There are a few local pumpkin patch lists, but I frequently find myself Googling back and forth because I’m not familiar where the little towns are in relation to Des Moines. There is also one patch that comes highly recommended in local parenting groups but doesn’t seem to get much press – check out #10 and let me know if you’ve been!
I had a friend suggest two more to add to the list, so now there’s 13, wahoo.
Click through to each site’s DSMOF page for specific details, photos if they’re available, and a link to their official website. Scroll to the bottom for the interactive map.
Pumpkin Patch List
1. Center Grove Orchard and Pumpkin Patch – Cambridge, Iowa
Very busy with tons of activities for kids and a large shop with products and food available. Traditional pumpkin patch and picked pumpkins for sale. You pay one admission price to enter and access all the activities; you can pick pumpkins without paying admission but won’t have access to farmyard activities.
2. Geisler Farms- Bondurant, Iowa
A nice mix of quiet, open space and activity variety, they have a unique huge farm slide. You pay one admission price to enter and access all the activities. Hayrack rides are wheelchair accessible. Pumpkins are prepicked and in a field.
3. Howell’s Pumpkin Patch – Cumming, Iowa
Wide variety of activities; you pay an admission fee and then the pony rides and corn cannon cost more. Hayrack rides are wheelchair accessible. There is a shop on site with seasonal decor and gifts.
4. Iowa Orchard Store/Fun Zone – Urbandale, Iowa
A smaller site more well known for its apples and baked goods; there are a few activities for kids and prepicked pumpkins available for purchase.
5. Jester Park Equestrian Center Pumpkin Patch – Granger, Iowa
A new pumpkin option this year, you take a horse drawn wagon out to the patch and activities. Pay one admission price and then the pumpkin and other games are all included. (there is a current Groupon, making this much more affordable, use my affiliate link to check it out!)
6. North River Adventures – Carlisle, Iowa
Known best for their large corn maze, they have a few other activities and prepicked pumpkins available for purchase. Pay for admission to the corn maze/jumping pillow but just pay for pumpkins by the pound.
7. Pumpkinville – Mitchellville, iowa
Unique “straw jump” with other activities available. You pay for admission to the corn maze; other farm yard activities are free and then you pay for your pumpkins. In 2016, you are purchasing pumpkins and not cutting them out of the patch.
8. The Pumpkin Ranch – Winterset, Iowa
Pay one admission price for lots of activities, with a special toddler-only play area in addition to many of the usual pumpkin patch suspects.
9. Upstream Gardens & Orchard – Altoona, Iowa
Small operation with a very relaxed vibe, there are pumpkins to pick and fields to see without other activities. You only pay for the pumpkins you pick.
10. Williamson’s Our Paradise Pumpkin Patch – Ankeny, Iowa
They have free admission with lots of free activities and a few activities to pay separately for (pumpkin cannon, corn maze, and pumpkin train).
11. Wills Orchard and Pumpkin Patch – Adel, Iowa
Free admission with farm animals to check out and bag sets to play, there is a relaxed vibe without huge crowds. Pay for the small kid’s activity area, corn maze, and/or hayrack ride and stop by the shop for fresh doughnuts and other produce.
12. Frey Farms Pumpkin Patch- Madrid, Iowa
A simple pumpkin patch; as far as I can tell, there is no admission price and you pay for your pumpkins.
13. TimberPine PumpkinFest – Earlham, Iowa
TimberPine PumpkinFest is a weekend pumpkin festival held at the TimberPine nursery; they have a few activities including a bounce house in addition to the pumpkin patch. Pay one admission price for entrance.
Pumpkin Patch Map
Use the map below to see what else is nearby! Use the tab in the top lefthand corner to toggle and only view the seasonal places to pick fruit/vegetables. Add back the other places and make a whole day of it – go to the pumpkin patch in the morning and check out a nearby hiking spot for the afternoon!