Pumpkin patch visitors of all ages have a blast enjoying hay rides, corn mazes, duck races, pumpkin painting, and more. Here in the Carolinas, we’re fortunate to have our pick of pumpkin patches and several other seasonal farm-related events. Some of these farms have so much going on, you'll need a full day trip to experience everything.
If you find a great pumpkin patch, please let other readers know by sharing it and pictures in our Carolina Traveler Facebook group.
Charlotte Pumpkin Patches
These Charlotte-area pumpkin patches offer plenty of side activities to occupy every family member from busy toddler on up. Our 2023 picks are also convenient to Statesville, Mooresville, Salisbury and Concord.
Busy, busy, busy! Grab a wagon at the entrance and turn the kids loose in the pumpkin patch at Hodge's Farm outside Charlotte.
Hodge’s Family Farm
3900 Rocky River Rd. E., Charlotte, NC 28215
This Charlotte-area farm has been around for more than a century! Grab one of the wagons parked along the field on your way to the pumpkin patch and spend a few hours picking out the perfect pumpkins for your home decorations. Hodge's Family Farm is one of the largest in the region, with nearly 200 acres to its name.
Kids will love exploring not only the farm’s pumpkin patch but the “hay mountain” specially designed for children to jump in. The obligatory autumn hayride is also made possible here. There are even plenty of barnyard animals to entertain the animal lovers in your family. Bring some extra cash for parking and purchasing some treats. The pumpkin patch is open from September 23 to October 31.
Patterson Farm
10390 Caldwell Road, Mount Ulla, NC 28125
For visitors that hope to spend a full day at the pumpkin patch, plan a weekend to stop by Patterson Farm and attend their annual Weekend Fall Fun on the Farm event. Another patch that’s close to Charlotte, Patterson Farm offers plenty to do for visitors of all ages. The youngest members of your family are sure to make a beeline for the farm’s playground, while the older ones may want to try their luck at the corn maze.
Patterson Farm also offers a cow barrel train ride in addition to their standard pumpkin patch access. A $16.99 (online) or $19.99 (at the gate) ticket lets you take part in these activities (plus 40 more!), though you’ll want to bring extra cash if you plan to purchase any pumpkins. Patterson Farm hours run 12-5 PM Monday through Friday and 9 AM to 5 PM Saturday and Sunday.
Carrigan Farms
1261 Oakridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville, NC 28115
Families that live near the Charlotte, NC area will want to drive a half hour north to Mooresville, home of Carrigan Farms. For the past 45 years or so, Carrigan Farms has opened their pumpkin patch to the public.
You’ll need to plan your trip in advance, as reservations are required. Don’t forget to bring enough cash to cover your $15 ticket and any goodies you decide to purchase (such as dinner from the on-site food truck), as cards aren’t accepted. Be prepared for photo opportunities, since you’ll want to stop by the farm petting zoo and take some adorable pictures. The patch is open for picking starting September 30.
Raleigh and Wilmington Pumpkin Patch
Prepare to be amazed at this pick – it's like a country fair (with duck races). Our top pick for a Wilmington and Raleigh pumpkin patch can be found between the two cities.
Noisy and comically chaotic, duck races on the weekends at Hubb's Farm will create lasting memories and keep your kids entertained.
Hubb’s Farm Fall Festival
10276 N, US-421, Clinton, NC 28328
How about a 15-acre corn maze?! Situated about 70 minutes from Raleigh and Wilmington, your day trip to Hubb’s Farm includes three mazes with increasing levels of difficulty and 4.5 acres of pumpkin patch. Hubb's fall season runs September 30 to November 4. 2023
Fall Weekend Day Passes are good for any Saturday or Sunday in 2023 for $21.95 each, while 2023 Fall Weekday Day Passes are $16.95 each, eligible for Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. Tickets must be purchased online (buy before you drive, as the farm is limiting attendance). Each option includes access to the maze, sunflower fields, farm animals, pumpkin patch, and other fun activities.
Oh gourdness! This Hubb's Farm display shows you several varieties of seasonal gourds grown at Carolina pumpkin patches.
Winston-Salem, Greensboro Pumpkin Patch
We found a great pumpkin patch for the Triad! Not far from Asheboro and Sanford, this pumpkin patch is convenient to Greensboro and the rest of the Triad. And it was the source of our featured image.
Was it Ol' MacDonald who said, “you haven't truly lived until you've been on a hayride?” Check this off your bucket list at many of our pumpkin patch picks. This one happens to be at Millstone Creek Farm near Greensboro.
Millstone Creek Orchards
506 Parks Crossroads Church Rd., Ramseur, NC 27316
Millstone Creek Orchards planted three large pumpkin patches with over a dozen different pumpkin and gourd varieties: white, green, orange, yellow, big, small, bumpy, curvy. Each ticket ($17.95 – make reservations online) includes an orchard hayride, pumpkin education, access to the patch, pumpkin seed tasting, $3 credit on your pumpkin purchase, a 4-oz apple cider slushie, and a cider pressing demonstration. Pro-tip: Look for apple cider donuts here!
The Pumpkin Pickin' Adventure runs September 30 and every Saturday and Sunday in October. The farm has additional events planned throughout pumpkin season, including axe throwing on October 14, a barn quilt class on October 21-22, and a Spooktacular Orchard Halloween Party October 28-29! See their website for more events.
Charleston Pumpkin Patch
This pumpkin patch near Charleston makes for a fun weekend day trip. Your kids will enjoy the unique activities offered at this farm.
Introduce the kids to farm life on your next pumpkin patch visit. These friendly bovine can be found at the Legare Farms pumpkin patch. (Editor's note: share your best cow-halloween jokes on our Facebook group page. We'll dig something out of the prize closet for our favorite joke!)
Legare Farms Pumpkin Patch
2620 Hanscombe Pt. Rd., Johns Island, SC 29455
Legare Farms boasts over three hundred years of crops on its farms, making it a natural destination for fans of harvest season. Their pumpkin patch is open to the public only during the weekends in October, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly. Gate admission is $5 per car or free with this downloadable coupon.
Kids are guaranteed to want to bring home a scarecrow-making kit ($12) or to get in line for a ride on one of the horses ($5). Have little ones that aren’t ready for a horse ride? Sign them up for a hayride ($4) where they can feed the cows. It's only $1 to shoot from the epic “corn cannon” and Legare Farms also has a gem mine where visitors can pan for treasure for $10 per bucket.
Columbia Pumpkin Patch
Our pick for a pumpkin patch near Columbia is one of the most affordable options in the bunch. This farm also offers many other activities (separate tickets) for day trip adventurers.
The Clinton Sease Farm near Columbia offers one of the more affordable pumpkin patch experiences. They offer other activities, of course, and those tickets can be purchased separately.
Clinton Sease Farm
382 Olde Farm Rd., Lexington, SC 29072
For families looking for the opportunity to not only pick up a few pumpkins but to bring home some delicious pumpkin pie, Clinton Sease Farm is likely what you’ve been looking for. Clinton Sease Farm operates a pumpkin patch near Columbia, SC. Admission to the patch is just $3 per person (kids under two get in for free).
If you want to add a couple more activities to your evening, buy a $16 (online) corn maze ticket. This ticket gives visitors access to multiple corn mazes, unlimited hayrides, and free reign of the pumpkin patch.
Depending on the day you visit, you might make it in time to join a giant bubble-making session or a double-Dutch jump rope demonstration. If you plan on staying after dark, be sure to bring a flashlight with you, as it’s required to participate in the corn maze. The pumpkin patch is open September 22 through October 29.
Greenville Pumpkin Patch
Just down the road from Greenville-Spartanburg is a pumpkin patch that has earned national notoriety. Located on a 900-acre farm, you'll find plenty of distractions on your day trip here.
Sweet smiles from a Pumpkin Princess at Denver Downs, near Greenville, SC.
Denver Downs Farms
1515 Denver Rd., Anderson, SC 29625
Want a pumpkin that’s a bit out of the ordinary? Visit Denver Downs Farms for varieties that aren’t typically found at other locations. They sell large types like Big Moose or Atlantic Giant pumpkins. If orange isn’t your favorite color, you can also peruse their assortment of multicolored ones like the World of Color variety or go for a ghoulishly pale one from their Full Moon pumpkin selection.
The farm also holds an annual “Pumpkin Princess Pageant” event for children, awarding prizes like crowns and goodie bags. Additionally, artists can show off their skills through pumpkin painting. Visit the pumpkin patch on select dates September 21 through November 12.
