One of the highlights of the fall season in Arizona is the opportunity to visit a pumpkin patch, and it’s a whole lot more fun than just picking up a few pumpkins at the supermarket. Not only will you find a much greater variety of all shapes and sizes, but most include all sorts of other activities and attractions. Arizona hosts plenty of them, many complete with old-fashioned hayrides, petting zoos, mazes, food and drink, games and more.
MacDonald's Ranch, Scottsdale
MacDonald’s Ranch has been a family favorite for many seasons. Open the entire month of October except for Tuesdays; it’s conveniently located in Scottsdale for North Valley residents but also worth traveling for. It’s not a tractor that pulls guests out to the pumpkin patch to discover that perfect pumpkin, but a real western hayride pulled by mules or horses. Kids of all ages enjoy the petting zoo, where they can cuddle up to miniature ponies, sheep, goats, pigs, miniature donkeys, and more. There’s also a hay maze to get lost in, face painting, gold panning at the gem mine where you can keep what you find, and a variety of games. Join the duck races, let the kids zoom around the dirt track in the pedal cars, and play Conk the Cow, Cow Milking, Deluxe Jenga and more. There’s even an Old West town filled with antiques, along with plenty of food and drink offered by Blazin’ Barbeque.
Dates: September 30th – October 29th, 2023
Official Website
Mortimer Farms, Dewey
Mortimer Farms is in Dewey, about 90 minutes from Phoenix. It makes a fun day trip with the fall event centered around a 15-acre pumpkin patch and a 15-acre corn maze. The list of activities is practically endless, and you can even enjoy live entertainment too. Just some of what’s on offer include a variety circus and illusion show, pig races, dog races, an obstacle course, gem mining, two zip lines, nine slides, corn hole games and hayride tours. Get up close to animals like sheep, goats, chickens and Pedro the donkey, and enjoy live entertainment in the evening, too. There’s a Friday Night Barn Dance, Dinner at the Barn, Magic at Night, and Fire Dancers, as well as a variety of food and drink at the Country Store, the Farm Kitchen and more, as well as multiple craft vendors.
Dates: September 29th – October 29th, 2023
Official Website
Marana Pumpkin Patch, Tucson
The Marana Pumpkin Patch in Tucson offers lots for southern Arizona residents and beyond. It features a 50-acre pumpkin patch that practically guarantees the perfect pumpkin for everyone, as well as a wagon ride that brings guests out to the patch. There are tractor train rides, corn mazes, a petting zoo, pig races, unlimited time on the jumping pillow, access to Straw Mountain and the Kids Zone, and more. All that is included in one admission price, but you can enjoy extras too, like shooting a pumpkin out of the cannon, a zip line and pony rides.
Dates: October 7th – October 29th, 2023
Official Website
Schnepf Farms, Queen Creek
Schnepf Farms’ Pumpkin and Chili Party has been named the very best fall family event in the valley (Phoenix metro area) by Sunset magazine, Phoenix magazine, New Times and countless others. It offers the most activities for the price when it comes to pumpkin patches in this state. You’ll not only be able to bring home great pumpkins, but you can roast marshmallows, whiz across a zip line, navigate a corn maze, enjoy entertaining shows, ride a roller coaster and other carnival-type amusements, play miniature golf, navigate a corn maze, watch pig races as well as an extreme canine show, BMX show and a spectacular fireworks display, among an endless list of other options. Of course, there is plenty of food and drink too, including chili.
Dates: Every Thursday-Sunday in October beginning October 1st, 2023
Official Website
Vertuccio Farms, Mesa
The Vertuccio Farms in Mesa offers the chance to enjoy the country life right in the city. It includes a pumpkin patch as well as a corn maze, miniature golf, mule-pulled wagon rides, a mini-zip line, a barrel train ride, a giant tube slide, a spider web climb, duck races, pumpkin bowling, animals and more. In addition to pumpkins, you can buy corn stalks and hay bales that can be a fun part of autumn decor. Fair-style foods, fresh-popped kettle corn and pizza will be available to indulge in as well.
Dates: September 29th – October 29th, 2023
Official Website
Tolmachoff Farms, Glendale
This four-generation family-run farm in the West Valley farm is another fun spot to enjoy in the fall. It includes a pumpkin patch as well as a haunted corn maze, a themed family-friendly corn maze, a mini-corn maze for the little ones, a petting zoo, a unique tomato cannon, a bounce house, and option train rides. Plus, there will be plenty of food vendors to fuel all those activities, too.
Dates: October 4th – October 29th, 2023
Official Website
