Pumpkin patches in Alabama open from late September through October, and the classic family outing combines a hayride, a corn or crop maze, farm animals and a pumpkin priced by the pound. In our directory, Farmer In The Dell outside Auburn is the best-known patch, and farms near Anniston, Huntsville and Fairhope offer animal visits and other fall farm days.
This guide covers the farms we list, what a visit costs, how to plan a trip with small kids and how to fold a patch into a fall weekend. It is part of our guide to fall in Alabama. We are adding farms to the directory all season, so if your favorite patch is missing, tell us.
Pumpkin patches in Alabama at a glance
- Season: Most patches open in late September or early October and run through Halloween weekend. Hours often change with the weather and the harvest.
- Typical activities: Hayrides, corn or crop mazes, farm animals, play areas and pick-your-own pumpkins.
- Typical cost: At Farmer In The Dell in Auburn, $5 per person covers the hayride, maze, animals and patch, and pumpkins are sold by the pound.
- Best days: Weekday afternoons and Sunday mornings are calmer than Saturdays.
- Bring: Closed-toe shoes, a wagon for little kids, cash and a card, and sunscreen. October afternoons can still be warm in South and Central Alabama.
Where is the best pumpkin patch in Alabama?
For a classic, low-cost pumpkin patch, Farmer In The Dell on Wire Road outside Auburn is the one we would drive for. It is a working farm, not a parking lot pop-up, and it keeps prices low on purpose.
Farmer In The Dell, Auburn
Farmer In The Dell opens its fields twice a year: for pick-your-own strawberries in late spring and as a pumpkin patch every fall. It draws families from across Lee County, and it markets itself as a rustic, no-frills alternative to bigger commercial patches.
- Admission: $5 per person for anyone 2 and older, free under 2. That covers a hayride, the flower field and pumpkin patch, the farm animals and the crop maze.
- Pumpkins: Priced by the pound, with a $3 minimum, so you can pick one or a dozen.
- For little kids: A hay bale play area and a corn trough full of dried kernels that works like a sandbox. The crop maze is sized for kids 6 and up on their own; younger children go through with a parent.
- Extras: Local raw honey from hives on the property, seasonal produce, and concessions and ice cream, usually on Saturdays.
Because it runs on a working farm schedule, hours shift with the season and the weather. Check the farm’s posted hours the day you go. If you are in town for a game, our Auburn and Tuscaloosa game day guide covers the rest of the weekend, and the Auburn area guide lists local restaurants.
Where can kids meet farm animals in the fall?
If your kids care more about goats than pumpkins, book a visit at a small animal farm. These are appointment-based, so they are calmer than a Saturday at a busy patch.
Redbird Willow Farm, Anniston
Redbird Willow Farm on Lenlock Lane outside Anniston is a small, female-owned, family-run farm where visitors meet goats, alpacas, llamas and other animals by appointment rather than during open gate hours. The simplest option is a self-paced farm visit with bags of grain to feed the animals. A deluxe guided visit pairs you with a farm employee who explains how the animals are cared for, which works well for curious young kids. The farm also runs goat, alpaca and llama yoga classes on a seasonal schedule, plus llama and alpaca treks and birthday parties. It is wheelchair accessible. Combine it with a fall drive over Cheaha Mountain, east of town.
Burritt on the Mountain, Huntsville
On Round Top Mountain above Huntsville, Burritt on the Mountain is a 167-acre history museum, working farm and outdoor space. Below the 1938 Burritt Mansion, the Historic Park and Barnyard gathers historic buildings and farm animals, and the hilltop views over the city are at their best when the leaves turn. It is a good fall outing for families who want history and animals in the same stop.
Are there fall farm outings for adults?
Yes. Not every fall farm day has to involve a hayride. In Baldwin County, Oak Hollow Farm covers more than 300 acres of pasture and pine off Greeno Road west of downtown Fairhope. Best known as a wedding and event venue, it also offers skeet shooting by appointment, with a full round of 25 clays at $50 per person and equipment provided, and a seasonal pheasant hunting season from October through March. It is an easy add-on to a weekend on the Eastern Shore.
For a Saturday morning with local produce, The Farmers Market at Brock’s Gap in Hoover is the city’s only market certified by the Alabama Farmers Market Authority, which means vendors sell what they grow. About 50 farmers, bakers and makers set up outside Brock’s Gap Brewing Company at 500 Mineral Trace every Saturday from February through November, 8 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. It is dog friendly, kid friendly and has free parking.
How do the farms compare?
| Farm | Town | Best for | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmer In The Dell | Auburn | Classic pumpkin patch, hayride, crop maze | Walk-in during posted hours |
| Redbird Willow Farm | Anniston | Goats, alpacas and llamas up close | Appointment only |
| Burritt on the Mountain | Huntsville | History, barnyard animals, mountain views | Check posted hours |
| Oak Hollow Farm | Fairhope | Skeet shooting, fall pheasant season | Appointment only |
| The Farmers Market at Brock’s Gap | Hoover | Saturday produce and baked goods | Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon |
More family outings are in our family fun directory.
When should you go to a pumpkin patch in Alabama?
Go in the first three weeks of October for the best mix of pumpkins, weather and crowds. Late September can be hot and the patches may still be filling in, and the last weekend before Halloween is the busiest of the year.
- Early October: Best selection and fewer people, though afternoons can still reach the 80s in much of the state.
- Mid-October: Cooler weather and peak fall feel. This is also festival season, so check the calendar before you pick a weekend; our list of Alabama fall festivals for 2026 has the dates.
- Halloween week: The most crowded time, and the pumpkin selection thins out. Go on a weekday if you can.
- After rain: Fields and mazes get muddy, so bring boots and a change of shoes for the car.
How do you plan a pumpkin patch trip with small kids?
Keep it short, go early and bring snacks. Most toddlers are happy for about two hours, and that is plenty of time for a hayride, the animals and a few photos.
- Check hours the morning you go. Small farms close for rain, heat or when the patch is picked over.
- Arrive at opening. You get the best pumpkins, shorter hayride lines and cooler weather.
- Bring a wagon or a carrier. Fields are uneven, and pumpkins get heavy fast.
- Pack wipes and hand sanitizer. Farm animals and corn troughs are messy in the best way.
- Pick pumpkins with a sturdy stem. A firm, green stem and no soft spots will last longer on the porch. Carry them from the bottom, not by the stem.
- Budget for extras. Admission is often low, but pumpkins by the pound, honey, produce and treats add up.
How can you make a weekend of it?
Pair a patch with a fall drive or a small-town stay. From Auburn, the patch is an easy morning before a game or a stroll around Toomer’s Corner. From Anniston, the Talladega Scenic Drive over Cheaha Mountain is close by, and our Alabama fall foliage guide has the route. Fairhope pairs with an afternoon in its walkable downtown on Mobile Bay. In North Alabama, a day at Burritt fits into a Huntsville weekend, with Monte Sano’s trails nearby.
FAQ
When do pumpkin patches open in Alabama?
Most Alabama pumpkin patches open in late September or the first week of October and stay open through Halloween weekend. Hours vary by farm and can change with weather and the harvest, so check before you go.
How much does a pumpkin patch cost in Alabama?
It varies by farm. At Farmer In The Dell in Auburn, $5 per person covers a hayride, the crop maze, the animals and the patch, and pumpkins are sold by the pound with a $3 minimum. Larger commercial farms usually charge more for admission and attractions.
Is there a pumpkin patch near Auburn?
Yes. Farmer In The Dell is a working farm on Wire Road just outside downtown Auburn, with a fall pumpkin patch, hayrides, a crop maze and farm animals. It also opens in late spring for pick-your-own strawberries.
Are there corn mazes in Alabama?
Yes. Several farms across Alabama cut corn or crop mazes each fall. At Farmer In The Dell in Auburn, the crop maze is included with admission and is sized for kids 6 and older to walk on their own.
What should I wear to a pumpkin patch?
Wear closed-toe shoes or boots that can get muddy, light layers and sunscreen. October afternoons in Alabama can be warm, while mornings are cool, and fields are often uneven or wet after rain.