Explore the 15 Best Pumpkin Patches in Illinois to Embrace the Fall Season

Written by Baylee Bunce
Updated: October 23, 2023
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The fall season has descended upon the cities and towns of Illinois. Get ready for pumpkin carving, cider drinking, and apple picking at some of the best pumpkin patches in the state. Illinois’ best pumpkin patches bring fun to the whole family from the north to the southern part of the state. Here we share the state’s best spots to embrace all your favorite parts of the fall season.

1. Kuipers Family Farm — Maple Park

Kuipers Family Farm Train takes visitors around the farm.

Visitors to Kuipers Family Farm can take a trip on the train when the pumpkin patch is open.

©Joseph Gage from USA / CC BY-SA 2.0 – License

Kuipers Family Farm, located in Maple Park, IL, opens its pumpkin patch from mid-September to the end of October. This 71-acre pumpkin patch opened in 1998 and eventually acquired the neighboring apple orchard. Visitors can buy all varieties of pumpkins, apples, and more at the farmstand and enjoy live entertainment on the weekends. There is a 5-acre corn maze, hay wagon rides, and a tractor-tire mountain. Kuipers Family Farm offers a playground, bale maze, and mountain slide for little kids. Come out and discover why it is one of the best pumpkin patches in Illinois.

2. Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch — Champaign

Ripe apple in orchard, ready for picking. The orchard has anti-hail nets

©branislavpudar/Shutterstock.com

A family-owned pumpkin patch and apple orchard since 1977, Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch originates in the historic farm owned by the Curtis family since 1873. Visitors enjoy apple picking throughout October as well as pick-your-own-pumpkins. Other activities include a petting zoo, rope maze, giant corn maze, and more during the week. On the weekends, there are pony rides, slides, tractor tours, horse-drawn carriage rides, and other activities. Stop by the Flying Monkey Café for apple donuts and a homemade lunch or the country store for apple cider, preservers, popcorn, and other autumn delights.

3. Goebbert’s Farm — South Barrington and Pingree Grove

Happy Jack has called Goebbert’s home for a long time.

Goebbert’s Farm opened in 1972 with a 40-acre farm in South Barrington, IL. People travel to Goebbert’s Farm to see the large fiberglass pumpkin face called “Happy Jack,” which sits on top of the silo. There is also a second location in Pingree Grove with 200 acres of family fun during the fall. The farm opens seven days a week in the fall, with activities ranging from pig races to a corn stalk maze to a haunted house. Children can also enjoy pony, camel, and wagon rides. And, of course, you must take a trip to the harvest market for fresh vegetables, pumpkins, apple cider donuts, and other goods.

4. The Great Pumpkin Patch — Arthur

Kansas, Sunflower, Summer, Nature, Farm

Check out the unique sunflower maze at the Great Pumpkin Patch.

©Mark Alexander/ via Getty Images

Located south of Arthur, IL, The Great Pumpkin Patch offers about 300 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds. This pumpkin patch offers a U-pick patch and a great selection of pre-picked pumpkins. The Great Pumpkin Patch boasts over 200 acres of fun, including various mazes like a 1-acre corn maze, straw bale maze, sunflower maze, and soybean maze. Many older buildings on the farm are refurbished and repurposed, like a one-room schoolhouse from 1912, so you can enjoy a quick history lesson. Visitors can also head to the Homestead Bakery for Amish baked goods, including incredible pumpkin cookies.

5. Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm and Fall Festival — Homer Glen

Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm and Fall Festival offers lots of fun and games, with something for all ages to participate in.

Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm and Fall Festival was founded in 1981 and has become one of the best pumpkin patches in the Chicagoland area. The farm has 13 family-friendly rides, including the Barnstormer Wave Swinger, Rockin’ Rabbits, Barrel Blast, and more. For older kids and adults, the farm offers a haunted barn, an animated attraction. Tractor rides operate throughout the day and provide a great way to see pumpkins launched by the Pumpkin Chucker.

6. Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm — Minooka

Giant pumpkin on display at roadside of a country road

Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm is known for growing impressive giant pumpkins.

©Jun Zhang/iStock via Getty Images

Located in Minooka, IL, Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm is a family-owned farm open to visitors for the fall season every September and October. You can buy over 90 different types of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, as well as different fall décor, delicious caramel apples, and pumpkin cookies. Heap’s also offers a classic corn maze, hayrides, and a 25-acre pumpkin patch. Check out the giant pumpkins they specialize in growing, sometimes over 700 pounds! A bean maze offers a challenging but not intimidating activity for small children.

7. Lindberg Pumpkin Patch — Caledonia

Pulled pork with vinegar barbecue sauce american style

Get all-American favorites at the Lindberg Pumpkin Patch, including BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.

©Angel Simon/Shutterstock.com

With its 7-acre pumpkin patch and tractor rides, Lindberg Pumpkin Patch has enough fall activities to fill a whole day and is one of the best pumpkin patches in Illinois. Located in Caledonia, this pumpkin patch creates a new design for its 7-acre corn maze every year. Other attractions include a petting zoo with sheep, goats, alpacas, and chickens. Grab the whole family for a wagon ride, or take older kids through the haunted barn. Visitors can grab lunch at the Pumpkin Café, which offers classic Midwest cooking like BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.

8. Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up – Chicago

This pop-up event brings the magic of fall festivals straight into the city of Chicago.

Since 2018, Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up has been set up in downtown Chicago every September through the beginning of November. A fun 2-acre fall festival for all ages, this pop-up pumpkin patch brings the best of the fall season to residents of Chicago. They create Chicago’s largest corn maze, bring 10,000 pumpkins into the city, and have unique activities like axe throwing. Even though it only shows up once a year, it definitely deserves a spot as one of Illinois’ best pumpkin patches.

9. Pumpkin Blossom Hill — Red Bud

Chrysanthemum, Autumn, Pumpkin, No People, Gourd

Grab all types of fresh autumn decor, produce, and fresh-cooked kettle corn at Pumpkin Blossom Hill.

©SheilaYarger/ via Getty Images

A family-owned farm in Central Illinois, Pumpkin Blossom Hill began as a fun project for the kids and ballooned into a favorite fall attraction for residents of Red Bud. Pumpkin Blossom Hill offers activities for the whole family, including a large playground for kids with a corn pit, swings, and more. Visitors can buy homemade crafts and gifts at the store or grab some fresh-cooked kettle corn.

10. Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm — Crest Hill

Lots of activities await families at Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm, including fun sights, rides, and games.

A farm based in Crest Hill, IL, Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm turns into a pumpkin fest every fall season. For four generations, the pumpkin patch has offered a pumpkin patch for visitors to pick their pumpkins and enjoy great autumn treats like apple cider donuts and fresh kettle corn. Take a trip around the farm on a mile-long journey on the Cottonwood Railroad Train. You can also see neat sights like the giant rocking chair or the Peter Pumpkin Show.

11. Richardson Adventure Farm — Spring Grove

In 2022, Richardson Adventure Farm celebrated 60 years of James Bond with their corn maze theme.

Visit Spring Grove, IL, to see the beautiful sights at Richardson Adventure Farm. This family-owned farm has a large pumpkin patch and 13 acres of sunflowers. Thousands of gourds, squash, and pumpkins are grown each year, and visitors can take a wagon ride to pick their own straight from the field. Visit the 28-acre corn maze, which features a new theme every year, with past themes including Jurassic Park. Other activities for the whole family include a community campfire, train rides, and a zip line.

12. Ackerman Family Farms — Morton

Pumpkins are plentiful at Ackerman Family Farms, and you can find over 160 varieties.

Grab your family and head to Morton, IL, to grab seasonal items like mums, ornamental corn, corn stalks, straw bales, and pumpkins. With over 160 varieties of pumpkins and squash, everyone can find something to take home with them at Ackerman Family Farms. This pumpkin patch also features a large gift shop stocked with various specialty goods, including jams, salsas, popcorn, and crafts. Take a ride on the hayrack on the weekend or wind your way through the corn maze seven days a week.

13. Marlow’s Pumpkin Patch — Opdyke

Many people love visiting Marlow’s Pumpkin Patch for pumpkins, mums, and more.

Marlow’s Pumpkin Patch is a seventh-generation farm operation that calls Opdyke, IL home. Whether you go early to take advantage of the Fall Foodie Fest at the end of September or wait until later in October, this pumpkin patch has lots to offer. They grow standard pumpkins, like Jack O’ Lantern, and other unique pumpkins, gourds, and squash varieties. Take a trip on the pirate ship-themed hayride or visit one of the two corn mazes grown yearly. There is a regular corn maze for all ages and a pee wee maze for younger kids. Find out why it is one of Illinois’ best pumpkin patches for all ages.

14. Odyssey Fun Farm — Tinley Park

Small child feeding a goat from their hand

Odyssey Fun Farm offers 110 acres devoted to fall activities with a large corn maze, a petting zoo, and plenty of pumpkins.

©mdmilliman/iStock via Getty Images

In Tinley Park, IL, Odyssey Fun Farm has 110 acres to explore. The 5-acre courtyard area features activities ranging from a petting zoo to pony rides. Adults and older kids can choose to challenge each other at the Containment Z zombie paintball gallery. Beyond the pumpkin patch, where you can pick out pumpkins in all shapes and sizes, there is a giant corn maze with different themes every year. Take pictures in front of the pumpkin house, set up with hundreds of pumpkins each year for the perfect backdrop.

15. Rader Family Farms — Normal

kids on a harvest festival at farm. children pick pumpkins at the farmers market

Kids get to pick from a wide selection of pumpkins and gourds at Rader Family Farms.

©EvgeniiAnd/Shutterstock.com

Rader Family Farms, located in Normal, IL, opens in early September yearly to celebrate the fall season. Activities range from a 250-foot slide, a low-ropes course, games, and an educational schoolhouse. For little kids, Rader Family Farms has a little village with a post office, diner, market, and more to explore. Multiple food options include a coffee shop, Popcorn Shack, and grill spots.

15 Best Pumpkin Patches in Illinois

RankNameLocation
#1Kuipers Family FarmMaple Park
#2Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin PatchChampaign
#3Goebbert’s FarmSouth Barrington and Pingree Grove
#4The Great Pumpkin PatchArthur
#5Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm and Fall FestivalHomer Glen
#6Heap’s Giant Pumpkin FarmMinooka
#7Lindberg Pumpkin PatchCaledonia
#8Jack’s Pumpkin Pop UpChicago
#9Pumpkin Blossom HillRed Bud
#10Siegel’s Cottonwood FarmCrest Hill
#11Richardson Adventure FarmSpring Grove
#12Ackerman Family FarmsMorton
#13Marlow’s Pumpkin PatchOpdyke
#14Odyssey Fun FarmTinley Park
#15Rader Family FarmsNormal

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Maralee Park/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Baylee Bunce is a writer at A-Z Animals, primarily covering cats, gardening, travel, and geography. Baylee has been writing and researching about animals for 3 years and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from Purdue University, which she earned in 2018. A resident of Indiana, Baylee enjoys working in her backyard garden and spending time with her cats, Stormi and Lady.

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