The 15 best pumpkin patches near Washington, D.C.

Woodbine, Md. 

Drive time from D.C: About 1 hour

Larriland Farm has been a go-to place for locals to pick their own pumpkins, apples, berries and peaches since 1973. Picking isn't just business as usual here; you can get to the pumpkin field via a hayride that'll see you ford a stream and snake through the woods. 

Time Out tip: On weekends, be sure to pick up an apple fritter or two at the market—they're made from the owner's family recipe. Food trucks are also available on Saturdays and Sundays.

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Delaplane, Va. 

Drive time from D.C.: About 1 hour, 9 minutes

This Virginia farm offers a traditional, no-frills pumpkin patch experience all month long. Pumpkins, squash and gourds cost 85 cents per pound, and 65 cents per pound if your haul weighs more than 50 pounds. Take a moment to stock your refrigerator with fall greens like lettuce, bok choi, Napa cabbage, turnips and arugula—all of which can be picked for $4 per pound. 

Bluemont, Va. 

Drive time from D.C.: About 1 hour, 10 minutes

Another extremely popular local pumpkin patch, autumn days at Great Country Farms are a sight to behold. Nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the busy farm offers pick your own pumpkins, plus activities like corn mazes, feeding farm animals and cider pressing demos on weekends.

Time Out tip: When you're finished picking pumpkins, drive about four minutes to Bluemont Vineyard. Ask to be seated on the patio to take in a seriously serene panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Henway Hard Cider and Dirt Farm Brewing are also within a five minute drive of the winery and farm. 

Mt. Airy, Md. 

Drive time from D.C.: About 1 hour, 11 minutes

Gaver Farm is a popular local option yearround to pick fruits and vegetables, and that's even more true in the fall during apple and pumpkin season. Walk or take a scenic hayride to 12 acres of pumpkin patches, then choose from four eateries on site when you get hungry.

If you're feeling adventurous, try the Apple Cider Fall Shake Up, vanilla ice cream swirled with an apple cider slushie and crowned with an apple cider donut.

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Thurmont, Md. 

Drive time from D.C.: About 1 hour, 4 minutes 

Just about an hour's drive from D.C. and a lower key spot than other farms listed here, Brookfield Pumpkins offers visitors 15 acres of pumpkins, gourds and squashes, plus plenty of space to roam and beautiful mountain scenery. Rather than pricing by weight, the farm prices pumpkins individually by size from $1-$40.

Once you've secured your haul, puzzle through the corn maze (all proceeds from maze admission go to charity) and head to Links Bridge Vineyards, a local winery that's less than a mile away.

Mt. Airy, Md. 

Drive time from D.C.: About 28 minutes

Rock Hill Orchard may be known for its apples, but it also offers a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Be sure to save time to launch a pumpkin with the Pumpkin Cannon—yes, this is exactly what it sounds like—and pick up some freshly-made ice cream and milk at the orchard's Woodbourne Creamery onsite.

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Germantown, Md.

Drive time from D.C.: About 52 minutes 

Butler's Orchard is known in the area for drawing crowds to its annual Pumpkin Festival, which is now in its 44th year and features numerous activities like a pumpkin cannon, barnyard animals, pony rides, pedal tractors, mazes and more.

Also included in that admission price is a chance to pick your own pumpkins, which involves a wagon ride that winds through the woods and passes some cute and (mildly) spooky decorations on the way to a huge pumpkin patch.

Time Out tip: Fall weekends at Butler's Orchard get very crowded, so don't show up without reserving a ticket ahead of time if you don't want to risk being turned away.

Clinton, Md. 

Drive time from D.C.: About 35 minutes

Family owned and operated since 1879, Miller Farms offers prospective pumpkin pickers a big patch to explore. Don't leave without stopping by the bakery, which stocks pies, cobblers, pastries, cakes and many more sweets that are baked fresh daily. 

The bakery is especially appreciated locally for its Butterflake Rolls and cake donuts, which come in many flavors besides traditional apple cider like red velvet, double chocolate, honey dip and toasted coconut. 

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Westminster, Md. 

Drive time from D.C.: About 1 hour, 20 minutes

Fall weekends mean apple and pumpkin picking at Baugher's, a family-run farm established in 1904 (it started offering pick your own pumpkins 86 years later, in 1990).

Today, a pumpkin picking visit to this Carroll County staple involves a short but scenic tractor ride to the patch and charges only $4 admission. Before visiting, call the farm's pick your own hotline to confirm whether the patch is open, because conditions change daily.

Time Out tip: Baugher's has a sit-down restaurant that's open daily and serves country-style breakfast, lunch and dinner at very fair prices (lunch and breakfast dishes are generally $10 or less, and non-seafood entrées like fried chicken and grilled pork chops cost anout $14 or less).

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Mitchellville, Md. 

Drive time from D.C.: About 45 minutes

If you're big into decorating outside for Halloween, Queen Anne Farm is your spot. This patch has pumpkins that weigh between 2 ounces and 200 pounds, plus all the mums, straw bales, scarecrows and corn shocks needed to create head-turning porch displays. Stop by for a picture at The Pumpkin House, too.

Time Out tip: Visit Queen Anne Farm on October 26 and 27th for Pet Days at the Patch, when dogs on short leashes can roam the pumpkin patch with their owners.

Berryville, Va. 

Drive time from D.C.: About 1 hour, 10 minutes

Wayside Farm Fun offers visitors eight acres of pumpkin patches to hunt for the perfect jack-o'-lantern. Other fall farm activities include weekend pig races, pumpkin smashing and a 10-acre Spiderman-themed corn maze.

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Poolesville, Md. 

Drive time from D.C.: About 57 minutes

If you want your pumpkin patch experience to include plenty of farm animals, head to Homestead Farm. In addition to a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, this farm has pigs, sheep, goats and chickens. The pumpkin picking experience includes a hayride, too. 

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Middletown, Md. 

Drive time from D.C.: About 1 hour

It's all about variety at Summers Farm—there's an option in its pumpkin patch for just about any pumpkin-related activity you'd like to do. Want something large, or that's a muted pale color rather than traditional orange? Summers grows varieties that fit the bill. 

If you'd only like to pick pumpkins, admission and the wagon ride to the patch are free. For a more involved outing, wade through 5 acres of corn mazes, or get a fall festival ticket for more activities like farm animals, pig and duck racing, ball games and more.

Franconia/Kingstowne, Va.

Drive time from D.C.: About 28 minutes

If your ideal pumpkin patch experience doesn't involve getting your hands dirty, Nalls Produce may be your spot. Since 1961, the produce market has offered a curated selection of pumpkins, squashes, gourds and ornamental corn sourced from local farms during the fall.

Grab a wagon and shop the piles of pumpkins. When you're done picking, head into the market to shop for local jams, fall snacks, Halloween candies and baked goods (including apple cider donuts). 

Time Out tip: Don't forget to take some photos at Nalls' Insta-famous Pumpkin Wall. 

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Vienna, Va. 

Drive time from D.C.: About 30 minutes

Here's another option if you don't want picking pumpkins to involve dirt and bugs. DePaul's Urban Farm is a one stop shop for fall whimsy. Sort through pre-picked, cleaned pumpkins and take pictures at the various pumpkin sculptures and displays.

Stop into the cotttage store for fall flowers, gifts and snacks like ice cream sandwiches, popcorn and apple cider donuts. The store even stocks some vintage clothes.