It’s not autumn in Boulder without some good old-fashioned pumpkin picking! Head out to these farms and breathe in the crisp, fall air, find the just-right pumpkin and take in the mountain views and fall foliage. Best to bring cash and a bottle of water and leave your pets at home.
The easiest pumpkin patch to get to from central Boulder, Munson Farms is within the city limits yet has a sprawling, u-pick pumpkin patch with sweeping mountain views. You'll also enjoy the farm stand, overflowing with Indian corn, gourds of every shape, and a rainbow of pumpkin varieties to choose from. Admission is free; pumpkins and produce are priced by the pound.
Hours: Sept. 15-October 31, 2020: Open daily, 9am-6pm.
It’s a straight shot on South Boulder Road to 7th Generation Farm in nearby Louisville, about a 25-minute drive. You’ll find rows of pre-picked pumpkins stacked among vintage farm trucks, or you can stroll out into the field to pick your own. A farm store is stocked with all kinds of produce and goodies. This year, the farm plans to have even more activities, so that guests can spread out to facilitate social distancing. Try a hay bale maze or climb a hay mountain. Check their site for the latest. Entrance to the pumpkin patch and hay bale maze is $5 per person but can go toward the purchase of a pumpkin. Children under 2 free.
Hours: October 1-31, 2020: Open Tues-Fri noon-7pm; Fri-Sun 9am-7pm; Rest of the year: Open Fri and Sat
Located east of Boulder in Lafayette (about 25 minutes away), charming Cottonwood Farms welcomes visitors to borrow from their fleet of little red wagons and load it up with u-pick pumpkins from their fields. This year, visitors are asked to make a reservation online to help ensure social distancing. Greet Rocco the donkey, Bentley the miniature horse and a menagerie of other farm animals. There’s also a hand-cut, four-acre corn maze, vintage farm equipment, and hayrides every Saturday and Sunday in October ($5 per person). Admission to the fall market to buy pumpkins and squash is free; admission to the pumpkin patch and activities is $5 (children 5 and under and seniors 65 and over are free). Please check the Cottonwood Farms website for the latest information, as things may change.
Hours: September 26 through October 31, 2020. Daily, 10am-6pm.
The historic Bee Hugger honey farm in Longmont has pumpkins for picking, an end-of-season sunflower field with spooky surprises, a haunted VW Bug Yard, animals to feed and more fall activities. On the weekends you can take a family hayride around the farm and ride their miniature horse Lobo (10am(ish)-1pm(ish)). There is no entrance fee, but some activities have a small fee. Their shop in a charming VW bus sells local honey, beeswax and other farm harvests. Pets not allowed.
Hours: October 5-October 31, 2020. Daily 8am-8pm.
This Longmont farm (30 minutes north of Boulder) caters to young families with a celebration that pairs organic pumpkin picking with activities. This year at Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch will look a little different, with bounce houses and obstacle courses unavailable. However, there still will be carnival rides and goodies and treats for purchase. General admission is free, and then you pay for the activities and foods you’d like to try.
Hours:
September 18-30, 2020: Open Fri-Sun 10am-5pm (for pumpkins and produce only)
October 1-31,2020: Open daily, 9am-6pm (family activities, pumpkins, produce and more)
