When the leaves start to turn, the entire Front Range comes alive with a litany of fall festivals that will make even the grumpiest person want to don some flannel, order a pumpkin spice latte, and post some cute photos to Instagram featuring hay bales.
And even if that concept sounds a little extra, there are still a million things to do at the various pumpkin patches that litter the Front Range, be it getting lost in a corn maze, meeting some mini donkeys in a petting zoo, or drinking at a beer garden surrounded by golden leaves.
Here’s a list (sorted alphabetically) of the best pumpkin patches and fall festivals in Denver, Aurora, Erie, and beyond.
Anderson Farms
Erie
The quaint farm has long been considered one of the best pumpkin patches along the Front Range, and 2024 is no exception. In addition to the actual pumpkin patch, visitors can check out quintessential fall activities like a hay bale pull, grain barrel basketball, tire mountain and roller slides, a petting zoo, and pony rides. This spot is also home to 40 private campfire sites — the perfect place to make family memories on a crisp fall night.
Cottonwood Farms
Lafayette
This pumpkin patch located northwest of Denver has all the fun fall activities you could ask for. To start, visitors can borrow one of their old red wagons to haul around their pumpkins and winter squash. Afterward, families can check out the corn maze, the assortment of vintage farm equipment (what kid doesn’t love a good tractor?!), and visit the farm’s resident animals. Finally, on weekends, everyone can enjoy a hay ride. Admission is $5 ahead of time and $7 at the door, and children under five and seniors over 65 get in free.
Denver Metro Habitat for Humanity Pumpkin Patch
Lakewood & Arvada
You’ll probably be buying pumpkins no matter what this fall, so why not make sure that purchase supports a good cause? Plus, proceeds from the Denver Metro Habitat for Humanity Pumpkin Patch turn your jack-o-lanterns into homes for families in need. There are two locations: one at the Mile High Church in Lakewood and one at Community of Grace Church in Arvada. They are open daily through Halloween.
Fritzler Farm Park Fall Festival
LaSalle
Fritzler Farm is home to possibly the most famous corn maze in the state, and each fall, Coloradans eagerly watch to learn what it will look like from above. If that’s not reason enough to make the trek to La Salle, this pumpkin patch also has plenty of activities ranging from human foosball to slide mountain to pedal go-karts and more. Good news for parents: There’s also a beer garden. And, when it gets dark, this idyllic slice of fall becomes Scream Acres, one of Colorado’s best haunted houses.
Hankins Farms
Johnstown
For $16, you can buy your own giant pumpkin at this rustic farm about 45 minutes from Denver. That’s not the only thing to do at Hankins Farms, either. Play the “Farm Scene Investigation” or “Monster Mystery” games at the corn maze, or try your hand at the corn cannon zombie shoot. Parents can bring their own camp chairs and chill out at the hollow while their kids participate in a virtual cornucopia of fall activities. Tickets are $14 for everyone three and up — and they come with a free mini pumpkin!
Lone Creek Farms
Franktown
Sure, you can bring home a pumpkin at Lone Creek Farms (those are $6 to $10 apiece, for what it’s worth), but that’s not the only reason to make the trek down to Franktown this fall.
Thrillseekers will enjoy the giant slingshot, pedal carts, giant slides, small zip lines, and duck derby rides. People who enjoy activities named after animals will be super excited about the cow barrel train rides, table shark slide, and duck derby races. And everyone will dig the live shows every hour, corn maze and hay wagon rides.
Maize in the City
Thornton
This pumpkin patch just a few minutes north of Denver proper has everything a kid could ever want during the fall, from a 20-acre corn maze to a corn kernel box (it’s like a sandbox with corn kernels — obviously), a barrel train, duck races, and infinite photo ops for mom and dad. Beyond the activities, visitors have their choice of multiple different types of pumpkins, from the mini-variety to those bred specifically for the perfect jack-o-lantern. It’s free to enter maize in the city, but each activity comes with its own price, ranging from $0-$14.
Mazzotti Farms
Hudson
At Mazzotti Farms, visitors don’t just have the opportunity to bring home their own pumpkin; you can also build your very own full-sized scarecrow to really take your fall decorations to the next level. This pumpkin patch is also home to a 10-acre, scare-free corn fall, petting zoo, and fall and agriculture-themed games. Admission is $17 per person, and unlike other fall festivals, a pumpkin is included in that price.
Mile High Farms
Bennett
Set amid the backdrop of a quirky small town, this pumpkin patch just east of Denver has all the fall activities you can dream of. There are not one but two corn mazes encompassing 11 acres, as well as a petting zoo (because, of course), antique tractor hayride, barrel cart rides, corn pits, a playground, and more. Outside of pumpkins, visitors can also pick up corn stalk bundles and all the hay to build the ultimate home fall display.
Nick’s Fall Fest
Aurora
Nick’s Fall Fest is likely one of the closest pumpkin patches to Denver. And when the leaves start to turn, this garden center comes alive with a host of fall activities like games, rides, mazes, plenty of photo opportunities, an inflatable obstacle course and more.
The Patch
Kiowa
Everyone who visits The Patch leaves with some of the best fall photos you can ask for. That’s because, in addition to being a place where you can find your own pumpkin, there are a litany of Instagrammable activities ranging from a corn maze to corn cribs to jumping pillows. And then, there are the animals, many of which are tiny. Case in point? Visitors can meet Southdown Babydoll sheep, sweet mini donkeys, Nigerian dwarf goats, and mini Highland cows. General admission is $25 per day and kids two and under get in for free.
Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms
Littleton
You’ll have to pretty much reserve a whole day to see everything there is at Chatfield Farms, which doesn’t just include a 10-acre pumpkin patch — a patch that comes with a literal pumpkin daycare so you can make sure your fall find is safe while you explore the activities, by the way. Admission also includes entry to a corn maze, wagon rides, photo booths, a vintage tractor exhibit, face painting, balloon characters, and 20 carnival tickets for games and inflatable bouncers. Parents can enjoy local craft and artisan booths, food trucks, and, perhaps most importantly, beer and hard cider.
Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch
Longmont
This organic produce stand, which has been family-owned and operated since 1993, is coming alive in October. During the week, it’s a mellow pumpkin patch with activities for kids of all ages to enjoy, but during the weekend, it turns into a celebration of all things fall, with kiddie-rides, a petting zoo, face-painting, a food truck and of course, a patch where you can pick your very own pumpkin! No admission fees or reservations are required, but each activity is one to 10 tickets per person. Those tickets are $10 a pop and can be purchased on-site.
Spooky’s Pumpkin Patch
Fort Collins
This no-frills pumpkin patch an hour up Interstate 25 has everything you need for fall, from a wide variety of pumpkins to straw bales to gourds, squash, and more. These aren’t your average grocery store pumpkins either; the thicker skin on Spooky’s pumpkins means your jack-o-lanterns will have a much longer shelf-life amid Colorado’s notoriously unpredictable weather.
Trinity Acres Pumpkin Patch
Byers
Trinity Acres has fall activities for everybody, including wholesome ones like pumpkin picking and hayrides, as well as paintball target shooting and ax throwing for people who like a little more danger in their lives. Either way, visitors will work up an appetite, and that’s where Trinity Acres really delivers. Apple cider and pumpkin spice donuts are available by the dozen, and there’s also an assortment of hot and cold fall drinks.
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The Front Range offers a delightful array of fall festivals and pumpkin patches, each with its own unique attractions and activities. Whether you’re in the mood for navigating corn mazes, enjoying petting zoos, or simply picking the perfect pumpkin, there truly is something for everyone.
