Alaska, the home of snow, ice, and…pumpkins?
The state known as The Last Frontier can be a great place to pick fall pumpkins. While it’s known for being freezing cold to those of us in the lower forty-eight, Alaskans have figured out how to cultivate the land, and they’ve done a spectacular job of it.
The pumpkin patches in Alaska are some of the most breathtaking, with stunning mountain vistas in the background. Where else can you find a reindeer trotting through a pumpkin patch?
Farms are scattered across the state. You just have to know where to look. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. We have the lowdown on all the top pumpkin patches in Alaska, from family farms filled with fun and games to more scaled-down operations. Keep reading to find your new favorite pumpkin patch in Alaska.
8 Must-Visit Pumpkin Patches in Alaska
Reindeer Farm – Palmer AK
If you are looking for family fun at a pumpkin patch in Alaska, Reindeer Farm is your best choice. They have a slew of different activities to partake in.
This family-owned farm began life as a dairy farm in the 1950s before transitioning to a reindeer farm in the 1980s. Today, there are about 100 reindeer that you can watch and take pictures with, as well as yaks, moose, elk, and bison. And of course, pumpkins, too.
Reindeer Farm has a u-pick field for pumpkins which are scattered across the field with the mountains in the distance, making it one of the most scenic pumpkin patches in Alaska. The pumpkins are ready for picking in October. They’re first come first serve, so don’t delay your trip to this Alaska pumpkin patch or else you’ll go home empty-handed.
They also have a series of fall-themed activities that can make it worth the trip. There’s the Spooky Walk for haunted house lovers. Get lost in a hay maze, or for the little ones, there are hay bale setups for playing like a jungle gym. Take a ride on a tractor through the fields or the reindeer train through the reindeer pens. Reindeer Farm also offers the A-MAZE-ING tour, a two-hour guided tour through the property that promises more interaction with the reindeer.
Make sure to dress for cold and wind, as this Alaska pumpkin farm is a few miles from the Knik Glacier, which sends cold air their way.
Pyrah’s Pioneer Peak Farm – Palmer, AK
Pyrah’s Pioneer Peak Farm is an institution in the area. While the Pyrah family has operated the farm since the late 1970s, the property has been in continuous use for over a century. It was started as a homestead project by the government to bring agriculture to the area.
The log cabin on site is the original version, still standing mightily. You can take a tour of it and marvel at the sturdy architecture that’s helped it survive decades of harsh weather.
Pyrah’s functions as both a u-pick farm and a market where you can order different fruits and vegetables they grow. While they used to only sell their pumpkins, Pyrah’s recently decided to open its own u-pick pumpkin patch. It’s best to reach out before visiting this Alaska pumpkin patch to make sure it’s still in operation.
Roam the fields with the beautiful Pioneer Peak, the crown jewel of the Mat-Su Valley, as your backdrop. Watch farmers cultivate a vast variety of crops, from raspberries to radishes.
Pyrah’s is also a big contributor to the local Fall Harvest Festival, which has a pumpkin patch, plus hay rides, tractor rides, food trucks, hay mazes, and a bonfire at night.
Ann’s Greenhouse – Anchorage, AK
Ann’s Greenhouse has been open since 1966, making it one of the oldest continuously open pumpkin patches in Alaska. For over fifty years, they’ve provided fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers to the Anchorage community.
They don’t seem to do u-pick pumpkins, but visitors can stop inside their titular greenhouse and storefront to purchase fresh pumpkins. They’re most known for their flowers, and they offer a gorgeous variety of flora. You can spruce up your Halloween display with some fresh-cut flowers.
Rosie Creek Farm – Fairbanks, AK
In 1997, a few acres were carved out from the Alaskan wilderness, and Rosie Creek Farm was born. Since then, they’ve been growing a wide variety of crops including pumpkins. A few years ago, they were the first pumpkin patch in Alaska to be granted a license to cultivate marijuana (nope, doesn’t come with u-pick privileges!).
Rosie Creek is USDA-certified organic, with a rigorous growing process that produces crops especially bred to weather Alaska’s unique climate. They work with local breweries to source pumpkins for their fall-themed beers.
Farm tours are available on the grounds, so you can see up close their patented growing process. Pumpkins are available to purchase at their on-site store.
The Big M Farm – Nenana, AK
The Big M Farm is a family-owned farm specializing in growing fruit and vegetables, including pumpkins. In addition to being a charming pumpkin patch in Alaska, they also manufacture and sell their own hay.
Visitors can come to pick pumpkins in the fall as well as tour their local store with other fresh produce and homemade goods. They’re especially known for having u-pick honeyberries, which is a variation on the honeysuckle.
There’s fun activities for kids here besides pumpkin picking. They have a gravel pit for racing toy cars, a jungle gym for kids to play on, and hay rides through the fields. Sometimes, they’ll have other vendors, like honey farmers and local pizza joints, set up stands by the fields, so you can make the most of your visit.
Bell’s Nursery – Anchorage, AK
Check out Bell’s Nursery, which is a pumpkin patch, winery, gift boutique, and coffee shop rolled into one. Come to this pumpkin patch in Alaska and make a real day of it. You can absorb the beautiful surroundings with a fresh cup of coffee, plus partake in fun activities with the family.
In their fields, you can pick ripe, vibrant pumpkins and enjoy tours of their farmland and winery. You can even do a wine tasting. Do wine and pumpkins go together? Apparently, they can.
Their cafe is adorable and in the height of pumpkin season, it’s decorated to the nines with fall decor. They use their pumpkins to make fresh pumpkin bread and delicious pumpkin pie. Their big fall event that they host is their weekly Story Time Pumpkins. Bring your little kids to enjoy story time in the pumpkin patch, making for a very magical time.
Every October, they also host Pumpkin Patch pictures, so you can take the perfect fall photos with your family and friends. Many customers use those pictures for Christmas cards a few weeks later.
Fire Apple Orchard And Gardens – Wasilia, AK
If you’re looking for some fruit along with your pumpkins, then check out Fire Apple Orchards and Gardens. They are a pumpkin patch in Alaska which also hosts vast apple and cherry orchards. They also sell apple trees and teach grafting classes so you can grow your own.
Tanana Valley Farmer’s Market – Fairbanks, AK
Located in a stunning old, wood building, The Tanana Valley Farmers Market is the oldest established farmers market in Alaska. Inside are several booths showcasing all different kinds of Alaska-Grown produce and plants. There are craft stands featuring local artisans. It attracts a big crowd year-round.
Many farmers set up shop in the farmer’s market to sell their pumpkins to the public. So while it’s technically not a pumpkin patch in Alaska, it is a place where you can go and purchase pumpkins. During the fall, they have lots of autumn-themed booths selling fresh cider and apple and gorgeous fall crafts to decorate your home with. It’s a great chance to take in all that Alaska’s farmers and artists have to offer, all from within one singular building.
The Last Frontier: Pumpkin Patches in Alaska
Pumpkins may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Alaska. It may not even be the second thing that comes to mind. But Alaska has a diverse, enriched agricultural community with several local, family-owned farms bursting with pumpkins. If you get the chance, go visit any of these pumpkin patches in Alaska.
You can make a real day of it, complete with taking tractor rides and finding your way through hay mazes. Most of these farms offer u-pick options and opportunities to get into the field, even if just for Instagram-worthy pictures.
Just make sure that whatever farm you choose, you bundle up. After all, it’s still Alaska!
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