As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, fall provides opportunities to embrace the beauty of the season through agritourism. Choose Iowa members cover all the options from apple picking to pumpkin patches, and the season offers plenty of activities that celebrate Iowa and its farmers.
Visiting Choose Iowa farms during fall provides an opportunity to engage with local agriculture and understand the hard work that goes into producing the food and beverages we enjoy. Many farms open their doors to visitors, offering a range of activities that highlight the season’s harvest. The Choose Iowa Fall Crawl happening October 9-10, 2026 is the perfect chance to get out and explore Iowa agritourism in the fall.
Add these 10 must see stops to your fall bucket list:
Start your autumn adventure at Apple Blossom Farms in Bloomfield! This charming farm invites you to get creative with their pumpkin decorating activities—perfect for families looking to unleash their artistic flair. And don’t forget to pick your own apples! The orchard has many varieties waiting to be harvested.
Iowa’s oldest working orchard, Appleberry Orchard in southwest Iowa spans 22 acres and includes apple picking, a corn maze, bakery featuring their homemade apple cider donuts and fun for the whole family. They also offer fresh apple cider that is sure to give you all the fall feels in a cup!
Bloomsbury Farm just outside of Atkins offers an awesome Iowa Fall Festival every Friday-Sunday through Oct. 31 with an 18-acre pumpkin patch and a 10-acre corn maze. With over 30 attractions, make sure to see the pumpkin house, enjoy gourmet drinks, and engage with adorable barnyard animals while you’re there! The farm also includes attractions such as the infamous Scream Acres, a must-experience for thrill-seekers.
Harvest the moments that matter at Center Grove Orchard in Cambridge! With 20 acres of orchard featuring 34 apple varieties you can pick yourself, a pumpkin patch, corn maze and over 40 attractions, there is no better place to make memories with friends and family. Stay up late to experience the newly added ‘Pumpkin Nights’, when the farm glows from the string lights and fire pits.
This seasonal fun stop in North Liberty offers a little country in the city! Colony Acres Family Farm is celebrating their 100th season on the farm with over 20 attractions and themed weekends all fall! Save some time to stop at The Sweet Shop & Market before you leave to stock up on all your favorite fresh baked breads and farm related items. You can even bring your fury friends because this farm is pet friendly!
Cortum Farm & Co, Indianola, Iowa
Head to Cortum Farm & Co to discover their historic barn filled with beautiful pumpkins—over 70 varieties to choose from! Capture stunning fall photos against the picturesque backdrop and create lasting memories with your family and friends.
Soak up the fall feels with a delicious Iowa grown and crafted hard cider at Deal’s Orchard in Jefferson. This Iowa farm family has been in the business for over 100 years and make a variety of small batch hard ciders right on their farm. You can also shop the Apple Barn, explore fields of flowers, pick your favorite pumpkin and sip a fresh pressed cider while enjoying an Iowa fall day at Deal’s Orchard.
Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch
Just outside of the Des Moines metro is Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch offering over a dozen attractions for the whole family. Be sure to stop at the beverage bin for an apple cider slushie and caramel apple to refuel you before you delve into their massive corn maze. Whether you are enjoying an afternoon with friends or taking a trip with the kids, Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch truly offers fall fun for everyone.
Harvestville Farm in Donnellson, Iowa, provides a spectacular fall experience! With 35 acres of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, plus a 12-acre corn maze, there’s plenty to explore. Enjoy wagon rides and over 40 family-friendly activities that promise fun for all ages. Make sure you explore the Choose Iowa themed corn maze while you there to celebrate Iowa Grown, Iowa Raised, and Iowa Made products!
Find flowers, pumpkins and produce at Indianola Bloom! Build your own bouquet with flowers you pick yourself in the beautiful fields of blooms just south of Des Moines. This is a perfect hidden gem for when you want a casual fall day away from the crowds but still want to enjoy all the fall vibes.
Iowa Orchard and Pie Bakery in Urbandale is serving up fall bites to all with their delicious homemade pies including a customer favorite, Dutch Crumb Apple Pie! With over 30 pie flavors available, you are sure to find one that satisfies your craving. But they don’t just do pies… pick your own apples, find the perfect pumpkin, shop the farm market and enjoy the family fun zone while you are there!
The 5-acre Little Sioux Stems in Milford offers the true farm life experience to all who visit! From the flowers and farm animals to the old cabin in the pasture, there is no shortage of sights to see on the farm. Shop, pick flowers, and be emersed in Iowa farm life during the fall at Little Sioux Stems. Don’t forget to ask about their upcoming Farm to Table Dinners to learn how you can experience an elegant on farm dinner prepared with local foods by Iowa chefs
If you are in northeast Iowa, Pinter’s Gardens and Pumpkins offers a pumpkin patch experience with picture-perfect backdrops, abundant pumpkins, apple picking and yummy concessions! End your visit at their incredible gift shop and bakery filled with local products, perfect for some early holiday shopping.
Schutjer Farm Stand & Pumpkin Patch
Do all your outdoor fall décor shopping at Schutjer Farm Stand & Pumpkin Patch in Woden. They offer a variety of mums, pumpkins, Indian corn, gourds and more at their on-farm stand. Admission is always free and they stock local products from several neighboring farms and businesses.
Manchester, Iowa farm, Sherman’s Pumpkin Patch offers a corn maze (including a flash light corn maze on Saturday nights in October), haunted attractions, hay rides and pumpkin picking to visitors all fall. And don’t worry, if you get hungry, they have you covered there too; serving slushies, apple cider donuts, pumpkin bars, popcorn and more!
As we step into fall, let’s celebrate the season by exploring the rich experiences our farmers have to offer. From apple picking to harvest festivals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy while supporting local agriculture.
More Information:
Link to Choose Iowa Fall Crawl
Link to Choose Iowa Fall Crawl Facebook Event
Link to Choose Iowa Agritourism Options