Explore the 10 Best Pumpkin Patches in New Jersey For a Great Fall Adventure

New Jersey, home to Princeton University, Atlantic City, and the Delaware Crossing, is also home to seven pumpkin patches worthy of fall photos and family fun. Nicknamed “The Garden State,” New Jersey is a horticultural wonderland. Casinos and boardwalks aside, the state has some amazing pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and apples ripe for picking. 

While this might come as a surprise to many, New Jersey has a very large agricultural scene. The state has over 9,000 farms that collectively generate over $1 billion in revenue annually.

Check out the 10 best pumpkin patches in New Jersey and read about the history of each one!

Demarest Farms (Hillsdale)

Demarest Farms is one of the oldest farms in New Jersey. The farm started in 1886, and it has been a staple in Bergen County for nearly 150 years. One of the most popular attractions of Demarest Farms is the Halloween Light Show. The light show features Halloween lights across 32 acres.

Why You Should Visit Demarest Farms

In addition to the Halloween Light Show, Demarest Farms offers a much more selective approach to pumpkin picking. A reservation is required, and there is the option for a private hayride to the pumpkin patch. This means you get the pumpkin patch to yourself and there’s little competition!

Battleview Orchards (Freehold)

Battleview Orchards is family family-owned fruit farm. The farm started in 1908 and is most famously known for its apple orchards With over 500 acres of apples, the farm’s most popular crop is definitely apples. However, with over a hundred years of farming experience, Battleview Orchards has branched out to include New Jersey strawberries, sour cherries, nectarines, and sweet corn. The sweet corn is apparently a huge hit.

Why You Should Visit Battleview Orchards

Although best known for its apple orchards, Battleview Orchards offers an excellent pumpkin patch for pick-your-own pumpkins. The farm is currently celebrating its 115 anniversary and has a number of upcoming seasonal events.

Giamarese Farm & Orchards (East Brunswick)

The Giamerese family migrated from Italy to the United States around 1910, settling in East Brunswick around 1930. By 1941, the family owned 20 acres of farmland, and by 1947, another 20 acres. Originally, the farm functioned as a wholesale truck farm, but by the 1980s, the family decided to expand their retail market. Today, Giamerese Farms is a pick-you-own-crops farm. 

Why You Should Visit Giamrese Farm & Orchards

The Giamerese is known for its pick-you-own approach. Their pumpkin patch has all of fall’s favorite gourds. The apple orchard also contains over ten different types of apples, so if pumpkins aren’t your favorite fall produce to pick, there are plenty of other options. Giamerese Farm & Orchards also has hayrides, a farmers market with fresh baked goods, and a corn maze.

Wightman Farms (Morristown)

Wightman Farms has been thriving since 1922. Albert and Laeitita Wightman purchased a portion of the land that would eventually become what is today known as Wightman Farms. Initially, the smattering of fruit trees and vegetables lured nearby customers. With three generations of farmers, Wightman Farms has grown to accommodate a farm market and cider mill.

Why You Should Visit Wightman Farms

Wightman Farms has been providing fresh produce for over a century. Before you grab a pumpkin, drop by the farm stand and sample some pie or cider. During the fall, their pumpkin patch is a vision of fall. With acres and acres of pumpkins in all sorts of sizes and colors, you’ll find the perfect one for your decoration needs. 

Von Thun Farms (Monmouth Junction)

Von Thun Farms dates back to 1913 when Henry Von Thun purchased 90 acres of farmland in New Jersey. Henry grew potatoes and grain, and then his son Henry M. took over the farming family tradition. With each generation, the farm grew, and changes were made. Now, Von Thun Farms is in its fifth generation, and has two apple orchards, hundreds of acres of pumpkins, an interactive corn maze, and a thriving CSA program.

Why You Should Visit Von Thun Farms

Von Thun Farms has two locations, both of which have an inordinate number of pumpkins. You can find pumpkin picking, apple picking, homemade apple cider donuts, and hayrides. In honor of Reba McEntire, Von Thun Farms is one of 40 farms honoring Reba in their corn maze this year. Whether you want to get lost in a Reba corn maze or pick the best pumpkin, Von Thun has plenty to offer fall fanatics.

Stony Hill Farms (Chester)

When Stony Hill Farms opened in 1988, their plan was to focus on orchids. Since then, they’ve expanded their offerings to include a wide collection of flowers and herbs as well as an extensive produce offering. Stony Hill Farm is owned by Carol and Dale Davis, and with Dale’s degree in Horticulture, the couple has expanded their farm to approximately 500 acres with 20 acres of orchards containing peaches, pears, plums, and apples, to name a few.

Why You Should Visit Stony Hill Farms

Stony Hill Farms includes a Maze Fun Park, a 10-acre corn maze, and an annual Sunflower Festival. Every year, the farm offers pick-your-own strawberries, apples, and of course, pumpkins. 

The U-Pick options are seemingly endless at Stony Hill Farms. In lieu of fall, Stony Hill Farms has gigantic pumpkins to choose from. Visit their pumpkin fields to find the pumpkins just for your fall celebration!

Abma’s Farm (Wyckoff)

Abma’s Farm has humble beginnings dating back to the early twentieth century. Barney Abma, a first-generation American, settled in Wyckoff, New Jersey with his wife Anna in the late 1920s. Upon relocating to America, the Abmas began working for the Yeoman farm, which is the present location of Abma’s Farm. In 1932, Barney purchased the 50-acre farm for $6,000 and Abma’s 32-acre farm was born. 

The farm’s origins were ‘mom and pop style,’ and initially, they grew enough to sustain their own family. The couple had five boys, and by the 1960s, the Abams were mainly in the egg business. With a three-story chicken coop (which is now the farm market), the Abma boys would collect the eggs and drive routes all over northern NJ. As each generation found its niche, the family continued to see the farm develop. Now, with five generations of Abmas, the family has seen the farm grow exponentially.

Why You Should Visit Abma Farm

This fifth-generation farm is home to fresh produce, greenhouses, a farm market, and a slew of seasonal events. Every September-October, you can pick a pumpkin, go on a hayride, and visit the Barnyard Petting Zoo. 

Conklin Farm U-Pick (Montville)

Conklin Farm U-Pick keeps it simple. Located on the corner of Vreeland Avenue and River Road in Montville, this humble farm is all about picking the best fall produce and decorations. Conklin Farm U-Pick also offers a barn store with painted pumpkins and gourds as well as fresh apple cider. Most importantly, every Saturday and Sunday in the fall you can get freshly made hot cider donuts. Conklin Farms is pet-friendly if you’d also like to bring your furry family members too.

Why You Should Visit Conklin Farm U-Pick

Conklin Farm U-Pick has fall decorations in all kinds of varieties: painted pumpkins, gourds, mums, corn stalks, straw bales, and the pièce de résistance: pumpkins. Once you arrive, head out to the field and pick your favorite pumpkin. On the weekends, there are regular hayrides, Haunted Hayrides, and freshly baked Apple and Pumpkin pies. You can also take a shot at winning a 100-pound pumpkin! 

Alstede Farms (Chester)

Alstede Farms prioritizes family first since it’s a family-owned farming business. This farm is more than a pumpkin patch, more than a farm—it’s an experience. The Alstede family ardently loves their work and aims to be good stewards of the land they work on. The family is committed to producing the highest quality fruits and vegetables. With over 600 acres of farmland, the Alstede Family has a Farm Store filled with produce, local honey, homemade baked goods and ice cream, cider donuts, and so much more. 

Why You Should Visit Alstede Farms

As previously mentioned, Alstede Farms is an experience. The pumpkin patch is open all season long, but the pumpkin picking is enhanced by the Harvest Moon Hayride event. Pumpkin patches aside, Alstede Farms offers activities such as a bounce house, wagon ride, corn maze, hay pyramid, and feeding farm animals. Plan your visit today! 

Heaven Hill Farm (Vernon Township)

Known for its annual fall festival, Heaven Hill’s pumpkin patch is picturesque. The Theobald family’s 365-acre is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and when Martin Theobald began producing produce, he sold it at a roadside tent. Heaven Hill Farm was first established in 1982 as a roadside stand in Vernon, NJ. As Martin’s roadside business grew, he made the decision to purchase an additional 7 acres, adjacent to the family farm. There, he erected a greenhouse and the barn which started Heaven Hill Farm. As the demand grew, so did the number of greenhouses. 

Why You Should Visit Heaven Hill Farms

Heaven Hill Farm has countless pumpkins, a corn maze, and a pumpkin bounce house, so there is plenty to do. The farm also has an adorable farm market, so be sure to stock up on some tasty seasonal goodies. You can find locally grown fruits and vegetables, homemade honey, jams, baked goods, ice cream, and Italian Ices at the Farmers Market. 

Even more, their Great Pumpkin Festival is actually the largest fall festival in all of New Jersey, so of course, that’s why Heaven Hill Farm is #1 to visit. 

New Jersey Pumpkin Patches 

No matter what part of New Jersey you find yourself in, there certainly isn’t a shortage of pumpkin patches. Add one of these to your Fall Activity Checklist and go find your favorite orange gourd. 

If you’re not into picking pumpkins, each of the farms on this list offers an array of activities and goodies that are sure to win over anyone—pumpkin enthusiast or otherwise. Happy pumpkin-patch exploring!

Summary of the 10 Best Pumpkin Patches in New Jersey

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Photo By Kathy Feeney/iStock via Getty Images