Pumpkins, Hayrides and Haunts! Your Northwest Arkansas Fall Bucket List.

Here’s your fall-and-spooky-season game plan in one tidy list: the best corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and orchards in (and just beyond) Northwest Arkansas—perfect for family days, date nights, and golden-hour photo ops. As sweater weather rolls in, expect apple cider, kettle corn, hayrides, and fields of pumpkins begging to be carved into jack-o’-lanterns. By day it’s sunflowers, wagon rides, and kid-friendly play zones; after dark, spooky season flicks on with flashlight mazes, haunted barns, and the occasional “no-scare” night for littles. Most spots run mid-September through early November, so layer up, pack a tote (and a brave face), and get ready for cozy vibes, crunchy leaves—and a few delightful screams.

1. Farmland Adventures (Springdale) 

   The region’s big, family-friendly fall farm: giant corn maze, pumpkin patch, pony rides, petting farm, wagon rides to feed the cows, pedal karts, pig races, and more.

   Know before you go:

   • 2025 season: Sep 5–Nov 1; Thu–Sat hours posted on their site.

   • Admission required for ages 3+; most farm attractions included.

     
     

2. Exeter Corn Maze (Exeter, MO) 

   A sprawling day-to-night destination with a pumpkin patch, corn maze, sunflower fields, go-karts, and multiple haunted attractions after dark.

   Know before you go:

   • Opening Day 2025: Sep 6; season runs through early November—check the Hours/Calendar before you drive.

   • Ticketing for 2025 season is live with Sep 6–Nov 3 dates.

     
     

3. McGarrah Farms – Pumpkin Patch (Pea Ridge)

   The longtime local farm’s “pumpkin-patch proper”—photo ops, hay rides and lots of porch-worthy pumpkins (pick-your-own and pre-picked).

   Know before you go:

   • Pumpkin availability and hours vary by week—check the farm page before you go.

     
     

4. Rivercrest Orchard (Fayetteville) 

   An orchard-style fall festival with an 8-acre corn maze, pumpkin/sunflower patches, and a huge barnyard play area; extras often include zip-lines, apple blasters and a barrel train.

   Know before you go:

   • “Fall at the Farm” operates seasonally, Sep. 13 - Nov. 1

     
     

5. Vanzant Fruit Farms (Lowell) 

   A long-running market for Arkansas apples, cider supplies, jams, honey and seasonal produce—perfect for pie apples and a quick fall stock-up.

   Know before you go:

   • They’re not pick-your-own; check the site for current hours and varieties.

     
     

6. Edward Gay Family Farm (Springdale) 

   A generations-old farm stand on Hwy 412E with apples, pumpkins and local goods like jams, sorghum and baked treats when in season.

   Know before you go:

   • Hours and selection change with the harvest—call or check their listing before you go.

     
     

7. Turnbuckle Farm Pumpkin Patch (Bentonville) 

   A friendly, easy stop in Bentonville for pumpkins and fall photos—great for after-school runs.

   Know before you go:

   • Event page lists the pumpkin patch launching around Sep 12 at 821 NW McNelly Rd; verify week-to-week hours.

     
     

8. Reagan Family Farm (Fayetteville) — small, central-city patch

   A cozy, in-town pumpkin patch with mums, straw bales and the occasional cut-flower rows—simple, photogenic, and close to everything.

   Know before you go:

   • Hours are posted seasonally on Facebook; check the latest update before you head over.

     
     

9. Ranalli Farms Pumpkin Patch (Tontitown/Springdale)

   Family farm with produce market and bakery; the pumpkin patch is a laid-back, photo-friendly stop that has historically offered free admission.

   Know before you go:

   • Confirm current-season hours on the site or Facebook/phone; bakery goodies sell out fast.