Your guide to visiting pumpkin patches in Northern Colorado

Reporting by Abigail Flores-Johnson, Fort Collins Coloradoan

Pumpkin patch season is here, and for many families, that means piling into the car and heading to the farm.

Whether you’re looking for an affordable pumpkin, a challenging corn maze or a full day of family-friendly activities, Northern Colorado has plenty of farms ready to welcome visitors this fall.

To help you plan your next outing, we’ve rounded up eight pumpkin patches in Northern Colorado and highlighted what each one has to offer.

Eight of the best pumpkin patches in Northern Colorado

Miller Farms

Where: 13912 County Road 19, Platteville

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

If your idea of a pumpkin-patch visit involves getting your hands dirty, Miller Farms is already open for the season. Guests can climb aboard a hayride, head into the fields and harvest their own vegetables along the way.

Activities and attractions

Pumpkin patch
Corn maze
Hayrides to the fields
U-pick vegetables, including potatoes, onions, carrots and other seasonal produce
Kids play areas
Antique tractors
Hay pyramid
Dirt hills
Antique Alley

Admission

Free farm admission
Hayride only: $18 per adult; $10 for children ages 4-10
Harvest ride (hayride, one bag of vegetables and a pumpkin when available): $28 per adult; $18 for children ages 4-10
Hayride and four bags of vegetables: $40

Concessions

Snacks and beverages
Chile roasting
Fresh produce stand

Highlights: A hands-on harvest experience with hayrides and opportunities to pick pumpkins and vegetables straight from the field.

The Bartels Pumpkin Patch

Where: 3424 E. Douglas Road, Fort Collins

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Sept. 19 to Oct. 31

The Bartels Farm kicks off its pumpkin-patch season Sept. 19 with plenty of fall fun for families. Visitors can pick pumpkins, gather vegetables from the farm’s U-pick fields and enjoy a variety of classic fall activities.

pumpkin patches in Northern Colorado — Colorful pumpkins and squash sit on a cart at Bartels Farm in Fort Collins, Colo., on Sept. 21, ready for fall visitors. (Abigail Flores-Johnson/The Coloradoan via Reuters Connect)

Activities and attractions

Pumpkins start at 50 cents
U-pick vegetables, including tomatoes, green beans and corn
Corn maze: $5 per person, $20 per family (five or more)
Hayrides: $2 per person (free for children 1 and younger)

Concessions

Snacks and beverages
Baked goods
Hot dogs and hamburgers
Popcorn
Cotton candy on weekends

Highlights: Affordable pumpkins, U-pick produce and a family-friendly corn maze.

Fritzler Farm Park

Where: 20861 County Road 33, LaSalle

Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays; 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays, Sept. 19 through Nov. 1. Additional Thursday hours (5 to 9 p.m.) begin Oct. 1.

Picking out a pumpkin is only the beginning at Fritzler Farm. With a packed schedule of events and a long list of attractions, a quick visit can easily become an afternoon-long adventure.

Activities and attractions

You-pick pumpkin patch
Pumpkin house
Giant corn maze
Pedal go-karts
Grain Train
Pumpkin cannons
Orbeez shooting gallery
Petting zoo
Corn flyer
Slide mountain
Ball zone
Yard games
Roller bowlers
Tetherball
Bubble zone
Putt-putt
Face painting
Human foosball

Special events

Oktoberfest: Sept. 26
Fireworks on the Farm: Sept. 26 and Oct. 2-3
Hometown Heroes Weekend: Oct. 3-4

Scream Acres

Separately ticketed haunted attraction
Open select nights Sept. 25 through Oct. 31

Concessions

Festival food
Beer garden (21+)

Highlights: One of the region’s largest fall destinations, with dozens of attractions, seasonal events and a haunted attraction.

Spooky’s Pumpkin Patch

Where: 4305 E. Harmony Road, Fort Collins

Hours: 2 to 8 p.m. daily, Sept. 25 through Oct. 31

If your front porch gets an autumn makeover every year, Spooky’s Pumpkin Patch is worth a stop. Opening Sept. 25, the patch offers pumpkins, gourds, squash and other seasonal favorites for decorating, carving and celebrating fall.

Activities and attractions

Pumpkin patch
Pumpkins in a variety of sizes
Pumpkin-carving kits and supplies
Pie pumpkins

Other fall goods

Gourds
Squash
Mini pumpkins
Corn stalks
Straw bales

Highlights: A wide selection of pumpkins, gourds and fall decor, plus carving kits and supplies for Halloween season.

Something From the Farm

Where: 8020 S. Timberline Road, Fort Collins

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 through Oct. 31 (weather permitting)

Come on down to Something From the Farm, a family-run pumpkin patch focused on giving visitors a fun fall experience. Owner Jon Dory said pumpkin-patch season begins Sept. 25.

Activities and attractions

Pumpkin patch
Hayrides: $5 per person; children 3 and younger are free
Bale Maze: $5 per person; children 3 and younger are free
Pumpkin Trebuchet: $10/throw

Highlights: Hayrides, a bale maze and a pumpkin trebuchet make this a fun stop for families looking to add a little adventure to their pumpkin-patch visit.

Osborn Farm

Where: 1230 S. Boise Ave., Loveland

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily beginning Sept. 26 (weather and crop conditions permitting)

From pumpkins and gourds to hayrides and a petting zoo, Osborn Farm offers the kind of classic pumpkin-patch experience many families look forward to each fall. Visitors can stop by beginning Sept. 26.

Activities and attractions

Pumpkin patch
Pumpkins: 60 cents per pound
Gourds and mini pumpkins: 60 cents to $7
Hayrides and barrel trains: $3 per rider (weekends only)
Petting zoo: $2 per child (cash only; weekends only)

Other farm goods

Mums: $22 to $27
Corn stalk bundles: $10
Straw bales: $10 each
Heirloom corn: $5 each
Farm honey: $20 each

Highlights: Free admission, free parking, affordable pumpkins and a classic pumpkin-patch experience complete with hayrides and a petting zoo.

Pumpkin Pickin’ Paradise

Where: Colorado 257 and Weld County Road 52, Milliken

Hours: 1 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Open Oct. 1-31.

If your fall shopping list includes pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks and straw bales, Pumpkin Pickin’ Paradise has plenty to browse. Visitors can shop for seasonal decorations, explore Halloween-themed activities and pick up a few treats while getting into the spirit of the season.

Activities and attractions

Haunted shack
Haunted maze
Outdoor maze
Family-friendly Halloween activities
Photo opportunities

Admission

$5 per person
Admission includes a token equal in value to the ticket price that can be applied toward produce purchases
Ages 2 and younger admitted free
Military and first responder discounts available

Fall goods

Pumpkins
Gourds
Squash
Decorative corn
Corn stalks
Straw bales

Shopping

Halloween decorations
Pumpkin-carving kits and supplies
Costumes
Books
Homemade pickles
Cotton candy

Highlights: A large selection of pumpkins and seasonal decor, plus Halloween-themed activities and a unique admission credit that can be applied toward purchases.

Hankins Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

Where: 26745 Weld County Road 17, Johnstown

Hours: 3 to 6 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 2-30; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 3-31; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 4 through Nov. 1

If a corn maze is at the top of your fall bucket list, Hankins Farms has plenty to keep visitors busy. Along with a pumpkin patch, the Johnstown farm offers two corn mazes, interactive games and activities included with admission.

Activities and attractions