By Stacy Grove

Fall is the best time of year. I’ll battle this until the end of my life. I love the smell of campfires. I love the changing of leaves. I love the attitude of gratitude and gathering. It’s the time of year that we slow and celebrate. Also: Football.

There’s so much to do outside in the fall, and one of our favorites activities is visiting one of our many, local U-Pick Pumpkin Patches. Here are a few of our favorites:

Hillside Acres, Rossville

This charming U-pick farm and country market is just 10 minutes from I-65 and totally worth the drive. From a corn maze, to a playground, to hayrides and apple dumplings, this place has it all. Our favorite, though, is riding a tractor to the pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin! And, if you don’t have time to pick, they have several piles of pre-picked that you can select from. Hillside is a great place to spend a sunny, fall afternoon.

Wea Creek Orchard, Lafayette

Located in Southern Tippecanoe County, minutes from downtown Lafayette, Wea Creek Orchard has tons of locally grown produce in their market, or another great U-pick opportunity! You can walk through rows of apple trees or enjoy a hayride! Additionally, you can pick sunflowers in the U-Pick sunflower patch or stroll along the Wea Creek!

Exploration Acres, Lafayette

This is probably the most well-known U-pick farm on our list. Exploration Acres is famously known for their annual corn maze, which ranges from 18 to 25 acres, with MILES of paths. As with many of the others, you can take a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch, enjoy a hayride or rent a firepit. (And, make a note, in the spring, you HAVE to check out their tulips!!)

Kents Cucurbits, Brookston

This family-owned pumpkin haven is about 20 minutes from Lafayette, with no charge for admission! Along with pumpkins, you’ll love their assortment of decorative squash, gourds, Indian corn, and other fall decor! This farm is seasonally opened in the fall, and you’ll be amazed by some of their “mammoth” cucurbits. For a set fee, you can also roam their corn maze!

Dulls Tree Farm, Lebanon

If you have time for a little longer road trip from Tippecanoe County, head to Dull’s Tree Farm and Pumpkin Farm in Lebanon! They have so many pumpkin displays, and over 30 attractions, plus food and wagon rides! Their season runs from late September through early November, and then they transform to their claim to fame: Christmas trees!

Give yourself the gift of time in the great outdoors this fall season. Put on a flannel and some boots, and grab your favorite fall beverage. Then, go support our local farms and farming families while making traditions of your own!