If you want to sample all the diversions that agri-tourism can pack into a pumpkin patch, drive north. You will find the area’s biggest corn mazes, and all manner of cannons, vehicles, slides, games and other farm-based amusements. You will also find lovely farms nestled in a magnificent landscape.
Whether you are looking for a simple visit to a pumpkin patch, or a more elaborate adventure, you can find it here. And it’s convenient, too. With one worthy exception (Bellewood Farms), the farms on this list are a quick drive from Seattle and the Eastside.
There are eight farms on this list. In a previous year, the list would likely be 10 farms long, but two farms canceled their fall festivities this year because of COVID-19. Let’s hope they come back for 2021.
Before you go:
Some things to keep in mind while planning your excursion:
- Dress for weather and mud.
- Do not bring pets.
- COVID-19 restrictions apply in farm country too. Wear masks, bring hand sanitizer, and be prepared to distance.
- The COVID-19 rules mean that farms have to limit the number of visitors that come in. If you’re going somewhere that doesn’t take reservations, be ready to kill time for a little while as you wait for your turn in the farm.
- Adjust your expectations. Because of the pandemic, farms may cancel or modify some activities you remember from previous years.
- It’s a good idea to call ahead, especially when you near the end of October. Farms can and do run out of pumpkins.
Craven Farm
Every day in October, visitors to Craven Farm can:
- Navigate a 15-acre corn maze (Theme: “Alice in Pumpkinland,” $8)
- Take on the Kids’ Adventure Maze (set up this year for one-way traffic, $7 )
- Enter a rubber duck race ($3 per duck)
- Play nine holes of mini golf ($5 )
- Visit the animal barn (free) in a new barn with improved air flow.
- Play human foosball ($8 per person, limit 8 people at a time, because of COVID-19)
- Make a scarecrow ($29.95 plus tax)
- Visit the “I Spy Mini-barn” (free)
- Play in the play yard (free)
- Buy food and drink from concessions (The farm added more stands, so there will be less of a chance of a line.)
During the weekend, people will also be able to use the apple slinger, and take part in hay rides (which have been modified for COVID-19).
Between 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on weekends in October, it’s Flashlight Nights, when you can pay $15 per person to explore the 15-acre corn maze and play mini golf.
Getting in: Admission is free but many activities come with fees.
No reservations required.
Hours: Open 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily through October. Weekends in October, the 15-acre maze and mini golf are open until 10 p.m.
13817 Shorts School Road, Snohomish
360-568-2601
Swan’s Trail Farms
The highlight of Swan’s Trail is a 12-acre corn maze inspired by the geography of Washington State. It has corn-y renditions of 400 towns and landmarks, each labeled with educational facts. There’s also a much smaller kids’ corn maze, farm animals (viewing only, because of COVID-19), a tractor pull, live duck races, the “Four Little Pigs” show, wagon rides, a hay pyramid, barnyard sports zone, dump truck roller slide, indoor slides, rubber duck races, pedal carts and a cow train.
Because of COVID-19, the following activities will not be offered: the corn box, jumping pillows, and the hay maze.
Getting in: You can access the pumpkin patch itself for free, but the farm charges admission for activities. Tickets are $10 per person on weekdays, and $15 on weekends.
You can buy tickets in advance online. If there is room, you can also buy a ticket at the farm. Weekend tickets are timed. Weekday tickets are not.
Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends. Closes at 4 p.m. on Halloween.
7301 Rivershore Road, Snohomish
425-334-4124
Bob’s Corn and Pumpkin Farm
Bob’s Corn and Pumpkin Farm boasts a 10-acre corn maze, plus two kids’ corn mazes: a color-find one for very small children, and a story trail maze for kids who are a little older.
Other features: a pneumatic apple cannon, hay rides, a play area, cow train, slides, a gaga pit, rope maze, sand box full of toy trucks, and tag with Spookley and Friends.
Some activities are only available on weekends.
Because of COVID-19, the following activities will not be offered: trike track and corn crib.
Getting in: Tickets for activities are $15 for weekdays or $20 for weekends if you buy them in advance. You can buy tickets at the farm, if space is available, but it will cost $3 more. You can go to the lower pumpkin patch for a pumpkin without paying admission. Also available without paying admission: the apple cannon (It costs $2 per shot or $10 for a bucket of 10 apples.)
Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Nov. 1. The big maze (with fire-pits you can reserve) is open for night exploration from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
10917 Elliott Rd, Snohomish
360-668-2506
Thomas Family Farm
Thomas Family farm has activities on the weekends.
During the day, there’s corn maze, gem-mining, super slide, pro karts, kids’ paintball blast, apple cannons, cow train and Kid Land activity area.
Hay rides won’t be available every day.
There are also night activities on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, including a “Haunted Hay ride” for people aged 12 and over as well as the corn maze and the pumpkin patch, and fire pits you can reserve.
Not offered this year because of COVID: Zombie paintball, Nightmare on 9 Haunted House, escape rooms, jump pad and monster truck rides.
Getting in: Admission to the pumpkin patch itself is free. Admission to daytime activities is $18. (Free for age 3 and younger). You could also access the corn maze separately for $8, or buy five shots on the apple cannon for $5. For nighttime activities: the flashlight corn maze is $15, the haunted hay ride is $22, and a combination of the two is $32.
Hours: The pumpkin patch is open Monday to Thursday noon to 4 p.m., Friday 6 -9 p.m. and weekends 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Daytime activities are Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Night activities are Fridays and Saturdays 6 p.m. to midnight and Sundays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
9010 Marsh Rd, Snohomish
Stocker Farms
Photo from Stocker Farms
Stocker Farms touts more than 30 attractions.
Open every day: corn maze, duck races, steer roping, farmer foosball, swings, children’s climbing wall, sound garden, children’s trikes, Hayloft Heist, Crank the Tractor, Konk the Crow, roller bowler, tractor slide, sport ball arcade, pumpkin tetherball, smile-o-meter, pumpkin tic-tac-toe, Jenga, corn hole, gourd tunnel, Tonka truck pit and tractor, wall ball games and Spookley’s house.
Open on weekends: hay rides and Billy Bob’s Blaster Alley.
On some nights (see the list in the “Hours” section), the farm has non-scary nighttime activities (corn maze, Konk the Crow, ball zone, roller bowler, farmer foosball and Billy Bob’s Blaster Alley)
Food is also for sale on weekends.
Getting in: Tickets are $19.95 for weekends, $13.95 midweek, and $19.95 for nighttime activities.
Tickets must be purchased online and in advance.
Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout October. Also open for nighttime activities 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, and 31.
8705 Marsh Rd, Snohomish
360-568-7391
Carleton Farms
Daily activities include a corn maze, apple guns, pumpkin cannon, hay ride, Game Zone, kids’ bucket train and Kids Korral play area.
On weekends, there is also a paintball gallery.
Getting in: There is no charge to go to the pumpkin patch, or see the animals.
Prices for activities are on a sliding scale depending on how much you want to do Admission to each activity is one ticket. On the weekend, you can get five tickets for $20, two tickets for $10 and $5 will give you no tickets but will let you into the Kids Korral and Game Zone. Extra tickets are $5. Prices during the week are $16 for five tickets, $8 for two tickets and $5 for no tickets.
Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
630 Sunnyside Blvd SE, Lake Stevens
425-334-2297
Bailey Family Farm
Photo from Bailey Family Farm.
This farm is all about keeping it simple. You can pick a pumpkin, and stop by the other fields and pick vegetables, herbs or flowers. There are some play activities in the big, grass field.
Getting in: Free admission.
First come, first served.
Hours: Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
12711 Springhetti Rd, Snohomish
360-568-8826
Bellewood Farms
So far north. Photo from Bellewood Farms.
Why does this list include a farm that’s so far north that your car radio will get a perfect signal from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation? Because that farm is a wonderland for apple lovers. You can ride the “apple-bin express” a tractor-propelled train out to the orchards, and pick a variety of fruit. Check here for what’s available.
There’s also a free corn maze packed with fun facts about agriculture in Whatcom County. And you can buy cider, cider donuts and apple pie from the café and outdoor concession stand.
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. (U-picks end at 4 p.m.)
6140 State Route 539, Lynden
360-318-7720
Not opening in 2020
Foster’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze 5818 WA-530, Arlington 360-435-6516
Fairbank Animal Farm: 15308 52nd Ave W, Edmonds 425-743-3694
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