There is something magical about stepping out onto a farm when the autumn chill hits the air. This past weekend, our family headed out to Great Country Farms in Bluemont, Virginia, to experience their annual U-Pick Pumpkin Patch.

While we love visiting farms year-round, nothing quite tops the excitement of heading out into the fields together to find the perfect jack-o'-lantern-to-be!

Searching for the Perfect Pumpkin

Great Country Farms grows a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures across their patch. The kids were thrilled to hunt through the vines to find their favorites—from tiny, smooth decorative gourds to giant, textured pumpkins ready for carving.

One of our favorite things about picking early in the season is enjoying the "treasure hunt" experience before the first frost, as you wind through the authentic growing vines to spot hidden gems.

Pro Tip: Pumpkins are sold separately from admission by weight (at $0.59 per pound), so make sure to leave some room in your wagon for all your finds!

Fall Harvest Festival Fun

The pumpkin patch is just part of the overall experience. Our pumpkin-picking trip coincided with their Fall Harvest Festival, making it an all-day family adventure:

Festival Treats: After gathering our pumpkins, we stopped by for fresh apple cider and hot cider donuts :Sept Apple & Corn Maze Tix Family Flashlight Night Tix Get Pumkin Harvest Tix, Food & Drink Cider Barn Order Donuts Market, Our Fall Harvest Festival is fun for the whole family with great food, cider, and music.

Farm Play Area & Corn Maze: The kids spent hours running through the play areas and working through the seasonal corn maze [cite: Sept Apple & Corn Maze Tix Family Flashlight Night Tix Get Pumpkin Harvest Tix, Bakery & Play Area Open Daily 9am-5pm, Farm Admission includes access to the sunflower field and the whole farm play area.].

Live Music & Cider Barn: Parents can kick back, enjoy live music, and soak in the mountain views.

Planning Your Visit

If you're planning a trip with your own family, here are a few quick details to help you prepare:

Location: 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA 20135

Hours:Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Pumpkin Season: September 19 through October 31

What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and a camera for all the autumn photo ops!

Whether you’re looking to carve a masterpiece or just enjoy a day out in the fresh air, a trip to the pumpkin patch at Great Country Farms is an ideal fall tradition!