
Chino Valley, Arizona
Farm fresh pumpkins off the vine! Enjoy the scenery of a working farm. See Mammoth Donkeys and enjoy the animals in the petting zoo. Hay Ride; Mini-Corn Maze; Horse Presentations. Activities have a charge. There is no admission charge to purchase pumpkins or produce located at the check out stand.
In 2009: Open September 26th & 27th and every Friday, Saturday & Sunday in October from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All dates, times, prices and offerings are subject to change without notice.
