The spooky season is upon us and it brings with it some of the most controversial treats: pumpkin spice and candy corn! While you might not be to keen on these fall treats, one thing we can all agree on is pumpkins! Those bright orange fruits – yup fruits! – give our yards, porches and tables a bright pop of color while the days get dreary. Head to the nearest pumpkin patch in Olympia, Tumwater, Yelm and through Thurston County to pick the perfect one. Stay awhile at these Thurston County farms and hit the corn mazes and other activities too.
Tips for visiting Thurston County pumpkin patches:
- Early in the season will give you the best selection.
- Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Be ready for the weather: that could mean sunscreen or an umbrella and a raincoat!
- Bring cash, though some accept cards, it’s good to be prepared.
- Be prepared to walk.
- Put cardboard or plastic garbage bags down in your car to keep it clean.
Hunter Family Farm
September 29 – closing date TBA
Fridays: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays – Sundays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
7401 Yelm Hwy SE, Olympia
The Hunter Family Farm pumpkin patch in Yelm is always a great place to go for fall treats and fun. They will have Funnel Love food truck with all their deep-fried treats everything day except October 13. On the weekends they also have Steele Barrel BBQ and Boogie Beans Espresso. The farm sells cotton candy, kettle corn, caramel corn and Hunter Family hot spiced cider.
Pick out your pumpkin, then stay for all the fun activities including wagon rides to the corn maze (weekends only), giant and junior corn maze, hay maze with slide, pillow jump, kiddie train ride through the lost pumpkin mine, kiddie quad rides, apple cannons, corn hole, ducky races, pumpkin slingshot. Shop for fall decorations, gourds and squashes too. Dogs are allowed. Admission required. Purchase tickets in advanced at the Hunter Family Farm website.
Rutledge Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin Patch is opening daily, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Farm: Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.
302 93rd Ave SE, Olympia
If you are looking for a day full of fun along with pumpkin picking, try the Rutledge Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Olympia! They offer 10 varieties of pumpkins as well as corn stalks, mini pumpkins and more to complete your fall decorating. Ride the free wagon to and from the patch! Friday through Sunday, treat yourself to churros and ice cream.
Then, stay for all the activities, including jump pad, spin chairs, swing set, wall ball games, calf roping practice station, bubble barn, corn cannon, and their famous corn maze. Paintball can be purchased separately of admission. Dogs are allowed during daylight hours – please pick up after them. No entry is required for the pumpkin patch. Tickets for everything else can be purchased online at the Rutledge Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch website.
Schilter Family Farm
September 30 – October 30
Weekdays, Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
141 Nisqually Cutoff Road SE, Olympia
Schilter Family Farm is ready for the fall season with a 5-acre corn maze and tons of pumpkins for you to choose from! New this year is a low ropes obstacle course and gem mining. Don’t miss all their other activities including hay pyramid, playgrounds, baby animals, zip swings and more. Take a ride on the cow train, play paintball, shoot apple blasters and have a pony ride on the weekends.
After you find your pumpkin, take a bite of fall flavors in their Sweet Shack and beer barn – beer barn is for 21-and-over only. Purchase your tickets online at the Schilter Family Farm website and save.
Pigman’s Pumpkin Patch
October 1-31
Monday–Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
10633 Steilacoom Road SE, Olympia
Pigman’s Produce pumpkin patch in Olympia is a great place to go for those looking for organic pumpkins of various shapes and sizes! They also have corn stalks, gourds, vegetables – including late sweet corn – and sunflowers. There is no charge for parking or entry, they just want people to have fun! They may be closed a couple hours during the weekdays for medical appointments. Service and female dogs allowed, but must be on leash. For more information, visit the Pigman’s Pumpkin Patch website.
