2024 Guide to Pumpkin Patches & Fall Activities in NWA

Fall is one of our favorite times of year around campus with students being back, college football starting, and the weather getting cooler, but also we love all of the fall activities that start. From pumpkin patches to corn mazes to Fall produce, it is a great time to get outside and explore Northwest Arkansas. 

McGarrah Farms Rivercrest Orchard 

Rivercrest Orchard in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is a family-owned farm with a variety of Fall activities. They are hosting their annual Fall Festival activities, which include the classic corn maze, pumpkin patches, and sunflower fields. As well as some new family fun attractions this year including apple blasters, zip lines, hayrides, a fall ball zone, barn chute slides, trains, pillow bounces, and even a ropes course. The farm also has pick-your-own fruit for blackberries and apples this Fall if you want some farm-fresh fruit. There is an admissions cost to enter the farm, but that includes access to many activities like hayrides, ropes course, and the corn maze. 

• Hours: In the Fall, from September 10th through the end of October Rivercrest Orchard is open Thursdays and Fridays from 2:00PM-8:00PM and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00AM-8:00PM

Vanzant Fruit Farm

Established in 1949 in Lowell, Arkansas, Vanzant Fruit Farm is one of the family-owned and operated pumpkin patches and fruit farms in Northwest Arkansas. Vanzant Fruit Farm is known for its peaches, apples, and grapes but each Fall they also have a pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins and mums. While the farm is not "pick your own" they have a market where they sell all of their fruits, pumpkins, and other local produce like corn and tomatoes. On their website they also have a list of what produce is in season and being sold at the market. 

• Hours: From the end of September through Halloween Vanzant Fruit Farm is open Monday-Saturday from 8:00AM to 6:00PM

Farmland Adventures 

Farmland Aventures in Springdale, Arkansas, owned by the Parsons family, prides itself on its southern hospitality to make your visit to the farm as enjoyable as possible. Farmland Adventures has a lot of fall activities for you and your family this Fall including their annual 9-acre corn maze. Additional activities offered on the farm are a mini corn maze, pumpkin patches, kids' play areas, and even pig races! If you are searching for fresh produce and fruit the farm has a farmers market on Saturdays in October. 

• Hours: Farmland Adventures is open Fridays from 4:00PM to 9:30PM and Saturdays from 9:00AM to 9:30PM. In October only the farm is also open on Thursdays from 3:00 to 9:30PM.

Ranalli Farms

Ranalli Farms in Springdale, Arkansas, is a local favorite pumpkin patch and farm. This farm prides itself on its fresh baked goods, pasta, cheeses, and grapes. During the fall months, Ranalli Farms has a pumpkin patch with free admission and lots of great-looking pumpkins for you and your family to select. 

• Hours: Ranalli Farms & Produce is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30AM to 6:00PM and on Sundays from 12:00PM to 5:00PM 

Turnbuckle Farm

Turnbuckle Farms is a new farm stand this year in Bella Vista, Arkansas. This farm stand is a great family-owned small business serving Bella Vista and Bentonville this fall. They have lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and regularly update what is available at the stand. Of course, they also have fall decor and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, so you would be sure to find one you like. 

• Hours: Turnbuckle farms is open starting September 15th daily from 8:00AM to 7:00PM.  

 

Images courtesy of Turnbuckle Farms

McGarrah Farms

McGarrah Farms in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, is another local favorite. Like others on this list, McGarrah Farms is a family-owned and operated business with a mission to get people into nature and spend quality time together. McGarrah Farms has a "pick your own" for most of its fruits and pumpkins. Meaning that you get to pick your pumpkin right from the vine in the field and fruit straight from the plant. Providing a unique farm and agricultural experience. During the Fall McGarrah farms also add many attractions and activities for families to experience. These include pumpkin patches, tractor-pulled hayrides, haystacks and tunnels, bounce pads, ball zones, zip lines, corn mazes, and much more. During this time McGarrah Farms also has a lot of food vendors on site.

• Hours:  McGarrah Farms is open starting September 30th Monday through Friday from 1:00PM to 6:00PM. On the weekends they are open on Saturdays from 10:00AM to 6:00PM and Sundays from 12:00PM to 6:00PM. 

Hours at any location may change especially during the work week due to the availability of pumpkins and sunflowers. So be sure to check their Facebook pages for updates before heading to the farms and scouting the pumpkin patches!

 

A Few More Fall Activities:

Fall Train Ride: The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad runs a train from Springdale to Van Buren, Arkansas, and Van Buren to Winslow, Missouri. Along this 134-mile trip, the train winds through the Ozarks providing some of the best views of fall foliage Northwest Arkansas has to offer. The train also has a 3-hour stop in Van Buren so you can shop and grab a bite to eat at one of the many local restaurants.

Haunted Houses: This comprehensive list of haunted houses in Northwest Arkansas will have you set for your spooky adventures this fall. 

Razorbacks Game: Razorback Football is back in Fayetteville! The homecoming game is set for October 19th when the Hogs host LSU. The weekend is packed full of fun activities hosted by the Alumni Association that you won't want to miss out on.