Fall is a magical time in Salem, Oregon, where the crisp air and beautiful autumn colors signal the start of harvest season. If you’re ready to embrace all things fall, there’s no better way to celebrate than by visiting a local harvest festival or pumpkin patch! If you’re looking for family-friendly activities, the perfect pumpkin, or just a fun weekend outing, here are five local pumpkin patches you won’t want to miss.
Bauman’s Farm and Garden
Located in Gervais, Bauman’s Farm and Garden is a favorite for fall activities. Their Harvest Festival features everything from a giant pumpkin patch and hayrides to a corn maze, dark hay maze, apple cannon, and petting zoo. Don’t forget to enjoy their fresh apple cider and apple cider donuts! With such a long list of activities, you won’t know where to start the fun. Bauman’s Harvest Festival runs from September 21st – October 30, 2024.
Fordyce Farm
Fordyce Farm in Salem offers a classic fall experience with a variety of seasonal activities for the whole family! Guests can dive into activities like the hay fort, indoor hay maze, corn maze, and playground. Go pick out the perfect pumpkin in their pumpkin patch, or find the best U-Pick apples in the orchard.
Weekends bring additional excitement with features like the Corn Cannon, Hay Rides, a variety of food trucks, and the Haunted Corn Maze on Friday and Saturday nights. To top off the experience, Fordyce Farms offers a selection of fall decor, fresh bakery items, milkshakes, ice cream, apple cider, fresh produce, cider donuts, and more items in their gift shop. Fall Fest officially starts October 6th!
E.Z. Orchards
E.Z. Orchards is a local go-to for fall celebrations in Salem! Their HarvestFest includes a pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn maze, and adorable farm animals in the petting zoo. On the weekends, they’ll have live music and horse rides. The orchard is well-known for their delicious apple cider and seasonal donuts (if you can’t pick between the pumpkin or apple cider donuts, get both) and you can also shop in the Market for fresh produce, gourmet foods, and other artisan goods.
French Prairie Gardens
French Prairie Gardens in St. Paul transforms into a fall wonderland every October. Their pumpkin patch spans over 12 acres and features more than 20 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds. The farm’s fall festival is packed with over 15 family-friendly activities, including their iconic Pigtucky Derby Pig Races. Other popular attractions include the Double Super Mega Ride n’ Slide, a giant corn maze (with games inside), and tractor wagon rides. French Prairie Gardens’ Pumpkin Patch Festival runs from October 5th – 27th.
Heiser Farms
Heiser Farms, located in Dayton, is known for their iconic red barn and scenic location along the Willamette River. Their U-pick pumpkin patch (open weekdays and weekends) is filled with all kinds of pumpkins that are perfect for decorating or carving. On the weekends, enjoy hayrides, fire engine rides, live music, a corn maze, pumpkin cannons, and train rides. They’re also hosting a Pumpkin Cannon Demolition Derby October 12th and 13th! Festivities begin September 28th and will take place every weekend in October.
Will you find your perfect pumpkin? Are you competing with your family for best corn maze completion time? Are you just in it for the apple cider donuts? If the answer is yes to any of the above, you’ll find what you’re looking for at these local pumpkin patches and harvest festivals near Salem, Oregon. 🍂
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