Pumpkins and Apples and Mazes, Oh My!

 

Fresh Outdoor Fun for your Family in the Flathead Valley

 

Have you spent a lifetime buying your Halloween pumpkins at the grocery store? Have your kids ever walked through a corn maze on a bright October day? Come home to Montana, and see what you’ve been missing!

 

Sweet Pickin’s Pumpkin Patch

Celebrating their 20th year in business, this iconic family farm is the place to be with your kids this fall. There is something fun for everyone in your family on this sprawling 40 acres outside of Kalispell. Don’t be afraid to bring your wild and rambunctious toddlers—the activities here are really geared towards little ones.

You will find a tricycle track, mini buildings to explore, and the (very popular) GIANT sandbox complete with big digger toys. Let everyone enjoy sweet treats and fresh kettle corn from the mercantile—they can wear off the sugar high on massive trampoline pillows.

On top of all the excitement, your kids will love a true Montana country experience at the petting zoo and pumpkin patch.

Cost:  $9 per person / $25 season pass / children 2 and under are free

Check website or call ahead for hours: https://www.sweetpickinspumpkinpatch.com/

Location: 1990 Holt Stage Rd, Kalispell

 

Fritz Corn Maze

No fall is complete without a trip to this incredible corn maze that gets bigger and better every year!

Maze 2018 was all about Montana, and Maze 2019 had a Glacier Park theme. In this year’s maze, your kids can learn all about dinosaurs that were found in our amazing state. Come learn about our famous Montana Dinosaur Trail!  There is a scavenger hunt, and your kids will even get a small prize.

If you like the spooky side of the season, the maze hosts a Haunted Trail and Haunted Barn on October 23, 30, & 31st

Your little ones will love a ride on the cow train, and everyone—young and old alike—enjoys the culvert slides!

Hot drinks and snacks are available for purchase.

Cost: $8 per person / children 4 and under are free / Haunted Events are $10 per person

Check website or call ahead for hours: https://www.fritzcornmaze.com/  (406) 755-4210

Location:  At the turnoff of 141 Birch Grove Rd, Kalispell

 

North Shore Farm

If a quiet and authentic country farm atmosphere is more your style, stop in at North Shore Farm on Hwy 35 between Somers and Bigfork.

Pumpkins can be picked fresh out of the field, or choose from those already picked. You can pick your own pie pumpkins, too!

Fresh local produce is still available, even Mountain View garden tomatoes. Winter squashes and gourds are in, and you’ll find local meats and other products as well.

Cost: Pumpkins 50 cents per lb already picked / .30 cents per lb  for you-pick.

Open: Monday-Saturday, 9:00-5:00

Location: 1803 MT Hwy 82, Somers

 

Getman’s Orchard and Vineyard

The best-kept secret in the valley for entertaining your kids, getting your family outdoors, and picking delicious fruit to bring home. The scenery along Flathead Lake is a bonus!

Call Farmer Dan at Getman Orchard and let him know you’re coming. He will greet you at the gate and bring you into the Orchard like honored guests. YES, kids are more than welcome! Farmer Dan is a character, and will entertain you all with stories and laughs.

No ladders required, everything is easy-reach.

Right now, during October harvest, you can come to pick Gala apples, Honey Crisp, and Macintosh. They even have a selection of heirloom apples. Coming along soon will be the D’Anjou winter pears.

You will come back for this experience year after year, guaranteed. Check in all year round for you-pick strawberries, cherries, apricots, and peaches: pears, plums, apples, and grapes begin in the fall.

Cost: Varies depending on produce

Open: Call to schedule: (406) 871-5499

Location: 21848 E Lake Shore, Bigfork

 

For more tailored experiences in Missoula and Hamilton, continue reading below:

 

Family Fun

Turner Farms 406

606 Stallion Ln, Missoula MT

One walk through Turner Farms 406, and you will feel like you are miles from the busy city of Missoula. Turner Farms is owned and operated by Erin and Jon Turner and their three boys and has been open for business since 2006. The Turners have built Turner Farms to be a welcoming and open space for families and fall lovers alike. At Turner Farms, you can walk the rows and rows of pumpkins, enjoy self-serve egg and vegetable stands while surrounded by farm life. Turner Farms is open for pumpkin picking on most days from noon to five in the evening. They are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so if you are looking for an outing on the weekend with your family, look no further than Turner Farms. Plan to spend an hour exploring the farm and selecting your perfect pumpkin.

 

Pumpkins at sunset on farm

Quick Picks

Benson Farms

2418 S. 7th St W, Missoula

Benson Farms was established in the 1900s by Otto Benson and has been in operation ever since. Located in a central location in Missoula city limits, Benson Farms is a one-stop-shop for pumpkins and produce. Easy exploration of pumpkins of various shapes and sizes throughout Benson Farms makes hunting down the perfect pumpkin quick and easy. This pumpkin patch is an excellent stop for families or individuals that want to experience a pumpkin patch but do not have a lot of time to walk rows of pumpkins. With flowers, vegetables, and fruit available at the checkout, you really can get it all at Benson Farms. Benson Farms is open Monday – Friday from nine to six and nine to five on the weekends. Benson Farms does close for the season in November to prepare for the summer crops.

 

Bitterroot Adventure

Meadowlark Farms

250 Meadowlark Ln, Hamilton MT

If you find yourself in the Bitterroot, you don’t have to make the drive to Missoula to have fun exploring a pumpkin patch. Hamilton welcomed Meadowlark Farms in 2014 and has been enjoying the u-pick pumpkin patch fun ever since! Located just south of Hamilton, Meadowlark Farms features decorative corn and pumpkins to decorate your space for the fall season and many holidays! One feature of Meadowlark Farms that sets it apart is the opportunity to purchase bales of hay. These hay bales can be used for outdoor seating or feed for your farm animals. Along with the sale of hay, you can discuss purchasing locally raised beef to accompany your next holiday meal. Stop by for a unique farm experience that is sure to please families and fall lovers alike. For more information, contact Meadowlark Farms at pumpkins@MeadowlarkFarmMT.com.

 

Pumpkin Patch Alternative

Green Bench Orchard

4701 South Ave West, Missoula MT

If you are not interested in pumpkin picking, then Green Bench Orchard is the place to head. There is an apple type for everyone with eight varieties of apples such as Honeycrisp, Wealthy, and Haralson. With prices ranging between $10-$20, you can walk away with pounds upon pounds of apples. If you are concerned that there might not be a tree your little one can reach, don’t worry because Green Bench Orchard has 185 kid height trees making this a must-do activity for the whole family. Green Bench Orchard is open from noon to five daily.

 

Are you ready to make apple-picking, fresh air, and country living your ‘normal’ instead of your vacation? Take a look at some of our beautiful rural Montana properties here.

 

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