5 Best Pumpkin Patches Near the Twin Cities for Fall Family Fun

There are certain things you just have to do at least once during fall in Minnesota.

Drive around looking at fall colors.

Eat an unreasonable number of apple cider donuts.

Pull out your favorite sweatshirt the second the temperature drops below 70.

And, of course, visit a pumpkin patch.

Luckily, if you live around Minneapolis or St. Paul, you don’t have to drive very far to find one.

The Twin Cities area has everything from traditional pick-your-own pumpkin fields to enormous fall festivals with corn mazes, hayrides, farm animals, giant slides, food and enough activities to keep your family busy for an entire afternoon.

Whether you’re looking for a quick trip to pick out pumpkins or want to turn it into a full Minnesota fall adventure, here are five pumpkin patches near the Twin Cities worth checking out this year.

1. Dehn’s Pumpkin Patch — Dayton

If you want the classic pumpkin patch experience with plenty of activities for kids, Dehn’s Pumpkin Patch in Dayton is a great place to start.

Dehn’s is a family-run farm northwest of Minneapolis with a huge selection of pumpkins and plenty of fall activities.

For 2026, the farm’s fall season begins September 19 and continues through Halloween.

What Can You Do at Dehn’s?

There’s much more happening here than simply picking out a pumpkin.

Activities include:

Pick-your-own pumpkins
Corn maze
Huge corn pit
Scenic hayrides
Train rides
Inflatable slide
Pumpkin jumpers
Gunny sack slide
Hay-bale climbing area
Air cannon
Gourd slinger
Seasonal food
Photo opportunities

The marketplace itself has free admission, so if you simply want pumpkins and fall decorations, you don’t necessarily have to purchase an attraction wristband.

You’ll find traditional pumpkins along with pie pumpkins, white pumpkins, specialty pumpkins, squash, gourds, corn stalk bundles and straw bales.

And yes, there are mini donuts and cheese curds.

Because apparently Minnesota has collectively decided no outdoor seasonal activity is complete without fried food.

I’m completely fine with this.

Try a Flashlight Farm Visit

One of the fun things about Dehn’s is that you don’t necessarily have to visit during the middle of the day.

They offer evening activities during portions of the fall season, which can make the farm feel completely different once the sun goes down.

It’s a fun option if your kids are older and don’t necessarily need the traditional little-kid pumpkin patch experience.

Why Visit Dehn’s?

I’d choose Dehn’s if you want a pumpkin-focused destination with plenty of entertainment but still want that traditional farm atmosphere.

Location: 17270 125th Ave. N., Dayton, MN

2. Pinehaven Farm — Wyoming

If your children believe a pumpkin patch should essentially be an amusement park with pumpkins, Pinehaven Farm is probably your place.

Pinehaven’s 2026 season begins September 12, and the farm is celebrating 30 years of fall family fun.

This is definitely one of the bigger fall destinations around the Twin Cities.

Pinehaven advertises more than 35 attractions, so plan on spending more than an hour here.

What Can You Do at Pinehaven Farm?

Activities vary, but the farm offers a huge collection of fall entertainment.

You may find:

Trolley rides
U-pick pumpkin field
Corn pit
Jumping attractions
Giant slides
Play areas
Farm animals
Seasonal games
Photo opportunities
Live entertainment on select days
Special events
Food and fall treats

One of the highlights is taking the trolley out to the U-pick pumpkin field.

For the 2026 season, pumpkins in the U-pick field are currently listed at $5 each, while pre-picked and specialty pumpkins are priced separately.

Don’t Miss the Candy Cannon

Yes.

Candy cannon.

On Saturdays and Sundays, Pinehaven currently schedules its Candy Cannon at 4 p.m., launching candy into a field for kids to collect.

I can already imagine the chaos.

And I’m pretty sure kids would consider this the greatest agricultural innovation of our time.

There Are Nighttime Attractions Too

Pinehaven is also home to separately ticketed nighttime seasonal attractions.

These aren’t included with regular daytime farm admission, so make sure you’re buying tickets for the experience you actually want.

Why Visit Pinehaven?

This is the pumpkin patch I’d pick if you want to make an entire day out of your visit.

There’s enough happening that kids can burn off plenty of energy while parents enjoy the fall atmosphere, food and photo opportunities.

Location: 28186 Kettle River Blvd. N., Wyoming, MN

3. Afton Apple Orchard — Hastings

We already talked about Afton Apple Orchard as one of the great apple orchards near the Twin Cities, but later in the season it becomes a fantastic pumpkin-picking destination too.

The pumpkin patch typically opens toward the end of September.

And because Afton is such a large property, you can easily turn your visit into a full fall outing.

What Can You Do at Afton Apple Orchard?

Depending on when you visit, fall activities can include:

Pick-your-own pumpkins
Hayrides
Apple picking
Petting farm
Large playground
Straw Mountain
Giant swing
Jump Pad
Seasonal food
Fall raspberries
Corn maze

And Afton’s corn maze isn’t exactly tiny.

It’s 15 acres.

The 2026 corn maze is scheduled to open September 19 and includes several additional maze experiences and corn-maze yard games.

Corn-maze admission is separate from regular orchard admission.

Pick Apples AND Pumpkins

If you time your visit correctly, Afton can be a great place to knock out two Minnesota fall traditions in one trip.

Pick apples.

Choose pumpkins.

Take a hayride.

Let the kids play.

Get something delicious to eat.

Then go home feeling like you have successfully completed fall.

Why Visit Afton?

I’d choose Afton if your family wants a combination of apple orchard, pumpkin patch and fall festival.

There’s enough to do for several hours without needing to drive to multiple destinations.

Location: 14421 90th St. S., Hastings, MN

4. Country Sun Farm — Lake Elmo

Country Sun Farm in Lake Elmo is a great east-metro choice and an especially easy addition to a fall weekend if you’re around Stillwater or Woodbury.

This one combines pumpkins with plenty of traditional farm activities.

What Can You Do at Country Sun Farm?

Fall attractions include things such as:

Pumpkins
Hayrides
Corn maze
Farm animals
Seasonal treats
Fall photo opportunities
Farm activities
Seasonal produce and decorations

Country Sun Farm is also a great choice if you don’t necessarily want to wander through acres of vines searching for the perfect pumpkin.

The farm offers plenty of pumpkins to choose from along with squash and fall décor.

Great for a Stillwater Fall Day

Because Country Sun Farm is in Lake Elmo, you could easily combine it with other east-metro fall activities.

Visit the farm in the morning.

Pick out pumpkins.

Then head toward Stillwater for lunch, shopping and a walk along the St. Croix River.

If the leaves are changing, you’ve basically created the ultimate Minnesota fall day.

Why Visit Country Sun Farm?

I’d choose Country Sun if you want a traditional family fall outing without necessarily committing your entire day to a giant fall festival.

You still get pumpkins, animals, a maze and hayrides, but the experience can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be.

Location: 11211 60th St. N., Lake Elmo, MN

5. Joyer Adventure Farm at Waldoch Farm — Lino Lakes

For another north-metro option, check out Joyer Adventure Farm at Waldoch Farm in Lino Lakes.

This is another destination where pumpkin picking is only one part of the experience.

The Adventure Farm is designed for families and combines farm activities, animals and seasonal attractions.

What Can You Do at Joyer Adventure Farm?

Fall activities can include:

Pumpkin patch
Scenic hayrides
Corn maze
Farm animals
Play areas
Seasonal farm activities
Food on fall weekends
Special fall events

One of the highlights is the hayride through the property to the pumpkin patch.

It’s especially pretty once Minnesota’s fall colors start appearing.

More Than a Pumpkin Patch

Waldoch Farm is a seasonal destination throughout the warmer months, with different activities tied to what’s growing.

By fall, the focus shifts toward the corn maze, pumpkins and classic autumn farm activities.

That makes this another good option when you want the kids to have something to do beyond simply choosing a pumpkin.

Why Visit Joyer Adventure Farm?

I’d choose this one for families in Minneapolis, St. Paul or the north metro who want an activity-filled fall outing without traveling far outside the metro.

Location: 8174 Lake Dr., Lino Lakes, MN

Which Twin Cities Pumpkin Patch Should You Choose?

They’re all a little different, so think about what kind of experience your family actually wants.

For traditional pumpkin picking plus lots of kid activities:
Try Dehn’s Pumpkin Patch.

For a huge fall festival experience:
Go to Pinehaven Farm.

For apples AND pumpkins:
Head to Afton Apple Orchard.

For an easy east-metro fall outing:
Visit Country Sun Farm.

For a north-metro adventure farm:
Try Joyer Adventure Farm at Waldoch Farm.

And there’s absolutely no rule saying you can only visit one.

September and October weekends are limited in Minnesota.

I see no reason we can’t spend several of them conducting important research into pumpkins, corn mazes and mini donuts.

What Should You Bring to a Pumpkin Patch?

Pumpkin patches are farms.

This seems obvious until you’re standing in a muddy field wearing shoes you really liked.

Before heading out, consider bringing:

Comfortable shoes or boots
Sweatshirt or light jacket
Water
Sunscreen
Baby wipes or hand wipes
Portable phone charger
Reusable bag
Wagon if the farm allows one
Extra clothes for younger kids

And check the weather.

A beautiful 65-degree October afternoon and a windy 42-degree Minnesota afternoon are two very different pumpkin-picking experiences.

When Is the Best Time to Visit a Minnesota Pumpkin Patch?

Most Twin Cities pumpkin patches really get going from mid-September through October.

If you want the biggest selection of pumpkins, don’t necessarily wait until October 30.

If you want cooler temperatures and maximum Halloween atmosphere, October is hard to beat.

Weekends tend to have the most activities—but also the biggest crowds.

If your schedule allows, visiting earlier in the day or on a weekday can make for a much calmer experience.

Always check the farm’s current website or social media before leaving home.

Pumpkin availability, hours, attractions and weather-related closures can change throughout the season.

Make a Minnesota Fall Day Out of It

The pumpkin itself is almost beside the point.

Sure, you need one for the front porch.

Maybe you’ll carve it.

Maybe you’ll paint it.

Maybe you’ll confidently announce that you’re going to roast the seeds this year and then discover the pumpkin still sitting uncarved on November 3.

It happens.

What makes a pumpkin patch fun is everything surrounding it.

The hayride.

The corn maze.

The ridiculous family pictures.

The warm cider.

The mini donuts.

Watching your kid inspect 83 nearly identical pumpkins before finally announcing:

“THIS ONE.”

Those are the things that turn a simple trip to buy a pumpkin into a family tradition.

And fall in Minnesota is far too short not to squeeze in as many of those traditions as we possibly can.