When fall begins, pumpkin patches become a favorite destination for millions of people throughout the United States, including those in North Carolina. They’re widely considered a delightful treat that only comes around once a year, so how can you make the most of it? The answer is obvious–by knowing where to find the best pumpkin patches in North Carolina so that you can visit them.
Luckily for you, we have all the information you need about North Carolina pumpkin patches, so keep reading!
Interesting Facts About Pumpkin Patches
Pumpkins originated in North America about 9,000 years ago. The Native Americans put them in soups, flours, and other foods. It was even used as medicine for snake bites. The strips could be woven into mats while the hollowed shells were repurposed as bowls.
Pumpkin patches, however, were not developed until Irish immigrants settled in the United States during the 19th century. The immigrants started using the pumpkins to carry on their tradition of carving jack-o’-lanterns, which they originally performed with turnips or potatoes. The jack-o’-lanterns ward off the miserable spirit of a man named Stingy Jack while he wanders restlessly around the earth, unwelcome in heaven or hell.
Nowadays, you’ll find pumpkin patches in North Carolina in addition to every other state in the U.S. In fact, they’re grown on every continent except Antarctica.
Pumpkins come in over 45 distinct varieties, but they’re all a type of squash, which in turn technically counts as a fruit. Every single part is edible, including all 500+ of the seeds. In fact, pumpkins are excellent sources of water and vitamin A, and pumpkin pie is the Thanksgiving dessert of choice for 36% of Americans.
What to Do in Pumpkin Patches
Every North Carolina pumpkin patch holds pumpkins that appeal to diverse preferences and purposes. Large, small, plump, skinny, orange, white, symmetrical, misshapen–hunting for the one you want feels like an exciting game. Who doesn’t love exploring a pumpkin patch in search of the perfect specimen to take home?
However, there are other fun activities you can do in pumpkin patches in North Carolina. For example, the field and pumpkins create lovely backdrops and props for photography sessions with your loved ones. Some farmers use the pumpkins to make mazes or pathways for hayrides. The patches are also popular settings for fairs that include petting zoos, bouncy castles, and games of skill.
In other words, visiting pumpkin patches in North Carolina is a guaranteed way to have a good time, celebrate the fall season, and bond with the people you love!
13 of the Best Pumpkin Patches in North Carolina
Are you ready to check out North Carolina pumpkin patches? We’re ready to tell you where they are and why they’re worth your time! Keep reading for details.
Riverbend Farm
Midland, North Carolina
With 30 years of experience as a pumpkin patch in North Carolina, the Riverbend Farm in Midland accommodates guests with wagons that take them to and from the fields. If you’re with kids, take a break afterward on the playground, creatively constructed with structures typical to the operation of a farm, or make friends with the barn animals!
Red Wolf Farm
Maiden, North Carolina
Sprawling across 40 acres in the town of Maiden, the Red Wolf Farm is full of wonderful pumpkins from which to choose. You can bring your own food so that you can rest in the picnic barn when you’ve found a pumpkin you want. Alternatively, treat yourself to their in-house concession store, The Thirsty Wolf! The farm also features corn mazes and truck shows.
Johnny Wilson Farm Venue
Granite Falls, North Carolina
The Johnny Wilson Farm Venue in Granite Falls takes entertainment and hospitality seriously. In addition to their vast pumpkin patch, they regularly hold activities like duck races, tram rides, apple picking, animal petting, bouncy houses, corn cribs filled with kernels for “swimming,” and both corn and hay mazes.
They even host weddings, birthday parties, and other events! Imagine celebrating a special occasion with all those activities and breathtaking autumnal scenery and a North Carolina pumpkin patch as a backdrop.
Hubb’s Farm
Clinton, North Carolina
Every fall, Hubb’s Farm pulls out all the stops with a great pumpkin patch in addition to a corn maze, carnival food, and different activities every week, including duck derbies and antique festivals. Located in Clinton, the farm holds other season- and holiday-specific celebrations throughout the year, and they’re available to book for special events.
Page Farms
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh’s own Page Farms is dedicated to creating one of the most memorable pumpkin patches in North Carolina. They boast not only pumpkins, a corn maze, and barn animals available for petting, but a hay slide! If you enjoy picking strawberries and blackberries, visit their farm in the summer, too!
The Farmers’ Daughter
Taylorsville, North Carolina
The owners of The Farmers’ Daughter in Taylorsville proudly care for over 107 acres of farmland that includes one of the largest pumpkin patches in North Carolina. They’ll give you a ride in their tractor to explore every acre each Saturday in October. You can also invest in their operations through the CSA program and benefit from their produce all year round.
Hill Ridge Farms
Youngsville, North Carolina
By opening up their property to let guests enjoy petting animals, riding trains, and taking hay rides in addition to exploring pumpkin patches, Youngsville’s Hill Ridge Farms deserves a place among North Carolina’s best. They’ll even carry on the fun into November rather than ending at Halloween! Consider checking out their waterslides in summer as well.
Kersey Valley Maize Adventure
Archdale, North Carolina
Though named for their beloved corn maze, the Kersey Valley Maize Adventure in Archdale offers numerous exciting year-round attractions, such as bowling, axe throwing, laser tag, ziplines, high ropes, rock wall climbing, etc. In the autumn, they’ll also give you a ride through their impressive pumpkin patch and let you choose your own pumpkin!
Naylor Family Farm
Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
For the price of admission, you can get one free pumpkin at the Naylor Family Farm in Fuquay-Varina; any extras would only cost $0.75 per pound. No matter many you get, a hayride will take you to the pumpkin patch! The admission fee also lets you pet barn animals, but you can pay separately for other fun activities, like gem mining, pedal karts, a corn crib, corn maze, and more.
Vollmer Farm
Bunn, North Carolina
With over 40 acres, Vollmer Farm in Bunn is another of the biggest pumpkin patches in North Carolina. However, you can also enjoy their hayrides, underground slide, pumpkin pillow, corn maze, gem mining, fishing, kayaking, and turkey shooting! When you’re done, enjoy their homemade ice cream and other goodies.
Smith’s Family Fun Farm
Hillsborough, North Carolina
A huge slide, a sunflower maze with photographs, and pumpkin hunting–all this is available for free at the Smith’s Family Fun Farm in Hillsborough. You will be expected to buy at least two pumpkins from their patch, but the starting price is only $5.00. If you’ve ever been interested in seeing and/or working in a real sawmill or forge, the farm can grant that wish, too!
Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard
Hendersonville, North Carolina
One of the top pumpkin patches in North Carolina also includes an apple orchard that grows 21 types of apples, making it a perfect fall destination. Located in Hendersonvile, it’s called Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard. After choosing your pumpkin, you can also pick your own apples, navigate a corn maze, take a wagon ride, have a picnic, shoot an apple cannon, or indulge in apple cider donuts.
Phillips Farm
Cary, North Carolina
Do you love the spooky side of autumn? Then you must visit Phillips Farm in Cary. It’s got one of the only pumpkin patches in North Carolina that features a haunted farm. However, if you’d prefer something less scary, consider their corn maze, rope maze, bouncing pillows, duck races, pedal karts, rock digging activities, and pygmy goats that you can feed, among other attractions.
Recipes for Pumpkins
Of course, after returning from any of these magical pumpkin patches in North Carolina, what will you do with your pumpkins? Carving jack-o’-lanterns or painting pictures are unfailingly fun choices. However, if you’re an adventurous cook or baker, you may also enjoy experimenting in the kitchen. We’ve got a plethora of ideas on our website, but we’ll give you a few right now!
Kadu
Who knew that pumpkins could be savory? This pumpkin-inspired kadu proves it. As a Mediterranean stew, the recipe includes yogurt, ginger, honey, onion, garlic, paprika, grapeseed oil, and other ingredients common to the cuisine. They all come together to create a delectably soothing meal.
Pollo Con Crema
Since pumpkins originated among natives in North America, it’s fitting that there’s a tasty way to incorporate pumpkins into a recipe for Mexican pollo con crema. Mixed with peanut oil, cumin, paprika, garlic, onion, cayenne, chili powder, poblano pepper, and white wine, this dish will quickly become one of your favorite ways to enjoy chicken.
Oatmeal Bars
Whenever you need a delicious, filling, and healthy breakfast or midday snack, oatmeal bars are the way to go. In fall, including pumpkin is especially appropriate and helps you get in the spirit of the season! Besides rolled oats, milk, pecans, maple syrup, vanilla, and a variety of spices, you also need pumpkin puree, which you can make from scratch.
Ready to Visit a North Carolina Pumpkin Patch?
Now that you know about the best pumpkin patches in North Carolina and what you can make with them, it’s time to go pick some pumpkins!
Excited for more pumpkin content? Keep learning all about pumpkin plants to become an expert on pumpkin planting, growing, harvesting, cooking, and more!