If you’re looking for a fall day trip from Washington, D.C., there’s a Virginia farm that’s getting national recognition for its pumpkin-picking experience.
Great Country Farms in Bluemont was recently ranked among the 10 best pumpkin patches in the country by the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
The farm’s Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival runs through Halloween, giving visitors plenty of time to pick pumpkins, explore the farm and enjoy classic autumn activities.
Where does Great Country Farms rank among the nation’s best pumpkin patches?
Great Country Farms landed at No. 8 on USA TODAY’s 10Best list of the best pumpkin patches in America for 2026, putting the Bluemont farm among the country’s top 10 destinations for fall festivities.
The national recognition comes at a particularly good time for anyone around Washington, D.C., looking for a seasonal getaway.
Great Country Farms is located in Bluemont, Virginia, in Loudoun County, and is roughly an hour’s drive from the District, making it a relatively easy fall day trip.
Its 2026 Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival runs from September 19 through October 31, with the farm open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
What can you expect at Great Country Farms?
This isn’t just a place to grab a pumpkin and head home. Admission gives visitors access to a 15-acre play area filled with activities for families, along with the seasonal pumpkin-picking experience.
Some of the highlights include:
- 🎃 Pumpkin picking — Take a wagon ride or walk to the pumpkin patch to find your own.
- 🌽 Farmer’s Choice Corn Maze — Navigate the farm’s seasonal corn maze.
- 🐐 Farm animals — Visit and feed friendly goats and see other farm animals.
- 🚜 Wagon rides — Ride out toward the pumpkin patch during the fall harvest.
- 🏌️ Cow Pie Putt-Putt — Take on the farm’s 18-hole mini-golf course.
- 🛝 Giant slides and jumping pillows — Kids can burn off some energy in the expansive play area.
- 🥷 Farm Ninja obstacle course — An additional activity for adventurous visitors.
- 🍩 Cider donuts and seasonal treats — The Farm Market and Bakery offers cider donuts and other fall favorites.
- 🍎 Cider and farm-market goodies — Visitors can also find cider, cider slushies, fresh produce and baked goods.
Weekend visitors can get even more out of their trip, with activities including Oinkintucky Derby pig races, cider pressing demonstrations, marshmallow roasting and live music.
October weekends also bring pumpkin cannons and appearances from P-Rex, the pumpkin-eating dinosaur.
With so much included beyond the pumpkin patch, it’s easy to turn a visit into a full day of fall fun rather than just a quick stop.
How much do tickets cost?
For the 2026 Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival, advance tickets are $12 for children and $14 for adults on weekdays, plus a $1 ticketing fee. Weekend and Columbus Day Monday advance admission is $14 for children and $16 for adults, plus the fee.
Tickets purchased at the gate cost $16 per guest ages 3 and older Monday through Friday and $18 per guest on Saturdays and Sundays, while children 2 and under are admitted for free.
One important thing to remember: your admission ticket does not include a pumpkin.
Pumpkins are sold separately at $0.69 per pound for carving and specialty pumpkins, while pie pumpkins are $5.99 each.
If you’re planning to pick a pumpkin, keep an eye on the clock: the last wagon ride to the pumpkin patch leaves at 4 pm, even though the farm remains open until 5 pm.
