The Best Pumpkin Patches in the Dallas Area

It’s October 2, and fall is officially in full swing.  Scarecrows and hay bales are popping up on front yards, and the mornings (at least) are cooling down.  As we get into full-on fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving season, MomsOutLoud.com thought you – like us – might want a little guidance on where to go to get a great pumpkin and have a fun outing with your family.  So we asked our readers.  Every one of the following pumpkin patches were recommended by a MomsOutLoud.com reader, so read on for what they consider to be the best pumpkin patches around Dallas.  Can’t get away for a true “country” pumpkin patch experience?  We’ve got some “in-town” options for you that benefit good causes, too.

North Dallas area

Big Orange Pumpkin Farm, Celina

Situated on a quiet country road (CR 126) about 7 miles north of 380 and 3 mile east of Custer Road, Celina’s Big Orange Pumpkin Farm is a family favorite.  Started in 1997 by Rick and Kim Kimbrell, they allow you to get a real farm experience.  Their pumpkins are grown in their own pumpkin patch (so you actually pick them from the patch).  They have a variety of activities for kids, including a petting farm, hayrides on a tractor-pulled wagon, hay stacks to play on, and lots of room to run and play.  Admission is $7 per person (under 2 Free), and includes different items on weekdays or weekends (see website for details).  Open through October M-F 9am-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, and Sun 12-6pm.

Grace Avenue UMC, Frisco

Pumpkins on the Prairie is Grace Avenue’s annual pumpkin patch hosted on the grounds of their church at 3521 Main Street, Frisco, TX 75034.  They have bounce houses, hay rides, hay maze, and lots of pumpkins, plus on the weekends they will have face painting and a pumpkin catapult.  Admission and activities are free.  Hours from Oct 4 through the end of October are M-F 1:00 – 8:00 pm (or sunset), and Sat-Sun 9:00am – 8:00pm (or sunset).

Northwest Dallas area

Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch, Double Oak Ranch

The biggest pumpkin patch any of us have seen around these parts is the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch at Double Oak Ranch (5100 Cross Timbers Road/FM 1171).  This Flower Mound tradition has been going (and growing) for many years.  They have numerous activities for the kids, including a tractor-pulled hayride, a trackless train, bounce houses (even one shaped like a pumpkin!), hay stacks and mazes, wooden cut-out characters from some of your children’s favorite shows, and face painting.  You can bring your own lunch/snacks or buy from them (on weekends vendors have items for sale, during week it’s more limited so you should come prepared).  The patch is open 9am – dusk daily through October.

A couple of items to note regarding this patch.  First:  while this is the biggest pumpkin patch we’ve seen, it’s also the busiest.  We have even heard from Moms who’ve chosen to go elsewhere in recent years due to the popularity of this location.  But with no admission charge, so many activities, so many pumpkins, and the flexibility to bring your own food, it’s easy to see why!

Second:  this is the 2nd pumpkin patch you’ll see along Highway 1171 going west.  There is a newer pumpkin patch the neighbors to Double Oak started a few years ago.  Some might call it a smart business decision; others might call it poor form….the feud between the two farms has been so strong it was written up in the Dallas Morning News back in 2006.  We vote for the original.

Halls Pumpkin Farm, Grapevine

At the northeast corner of Hall Johnson Road and Pool Road in Grapevine is one of the last working farms not swallowed up by the DFW metroplex (although it’s surrounded by us suburbanites).  The Hall family has lived on this property since 1929, and now even the great-great-grandchildren of the founder live on the land.  (Gives me goosebumps to think about that, coming from my small town, rural background!)  At the Halls Pumpkin Farm, you can either pick your own off the vine or choose from pumpkins that have already been picked for you.  They have a 2 acre corn maze, hayrides, hay stacks, and lots of photo opportunities from a real farm.  Admission is free (hayrides an extra fee), and their hours of operation are M-Thurs 3pm-8pm, Fri 3pm-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 1pm – 8pm.  They are having a Family Fright Night on October 25th if you have older kids (or want to have a scary date night) for $8 from dark until 11pm.  More information is on their website (which also plays some great bluegrass music to get you in the pumpkin-picking mood), or by phone (817-421-4099) .

The Pumpkin Express, Argyle

This expansive pumpkin patch in Argyle boasts loads of pumpkins and spooky decorations like the haunted pirate ship shown.  At 11351 Hilltop Road, in Argyle, the Pumpkin Express has a train to ride, bounce houses, and allows your kids to have fun trampsing around the pumpkin field and the decorations.  Admission is $5 (free for kids under 2) and includes the train ride.  They are open everyday from Oct 4 through Nov 2 from 10am – 6pm.

Northeast Dallas Area

Owens Spring Creek Farm, Richardson

The family farm for the Owens Company (think breakfast sausage) has been preserved in Richardson and is open for special events, birthday parties, etc.  Owens Spring Creek Farm will host its annual Big Orange Pumpkin Farm from Sept 27 through the end of October.  Kids can pick out their own pumpkin, pet the farm animals, romp in hay, or go on a hayride.  Weekday admission is $6 and weekend admission is $7 (children under 2 are free); includes different items depending on weekday or weekend so see website for details.  Their address is 1401 E. Lookout Drive, Richardson, TX 75082, and you may call them also for more information at (972) 235-0192.

Southwest Dallas Area

Mainstay Farm, Cleburne

This Christmas Tree Farm goes all out for fall with so much to do for families.  The Mainstay Farm Family Play Days are Saturdays October 4, 11, 18, & 25 from 11am until 5pm.  Adventure Hay rides are included in admission, and you’ll get to play in the 3-story tree house, wooden maze and other playground activities. They have 3 mazes, face and pumpkin painting, a hay-play and jump barn, 100 ft. super chute slide, pedal kart race track, a Goat Scape Mountain, picnic pavillion, and indoor restrooms. Come to hungry to the Mainstay Grill where we serve: gourmet hot dogs, hamburgers, turkey legs, sausage-on-a-stick, caramel apple chips, pumpkin ice cream, and pumpkin pie. There is also a snack stand on the back of the farm.  Admission $8 adults, $7 kids 12 and younger, free for 2 and younger. 1004 W. Bethesda Road, five miles south of Burleson (exit 32 off of I-35W).  Their website has lots more information, or you may call them at 817-295-6772.

“In Town” Options

Dallas Arboretum

The Dallas Arboretum is not just a great outing in the spring; in the fall, they have 66 acres of beautiful landscaping with wonderful blooming flowers – and loads of pumpkins!  At their Great Pumpkin Festival, running from Sept 20 – Nov 2, they also have a hay maze and on the weekends they add Arts & Crafts for the kids along with a self-guided scavenger hunt.  They have some special events lined up for the fall, including an Eddie Coker concert at 11am on Oct. 13 and a Pumpkin Carving contest on Oct. 25 & 26 at 1pm.  Also on Oct. 25 & 26 they will be having a Family Fun Weekend, with petting zoo, face painting, trick-or-treating, and games.  Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes for this event.  Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors (65+), $5 for children (ages 3-12), and free for children ages 2 and under.  On-site parking $5 per vehicle.  Open daily 9am-5pm.  The Arboretum is located at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX  75218.

Plano – Resurrection Lutheran Church

Resurrection Lutheran Church, at 1919 Independence Parkway in Plano, begins their annual pumpkin patch on Oct. 12 and will run through Oct. 30.  Hours are M-F 4:30pm – 7pm, Sat-Sun 9am – 6pm.  They host a special Fall Festival each year, and this year it is on Oct. 25 from 10am – 1pm.  Activities will include a petting zoo, face painting, several children’s games, and Trunk-or-Treating.  Bring the kids out in their costumes and have some good family fun!

Coppell – Rejoice Lutheran Church

Rejoice Lutheran Church, at 532 E. Sandy Lake Road in Coppell, begins their annual pumpkin patch on Oct. 4.  We couldn’t find specific hours posted, but it is such a Coppell tradition we’re sure you Coppell Moms know all about it.  A pretty setting, right in the middle of town.