Donuts, Pumpkins, and Hayrides Await at this Utah Ranch

Just a few decades ago, the Salt Lake Valley had tons of wide-open, rural spaces. Little by little, those fields of hay and alfalfa were replaced by thousands of homes and hundreds of strip malls. Luckily, there are still a few farms and ranches here and there, and one of them is well-known for its epic fall festival in Utah. If you are looking for an autumn adventure this year, make sure to visit Cross E Ranch at 3500 North and 2200 West in Salt Lake City. This is the year to go!

Cross E Ranch is a family-owned farm and ranch operated by the 5th and 6th generations of the Hinckley family. Every fall, it hosts an epic, family-friendly Fall Festival, and for the 2025 season, this exciting autumn event will take place Sept. 19 to Nov. 1. Just make sure you block out an entire day because there's a lot to see and do here.

Start with a hay ride, where you'll tour the ranch, meet the cows, and learn a little bit about the ranch's history. Then, get ready for a day of non-stop family fall entertainment. The mega slides send you flying 100 feet down the hill, and the jump pad will burn off some of the kids' energy. You can also let the kiddos catch their breath for a minute while they play in the corn pit. You'll find 10 tons of corn in this pit, and you can enjoy a shady spot to sit and relax for a bit.

Get lost in the huge corn maze. There's a fun new design every year, with trails inside that are several miles long. This is one of Utah's best corn mazes. And don't worry. If you are worried about getting lost in such a big corn maze, mini and medium mazes are available.

Before you leave, make sure to choose a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch. Cross E Ranch is a bit unique because there are three pumpkin patches to visit: Grandpa’s Pumpkin Patch, the Pumpkin Courtyard, and the North Patch. Grandpa’s Pumpkin Patch is free to enter, but both the Pumpkin Courtyard and the North Patch require festival admission. Pumpkins at all three patches are sold by the pound.

All of this playing is certain to make you hungry, so grab some grub at this fall festival. There are several options inside Cross E Ranch, including The Grill at +E and Millie’s Sweet Shop. I strongly recommend visiting the Donut Barn to try one of the ranch’s famous glazed or cinnamon sugar-coated apple cider donuts. You can thank me later for the suggestion.

The Fall Festival at Cross E Ranch in Salt Lake City is open Monday through Saturday. Ticket prices will vary depending on the day and time of your visit. However, your admission ticket gives you access to many of the activities available. Although, keep in mind that the food, like the Cross E Ranch donuts, is at an additional price.

For more information on this fall festival in Salt Lake City, Utah, and other annual events, visit the Cross E Ranch's website. And if you have any suggestions for fall day trips near SLC, let me know by filling out this nomination form. I'd love to hear from you.

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