Here Are the 6 Absolute Best Pumpkin Patches in Iowa to Enjoy in 2025

Fall in Iowa means many things, but we have one favorite: pumpkin picking! I always look forward to walking the fields and finding that perfect pumpkin, whether I'm looking for a delicate paint job or a carved jack-o-lantern. And of course, the perfect pumpkin-picking trip probably includes some smaller pumpkins for pumpkin pie.

The best local pumpkin patches in Iowa are just as varied as these massive gourds—some are located on small, humble, family-owned farms. Others are located on sprawling rural retreats packed with fall activities. One can only be reached by boarding Iowa's most famous train. There's only one thing they all have in common—a trip to any of these pumpkin patches in Iowa is the perfect way to get in the fall spirit.

1. Bloomsbury Farm - Atkins

Bloomsbury Farm typically runs its iconic fall festival from late September through the end of October, Friday to Sunday. This year, the festivities run through October 26, 2025, and you can also attend Pumpkin Destruction Fest on November 1, 2025. You can expect great food, family-friendly games, a ten-acre corn maze, and a sprawling 18-acre you-pick pumpkin patch. That's during the day—at night this whole farm turns into a massive haunted attraction. It's one of the best farms to visit during fall in Iowa.

2. Pumpkin Express Train - Boone

The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad is one of Iowa's top attractions, holding specialty rides throughout the year for Christmas and Easter - and its fan-favorite fall event is right around the corner. The Pumpkin Express runs the first, second, and third Saturdays in October and features all the amazing scenic views you've come to expect from the train and a visit to a perfectly kid-sized pumpkin patch maintained by the railroad.

3. Howell's Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch - Cumming

Howell's Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch is open for the 2025 season and will stay open for fall fun until November 1, 2025. This pumpkin patch features a large selection of pumpkins grown on-site. But that's just the start of the fun here. You can expect to find kid-friendly activities, a snack bar featuring farm-fresh treats, a greenhouse filled with beautiful specimens, and the farm's friendly goats looking to get into some mischief. It's one of the best pumpkin patches in Iowa.

4. Pumpkinville - Mitchellville

Pumpkinville Farm tells you exactly what this attraction is all about right in its name, and the farm has an amazing selection of large and mid-sized pumpkins, plus some gorgeous decorative gourds. This rural haven also features a large corn maze and a mini version for the kids. This is an old-fashioned place, and it still does all the fall classics right. This year's fall festivities take place throughout the month of October.

5. Harvestville Farm - Donnellson

The festive fall season has kicked off at Harvestville Farm, and the farm will be open seven days a week through October 31, 2025; however, only the retail barn is open from October 28 through October 31. That includes the beloved farm market and cafe, along with a sprawling pumpkin patch filled with classic orange pumpkins and gourds. How big is this pumpkin patch? Try 35 acres of pumpkins, plus a corn maze, wagon rides, and unique fall-themed play areas for kids.

6. Colony Acres Family Farm - North Liberty

For one of the best "pumpkin patches near me" in Iowa, Colony Acres Family Farm has kicked off its Fall Festival in North Liberty this year and will operate through November 1, 2025. Pumpkins, mums, corn stalks, and hay bales are all for sale, but it's not just about the harvest here. Wagon rides and seasonal snacks, including some of Iowa's most delicious donuts, are also available.

Have you visited any of these popular local pumpkin patches in Iowa? Tell us your picks for the best pumpkin patches in Iowa—we'd love to hear from you. The fall fun is just getting started, so check out the best fall festivals in Iowa to keep the spirit rolling, and make sure you're decked out in your best fall gear before you go.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own fall adventures in Iowa using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.