Appalachia Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes

Fall is upon us. As the leaves begin to change from green to red, orange and yellow, farms around Appalachia are preparing for opening day of pumpkin season.

Granddaddy’s Farm in Tennessee

Granddaddy’s Farm, located in Franklin County, Tennessee. Dating back to 1951, this is a family-run farm. There is a ton of fun offered at this farm in Tennessee, including a visit to the pumpkin patch and corn maze, a visit to the animal barn, hayrides, a nature trail, and pig races.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, nighttime fun is offered as well. The whole family can enjoy moonlight hayrides. Feeling risky? Try out the evening-time corn maze. Light up the way and purchase glowsticks to help you make it through the maze.

In August, farm staff begins the process of creating their very own corn maze. The start by cutting a path through the cornfield and preparing a design. To make their corn maze each year, they design the maze on a hand-held computer, then that computer is brought into the cornfield while the path is walked, with a lawn mower following. This year’s corn maze design is an apple.

September 15th is opening day.

Tuesday – Thursday: Open 1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Friday: Open 1:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday: Open 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Sunday & Monday: Closed

Granddaddy’s Farm is located at:

454 Highland Ridge Rd.
Estill Springs, Tennessee 37330

Baldwin Farms in Kentucky

Baldwin Farms, located in Madison County, Kentucky. The Baldwin family celebrates Fall the proper way with a giant celebration, the Pumpkins & More Festival.

Families will have the opportunity to go out and search for the perfect pumpkin in the patch. There will also be various farm exhibits and of course a corn maze!

Opening day of the Pumpkins & More Festival is Saturday, September 22.

Image by tOrange.biz

The farm will be open every day from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Baldwin Farms is located at:

1113 Tates Creek Road
Richmond, Kentucky 40475

Sinkland Farms in Virginia

Sinkland Farms, located in Montgomery County, Virginia, is close to the college campus of Virginia Tech. With tons to offer, this farm is a must-see stop while you’re in town. They offer special events including weddings and school field trips. They also launched a brewery last year and are preparing for their annual Pumpkin Festival. This year will be the farm’s fifth annual Pumpkin Festival.

The Pumpkin Festival’s opening day is set for Saturday, September 29th.

Festival hours:

Friday: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: Noon – 5:00 p.m.

Not only does Sinkland Farms have a corn maze, but they have a haunted evening corn maze. Starting in October, the maze will be filled with spooky creatures lurking in the fields. Those who dare can enter the corn maze and attempt to make their way through.

Sinkland Farms is located at:

3020 Riner Road
Christiansburg, Virginia 24073

Old McDonalds Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze in West Virginia

Old McDonalds Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze is located in Berkeley County, West Virginia. This 175-acre farm is a seven-generation family farm. There is plenty of fun for the whole family. Hayrides are offered to the public, there is a kiddie corn castle and playground for the kids, animals, and the corn maze is 5 acres large.

Each year guests are surprised with a unique corn maze design. To make the maze experience even more exciting, guests are given stamp sheets before entering the maze, and those who find all the stamps throughout the winding maze are entered into a pumpkin prize drawing.

Some of the previous corn maze designs include Noah’s Ark, West Virginia Mountaineers, and a barn.

Opening day is set for Saturday, September 22nd.

Saturday: Open 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday: Open Noon – 6:00 p.m.

Contact the farm for more information on weekday visits.

Old McDonalds Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze is located at:

1597 Arden Nollville Road
Inwood, West Virginia 25428

Whistle Pig Pumpkin Patch in Pennsylvania

Whistle Pig Pumpkin Patch is a farm located in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. Dating back to the 1870’s, it was originally a dairy farm. Today, the farm has grown tremendously, and now features some of our favorite fall things, like a pumpkin patch, 4-acre corn maze and best of all FREE hayrides.

The pumpkin season kicks off starting Saturday, September 22 and will run through October.

Saturday and Sunday: Open noon until dusk

Plan to visit on opening weekend?  The farm will be offering a free scarecrow-making event for those who bring long shirts and pants to dress their scarecrows with. Other materials will be provided by the farm staff.

Be sure to stick around for the Moonlight Corn Maze, offered Friday and Saturday evenings from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Each year, a new design is carved into the cornfields at Whistle Pig. Halloween designs have been a popular theme in the past, including a bat and Jack-o’-lantern design.

Whistle Pig Pumpkin Patch is located at:

3369 SR29 S
Noxen, Pennsylvania 18636

Where are the BIG Pumpkins?

Many different things excite people about the Fall/Halloween season, but the thrill of wandering around a pumpkin patch in search for that perfect large pumpkin is often what many experience.

There is a lot more than just planting a seed in the soil and hoping for the best. Farms that are well prepared for the season are more likely to generate those larger pumpkins many of us search for in the patch.

Here are a few tips on producing the biggest pumpkins:

  • Plant seeds in a sunny area.
  • Keep soil moist.
  • Germinate pumpkin seeds before planting to speed up the germination process.

Planning to drive through Appalachia this season? If you find yourself near any of these farms along the way, be sure to schedule time on your trip to stop and enjoy all they have to offer.

Stay up to date with other Appalachian region events and craft shows by following Got Mountain Life on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram. Be sure to visit our events calendar often!