Fall 2026, Week by Week
Iowa's fall season is shorter than it feels. Ours runs August 29 through November 8, and inside those ten weeks the farm changes more than most people expect. The apples come first, the pumpkins peak in October, and the last weekend is the loudest one of the year.
The Short Answer
Come on a weekday in the first half of October. The field is full, the corn is tall, the events are running, and the crowds are half what they are on a Saturday. Weekday admission is $14.95 against $19.95 on weekends, so it's cheaper too.
If weekends are your only option, arrive at opening. The first two hours are calm, the food lines are short, and you're heading home before the afternoon rush.
Late August: Opening Weekends
The season opens August 29, but the first two weeks are weekends only. That's August 29 and 30, then September 5, 6, and Labor Day Monday the 7th. Weekdays are closed until September 11.
Opening weekend has the Butterfly Release, where guests hold native butterflies before letting them go in the orchard. It's the quietest event of the season and it's over fast, so if that's the draw, come early.
The sunflower and zinnia meadows open August 30 and run through late September. If you want a bouquet, this is the window.
September: Apples First
From September 11 the farm is open six days a week, closed Tuesdays, 9 AM to 7 PM.
September is apple month. The early varieties are ripe, the crowds are thin, and afternoons are warm enough that sunscreen matters more than a jacket. It's the best month for anyone who wants the orchard without the October scramble.
The pumpkin patch is open but the field is still filling in. Pumpkins are ready by late September; before that, you'll find some, not the full spread.
Country Celebration runs through September with rope-making, corn-shelling, and other heritage demonstrations on weekends.
The corn maze is at full height by mid-September. This year's design is an American farmer theme, with a flag and vintage tractors cut into four acres of corn.
October: Peak Everything
October is what people picture when they picture a pumpkin patch. The field is full, every attraction is running, and the events stack up.
Pumpkin Fest runs through October with pumpkin games and the Pumpkin Princess on weekends. Pumpkin Nights opens the farm until 9 PM on select Fridays and Saturdays, October 2 through 24, with campfire sites you can reserve ahead. It's not held October 30 or 31. Costume Weekend is October 25 and 26, and yes, the adults dress up too.
The trade-off is crowds. The second and third Saturdays of October are the busiest days of the year. A Thursday in early October gives you the same field, the same maze, and about a third of the people.
Early November: The Last Week
The field is picked over by November but the crowds are gone, the light is good, and the apples still hanging are the late keepers that store through winter.
Apple picking closes November 2. The farm stays open through November 8, and the final weekend is Pumpkin Destruction, November 7 and 8. Pumpkins fly, splatter, and crumble, and it's one of the few pumpkin smashing events of its kind in Central Iowa. If you've never seen a pumpkin launched, this is the weekend.
Weekday vs. Weekend
- Light crowds
- Short food lines
- Close parking
- Fewer events
- Heavy crowds in October
- Long food lines after noon
- Plan to walk from parking
- Most events run weekends
Coming more than twice? The Fall Season Pass at $69.95 pays for itself on the fourth weekend visit. The Farm'All Pass covers every season for $139.99.
What Happens If It Rains
The farm opens and stays open in rainy weather. A few attractions close for safety when it's wet, the Jumping Pillows and Super Slide among them, but the orchard, the pumpkin patch, and the corn maze stay open. Refunds and date transfers aren't available for weather, so check the forecast before you buy.
Parking is in a field. After rain, it's soft. Boots are worth it.
Getting Here
We're at 32835 610th Avenue in Cambridge, five miles east of I-35 at Exit 102. That's about 35 minutes from downtown Des Moines, 20 from Ames, and 25 from Ankeny.
The directions page has drive times from 26 towns, and there's a guide for Des Moines families if you're coming from the metro.
Fall 2026 at a Glance
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the pumpkin patch open in Iowa?
Ours opens August 29 with weekends only through September 10, then daily except Tuesdays through November 8.
What's the best week to go?
The first two weeks of October, on a weekday. Full field, full maze, events running, and half the crowd.
When are apples ready to pick?
Late August through November 2, with different varieties ripening across the season. September is the sweet spot for apples specifically.
Are you open on Labor Day?
Yes, September 7, 9 AM to 7 PM.
What days are you closed?
Tuesdays all season, plus weekdays before September 11.
Is Pumpkin Nights every Friday and Saturday in October?
Select Fridays and Saturdays, October 2 through 24. Not October 30 or 31.