11 best North Carolina farms for picking your own pumpkins
From jack-o’-lanterns for carving to Sugar Pie for baking, you can pick the perfect pumpkin for your needs at these North Carolina farms.
Much like Christmas trees and garland during the holidays, pumpkins are a staple in many households during the fall season—and there is nothing better than heading out to a pumpkin patch to pick your own. North Carolina is one of the top states for pumpkin production, and as a result, there are tons of farms where residents can go to do exactly that.
We’ve narrowed down the options to 11 of the best farms that not only have pumpkins for picking but also offer a variety of other fun fall attractions and activities, from corn mazes to hayrides. Keep reading to learn where in the Tar Heel State you should head to pick your own pumpkins this fall.
Beulaville
Mike’s Farm
Mike’s Farm is an agri-tourism farm that offers pumpkin picking, seasonal hayrides, a family-style restaurant, animal feeding stations, a store selling local goods and home decor, and more. In October, the hayride stops at the pumpkin patch, where you can walk around and pick the perfect pumpkin to take home. On Saturdays in October, the farm also hosts live music and magic shows.
Address: 1600 Haw Branch Rd., Beulaville
Hours: Hayrides operate on Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission cost: Farm admission is free, but hayrides cost $3 for riders three years and older.
Castle Hayne
Trask Family Farms
Trask Family Farms—family owned and operated since 1899—grows a wide variety of crops, including pumpkin varieties ranging from mini pumpkins to jack-o’-lanterns. After you’re done picking your pumpkins, get lost in the four-mile corn maze, relax on a hayride, or build your own bouquet in the U-pick flower patch. Before heading home, be sure to stop at the farm store to stock up on seasonal goodies and fresh produce.
Address: 3650 Blue Clay Rd., Castle Hayne
Hours: The farm is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission cost: Admission is free, but there is a fee for certain attractions, such as the corn maze.
Charlotte
Hodges Family Farm
Hodges Family Farm has been owned and operated by the Hodges family for more than 100 years, earning it the Century Farm designation, which only about 4% of North Carolina farms have. In the farm’s pumpkin patch, you’ll find plenty of pumpkins of varying shapes and sizes. There are also picnic areas, hay bales for kids to climb on, and barnyard animals.
On weekends, hayrides are offered, the farm shop opens up, and treats, such as kettle corn, apple cider donuts, and freshly squeezed lemonade, are available for purchase.
Address: 3780 Rocky River Rd., East Charlotte
Hours: The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pumpkin patch season runs from Sept. 27 to Oct. 31.
Admission cost: Admission is free, but hayrides cost $5 for everyone three years and older.
Lineberger’s Farm
If variety is what you’re after, head to Lineberger’s Farm, where you’ll find more than 100 varieties of pumpkins and gourds. This fourth-generation family fruit farm opens its pumpkin patch every fall and also offers scenic wagon rides, chick feedings, and a playground for the kids.
At the store, you can shop for gourmet goodies made from fruit straight from the farm, including strawberry cider and elderberry syrup, plus homemade baked goods.
Address: 906 Dallas Stanley Hwy., Dallas
Hours: Through Oct. 31, the farm is open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission cost: Admission is free, but wagon rides cost $7.50 and include a medium-sized pumpkin.
Dobson
The Farm
You can easily spend an entire day at The Farm, a family-owned and operated farm with more than 35 activities for the whole family. After you pick your pumpkin (there are more than 100 varieties to choose from), take a hayride, test your physical abilities in the obstacle course, or try your hand at axe throwing. The Farm also offers face painting, gem mining, animal stuffing, bounce houses, and a corn maze.
Get your pumpkin spice fix at the coffee shop or fuel up at the concession stand, which serves burgers, hot dogs, nachos, and other tasty treats. Fall favorites like homemade apple cider donuts and apple cider slushies are also available.
Address: 769 Bray Ford Rd., Dobson
Hours: In October, The Farm is open from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. In November, it’s open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission cost: Admission is $15 (ages 3 to 64), $10 (ages 65 and older), or free for anyone two years old and younger.
Durham
Holder Hill Farm
Holder Hill Farm started as a family farm, and then in 2020, it opened to the public as a pumpkin patch. The seven-acre pumpkin patch has a wide variety of pumpkins that visitors can pick straight from the vine. Other farm activities and attractions include hayrides, nature trails, a corn maze, a corn crib, and farm animals. Visitors are also encouraged to pack a lunch or snacks and enjoy the farm’s covered picnic area.
Address: 4822 Holder Rd., Durham
Hours: The farm is open daily from Sept. 19 through Nov. 2. It opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday and at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Admission cost: $16 (Children two years and younger get in free.)
Greenville
Briley’s Farm Market
Briley’s Farm Market is a third-generation, family-owned farm that spans more than 90 acres.
The pumpkin lots are open through the first weekend in November, but they aren’t the only fun fall attraction at the farm. Other highlights include hayrides and train rides, a corn maze, a sunflower maze, multiple playgrounds, inflatables, a corn pit, duck races, farm animals, and much more. The concession barn serves snacks and drinks.
Address: 5290 Old Pactolus Rd., Greenville
Hours: Pumpkin lots are open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The farm (and all other activities) is open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission cost: $15 (includes a pumpkin of your choice)
Hendersonville
Jeter Mountain Farm
Jeter Mountain Farm offers fall fun for the entire family. While there isn’t a designated pumpkin patch, you can pick from plenty of pumpkins in the market area, where you can also shop for pre-picked fruit and tasty treats such as apple butter, pickles, garden salsa, and baking mixes.
If you want something to eat on-site, stop by the bakery for fresh apple cider donuts, cookies, and warm apple pie, or indulge in a scoop of homemade, small-batch ice cream at the farm’s ice cream shop. The farm’s taproom has six hard ciders on tap (made from the farm’s apples), and there is also a coffee shop and a smokehouse to check out. Additionally, when pumpkin season is in full swing, the farm has live bluegrass music from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
If you’re worried about keeping the kids entertained while you explore all Jeter Mountain Farm has to offer, show them to the 6,000-square-foot indoor play area.
Address: 1126 Jeter Mountain Rd., Hendersonville
Hours: From Aug. 28 to Oct. 26, the farm is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Hours vary during other seasons throughout the year.
Admission cost: It’s free to enter the farm, but many activities have a separate fee.
Grandad’s Apples ‘N Such
Grandad’s Apples ‘N Such is a fifth-generation, 120-acre family farm and apple orchard that’s been around since 1994. Pumpkins of varying shapes and sizes and several varieties of apples are available for picking. After finding the perfect pumpkin, head to the bakery for a treat, such as a warm cider donut, apple pie, cookie, hot cider, or an apple cider slushie. At the farm’s store, you’ll find fall decor, apple peelers and bakers, and a variety of gifts. Some other fall-themed activities and attractions at the farm include a corn maze, train rides, an apple cannon, and a kids’ zone.
Address: 2951 Chimney Rock Rd., Hendersonville
Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission cost: Free
Raleigh
Page Farms
Page Farms has been family-owned and operated for more than 100 years. This 100-acre, fourth-generation family farm offers U-pick pumpkins, plus plenty of other festive fall activities, including a five-acre corn maze and hayrides. The farm store sells crafts made by members of the staff, as well as jams, ciders, and raw honey from the farm’s bees.
For the kids, there is a playground, a corn crib, and train rides. You can also visit the farm’s many animals, including cows, chickens, goats, horses, and sheep.
Address: 6100 Mount Herman Rd., Raleigh
Hours: The pumpkin patch is open from late September through October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Admission cost: If you want to pick pumpkins, admission starts at $14 per person, with discounts available for senior citizens and military members.
Sanford
Gross Farms
Picking pumpkins is just one of many fall activities you can do at Gross Farms. This seventh-generation family farm has a pumpkin patch (and a pumpkin barn if you prefer to purchase a pre-picked pumpkin), a 10-acre corn maze, hayrides, a giant inflated jumping pillow, fall-themed face boards for photos, a pedal kart track, and a 40-foot slide.
If you get hungry, stop by the concessions building, which is stocked with snacks, homemade ice cream, and drinks.
Address: 1606 Pickett Rd., Sanford
Hours: From Sept. 13 to Nov. 2, the farm is open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In October only, the farm is also open on Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The pumpkin patch is also open on weekdays in October from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but all other activities are closed.
Admission cost: All-access passes start at $22. If you only want to access the pumpkin patch, tickets cost $5. Admission is free for children two years and younger.
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