Explore the 15 Best Pumpkin Patches in West Virginia For a Great Fall Adventure
When summer slips into autumn, it often brings with it the smells of ripened apples and chimney smoke, visions of vibrant golds, oranges, and reds of falling leaves, and the sounds of fun fall festivities. One of autumn’s quintessential activities is visiting the local pumpkin patch. In this article, we’ll explore the 15 best pumpkin patches in West Virginia to help you get ready for a great fall adventure.
1. Sunset View Farms — Ballard
The Johnson family — Kelly and Tara, with their son and daughter — own and operate the Sunset View Pumpkin Patch. It began in 2014 as a cattle farm for producing beef, but the family decided to plant pumpkins two years after buying the farm. That’s when the idea to share their farm with the public took root.
In 2017, the family started Sugar Run Pumpkin Festival, LLC. The festival was an immediate hit in the community. Soon, their festival boosted them onto the state’s list of the nine best places for picking pumpkins. The 400-acre farm now offers many fall activities for families, church groups, and school field trips.
What makes this pumpkin patch one of the best places to find fall adventure? Their 40-acre corn maze has a theme each year, and the family plows a message right into the field visible from above. Combined with their hay rides, pumpkin-picking, corn crib, and “big chair” for taking family photos, the Sunset View Farms is a fantastic place to visit this season.
2. Chandler Pumpkin Farm, LLC — Elkview
Brandy and Timothy Chandler bought their farm in 2013, but they didn’t start to work on their pumpkin patch until six years later. Since their 2019 grand opening, the Chandlers — with their two little boys in tow — have been operating their pumpkin patch for schools, church groups, families, birthday parties, and other occasions.
What makes Chandler Pumpkin Farms an excellent place for autumn activities? Along with the U-Pick Pumpkin Patch, the apple slingshots, corn pits, and all the other fun activities, the farm also has a petting zoo. The adorable baby goats and other animals are very much worth the visit.
3. Gritt’s Farm — Buffalo
The first generation of Gritts — Veto and Nally — started the farm in 1927. Today, the family still owns and operates the Gritt’s Farm. Every fall, they also provide six weeks — from September 16th to October 29th — of opportunities for families to experience fall fun and festivities.
During their Fall Fun Farm weeks, the family provides over 30 attractions for people to enjoy. In addition to picking a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, people can visit the corn barn, bowl with pumpkins, ride on the tractor train, enjoy hay rides, and experience many other fun activities.
What makes Gritt’s Farms one of the best pumpkin patches for finding fall fun? They offer a season pass for a special price. The pass allows you to visit as many times as you like and includes sunflower picking in their sunflower fields.
4. Black Cat Pumpkin Patch — Morgantown
Some people get superstitious when the days grow shorter and darker in the fall. They may even begin to believe those old sayings, such as the one that claims black cats are bad luck. However, black cats have also served as good portents in many cultures. You’ll find nothing but fun and enjoyment at this Black Cat Pumpkin Patch in Morgantown.
What makes this pumpkin patch unique? Well, it’s not your typical farm pumpkin patch. Instead, it’s a roadside pumpkin patch. However, it’s a charming spot where you can buy your pumpkins by wagon or individually.
5. Old McDonald’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze — Inwood
Old McDonald’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze holds hayrides and other fun activities for the fall season. The best part is it costs only $6 for people over three years old. The hayrides are only $4 more, giving you a whole day of fall adventure for just $10.
What makes this one of the best pumpkin patches to find fall adventure? First, Good Housekeeping Magazine called the farm the best pumpkin patch in West Virginia. Secondly, while other pumpkin patches are over by 7 p.m., Old McDonald’s is moving on to their night activities. For three weekends in October, the farm provides hayrides and a night maze from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
6. Seeds of Grace Acres — Augusta
Seeds of Grace Acres opened in 2017 as a small family farm. The owners offer fresh farm produce, dried herbs, flowers, and local agri-tourism. In the fall, you can visit the farm to find your perfect pumpkin or find adventure in the Farm Fun Zone.
Why is this pumpkin patch one of the best West Virginia places to visit in the fall? Among all the other fun experiences, you can visit their Inflatables Park. They have a variety of activities for kids, both big and small.
6. Butcher Family Farm — Washington
With its fruitful fields and greenhouse, the Butcher Family Farm has provided fresh produce, gorgeous flowers, and a stunning fall backdrop for anyone who visits. After you’ve spent time strolling through the fields and taking in the dazzling hues of the farm, you can wander through the beautiful pumpkin patch from which to pick your perfect pumpkin.
The animals are a fun attraction as well, and you can even pet the baby goats. But what makes this pumpkin patch stand out? The family has a whole field dedicated to beautifully colored mums.
7. West Virginia Pumpkin Park — Milton
Though the West Virginia Pumpkin Park isn’t an actual pumpkin patch, it’s, nonetheless, a must-see attraction in Milton, WV. Since 1986, the Pumpkin Park has set aside several days in October to celebrate the fall harvest with the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival. Along with providing a place for farmers to sell their pumpkins, the festival also includes several days full of fall activities.
There are several vendors, live music and fun entertainment, an annual parade, a pageant, and various contests. What makes this West Virginia pumpkin festival a must-see event? There are fall adventures and excitement all day long for several days each year.
8. Green Acres Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch — Rock Cave
October brings the culmination of the harvest season. Corn fields are the perfect height for you to meander through corn mazes. At Green Acres Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, you can wander through the maze, find a pumpkin or gourd in the pumpkin patch, visit the farm stand, or take a hayride through the autumnal fields.
After a fun afternoon of enjoying the attractions, Green Acres Farm offers fall favorite foods and drinks. But why is this farm one of the best places to find fall adventure? While choosing your pumpkin, you can also stop and browse the extensive selection of stunning flowers for sale.
9. Orr’s Farm Market — Martinsburg
Beginning on September 9th, 2023, the storybook character, Spookley the Square Pumpkin, will be visiting the pumpkin patch. Also, you can see their adorable baby animals, choose a big, fat pumpkin, play on the playground, enjoy a hayride or a walk through the corn maze, or have fun with one of the other lively adventures around the farm.
The owners offer three different packages for all-day fun and activities. What is so special about Orr’s Farm Market? In addition to providing educational opportunities for students and resources for their teachers, they also offer apple-picking in their orchards for all visitors.
10. Okes Family Farm — Cool Ridge
The Okes Family Farm was established in 1914. For years, the farm has been providing fall fun and adventure to its seasonal visitors. With your admission, you can take an autumn wagon ride, hop on board the tractor train, visit the 3-acre corn maze, see the animals, and much more. The owners have recently incorporated a new 100-foot slide for added adventure.
There is a special Witches’ Night in September for ladies who want to gather in the torchlit corn maze, customize their own brooms, and create lanterns. What else makes this a special pumpkin patch? Parents can choose to have their children paint their pumpkins right at the farm.
11. Cherry Brook Farm — Mount Storm
Visiting Cherry Brook Farm in the fall fills your senses with vivid colors, joyous sounds, and fall smells. The owner — Randell Junkins — grows sunflowers, striking mums, and pumpkins in vivid orange, white, and pastel colors. There are even pink ones.
Once you’ve picked your 60-pound or heavier pumpkin or some flat, stackable ones, you can grab some kettle corn that Junkins has hand-popped on the farm. What makes this such a special pumpkin patch? In addition to the unique and gorgeous pumpkins that are available, the farm has honey bees and butterflies that pollinate the thousands of sunflowers on the farm.
12. Town and Country Nursery — Kearneysville
Through the month of October, Farmer Bob opens his farm to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. You can visit and take a walk in the pumpkin patch to find your pumpkin and clip it off the vine. There are orange pumpkins, yellow ones, and pastel-colored stackable pumpkins.
After choosing pumpkins, corn stalks, or vibrantly colored mums, what else makes this place a great place to visit in the fall? While you’re perusing your potential pumpkins, you can stop to taste some of the local produce with fresh apple cider or chocolate milk.
13. Kenova’s Pumpkin House — Kenova
The Pumpkin House was started in 1978 when the owner — Ric Griffith, pharmacist, and mayor — carved one pumpkin for each person in his family. The number of pumpkins he carved grew over the years to 120 and then to 3,000. The site has since become the main attraction of the Ceredo-Kenova AutumnFest. The house itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There aren’t pumpkins to pick from a patch. There are no hayrides or corn mazes. So what is it that makes Kenova’s Pumpkin House one of West Virginia’s best fall adventures? You may get to volunteer to carve one of the 3,000 pumpkins if you’re lucky. More importantly, watching and appreciating the beautiful lighting show that moves to beautiful music and sound effects won’t cost you a cent.
14. Higson’s Farm — Wiley Ford
Roy and Nora Higson are the owners of Higson Farms.
On one blow-out day in October, the Higson’s host an annual October Fest. On that day, you can visit the farm and enjoy all the wonderful happenings. There are pony rides, hayrides, bunnies to pet and hold, crafts, face painting, and other wonderful activities.
Along with the many food trucks and vendors, there is a feeling of community fun. Why else is the Higson’s Farm one of the best pumpkin patches in West Virginia? You can stock up on your fall decorations by purchasing a pumpkin, some straw, and a corn stalk or two.
15. Capitol Market — Charleston
Not a pumpkin patch, Capitol Market is actually a nonprofit market providing a venue for local farmers to sell their produce. In October, that includes the finest pumpkins from local growers. Finding a pumpkin, however, is just one of the fun October experiences you get at the Capitol Market.
So, besides the freshest, locally grown fall produce around, what else is so special about this market for fall fun? Capitol Market is the site for the 2023 Wizarding Weekend. You can experience a potions class, some face painting, an herbology class, or participate in a costume contest. There are plenty of unique vendors and outdoor market produce available as well.
Summary Table of the Best Pumpkin Patches in West Virginia
Number | Farm or Pumpkin Patch | Where in WV? |
---|---|---|
1. | Sunset View Farms | Ballard |
2. | Chandler Pumpkin Farm, LLC | Elkview |
3. | Gritt’s Farm | Buffalo |
4. | Black Cat Pumpkin Patch | Morgantown |
5. | Old McDonald’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze | Inwood |
6. | Seeds of Grace Acres | Augusta |
7. | Butcher Family Farm | Washington |
8. | West Virginia Pumpkin Park | Milton |
9. | Orr’s Farm Market | Martinsburg |
10. | Okes Family Farm | Cool Ridge |
11. | Capitol Market | Charleston |
12. | Cherry Brook Farm | Mount Storm |
13. | Town and Country Nursery | Kearneysville |
14. | Kenova’ Pumpkin House | Kenova |
15. | Higson’s Farm | Wiley Ford |