Written by Madison Stano, Des Moines Girl Fall Intern
There’s nothing quite like stepping foot (likely a closed-toed boot) onto a pumpkin patch or apple orchard on a crisp fall day. Luckily, Des Moines is conveniently located in the heart of Iowa. Rural farms all around the metro are opening their doors this fall season for people to sip on warm cider, pick pumpkins, explore a corn maze, and so much more. Check out this curated list of our favs when it comes to finding the best pumpkins, apples, or simple fall fun in the area!
The DSMG Guide to Pumpkin Patches & Apple Orchards
Wills Family Orchard
- Fall Season: Every Weekend in September & October
- Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. & Sunday, 12 – 6 p.m.
- Wills Family Orchard, 33130 Panther Creek Road, Adel, Iowa 50003
Located on 60 acres of farmland west of the metro in Adel is the Wills Family Orchard. The farm hosts Fall Festival days on weekends in September and October. Tickets for farm fun activities – corn pools, duck races, pedal tractors, slides, and more – are $7 for adults and $9 for children. Other activities on the farm include u-pick pumpkins, apple picking, hayrides, barnyard animals and gourd painting. Visit their store for some yummy donuts and warm up with cider.
Why we love it: Their crops are mindfully managed using biologically sustainable farming practices. Fruit crops are certified organic & the decorative pumpkins and gourds are minimally sprayed.
Best for: The perfect organic apple with your girls!
Center Grove Orchard
- Apple Orchard & Pumpkin Patch: September – October
- Wednesday-Monday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Center Grove Orchard, 32835 610th Ave, Cambridge, Iowa 50046
About 30 minutes north of the metro area is Center Grove Orchard in Cambridge. Between the apple orchard, pumpkin patch, farmyard, country store and sunflower meadow (expecting to be blooming until mid-October) there’s tons of attractions for the whole family! The giant corn pool is always a big hit as are the jumping pillows, super slides, apple slingshot and of course, bottling feeding the baby goats. Did we mention that their treats are DELICIOUS? From cookies and pies, to giant milkshakes and donuts- Center Grove is perfect for your inner foodie.
Tickets at the gate are $16.95 but you can save money by purchasing tickets in advance online!
Why we love it: You can easily make a whole day out of a visit to Center Grove! It’s definitely worth the drive!
Best for: Families, Insta-worthy shots
Iowa Orchard
- Pumpkin Patch: Late September – October 31, Tuesday-Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Apple Picking: September – mid-October, Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Iowa Orchard, 9875 Meredith Dr, Urbandale, Iowa 50322
Smack dab in the middle of the Des Moines area is the Iowa Orchard. At their Meredith Drive location in Urbandale, you can visit the Iowa Orchard’s pumpkin patch and pick out your pumpkin from the pre-cut selection. All the reward without any of the messy work! One of the best things about Iowa Orchard, is their all-season bakery and farm market, open year round for delicious homemade baked goods from scratch pies and fruit crisps, to cider and apple donuts.
Why we love it: Location, location location! It’s very convenient. (plus, not far off to stop for a quick midday pick-me-up or after work errand!)
Best for: Those with super busy lives that still want to have all the fun fall experience or those with little kids!
Rose Farmstead
- Fall Season: September 6 – October 25
- Thursday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Friday, 10 p.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Rose Farmstead, 197 43rd Ave, Norwalk, IA 50211
We can’t get enough of Rose Farmstead in ANY season. Whether you’re going for a girl’s day, a cooking class, story time, sunrise yoga, or a photo shoot, this is the perfect little getaway for a weekend refresh. Check out their Instagram for the latest lineup of events. No matter what you’re there for, make sure you check out the Shoppe for more local ingredients and, of course, pumpkins! Rose Farmstead is the best retreat to get into the fall spirit, with their focus on education and passion for bringing “southern hospitality” to Iowa.
Why we love it: Rose Farmstead offers amazing events all year round, but is the perfect easy stop for a girl’s day afternoon.
Best for: Your next Instagram or TikTok.
Howell’s Pumpkin Patch
- Fall Season: September 7 – October 31
- Daily, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Howell’s Pumpkin Patch, 3145 Howell Court, Cumming, Iowa 50061
Howell’s Pumpkin Patch – just 10 minutes south of Des Moines in Cumming – is a local legend. General admission is $14 per person for those over 2 years old online and $18 at the gate. Discounted admission for Seniors 65+ and military personnel is available with an ID and when purchasing tickets at the gate. Activities included with general admission include a bathtub train, hamster wheel, push pull go karts, a chalk farm and SO much more! Other activities for an additional cost include a pumpkin cannon, corn cannon and a bee line. Other great news, they now have indoor plumbing!
Why we love it: It’s the quintessential pumpkin patch experience and there’s something here for everyone!
Best for: Large groups. Experiences at Howell’s can be booked for group events, corporate events, birthday parties and school field trips.
Wilson’s Orchard & Farm
- Fall Season: October
- Wednesday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Wilson’s Orchard & Farm, 201 15th Ave, Cumming, IA 50061
Wilson’s Orchard & Farm – an Iowa City favorite – recently opened a second location just 10 minutes from Des Moines in Cumming. There is so much to do on the farm, they are calling it an all-inclusive Farm Experience. Tickets are $16 for ages 3+ and includes admission to the farm, kids play area, a tractor ride through the orchard and a 1/4 peck of apples. You can pick apples or pumpkins and try out the 5-acre corn maze. Don’t forget to check out their bakery or pick up a four-pack of their hard cider.
Why we love it: Tons of fall farm fun for everyone and a great place to come back to for their Ciderhouse restaurant
Best for: Small or large groups looking for a full farm experience.
Deal’s Orchard
- Daily 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- 1102 244th St, Jefferson, IA 50129
- Fall Season: Apple Acres closes the first weekend in November, then they transition to the Winter Wonderland
Deal’s Orchard in Jefferson is the perfect day trip to enjoy U-pick apples, pumpkins, kid friendly fun, flowers when in season, a gift shop and cidery. You can access Deal’s Orchard free of cost for the free hayride that takes you around the orchards and pumpkin patch, sip on some cider, listen to live music, or check out the gift shop. If you wish to explore the Apple Acres general admission is $12.95 per person ages 3-65, ages 2 and under and 65 and over are free. Included in this is access to the flower fields, the jumping pillow, giant slides, human hamster wheel, pedal tractors, corn maze, and more. Additional costs associated with take home produce.
Why we love it: amazing cider and you can even get a flight of ciders, beautiful fields, a great experience with or without kids, and events happening weekly
Best for: Small and large groups, anyone looking for fresh produce, delicious treats, and supporting a family business
Did you end up at Center Grove purchasing more apple cider donuts than you can count? Or, perhaps you wandered a bit too far in a corn maze and got yourself lost? No judgment. Tell us how you liked the experience. What was your favorite part?
