Portland is such a glorious place in the fall! If you’re like me, you’re soaking up all the time outdoors that you can before the weather gets cold and we’re all inside a lot more. One of my favorite outdoor activities is going to a pumpkin patch. We’re lucky because we have so many fantastic ones right here in the Portland area.
1. Fazio Farms
Fazio Farms has been in the family for many years, and it’s currently the only corn maze within Portland’s city limits. Fazio Farms grows several different types of produce, including squash and pumpkin varieties, though they are best known for their fantastic cucumbers.
Fazio allows you to purchase tickets for one activity or purchase a wristband and do everything. I recommend the 6.5-acre corn maze, but there are plenty of other family-friendly activities as well. There’s a tractor hayride, a beanbag toss, ring toss, hay pyramid, and bouncy slide. This is probably not the place for you if you don’t have kids, but it’s perfect if you want a pumpkin patch that doesn’t take too long or have tons of activities. It’s also less expensive than many of the other options in our area.
Info:
9028 NE 13th Ave, Portland
Mon–Fri: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sat–Sun 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
2. Bella Organic
Bella Organic is a 100-acre, certified organic farm on Sauvie Island. The farm aims to promote sustainable farming practices and grows over 70 kinds of fruits, vegetables, berries, and herbs. They have an organic produce farm store, too!
This year’s corn maze is dedicated to equity for all with a special dedication to the U.S. women’s soccer team. The seven-acre corn maze takes about an hour to complete. There are other activities too, like cow and grain trains, a hay maze, duck races, and farm animals. Plus, you won’t leave hungry! Enjoy the food market, wine, hard cider, Hopworks beer on tap, and more. Friday and Saturday nights even has as haunted corn maze for the older set.
Info:
16208 NW Gillihan Road
Sept. 28 through Oct. 31 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except the maze is open until 10 p.m. on Fri and Sat. The patch closes at 3 p.m on Halloween.)
3. Plumper Pumpkin Patch
The Plumper Pumpkin Patch and Tree Farm is on 65 acres of what used to be an operating dairy farm. Now its owners and employees focus on making sure everyone has access to home-grown produce.
There are many types colors and size of pumpkins to choose from, including hand-painted and ornamental gourds for your fall decorating needs. Plumper also sells caramel apples, fresh cider, roasted corn on the cob, and kettle corn from the kitchen. (Yum!) Activities include pumpkin flinging machines and apple cannons, tube slides, a grain jump, and hay rides. Weekends include pony rides, pumpkin bowling, and face painting.
Info:
11435 NW Old Cornelius Pass Road, Portland
Sept. 28 through Oct. 31 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily)
4. Bushue’s Family Farm
Bushue’s Family Farm is in a stunning location with a spectacular view of Mt. Hood. You will not find a more beautiful pumpkin patch. It also has a reputation for not being too busy, even during the fall season. It’s a sweet family-run farm that feels nice and cozy.
This small patch perfect for kids under 5 because they won’t get trampled by crowds of older kids. Plus, everyone will love the hot dogs, fresh cookies, coffee, cider, cider donuts, and pumpkin spice donuts. There are also some kiddie activities including slides, a playground, pumpkin bowling and farm animals.
Info:
9880 SE Revenue Rd, Boring
Tue–Sun: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
5. Bi-Zi Farms
Bi-Zi (pronounced “busy”) Farms has been in operation since 1872! It’s still owned by the Zimmerman family, and many of the buildings on the farm are original—the three now used as shops were actually chicken houses built during the Great Depression. One of the barns dates back to 1890, so you’re getting to enjoy a real piece of history when you go here.
The fall is a time to celebrate the annual harvest and the farm’s heritage. Pay for entry the patch and take one free pumpkin, any size you can carry. You also get admission to the corn maze and farm animals, as well as children’s activities. This includes a bale maze and pyramid, pedal tractor driving, and pumpkin launchers. They have live music on weekends and one free drink (coffee, spiced cider, or hot chocolate) per admission. Fresh kettle corn, caramel corn, and cotton candy are available for an additional fee.
Info:
9504 NE 119th Street, Vancouver
Sept. 28 through Oct. 31 (Fri: 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sat–Sun: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. plus 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on opening weekend)
6. Kruger’s Farm Market
Kruger’s Farm Market is a popular u-pick farm that also sells a lot of produce and food in its shop. It’s like a farmer’s market without all the different vendors. The scenic pumpkin patch is near the store, so it’s easy to go get exactly the pumpkin you want.
But there are also plenty activities if you’re looking for more to do than just pick out a pumpkin. Both the corn maze and the haunted maze are a lot of fun.
Weekends in October also have a harvest hoe down, complete with BBQ, hot cider, caramel apples, beer and wine, kettle corn, a bonfire, and of course, dancing. The mazes are open during this time, too! This happens between 6:30 to 9:30 on Fridays and Saturdays during pumpkin season, so don’t miss it!
Info:
17100 NW Sauvie Island Road, Portland
Mon–Thu: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fri–Sat: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
7. The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island
The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island is a Portland institution. It’s been around for 50+ years of family fun. It’s a third-generation family farm that produces sustainable agriculture. All produce grown and sold here carries certifications for good agricultural practices. In fact, it’s a whole lot like a good old-fashioned country fair.
There’s a market full of fresh fruit, veggies, and more. The gift shop has fall-themed items galore. The fantastic Patio Café is open every single day in October, and so is the big red animal barn. The corn maize is also open each day. Other October activities are the animal barn, giant hay maze, giant hay pyramid, and hayrides to the pumpkin fields.
16511 NW Gillihan Rod, Portland
Hours vary depending on activity. See info about corn maze and info about other activities.
8. Bauman’s Farm
The Statesman Journal voted Bauman’s Farm the #1 pumpkin patch for the last eight years in a row. This place is just a whole lot of fun.
They have a jumping pad, a bug train, a pumpkin hill, corn tunnels, a gopher hole, pedal carts, a corn maze, a dark maze, a rope maze, a sock hop, and an apple cannon (among other things). Bauman’s has other unusual fall activities, like the giant pumpkin weigh off on October 5th. It’s known as one of the best in the country. There’s also a cornhole tournament on the 26th and 27th of October.
12989 Howell Prairie Rd NE, Gervais
Sept. 21 through Oct. 31 (Sun–Fri: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sun: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
9.Papa’s Pumpkin Patch
Papa’s Pumpkin Patch is the no-frills place to go if you’re serious about picking out pumpkins and fall décor. They have a HUGE variety of pumpkins, winter squash, and gourds, in all kinds of sizes. Nothing is more than $6, which is a bargain. They also have strawbales and corn stalks.
There are no traditional pumpkin patch activities here, but it’s a gorgeous farm and you’ll enjoy a relaxing few hours there. They have hot drinks and snacks available, too, and some excellent staff. Important note: they only take cash!
20345 SW Scholls Sherwood Rd, Sherwood
Mon–Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sat–Sun: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
I hope this inspires you to go to a pumpkin patch with friends and/or family this beautiful fall here in Portland. If I missed a favorite spot of yours, won’t you let me know in the comments?
Well if you head down to Corvallis for a football game you can stop at Drahnacres for some family pumpkins and fresh produce, on the way back the melon shack has a haunted corn maze.