Pumpkin season in New Jersey doesn’t creep in—it shows up. Most farms open for picking in mid- to late September and run through October, with a few farms stretching into early November if the fields hold up. And it’s never just pumpkins, obviously, this is Jersey. We’ve got hayrides, corn mazes, small-town festivals, cider, and cider doughnuts. Every fall bucketlist item you can think of. Below are 20 NJ farms worth a weekend.

When Is Pumpkin Picking in NJ?

Mid-September to late October. Peak is October, especially leading up to Halloween. Many farms open right around the first day of fall, some open a touch earlier if the crop ripens fast, and a handful stay open into early November when supply allows.

Tips Before You Go

Double-check hours. Weekday schedules and special events can change normal patch times.

Reserve early. Popular spots often require tickets—weekends sell out.

Bring cash. Some stands, hayrides, or snack shacks are cash-only.

Go early in the day. Mornings = lighter crowds, better pumpkin picks.

Dress for fields, not sidewalks. Boots/sneakers + layers; paths can be muddy or uneven.

Abma’s Farm – Wyckoff

Dates: Sept. 27–Nov. 1
Location: 700 Lawlins Road, Wyckoff, NJ 07481
Abma’s Farm hosts pumpkin picking, hayrides, and family events. Guests can take a scenic hayride to the pumpkin patch, pick their own pumpkin, and enjoy barnyard adventures at the petting zoo.

Alstede Farms – Chester

Dates: Sept. 22–Nov. 1
Location: 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
Alstede is one of the state’s classic fall stops, with pumpkins of every size and plenty of extras. Online reservations are required, but you’ll get access to hayrides, corn mazes, and special seasonal activities. Don’t miss the Harvest Moon Hayride, which turns into an evening event with a flashlight maze, live music, and a big bonfire.

Argos Farm – Forked River

Dates: Sept. 13–Oct. 26; Nov. 1–2
Location: 1250 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731
Visitors here can head right into the field and cut pumpkins straight from the vine, paying for each one separately. The experience goes beyond the patch, too. Families can wander through a corn maze, snack on fall treats, snap photos at festive backdrops, and catch live music on select days.

Dalton Farms – Swedesboro

Dates: Sept. 1–Oct. 31 (closed Tuesdays)
Location: 660 Oak Grove Road, Swedesboro, NJ 08085
Pumpkin Fest features a pumpkin patch, pumpkin town, tractor rides, and live music. Small pumpkins are $5, large $10, and long-face $15. Weekends include food vendors, a beer garden, farmers market, and pedal boat rentals.

Demarest Farms – Hillsdale

Dates: Sept. 20–Oct. 31
Location: 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale, NJ 07642
Open daily with online reservations, Demarest offers a pumpkin patch, hayrides, and a farm market. General admission is $8, with pumpkins sold separately (a $13 fee applies for the largest pumpkins). Families can also attend a Halloween Light Show and enjoy firepit s’mores.

Etsch Farms – Monroe Township

Dates: Sept. 20–Oct. 31
Location: 556 Buckelew Avenue, Monroe Township, NJ 08831
At Etsch Farms, fall fun starts with a hayride out to the pumpkin patch and continues in their massive 8-acre themed corn maze. Pumpkins are sold individually, and the farm rounds out the experience with barnyard animals and seasonal favorites like cider doughnuts and refreshing apple cider slushies.

Farms View Roadstand – Wayne

Dates: Sept. 30–Oct. 31
Location: 945 Black Oak Ridge Road, Wayne, NJ 07470
In October, hayrides head out to the fields every day. Tickets cost $12 during the week and $14 on weekends, and each ride comes with a pumpkin and an apple to take home. Pumpkins are also available in the farm market.

Happy Day Farm – Manalapan

Dates: Sept. 13–Nov. 2
Location: 106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Guests can pick pumpkins and explore Pumpkinville, sunflower fields, and a corn maze. Other attractions include pig races and tractor rides. Tickets are required on weekends, with weekday cash entry.

Heaven Hill Farm – Vernon

Dates: Sept. 13–Nov. 2
Location: 451 State Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462
At the Great Pumpkin Fest, a hayride takes you straight out to the fields where pumpkins, gourds, and mums are waiting to be picked, all sold by weight. Once you’re back from the patch, there’s plenty more to do: get lost in the corn maze, stop by the farm animals, cheer on a pig race, or let kids burn energy on the pedal cars. For those who want to add even more to the day, the farm also offers carnival rides, gem mining, paintball, and the fall favorite everyone looks for — fresh cider doughnuts.

Maple Leaf Farms – Manalapan

Dates: Sept. 20–Nov. 1 (weekends and Columbus Day)
Location: 525 Route 9, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Fall Fun Fest includes hayrides to the pumpkin patch, with pumpkins sold by weight. Families can also enjoy a corn maze, animal barnyard, pig races, bull riding, pedal karts, and over 30 seasonal activities.

Melick’s Town Farm – Califon

Dates: Oct. 1–Oct. 31
Location: 472 County Road 513, Califon, NJ 07830
Pumpkins are available from the vine starting in early October. Horse-drawn wagon rides, baked goods, gourds, and decorative corn round out the seasonal offerings.

Norz Hill Farm – Hillsborough

Dates: Sept. 13–Oct. 31
Location: 116 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Fall Harvest Days feature hayrides to pumpkin patches with more than 60 pumpkin, gourd, and squash varieties in a range of colors. Pumpkins are priced at $0.89 per pound.

Riamede Farm – Chester

Dates: Sept. 20–Oct. 26
Location: 122 Oakdale Road, Chester, NJ 07930
Visitors can cut pumpkins straight from the vine or choose from pre-picked selections. Farm Passes include wagon rides, field access, and entry into the apple orchard.

Secor Farms – Mahwah

Dates: Sept. 15–Oct. 31
Location: 85 Airmont Avenue, Mahwah, NJ 07430
Pumpkin picking, petting zoo, hayrides, and a corn maze run through October. Public hayrides are $8.50 per person. The farm market also sells gourds, corn stalks, and fall treats.

Snyder’s Farm – Somerset

Dates: Oct. 4–Oct. 26 (weekends)
Location: 586 South Middlebush Road, Somerset, NJ 08873
Fall Festival weekends include pumpkin picking, hayrides, a corn maze, live music, and food vendors. Tickets are sold at the gate—no presale required.

Springdale Farm Market – Cherry Hill

Dates: Oct. 4–Oct. 26
Location: 1638 South Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Hayrides to the pumpkin patch run every weekend in October. Pumpkins are priced per pound. Visitors can also enjoy fall-themed cutouts for fun photo opportunities.

Stony Hill Farms – Chester

Dates: Sept. 20–Oct. 31
Location: 15 North Road, Chester, NJ 07930
Pumpkin picking runs through the season with admission starting at $7.99 online. Entry includes access to the orchards, hayride to the pumpkin patch (weekends only), and other activities.

Terhune Orchards – Princeton

Dates: Sept. 13–Nov. 2
Location: 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Spread out across 250 acres, this farm has plenty to keep families busy on fall weekends. Beyond pumpkin picking, kids can enjoy pony rides and a painting station, while adults can grab a bite to eat or check out the on-site winery. Admission also gives you access to the corn maze, adventure barn, and the farm’s scenic nature trails.

Von Thun Farms – South Brunswick & Washington

Dates: Sept. 13–Nov. 2 (weekends)
Location: 519 Ridge Road, South Brunswick, NJ 08852 & 438 Route 57 West, Washington, NJ 07882
At Von Thun Farms, the spotlight is on pumpkin picking. Visitors can hop on unlimited hayrides out to the patch, where pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available for purchase. Families can also explore a Sesame Street–themed corn maze, apple orchard, barnyard, and enjoy over 20 activities like pedal carts, sports zones, and a straw maze. Free parking included.

Wightman Farms – Morristown

Dates: Sept.–Oct. 31 (weekends)
Location: 1111 Mount Kemble Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960
The Fall Festival runs on weekends and packs in all the classics — hayrides, winding mazes, and plenty of pumpkin picking. A $30 ticket covers admission and also comes with some extras: one pumpkin to take home, a reusable tote bag, unlimited hayrides, and a handful of other seasonal activities.