Pumpkin patches near Columbus: 7 spots to check out this fall

Taijuan Moorman, Columbus Dispatch

Updated October 4, 2023 at 10:19 PM·3 min read

Felicia and Charles Azbell of Lancaster pull their sons Walker, left, and Bentley and their pumpkins during a 2017 visit to Pigeon Roost Farm near Hebron. The farm doesn't offer U-pick but has pre-picked pumpkins to choose from. [ERIC ALBRECHT/DISPATCH]

Whether for pies, jack-o'-lanterns for Halloween or fall decorations, visiting pumpkin patches is a quintessential fall activity.

And soon, Columbus area and nearby farms and orchards will begin offering opportunities to pick your own pumpkin to take home.

The list includes spots offering U-pick opportunities, while some other great farms that offer pre-picked pumpkins include Pigeon Roost Farm in Hebron, open Sept. 16 through Oct. 29; Leeds Farm in Ostrander, open Sept. 16 to Oct. 28; Dupler's Pumpkin Land in Newark, open Sept. 15 to Oct. 31; and Freeman's Farm in Galena, open Sept. 16 through Oct. 31.

Check out these farms to find a pumpkin patch near you.

Lehner's Pumpkin Farm

Where: 2920 Route 203, Radnor

When: Open Sept. 23 through Oct. 29. Hours vary; see website.

Highlights: Lehner's pumpkin patch has approximately 40 acres of pre-picked pumpkins, gourds and large squash for visitors to choose from, as well as a 15-acre U-pick pumpkin patch. Other activities include barrel rides, pumpkin bowling, corn and other mazes, pedal go-karts, barnyard golf and a chance to meet farm animals.

Price: $2.50 for pie pumpkins through $10 or more for large carving pumpkins. There is no admission to pick pumpkins, only for doing activities.

Information: lehnerpumpkins.com

Lohstroh Family Farm

Where: 15632 Route 56 SE, Mount Sterling

When: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 30 through Oct. 29.

Highlights: Take a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch to select your pumpkin in many varieties. Also available in-store. The farm also includes a corn maze, haystacks, "caterpillar crawl," pumpkin doughnuts and cider slushies.

Price: $10 per person, including the pumpkin.

Information: lohstrohfamilyfarms.com

Maize at Little Darby Creek

Where: 8657 Axe Handle Road, Milford Center

When: 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 24 to Oct. 29

Highlights: Take a hayride to The Maize at Little Darby Creek's U-pick pumpkin patch. Other activities include a kiddie maze, fun barn, petting zoo, pedal carts, unlimited rides on the cow train and much more.

Price: Hayrides to the U-pick pumpkin patch are $2 a la carte or can be purchased with admission. Pumpkin prices vary by size.

Information: mazeandberries.com

More fall activities: Places near Columbus, other options in Ohio for apple picking

Van Buren Acres

Where: 5066 Keller Road, Hebron

When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through Oct. 31

Highlights: Pick pumpkins from Van Buren Acres' field or purchase a pumpkin. There are also activities such as a large corn maze, a smaller soybean maze, a kiddie maze, pig races, wagon rides, miniature golf, barrel train rides, pedal cars and more.

Price: $7 per pumpkin, admission not required unless doing activities

Information: vanburenacres.com

Circle S Farms

Where: 9015 London Groveport Road, Grove City

When: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sept. 28 to Oct. 31

Highlights: Admission includes pumpkin picking, a hayride, a fun barn, corn and sunflower mazes and a bale maze. Recharge with doughnuts and other goodies from the bakery as well as hot chocolate, coffee or apple cider.

Price: $11 admission and $5 per pumpkin. Admission is free for children younger than 2.

Information: circlesfarm.com

Hidden Creek Farms

Imani Plummer pouts because she can't have all of the pumpkins while she is comforted by friend Mackenzie Lewis during a field trip to the Hidden Creek Farms pumpkin patch in Sunbury, Ohio on October 7, 2016. Plummer was on a trip with the Central College Preschool class in Westerville, Ohio.

Where: 581 S. Galena Road, Sunbury

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 23 to Oct. 31

Highlights: U-pick TBD. But other activities available include hayrides, the great pumpkin slide, the pumpkin tunnel, a straw maze, corndig, games and more.

Price: $9 admission, $5 for adults 55 and older, free for children younger than 2. Pumpkin prices vary.

Information: hiddencreekfarms.com.